Tag: Ellie Dvorkin Dunn

“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: , , , , , , ,

Celebrating “College Try”

One year ago, we had a very special show at Symphony Space! View this glimpse of how our shows work and highlights from the “College Try” story swaps.

Huge thank you to “Here & Gone” storyteller and friend Rosalie Chandler who created this fantastic featurette for us.

The show also raised funds and awareness for Bottom Line, an educational nonprofit that partners with thousands of degree-aspiring students from under-resourced communities as they get into college, graduate, and go far in life.

Learn more at bottomline.org. Want to support or attend Bottom Line’s HATS OFF! Spring Benefit on May 22 at the Tribeca Rooftop? Contact us at noyoutellit@gmail.com for more info.

Stories Highlighted:

  • A Trophy-Less Life by Brett Felder, Performed by Dion Flynn and Directed by Ellie Dvorkin Dunn
  • Buried by Dion Flynn, Performed by Brett Felder, and Directed by Ellie Dvorkin Dunn
  • The Pickles Pickle by Kevin Allison, Performed by Najah Imani Muhammad and Directed by Nicole Shawan Junior
  • When Billymackin’ Goes Wrong by Najah Imani Muhammad, Performed by Kevin Allison and Directed by Nicole Shawan Junior
March 16, 2024 Post Comment News 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: , , , , , , , , , ,

“Here & Gone” Part 2: Olena Jennings and Rosalie Chandler (Episode 72)

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Did you know that two 16-foot-tall stainless-steel statues once stood atop the Astoria Pool locker rooms? Or that thousands of visitors to the 1964 World’s Fair in Queens signed a book that was included in the Westinghouse Time Capsule designed to endure for 5,000 years?

Learn more about the storytellers and the Queens history from the archives of The Greater Astoria Historical Society that inspired this story swap from the second half of our “Here & Gone” show hosted by Ellie Dvorkin Dunn.

My Book About Water by Olena Jennings, performed by Rosalie Chandler

*Peace Through Understanding by Rosalie Chandler, performed by Olena Jennings

*As Ellie noted during the show, we want to let you know that the latter story contains themes related to sexual assault.

Left to right: Story partners Olena Jennings, Rosalie Chander, and host Ellie Dvorkin Dunn. Photo: Sachyn Mital

Stories directed by Erika Iverson. Plus, a special shoutout to Broadway Silk in Astoria!

Congratulations to Olena for receiving a Pushcart Prize for her translation with Oksana Lutsyshyna of Kateryna Kalytko’s collection Nobody Knows Us Here, and We Don’t Know Anyone from Lost Horse Press.

Learn more about the Queens history highlights below. The narratives were written by storyteller Rosalie Chandler with special insights from Bob Singleton of The Greater Astoria Historical Society.

These four highlights also inspired the Queens “Here & Gone” artwork by Yelena Tylkina.

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Special thanks to Rosalie Chandler, Bob Singleton, and Ava Vitali for helping us create these Queens “Here & Gone” highlights. 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.

June 27, 2023 Post Comment Podcast Tags: , , , , ,

“Here & Gone” Part 1: Lakshmi Gandhi and Dan Jessup (Episode 71)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In the first half of our show, story partners Lakshmi Gandhi and Dan Jessup swap stories about the culture of mutual agitation that bonds Mets fans and a mid-life move to Astoria blocks away from where inventor, Chester Carlson, created the world’s first photocopy.

Two Continents and a Whole New Ballgame by Lakshmi Gandhi, performed by Dan Jessup

The Certainty of Here by Dan Jessup, performed by Lakshmi Gandhi

These stories were directed by show host, Ellie Dvorkin Dunn.

Lakshmi Gandhi and Dan Jessup, photo credit: Sachyn Mital

For the first time, our “Here & Gone” storytellers’ modern-day true tales were inspired by Queens history from the archives of The Greater Astoria Historical Society.

Learn more about how the word “ASTORIA was on the First Page of the Information Age,” and the other Queens history highlights

Inspired the Queens “Here & Gone” artwork by Yelena Tylkina and the night’s stories.

**

Special thanks to Rosalie Chandler, Bob Singleton, and Ava Vitali for helping us create these Queens “Here & Gone” highlights. 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.

June 13, 2023 Post Comment Podcast Tags: , , , ,

Unforgettable “Here & Gone” Show!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Thanks to everyone who came out to our “Here & Gone” show. It was a lovely evening that we won’t soon forget.

Left to right: Olena Jennings, Rosalie Chandler, Ellie Dvorkin Dunn, Lakshmi Gandhi, Dan Jessup. Photo by Sachyn Mital

Check out the show program here and more photos on our Facebook page. SPECIAL THANKS to:
  • Our amazing storytellers for boldly sharing their words and embodying their partners’ stories.
  • Yelena Tylkina for her stunning Queens “Here & Gone” artwork.
  • Ellie Dvorkin Dunn for being the best host.
  • Grove 34 for the perfect venue.
  • The Greater Astoria Historical Society for partnering with us on this special theme.
  • Flushing Town Hall, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and New York Foundation for the Arts for your grants and support.
  • Sachyn Mital, for the photos!
  • The whole NYTI creative team for all your work behind the scenes.
And always, the birthday girl Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons for keeping this important series alive!
May 19, 2023 Post Comment Live Shows Tags: , , , , , , ,

Look! “Here & Gone” Program (In-Person and Virtual)

May 18 2023 @ 7:00PM

Our Greater Astoria Historical Society team-up show hosted by Ellie Dvorkin Dunn is tonight! In-person at Grove 34 ($10 tickets here!)

  • 7:00 – 7:30: *Reception featuring Queens “Here & Gone” artwork by Yelena Tylkina
  • 7:30 – 9:00: Switched-up Storytelling!

*Drinks and snacks available for purchase.

We’ll also be streaming the show LIVE from our Facebook page at 7:30 if you want to join virtually.

Plus, a chance to win story trivia prizes featuring Queens “Here & Gone” artwork! If you aren’t a winner, click here to purchase “Here & Gone” artwork and more on Yelena’s Fine Art America page.

For this special show, storytellers worked with producer Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons and story coaches Tim Lindner and Pichchenda Bao to engage with Queens “Here & Gone” Highlights featuring the history of the Westinghouse Time Capsule, North Beach, Astoria Pool Sentinels, and The First Photocopy to inspire their personal stories on the page.

Take a look as they swap stories to embody their partner’s culture, identity, and life experience on stage!

TONIGHT’S STORIES!

Two Continents and a Whole New Ballgame by Lakshmi Gandhi, performed by Dan Jessup, directed by Ellie Dvorkin Dunn

The Certainty of Here by Dan Jessup, performed by Lakshmi Gandhi, directed by Ellie Dvorkin Dunn

My Book About Water by Olena Jennings, performed by Rosalie Chandler, directed by Erika Iverson

Peace Through Understanding by Rosalie Chandler, performed by Olena Jennings, directed by Erika Iverson

Thank you, thank you to everyone who made this night possible!

**

Special thanks to Rosalie Chandler, Bob Singleton, and Ava Vitali for helping us create these Queens “Here & Gone” highlights. 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.

***
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  1. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter for updates.
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Event Information

May 18 2023 @ 7:00PM

Grove 34 (3183 34th St., Astoria)

May 18, 2023 2 comments Live Shows Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The College Try and Then Some!

Left to right: Dion Flynn, Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons, Brett Felder, Ellie Dvorkin Dunn, Najah Imani Muhammad, and Kevin Allison. Photo credit: Russ Rowland.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Thanks to everyone who came out or watched the show on the live stream.
We had a great time, and we hope you did too!
Thank you to our storytellers for sharing their words and those amazing performances.
Thank you to our host, directors, and creative team!
Thank you, Symphony Space, for the amazing space and for being an amazing host.
AND we raised $500 for Bottom Line, thanks to your generosity!
Didn’t win a copy of our anthology? Grab a copy here. Until next time, friends!
March 17, 2023 Post Comment Live Shows Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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