Comedy Cafe in Open Space

Fri Jun 20 19:08:55 PDT 2008

Hi Raffi,

Seems wonderful!

I'd like to be in for the event.

Please let me know how to register. :-))

Anticipatively,

spark

-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Raffi Aftandelian
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 7:22 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Comedy Cafe in Open Space

Dear all,

Posting the below announcement of a Comedy Cafe (to take place during the WOSonOS week) on behalf of Alan Stewart.

Very much looking forward to being there!

until soon,
raffi
san diego

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Dear All, 

I write to let you know of forthcoming comedy events with a difference.

And to request that those of you who would wish ??and are able - to participate let me know, as this would greatly assist my decision making about venues.

These events will be in San Francisco ??handy for you if you will be at WOSonOS (wosonos2008.org) or live there ??and in New York City in late July and early August.  

Entitled "Comedy Cafe in Open Space: Adventuring in Later Life" they will be underpinned by elements of OST and the World Caf챕.

Such as ?쁗hoever comes are the right people to invent the event, which will only happen once.??

Plus a bit of improv theater ?쏽es, and ?╈€?

In San Francisco at the RedVic ?쁏eace Caf챕??(www.redvic.com/cafe.html) on Monday 28 July and possibly also on Tues 29th, depending on numbers who express interest.

In New York a few days later at the Gershwin Hotel (www.gershwinhotel.com), on Fri 1 August (one only).

Can you imagine more delightful places in which to enjoy to enjoy great company and to laugh together?

Time: Probably from 8 - 9.30pm. (Which means opportunity to go on to have a meal together).

Prerequisites: A sense of humor and curiosity, a willingness to be a group member and a capacity to enjoy yourself.

My show is different from regular standup. For my role is essentially as 'ambience director', to co-create with the audience that 'We are in this together, to treat each other well and see where this takes us.' This derives from my experience and skill as a facilitator of conversation.

I converse with the audience through some standup and also funny stories (not necessarily with a punch line) from my African, Aussie, American and, more recently, Asian perambulations.

(As my grandfather was wont to say: "A rolling stone may gather no moss but it picks up plenty of polish"). <grin>

Much of the humor, however, will come from audience members to add their input to the mix - democratizing humor through inviting the audience to have a conversation and what pops up with others!

How's that for a joke?

This happens through the seating arrangement, which is in groups of 4 around small tables. Twice or three times I will invite all to explore a particular question ??could be what someone nominates - in their groups to come up with a humorous 'take'. And then share what has emerged with everyone. After that, move to another table - an opportunity to meet new people.

Do you appreciate that the theme of 'Adventuring in later life' or 'Secrets
of anti-aging' is boom(er)ing with vast potential in the next few decades?   

And that the evening is likely to be enormous FUN!

Plus:

Could the format being introduced in these events have applications in a multiplicity of settings through enabling all present to contribute in a lighthearted environment when addressing serious issues?

Are you aware of contexts in which great benefits could flow from creating a fun filled situation and inviting the audience to join in? 

Plus 2:
Could this extend your perception of ?쁳he fool??in yourself??

You can see one of my first standup performances here:
www.youtube.com/alpal326

I do this regularly in Hong Kong .

Please let me know (alanmstewart at netvigator.com, alanmstewart at gmail.com) if you - and your friends/colleagues/family - would wish and are able to come along to these unique happenings. (The shows are for all ages).

By Friday of next week (June 27) would help greatly to know whether to book the SF venue for both nights. And what size of room to confirm in NYC.

Some seats have already been requested from the people who are attending the conference and from Bay Area residents. Says one (RA) ?쏱ersonally, Alan, I?셫 really excited about this event.??

Comments an Aussie friend: "I wish you well with the cafe comedy conversations in the US. I think it's a neat idea and I hope it catches the imagination of lots of people there."

Once you have registered your interest I will let you know where to do the booking. The ticket charge of $20 includes bottled water setup, tea, freshly brewed coffee and delicious home baked cookies.

Part proceedings will go to the Access Queen Fund. 

Looking forward

Alan
Hong Kong

Alan Stewart, PhD
Chairman
Tel: +852 9438 7680
Em: alan at multimindsolutions.com
Web: www.multimindsolutions.com (under reconstruction)

"At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new
possibilities."                                                            
                                                        Jean Houston

* Al has a quiet presence and the audience feels that he is only chatting to them as in their own living room. But boy do his words pack a subtle punch!
Such clever wit. He shows a new way of looking at such aspects as aging, that even the 18 year olds can connect with. He shows great respect to his audience allowing his humor and wisdom to filter over them as a gentle shower of rain. Allowing the audience to leave behind the angst of the world and dive into the refreshing humor that is Al's. The audience leaves renewed and refreshed with plenty of endorphins to pick up their sense of well being! A treat not to be missed!

          Lyn Waller English Teacher, Hong Kong

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