I know what you're thinking...  "This must be some kind of joke."  Well yes, I guess it is.  But its just because its so hard to believe that it ends up being kinda funny.  But it is in fact, actually true, indeed - yes it is, we think, pretty sure, quite possibly - yes.

By some odd stroke of circumstance I was amoung a small number of individuals considered to tell a story at The Moth's upcoming event at The Metropolitan Museum.  And after a series of interviews with the keepers of the flame (moths like) it turns out I passed the test and will indeed actually in fact quite definitely be speaking at the Met.  Do I sound a little surprized?  No? Ok, good.

So if you've never been to a Moth, I have to tell you, its a damn cool thing.  I've only been to their story-slams - where many contributors get up and tell an unscripted 5-minute story on a loose theme.  I saw them for the first time down at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe on east 3rd back in the dizzy and I absolutely loved it.  I saw them a few more times after that and have been meaning to get to one for a while.  So get to one I will, on the stage (yipes!) in one of the mightiest museums on the planet - the same place where all those brain-bending artifacts and artworks are so carefully displayed - where you can still get in for FREE!  (stupid Moma)

I have never spoken in front of so many people and yes I am deficating at the thought.  For this event, the stories we will tell must be 10 minutes in length - we cannot write them ahead of time and therefore cannot read them aloud.  I was cheerfully advised that this is done to avoid the "head in the desk drawer" syndrome.  Understandable.

Whats interesting here is who I will be chatting along side.  When you hear this line-up you will likely begin to scratch such a deep hole in your scalp we may need to rush you to Beth Israel and have you sit in the emergency room for 14 hours before handing you a bandaid.  (so no scratching of heads.)

"Jonathan Ames (author/screenwriter of HBO's Bored to Death) has been tapped to emcee the event. Starlee Kine of This American Life is also a confirmed storyteller." 

As i understand it, one of the members of the band "TV on the Radio" will also be speaking as well as myself and one other amazing surprize guest!  We each tell a 10-minute story.  We were coached and coaxed until a story popped out of us... at least thats what happened to me.

Here are some of the official statements I have received - including the date that tickets go on sale - November 20th - yes it is my Dad's birthday and yes the story includes him (of course).  Divine intervention anyone?

"The Moth at the Met: American Stories will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This event will explore the themes of the special exhibition, Looking In: Robert Frank’s The Americans and American Stories: Paintings of Everyday Life, 1765-1915."

"The Moth, founded in 1997, is a not-for-profit organization devoted to storytelling. Every show has a different theme and features 5 storytellers who each tell a ten-minute first-person story. The theme for this evening, 'American stories,' mirrors the themes set forth in Frank's seminal work, The Americans."

In no way due to my presence there, apparently these tickets go fast.  So if you're feelin up for a really unique and fun night, go to the Met's website and get some tix.  They're $30 and include free beer (kegger at the Met?)

High brow hugs and low brow kisses ~ Zito

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Moth Mainstage

The Moth at The Met: American Stories

at The Metropolitan Museum of Art

6.30pm: Doors open

7.30pm: Stories start on stage

$30 tickets (including open beer bar) on sale November 20th at www.metmuseum.org/spectrum