She So Funny

The fundraiser comedy show on September 5^th was grrrrreat!  It was well attended and very enjoyed.  Amongst the almost full house, were seven of my guests, and I was so thrilled.  My long-time friend Judy (4 decades and some years), two of my favorite former co-workers when I worked the graveyard shift as a proofreader, Lia and Cicely, a friend and former co-worker from a teaching job, Mindy L, a co-actress and new friend from A Sketch of Pride, Laura, a co-background-actor from a gig, Lazare, and Lazare brought a lovely guest. I was very happily surprised by some who I didn’t know were coming.  Lazare used one of my phrases from my comedy when we spoke after the show, and he absolutely cracked me up.  And the way his guest, a young, beautiful woman, was thanking me, I felt pretty sure it wasn’t about the laughs as much as a feeling of empowerment.  (My ex-husband once told me, “No matter what you do, it always ends up being social work.”)

$255 in ticket sales was raised and sent to Act Blue by Paul Hallasy, the producer of the Eat Drink Laugh show at Pangea (NYC).

I not only enjoyed performing, I very much enjoyed watching.  The funny people photographed:                           

        A few days later, I felt sick.  I don’t know where I caught something or if I made anyone else sick.  I hope not.  I didn’t have home tests to check for Covid, but I kept sniffing my tea and my armpits and could still smell things.  So I hoped it was just a bad cold.  It’s lasted nine days.  I’ve had Covid twice before, and this didn’t feel like that.  Thank God/dess, I feel much better now though not 100% yet but getting there.

While the weather is still so nice, come on out to enjoy City Island this Friday, 9/20/2024.  Spend the day if possible.  You can walk the island and check out the unique shops, eat seafood or other options, feed the seagulls if that feels good to you, and then come to The Artist (249 City Island Avenue) by 8pm for hilarious comedy and delicious desserts. Tickets can be bought in advance here:

https://starvingartistci.square.site/product/friday-september-20-8-pm-almost-fall-comedy-night/121?cs=true&cst=custom&fbclid=IwY2xjawFXPQhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSuOX8MhjqkwPrJm2WDGF-g2S-3QpWAGqEGjFvgwpRtZT_YAghi7qLYJyw_aem_R3x3Zm-9_RRiRztSPXRvgQ

This show is only $15 cover and NO minimum!  You may even BYOB!  Light fare and delicious desserts by https://www.facebook.com/JennysSweetsSA  available for purchase, but not required … though very tempting.

249 City Island Avenue

So much love to CGG-M  ❤💕❤

Mindy Matijasevic

September 2024

Hi folks.  As an actress, I’ve been going for paid work even if it is background work.  I need money.  One job I did that wasn’t paying much hasn’t paid at all.  I’ve been pursuing them and would hate to have to go to small claims court, but I will if I have to because I wasn’t volunteering my time.  If I’m going to volunteer anywhere, it would be for a shelter (for un-homed people or animals).  Another background gig that was paying more than 3 times that amount promised to pay on the same day in a check.  They paid us the same day in CASH!  That kept me going for almost a week.  As far as the one that didn’t pay yet, I’ve imagined myself on Judge Judy.  I have documentation.  She’d be done with us in 3 minutes. 

People who act like this either don’t realize or just don’t care that the money for me means groceries and being able to afford the laundromat.  It’s not a joke.

But speaking of jokes and much laughter, I’m in a fundraiser comedy show this Thursday at 9pm at Pangea, 178 Second Avenue, NYC.  It’s the Eat Drink Laugh show produced by Paul Hallasy.  All ticket sales will be donated to Kamala’s campaign.  (Separately, Pangea has a $20 minimum – food and/or drink.)  Food is very good.  Laughter is guaranteed.  There will be about 10 comics performing.  Advance tickets are less costly than paying at the show.  

Advance tickets

         Then on September 20^th, I’m having my Almost Fall Comedy Show at The Artist on City Island at 8pm.  Mark your calendars.  Details in the next blog …

Tremendous love to CGG-M  💕 ❤ 💕

Mindy Matijasevic

September 3, 2024

Evie Ivy’s poetry reading at the Green Pavilion on 7/31/2024 was a great experience.  When I write poetry, I’m not trying to be funny, but sometimes it comes out funny.  People who attend poetry readings are not expecting funny, so when it happens, they are really laughing hard.  There was so much laughter in response to some of my stuff.  I wish I could get those folks to a comedy show.

I loved hearing my co-features for the first time in person.  Unfortunately, I was late and missed many of the open-mic-ers. 

Me with co-features Prince A. McNally and Jim Hart and curator and host Evie Ivy:      

 

Selected photos from the reading:

 ***

 

I heard a couple of minutes of Kamala’s VP pick’s first speech, and I felt hopeful.  Fingers crossed.  So far, I think she made a very intelligent choice.

On Thursday, September 5^th at 9pm, at Pangea, 178 Second Avenue, NYC., I’m part of a wonderful comedy show fundraiser for Kamala Harris.  The hilarious Paul Hallasy produces and hosts this show, EAT DRINK LAUGH, and I’m glad he decided to make September 5th a fundraiser because I can’t contribute financially any other way at this time.

 

Tickets

All ticket sales will be donated to Kamala Harris’ campaign. Only ten bucks! ($20 minimum food/drink)  Laughter is guaranteed!  Would be nice to see you and hear you laughing.

 

 

       

 

Daily love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic

August 2024

    People, I’m featuring along with two very talented writers on Wednesday, July 31^st at 7pm at the Green Pavilion.  Here’s the info from Evie Ivy:

The Green Pavilion Poetry Event
4307-18th Avenue, Bk   *                  *                        *

Bring your poetry, music, and song.

F train to 18th Avenue, last cars, right staircase out, about 1/2 block from the corner you will be standing on. 6.50 min. food purchase, inexpensive, varied menu. $4 suggested donation to reading. .              *                                                  *                             *

Short bios:*

Jim Hart has published five poetry books: "Ramblings Of A One-Eyed Garbage Man," "A Handful of Smoke,” “Just Another Friday Night in Brooklyn,” “Loving Sue,” and “Missing Sue.” Three have been in the top fifty on Amazon, published three novels in the award winning: “Harry Parker Mystery Series.” His work’s appeared overseas, including New Zealand and So. Africa. Featured at: B&N, NYC Poets Society, Brooklyn Public Lib.,Inspired Word Poetry Series, and many other venues.

Mindy Matijasevic writes poetry, memoir, and her comedy material.  She has twice been a recipient of a B.R.I.O. award (Bronx Recognizes Its Own) from the Bronx Council on the Arts – once for non-fiction literature and once for poetry.  Her writing has been published in Home Planet News, Lynx Eye, NYC From The Inside, and many other journals and anthologies.

Prince A. McNally is a teaching and performance poet from Brooklyn, N.Y., who facilitates workshops through schools and outreach programs; utilizing poetry and creative writing as a means of expression and self-discovery. His work has appeared in numerous publications across the U.S. and abroad. He has been nominated for Best of The Net, and the Pushcart Poetry Prize.

    Even if you don’t enjoy much poetry, I do believe you will enjoy this experience.  Though you are invited to bring something to the open mic, feel free to just sit back, have a bite or a drink, and be an enthusiastic listener.

    I recently had a very positive dream with me and my son.  It was the most hopeful experience I’ve had in a while.  I love that person, always have and always will.  ❤❤❤

    On another positive note, I was invited to perform my stand-up at a comedy show which will be a fundraiser for Kamala Harris.  I haven’t had spare dollars to donate anywhere in years, so at least this is something I can do.  If Trump and Vance get in, this country does not deserve women. 

    Maybe, as a comic, I’ll eventually find the funny in that, but I’m not anywhere near that point now.  My path to funny takes a while.

Constant love to CGG-M ❤❤❤

Mindy Matijasevic

July 2024

    Hi everyone.  For those of you who like to plan ahead, I am honored to be co-featuring with poet Prince McNally and Jim Hart on July 31^st at Evie Ivy’s long-running poetry reading series.  It is at the Green Pavilion, 4307 18^th Avenue in Brooklyn, a nice restaurant with reasonable prices and only a block from the train station.  (F train to 18^th Avenue) 

https://greenpavilionny.com/

    And if you like to plan ahead ahead, my next comedy show at The Artist, 249 City Island Avenue, on the lovely City Island is September 20^th.  It’s going to include something a bit different.  Put it on your calendar.  8pm.  Laughter guaranteed!

The Artist

    I’ve been so mixed about attending the Poetry Festival on Governors Island this weekend.  I was considering going on Sunday.  Then I learned that Sunday starts a 3^rd heat wave.  I don’t know if I’m going or not.  I don’t have AC at home, but I have fans (not the kind who read my blog) and can take all my clothes off (because the fans are not the kind who read my blog).  That might seem more appealing though there is someone who is feeling special to me who will be at the festival.  So I’m torn.

https://www.newyorkcitypoetryfestival.com/

    Yet, just like in comedy, people have to know that you exist.  Staying home doesn’t accomplish that well enough even with social media.  Is it worth enduring a heat wave?  Still torn.

    If you like to plan ahead ahead ahead, December 20^th is the Almost Winter Comedy Show at The Artist on City Island.  Wow, almost winter suddenly sounds so refreshing.  December on City Island is full of beautiful holiday scenes.  Besides the restaurants, the visual delights, the unique shops, there’s comedy and dessert at The Artist at 8pm on a Friday night!

June began gently.  I committed to attend a poetry reading at Lehman Stages on June 13^th at 7pm, which was great!  I knew I had my comedy show on City Island scheduled for June 14^th.  Then I saw that Thaddeus Rutkowski was offering a free writing workshop on June 19^th at 7pm.  I registered for that. 

        Since I haven’t been teaching, I’ve been sitting too much and could benefit from more structure and motion in my life.  I decided to jump on an opportunity to be part of the alumni show from A Sketch of New York Productions.  For June, they were going to put on their Sketch of Pride Show.  I have wanted to be part of an alumni show for a few years, but I had health issues, then the pandemic occurred, etc.  I decided this was the time.  The show involved 3 rehearsals a week from the beginning of June.  I’ve never written sketches, but they welcomed those alumni who were only in it to act.  I did learn from my peers about sketch writing, but didn’t get to write any this time.  I feel I might be able to do it for a future alumni show. 

        In 3 weeks, we discussed and brainstormed, wrote sketches, (mostly) learned lines, and performed 3 shows at the Producers Club.  Each evening after the show, I was approached by audience members sharing their appreciation of my performance, accent, and presence.  I hope I live long enough to benefit further from this feedback.

        In the midst of it all, I was hired for a 3-day job paying $800.  It required me to miss one rehearsal day, and to be in midtown on a mock jury before 9am (not my nature) for 3 consecutive days.  We were treated well, fed and paid well, but it challenged my energy.  I was able to stay motivated because it was all or nothing.  If one didn’t finish the entire 3 days, no pay.  I needed that $800 to settle a few bills.  I needed it badly.  I got through it, though not easily.  Whew.

        On the evening of Thaddeus’ workshop, I walked from the rehearsal at 
44^th St. and 9^th Avenue to 30^th and 8^th to save carfare.  The workshop was worth it.

        Two days after the Sketch of Pride performances, I was in a comedy show at Pangea.  It’s the Eat Drink Laugh show produced by Paul Hallasy.  It was a lot of fun.  I enjoyed not only being in it, but I loved watching it as well.

        After all this, I was like this:

So much love to CGG-M ❤❤❤
Mindy Matijasevic
July 2024

    Laughter, food, drink, and air-conditioning! Advance tickets are discounted.  

https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/84934?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2ioUzymTyt-hVg4rEF5Wos4ZnPYpBlyOzxmC46d4Fly0gYTc3TrRuSn24_aem_tJqAVDlei-BFE9Kkd0cErQ