So—of course, all week I’ve been performing sold out Oktoberfest shows at the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ. For those of you unfamiliar with this side of my career, I work with a wonderful production company called Ace in the Hole, that specializes in presenting luncheon shows to senior groups. I’ll be back for 7 more Oktoberfest shows (and the company has me booked for an Alpine Christmas show in December, an All Star Polka event in May, 2010 with Hank Guzevich, Fred Ziwich and Ed Klancnik, as well as nearly 3 weeks of Oktoberfest in October, 2010)
Although those audiences have been great—The band and I have been looking forward to the OktoBurlesk show that William Crane from the Bell House in Brooklyn set up. Last night was the big night. Firstly, I’ll openly admit that I really didn’t know exactly what I was in for—but it not only exceeded all of my expectations, it was…… I’m speechless! Doc and his crew from Wasabassco Burlesque are truly one of the greatest entertainment outfits I’ve ever worked with. Ultra professional, ultra entertaining and just all around cool people. The whole show was top notch— we even accompanied Nasty Canasta on the Schnitzelbank…. (I don’t know if Matt Tolentino will ever be able to sing the song the same way again!!!!)
While I’m writing all of the stuff on the dancers, I really can’t begin to tell you how awesome William Crane is (the owner and brain child of this event!). He has booked me twice before at the Bell House—for a last minute Oktoberfest last year and a gig in January, 2009. Both times, I’ve been extremely impressed with the venue (check it out www.thebellhouseny.com), including the management and sound people…. But, we haven’t had a huge audience…. With last minute gigs or January in the Northeast, it’s never easy to pull in an audience… but everyone there has totally rocked out to my music and made the gigs a total blast… Yesterday—had a full court press… Great posters—I mean, great posters—then besides my band and Wasabassco Burlesque, Theo was outside grilling some of the most amazing bratwursts ever….(he’s a competition chef who has won some major sausage awards—I can taste why!)– also, the bar is just rocking in both rooms at the Bell House.
So the place was packed and just going nuts. We played an extra set for the manic polka dancers…. I see a new scene developing for our music in New York… It’s great to see people digging the music…. I’m disappointed we won’t be at Studio Square in Long Island City tonight—but there’s a strong forecast of rain and it’s an uncovered outside beer garden… Hope we get to make up the date sometime down the road next year….
Thanks everyone for coming out this week— Check us out at Bear Mountain State Park on Saturday Noon-5pm (It’s supposed to be a beautiful day so it should be perfect….) and at Blob’s Park in Jessup, MD on Sunday 4-8pm…. Good times to be had by all!
alex