Tag: Ben Katzner

“Fly By” Part 2: Ben Katzner and Briana McDonald (Episode 74)

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Kicking off part 2 of our “Fly By” show, host Ellie Dvorkin Dunn shares some fun facts about teenage pilot Elinor Smith before we hear the second set of true tales inspired by the story of “The Flying Flapper” from the archives of the Greater Astoria Historical Society.

No, YOU Tell It! “Fly By” was on September 28, 2023, at Grove 34 in Astoria. Podcast introduction by Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons and features:

  • Like Me or Not by Ben Katzner, performed by Briana McDonald, directed by Erika Iverson
  • Macarons by Briana McDonald, performed by Ben Katzner, directed by Erika Iverson

Story partners Ben Katzner and Briana McDonald at Grove 34 in Astoria.

Want a copy of Ben or Briana’s middle-grade books? Grab your copy and share it with the young readers in your life.

Donate here to support No, YOU Tell It!, and we’ll send you an electronic copy of Annie Shi’s zine, “The Flying Flapper,” that we gave out to the audience at the show so you can learn more about Elinor Smith and her historic 1928 flight under not one but four East River bridges – Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg … and Queensboro!

 

SPECIAL THANKS

No, YOU Tell It! “Fly By” was an OFFICIAL 2023 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL BOOKEND EVENT.

The Greater Astoria Historical Society is the place to learn and celebrate Long Island City and its neighborhoods. Learn more at astorialic.org.

This project is supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program (formerly the Decentralization program) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by Flushing Town Hall. 

This project is made possible (in part) with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.

 

April 8, 2024 Post Comment Podcast Tags: , , , , , , ,

Watch “Fly By”

Did you miss our “Fly By” show last month? Watch these fantastic story swaps recorded live on stage at Grove 34 in Astoria and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel.

Our Brooklyn Book Festival Bookend Event featured:

Plus, the wonderful Ellie Dvorkin Dunn returned to host, and Bob Singleton from The Greater Astoria Historical Society regaled us with tales of The Flying Flapper Elinor Smith, who beat out Amelia Earhart for the title of “Best Woman Pilot in America” in 1930.

The storytellers’ true tales were inspired by this GIF image created by Queens artist Annie Shi, which depicts Elinor Smith’s legendary 1928 flight under not one but four East River bridges – Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg … and Queensboro!

Annie Shi also illustrated Bob Singleton’s narrative of Elinor Smith’s story in the beautiful zine (pictured below) that we gave out to audience members. Want a copy of the Elinor Smith Zine?

Click here to make a $25 donation (or more) in support of No, YOU Tell It! 2024, and we’ll send you an electronic copy!

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THIS IS AN OFFICIAL 2023 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL BOOKEND EVENT.

The Greater Astoria Historical Society is the place to learn and celebrate Long Island City and its neighborhoods. Learn more at astorialic.org.

This project is supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program (formerly the Decentralization program) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by
Flushing Town Hall. 

This project is made possible (in part) with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.

October 29, 2023 Post Comment Live Shows Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Fantastic “Fly By” Show!

Thank you to everyone who came out to our “Fly By” show last week! View more show photos on our Facebook page.

Left to right: Ben Katzner, Briana McDonald, Lowell Stephens, Annie Shi, and Robin Gelfenbien

Thank you!

  • Storytellers Ben Katzner, Briana McDonald, Lowell Stephens, and Robin Gelfenbien for sharing their experiences and performing each other’s stories so beautifully.
  • Annie Shi for creating the gorgeous art for the zine and our visual GIF-prompt.
  • Ellie Dvorkin Dunn for doing such an incredible job hosting yet again.
  • Bob Singleton and the Greater Astoria Historical Society for providing the story of Elinor Smith to inspire these stories.
  • Grove 34 for providing us with the beautiful space.
  • The NYTI creative team for all the work you do behind the scenes.
  • Brooklyn Book Festival for inviting us back to be a Bookend Event!
  • New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York Foundation for the Arts, and Flushing Town Hall for your support to make this event possible. Check out more Flushing Town Hall Arts Grants for Queens grantee events here.

We have a big year planned in 2024 and can’t wait to share more of what’s to come. Until next time!

October 4, 2023 Post Comment Live Shows Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

LOOK! “Fly By” Program

Sep 28 2023 @ 7:00PM

Our “Fly By” show is TONIGHT at Grove 34 in Astoria! Hosted by Ellie Dvorkin Dunn. Tickets are still available here.

Take a look at the four storytellers’ true tales inspired by this image of “The Flying Flapper” created by Queens artist Annie Shi from the archives of the Greater Astoria Historical Society.

STORIES

  • Connecting Flights by Robin Gelfenbien, performed by Lowell Stephens, directed by Erika Iverson
  • Liquid Mercury by Lowell Stephens, performed by Robin Gelfenbien, directed by KJ Fitzsimmons
  • Like Me or Not by Ben Katzner, performed by Briana McDonald, directed by Erika Iverson
  • Macarons by Briana McDonald, performed by Ben Katzner, directed by Erika Iverson

STORY TRIVIA

Didn’t win but still want a copy of tonight’s featured books? Click below to grab a copy and tell friends!

SPECIAL THANKS

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL 2023 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL BOOKEND EVENT.

The Greater Astoria Historical Society is the place to learn and celebrate Long Island City and its neighborhoods. Learn more at astorialic.org.

This project is supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program (formerly the Decentralization program) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by Flushing Town Hall. 

This project is made possible (in part) with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.

Event Information

Sep 28 2023 @ 7:00PM

Grove 34 (31-83 34th St, Astoria)

September 28, 2023 Post Comment Live Shows Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Meet “Fly By” Storyteller Ben Katzner

Sep 28 2023 @ 7:00PM

Our “Fly By” show is next week! Our first storyteller is a stand-up comedian and author of the middle-grade graphic novel Hello, My Name is Poop.

Get your tickets today and learn more about Ben Katzner below.

A stand-up comedian and writer currently based in New York City, Ben Katzner has performed at comedy clubs and festivals across the country.

Born in Atlanta, adopted at a young age, and raised in a small-town Minnesota – Ben’s comedy finds humor in his upbringing and explores how it influenced his views on relationships, family, and everyday life.

***

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL 2023 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL BOOKEND EVENT.

The Greater Astoria Historical Society is the place to learn and celebrate Long Island City and its neighborhoods. Learn more at astorialic.org.

This project is supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program (formerly the Decentralization program) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by Flushing Town Hall.

This project is made possible (in part) with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.

Event Information

Sep 28 2023 @ 7:00PM

Grove 34 (31-83 34th St, Astoria)

September 20, 2023 Post Comment Live Shows Tags:

Next Show: No, YOU Tell It! “Fly By”

Sep 28 2023 @ 7:00PM

Get your tickets here for our next show!

For this special Brooklyn Book Festival Bookend Event, four curated storytellers are trading tales inspired by Queens history from the archives of The Greater Astoria Historical Society.

Featuring illustrations by Annie Shi. Follow @noyoutellit to learn about the storytellers, Queens history, and more.

Plus, story trivia for the chance to win fun literary prizes!

No, YOU Tell It! storytellers work together to develop true tales on the page, then swap stories to embody their partner’s culture, identity, and life experience on stage.

Featuring:

Robin Gelfenbien

Ben Katzner

Briana McDonald

Lowell Stephens

Hosted by Ellie Dvorkin Dunn.

***

THIS IS AN OFFICIAL 2023 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL BOOKEND EVENT.

The Greater Astoria Historical Society is the place to learn and celebrate Long Island City and its neighborhoods. Learn more at astorialic.org.

This project is supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program (formerly the Decentralization program) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by Flushing Town Hall.

This project is made possible (in part) with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.

Event Information

Sep 28 2023 @ 7:00PM

Grove 34 (31-83 34th St, Astoria)

August 21, 2023 Post Comment Live Shows Tags: , , , , , ,