My
plans for this night is to attend the StorySlam: Adventures in Food. I
figure this has to be in a restaurant or something. But, no it’s not. It is in
a location where starts to feel like no-mans land as I am entering an
industrial area. I am as directionally challenged as my dyslexic-like ability
to spell, just to give a bit of context.
I
manage to navigate my way there on foot without too many problems but still I
felt so unsure of where I was going. Only once I went the wrong way and had to
back track. But it still took me a long time to get there.
The
venue, as it turns out is a beer distillery called “The Dancing Camel”
Approaching the door I see a sign, “Storyslam, Yes you found it, come on in.”
At least I’m not the only one. Apparently they changed locations as the last
month they had over 100 people. It’s the only show of this kind in English.
Just
around the bar is a friendly woman with short brown hair sitting on a
story, “Are you here for the storyslam?” It turns out she has family in
Toronto. When I give her my card for my (and Erin Rodgers) show Tales of…. She
says, “Oh Bloor Street, great location”. Her name is Xoli, and I’m sure to fuck
this one up. You know me and names.
Coming
back I’m asked if I wanted to tell a story. I wasn’t expecting this. The theme
is food. Do I tell a story or not. If I don’t I’ll be pissed off at myself
afterward. I put my name down on a piece of paper and throw it in a bucket.
Soon
all the organizers knew there was a guy from Toronto with a storytelling show.
I feel special, yet pressure now. I better be fucking good after the buzz that
is happening now
The
host for the evening produces the show has a TV show on a local Israeli station
about restaurants. He says it’s similar to what English TV does, which I’m not
sure what that is. He is super nice.
Despite
me getting lost I’m still really early. Outside I’m chatting with ex-pats from
all over. I feel a sense of camaraderie of the ex-pats and performing
community. One Persian-American woman from LA and super outgoing tells me she
is friends with one of the guys on the reality show “The Shahs of Sunset.” She
pulls out her phone and shows me a photo. I’m now in love with her!
A
couple other people just out of the blue introduce themselves. How un-Toronto. Compare and contrast.
The
original woman I meet, and her husband own a very well known café called XoHo, based on putting letters from
both their names together, now have multiple initiations from them and
others who work there to come down and visit.
Prior
to the show, they have a musical act playing mostly bluegrass kind of blues
complete with Harmonica and violin. They are amazing, and a bit Hipster
looking. Voilà, I finally found some. I knew there are here somewhere. But
Hipster-Jew with a tzitzit, attached to his guitar belt (this is the fringe
that is found on a prayer shawl).
Suddenly
I realize, these are the guys I had been listening on YouTube performing “The
Roommate Song” at a different venue. Wow, I’m amazed at how this is coming
together.
Sitting
on a stool I realize that there is an orthodox Jew sitting behind me complete
in a black hat. “Ok this should be interesting” as I project all my
pre-judgments on him.
It
turns out he is Yisrael Campbell, the very one who is a successful comic, actor
and has the acclaimed one-man show called “Circumsize Me” that
.played in
Toronto. More and more I’m realizing I’m participating in something really
special
When
it comes to Storytelling show time, I know what story I will tell. It is about
the time I made pot brownies and had to go to the hospital with a cold-induced
asthma attack and ate the brownies.
When
it comes to loto spots, I either never get them, or I’m last when there is no
longer and audience. He picks a piece of paper and reads it, “Our first
storyteller of the evening is Brian Finch.” “Fuck” is going through my head, as
I’m nervous. This is the first time performing in a different country.
I
tell my story, and I kill. I don’t say that often. If I sucked, I’d say so.
After
the show, the all the producers tell me how much they enjoyed the story and how
great that I was the first one up to start the show. Again, Wow! I was scared,
and I get this wonderful warm reaction.
Now
I’m invited to future musical events at this venue.
It’s
official I have fallen in love with Tel Aviv.
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