She So Funny

When I get my azz out there to perform, I feel so good from it.  Last week, at the AITB – Art in the Basin event at Mon Amour Coffee and Wine, I had a great time.  A poet I enjoy, Heather Archibald, was a feature, and I was asked to perform comedy as the other feature.  Additionally there was an open mic. 

Time was tight, so I ended up doing a shorter set than I was prepared to do.  That was fine with me.  I prefer being over-prepared.  It’s a hybrid event, so some of the audience is Zooming in on-line while others are right there in person.  

I was happy to be videotaped, but disappointed that the video didn’t pick up the audience reactions.  There was laughter throughout, and there was one attendee who had something to shout out a few times during my set.  One example:  When, toward the end of a bit about ‘no balls,’ I said that I like the way my jeans fit, he yelled out, “I like the way your jeans fit too.”  It all became part of everything, but when I watched the video, my voice was the only one heard.  Video aside, I had a great experience. 

I feel fortunate to have become to know Tim W. Brown and Amy Joy Robateau, who are such welcoming and supportive hosts and contribute loving vibes to the community.  God/dess knows, we need it.  I believe Ron Marc Trenkler-Thomson (Bronx Art & Fun Hub  https://www.facebook.com/bxafh) had something to do with the connection happening, then further supported by John A. Todras (half of the Elegant Ivory Duo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrHqQhJkUvs) – both extremely supportive people.

From left to right:  Tim W. Brown, me, Amy Joy Robateau, and Heather Archibald.

I had my annual lung scan yesterday.  That was the easy part.  On 2/21, I have to meet with the doctor to discuss the results.  THAT’S the hard part.  My buddy is taking me and will be with me.  I want to be on this Earth for many more years.  I finally got it more together than I had for so long, but health issues give me SOOOO much anxiety. 

Onto happier things – on Wednesday, February 26^th, I’ll be featuring as a poet at Evie Ivy’s reading series at the Green Pavilion, 4307 18^th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (F train to 18^th Avenue station, then a 2-minute walk).  Reasonable prices, well attended, and typically a very satisfying evening.  Evie is a warm and welcoming host.  Sign up for the open mic if you’d like to share something.  It’s a supportive audience.

By the way, if you are looking for a unique and unisex gift, and if this applies, contact me.

Mark your calendar for March 14, 2025, at 8pm for comedy at The Artist on City Island!  Only $15 cover and NO minimum!  You may even BYOB!  More details in the next blog.

Shout out to Jaye for warming my heart with a Valentine card.  This person has been a bright light in my life since I met her some years ago.  She lifts my spirits with each contact.  It seems amazing to me that whenever I’m thinking of her strongly, I hear from her the next day or two.  I feel like I pick up on her energy or she on mine. 

Constant love to CGG-M  ❤💕❤

Mindy Matijasevic

February 2025

Photo by Flash Rosenberg

Thank goodness the holidays are over for now.  That’s how I feel.  I am grateful that my best buddy and I got together and, by car, brought my December rent check to the rental office on Dec. 31^st (how’s that for last minute) and then went to an Indian restaurant for dinner on New Year’s Eve.  It wasn’t planned in advance; it happened spontaneously.  He treated.  We enjoyed each other’s company and conversation.  Since it wasn’t planned, it felt like a bonus.  Earlier that last day of 2024, I was informed that a poem of mine was accepted for the March issue of First Literary Review East.  I am grateful for the communities of which I am part.

The first day of 2025 was the New Year’s Day Spoken Word Extravanga from 2 to 10pm way down in the West Village.  I was scheduled to read somewhere between 3 and 4pm, but I was quite late and read somewhere after 5pm.  I am glad they don’t have the “You’re late!” attitude.  They put me up later on, and I was welcomed.  Aside from reading three short poems, I presented my divorce t-shirts for sale.  I made a sale, which helped me get through the next two days.  My reading was well received.  I was glad to see many poetry folks I don’t see often, mainly because many are downtown poets and I’m in the Bronx.  It was a good way to start the year.

Contact me if you’d like a shirt for yourself or as a gift for someone else.  They are unisex and XL.

I’ll be performing stand-up at Pangea (178 Second Avenue, NYC) on Friday, 1/24/2025 in the 9pm “Eat Drink Laugh” show, produced and hosted by the very funny Paul Hallasy.  It’s always a hilarious time, and we are going to need it.  Tickets $15 at the door ($10 in advance) – and $20 minimum on drink and/or delicious food.  Laughter guaranteed!

ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE HERE: https://cur8.com/23871/project/128512 

Love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic

January 2025

As many of you know, I have a leg in the poetry world and a leg in the comedy world.

If you appreciate short poems, you will enjoy this event: 

If you yearn to laugh, come enjoy a comedy show on City Island at The Artist, December 20^th, 8pm, only $15 cover and no minimum!

I was recently part of a research group.  I expected it to feel long and boring, but it actually felt fast and intriguing.  I now hope the check will be fast arriving. 

Love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic, November 2024

    The poetry reading last Sunday lifted my spirits.  It was a small-ish turnout, but high in quality.  Plus I got to see and hear the work of my friend, Mindy Levokove.  Michael Graves curates this part of the Phoenix Series, and he was so encouraging to me.  I appreciate him very much.

    The weather was delightful.  But still I was late.  My #4 train stop was being bypassed by downtown trains due to track work.  I had to take the train uptown to go downtown.  Then, at 42^nd, I had to switch to the #6.  I have seen too much local news and find myself afraid of being in the subway.  So I had anxiety the whole way down about that and being late.

    But the atmosphere felt so good, the people so accepting.  They appreciated my poetry and verbalized it.  It’s a nourishing feeling, different than other kinds of nourishment.

    The Monday before, I spent the eclipse with my two closest friends.  We went to the Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn and observed the eclipse from there with our special glasses.  Mainly, I loved the three of us being together.

    Tuesday, 4/16, was my best friend’s birthday.  He and I got together for the evening portion of his birthday.  Went out for Indian food (he treated), and we hung out talking.  I had a zero-budget situation, so I made him a very personal card that only ‘besties’ could do.  It caused a LOTTA laughter.  He appreciated that very much.  On zero budget, it was a goodie.  But it will have to go in a hidden file.

    This Saturday, 4/20, I will be part of a reading at the Thompkins Square Library, 331 East 10^th Street, NYC.  Evie Ivy put together an anthology of poems during COVID and is curating this reading and selling copies of the anthology.  It’s at 1:00pm and is FREE.  If this appeals to you, come on over.

    If you need a unique gift for a male or female who this applies to:

please let me know.  My email is mindyinthebronx@gmail.com.  They are Hanes, size XL.

My bestie’s mom is turning 101 years lived today.  We are getting together to celebrate.  While it is amazing to be on Earth for that long, the quality of the later years has been challenging.  Her anger at the high prices of everything gives us the impression that she’ll be here a few more years.  She’s a fighter (or as she puts it, “I opened my mouth.”).  I could use a shot of what she has.  Years ago, when she wanted her husband to drive her to her sister’s in NJ and he didn’t feel up to it, she’d say, “I didn’t get married to take the train.” 

Yeah, I could definitely use some of what she has. 

People, the “Almost Autumn” Comedy Show on City Island will be on Friday, September 8^th at 8pm.  If you need to or like to plan ahead, put it on your calendar now.  The hilarity will be delivered by Lisa Harmon, Debbie Bazza, and Linette Palladino.  It will be a great show.  The weather will still be pleasant.  You can have a beautiful day on City Island and then come to The Artist for comedy and dessert.  There is no minimum, but I think you may be tempted.

Recently, I got back to what seems like my never-ending decluttering.  I was able to throw out so much paper, and I found lost poems and comedy notes and some of my son’s schoolwork from way back.  So much still awaits me.  Sometimes, I have to get into the head of:  If I were to die tonight, what would I not want anyone to have to go through or even see?  That helps me throw shit out.

Folks, if you are looking for a unique and unisex gift, or if you’d like this for yourself, contact me.  I can be reached at mindyinthebronx@gmail.com, and put T-shirts in the subject line.

Love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic

June 2023 

Hey peepul!!!  Tuesday the 16^th of May is the evening the Prosettas are holding a reading of short prose and memoir pieces at Jefferson Market Library from 6 to 8pm, and it is free!  425 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011.  There will be free refreshments, books for sale, and if you are interested, I will have my divorce t-shirts for sale with me (though not on display, so see me after the reading).

Readers are (in reverse order of the reading): 

What I would absolutely LOVE is if you decide to spend Friday, June 2^nd on City Island.  There are wonderful restaurants on the island, and at 7:45, seating begins at THE ARTIST, 249 City Island Avenue for a wonderful comedy show, produced by me.  The terrific line-up:

Hector Luis 

TJ Meyers

Donna Moran

and me, of course, Mindy Matijasevic

Laughter is guaranteed.  Cover $15; NO minimum.  You might be tempted by the light fare and delicious desserts by Jenny’s Sweets, but it is not required. 

Had a beautiful Friday with two close friends.  We enjoyed Lenoir Reserve.

 Mainly we enjoyed each other’s company.  That’s the best.  💞

With so much love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic, May 2023

People, I feel so fortunate in some ways.  I’ve had enough creative projects going on recently (and it’s not over) to have me busy with work I want to do.  I don’t want to be misunderstood – my decades of teaching adults were frequent opportunities to be creative.  My students and I, for the most part, had a real good and growing time.  But recently, I’ve been engaged with other creative work – memoir writing, poetry writing, giving readings, producing and performing stand-up comedy, an upcoming off-off Broadway production of Listen to Your Mother in which I’m cast. 

Each event is its own kind of wonderful.  A few actually pay money.  Yahoo.  It’s so needed.

Art In The Basin booked me to read a half hour of whatever I wanted.  I shared short autobiographical stories.  I had a great time.  The hosts were soooo welcoming, the audience so attentive, the venue (Mon Amour Coffee & Wine) so accommodating. 

There was a hybrid open mic.  My buddy drove me there and attended though he was so very exhausted.  We are chosen ‘siblings’ for over 40 years. We go out of our way for each other.

I had a very encouraging experience doing stand-up (the art I find most challenging) at the International Women Artists’ Salon’s event.  It feels so wonderful when the audience is with me from the beginning.  It feels easy from there, but when that doesn’t happen … 

Also, I was able to sell some shirts at that event!

This Saturday, April 1^st at 3pm and at 7pm (and an option to livestream the 7pm show), I’m part of this unique production. Still some tickets available!  Listen to Your Mother

Much love always to CGG-M  ❤💕❤

Mindy Matijasevic 

March 2023