Last night's show, in my opinion, was the best of three performance in terms of what I and the audience brought. It wasn't a sold-out performance, but it was pretty close. There were a couple of times when I received applause and felt like telling them to stop so I could continue. (Of course, it's not that I don't like applause, but I only had so much time to get through so much.)
The following is a posting that was back on Thursday, March 5th by Stephanie in relation to my show (http://roguefestival.com/rogue09/?p=162): "This show is a must see!! It was very creative, funny, and well performed!! Confessions Of A Karaoke DJ was very entertaining and will keep you on the edge of your seat laughing!! This was one of the most well performed show of the rouge that I have seen!! This Karaoke DJ is also very easy on the eyes as well!!"
There was also a comment posted on the Fresno Famous website back on Friday, March 6th (http://www.fresnofamous.com/content/2009-rogue-festival-confessions-karaoke-dj): "Once we were convinced there is such a thing--and there would have to be , no? I suppose we need to get out more--we found Greg Ramirez's performance well choreographed and insightful. The 45 minutes flew by! He performed in front of a large photo of a female nude and still managed to keep our attention!"
Of course, if you visit the Rogue Festival website, you will spot one negative posting. I won't put it up here, as it's almost unheard of for any film or work of art including negative reviews as part of their publicity. All I will say is that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion of the show.
Overall, I had fun performing as part of this year's Rogue Festival. This year's show was a far cry from anything I had done in the past. I am a poet, and while I have done readings and even some minor acting, I have never done a solo performance where I am carrying the entire show for as long as I did. I had some people tell me how the 45 minutes flew by, and I also had to assure others that I have never been a karaoke DJ. (As I've told some people, some of this show is based on personal experiences my wife and I have seen at karaoke bars, on the personal experiences of others, and on pure fabrication. I will leave it to you to figure out which parts were which.)
While I am eager to perform in next year's Rogue Festival, something I have been debating is whether or not Carlos should return. For me, this is the equivalent of the Norman Gentle character that the American Idol contestant created during this season or even the Borat character that Sasha Baron Cohen portrayed.
Even though sequels usually don't live up to the original, one thing I've noticed about the Rogue Festival is that it is not uncommon for certain performers to repeat their show year after year. Additionally, while those who attend next year's festival might remember Confessions of a Karaoke DJ, a good number of those who attend won't. In some cases, those who wanted to catch the show this year but couldn't for whatever reason might be happy at another chance to catch it next year. (This was the case for my wife and I, as we caught Abigail Nolte perform last night and loved it.)
If anyone out there who saw the show has any suggestions about whether or not Carlos should return, by all means, please leave comments or get in touch with me to let me know. My e-mail address is gregory.ramirez@yahoo.com. If he ought to return in some other capacity, that might be worth considering as well.
Again, to everyone who came out to the show, thank you, and I hope you enjoyed it.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Two Down, One More to Go . . .
Wednesday's performance went well. While I don't think there were as many people as there were for last Friday's performance, there was still a good amount of people there. I saw many familiar faces of colleagues attend the performance. I'm thinking that it was a combination of being a weekday as well as midweek. (Even I might have been tired from the week.)
There is one more show on Saturday, March 7th at 6:15 p.m. in the Spectrum Art Gallery (608 E. Olive, Fresno, CA 93728). Tickets are $3, and late comers are accepted up to 15 minutes into the show. Remember: if you know where The Revue and Piemonte's Deli is, the venue where I am performing is right next to those businesses.
One piece of advice: I hear that the last Friday and Saturday of the festival tend to see the highest attendance for performances, so it might be a good idea to get there as early as possible. Tickets go on sale half an hour prior to the start of the show.
Again, I thank everyone who has come out so far. If you are planning on going, I hope to see you at Saturday's performance. Don't forget to post comments about the show at the Rogue Festival website so others can know what your thoughts are of the show.
There is one more show on Saturday, March 7th at 6:15 p.m. in the Spectrum Art Gallery (608 E. Olive, Fresno, CA 93728). Tickets are $3, and late comers are accepted up to 15 minutes into the show. Remember: if you know where The Revue and Piemonte's Deli is, the venue where I am performing is right next to those businesses.
One piece of advice: I hear that the last Friday and Saturday of the festival tend to see the highest attendance for performances, so it might be a good idea to get there as early as possible. Tickets go on sale half an hour prior to the start of the show.
Again, I thank everyone who has come out so far. If you are planning on going, I hope to see you at Saturday's performance. Don't forget to post comments about the show at the Rogue Festival website so others can know what your thoughts are of the show.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Themes to Ponder
This could be the English instructor in me, but I thought I would write a posting including certain themes that are in the performance that might be worthwhile discussion afterwards. Knowing that several of my colleagues plan on attending, I figure this could give them something to discuss as they ponder what was going on in the show.
This is also rather "postmodern" of me, as I remember some of the novels in the American Postmodern Fiction course I took as a graduate student at Fresno State as having notes the author provides relating to the novel.
I will do my best not to spoil any key details in the show. However, if you haven't seen the show yet, you might want to skip over this posting:
Addiction. Think about what Carlos says specifically about Sarah, the regular who frequently follows him in the rotation.
Religion. Think about what Carlos says about what he could do if he weren't a karaoke DJ as well as what he shares about hearing those whose renditions of Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison give the artists justice. Don't forget, too: Carlos is "confessing."
Sex. Think about the stories Carlos shares about the behavior of certain regulars along with the lyrics to the songs they sing. Remember one thing Carlos says early on: for many of the regulars, doing karaoke allows them to have a social life.
Truth. This might not be apparent at first, but one of the first things the DJ says is this: "Me llamo Carlos." Could this in any way be a reference to Herman Melville's Moby Dick when the narrator says, "Call me Ishmael"? A question to ask is whether or not we should even trust everything Carlos tells us. Additionally, remember that, at a karaoke bar, you hear people singing familiar songs, but you're not likely to hear the original artists deliver those songs.
This is also rather "postmodern" of me, as I remember some of the novels in the American Postmodern Fiction course I took as a graduate student at Fresno State as having notes the author provides relating to the novel.
I will do my best not to spoil any key details in the show. However, if you haven't seen the show yet, you might want to skip over this posting:
Addiction. Think about what Carlos says specifically about Sarah, the regular who frequently follows him in the rotation.
Religion. Think about what Carlos says about what he could do if he weren't a karaoke DJ as well as what he shares about hearing those whose renditions of Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison give the artists justice. Don't forget, too: Carlos is "confessing."
Sex. Think about the stories Carlos shares about the behavior of certain regulars along with the lyrics to the songs they sing. Remember one thing Carlos says early on: for many of the regulars, doing karaoke allows them to have a social life.
Truth. This might not be apparent at first, but one of the first things the DJ says is this: "Me llamo Carlos." Could this in any way be a reference to Herman Melville's Moby Dick when the narrator says, "Call me Ishmael"? A question to ask is whether or not we should even trust everything Carlos tells us. Additionally, remember that, at a karaoke bar, you hear people singing familiar songs, but you're not likely to hear the original artists deliver those songs.
Another Performance Tonight
I have another performance tonight of "Confessions of a Karaoke DJ" at the Spectrum Gallery (608 E. Olive) that starts at 7:30 p.m. Don't forget that the show is $3. I had fun performing it back on Friday, and I look forward to doing it again this evening.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but doing this solo performance has really been a stretch for me. I have done some minor acting, such as home movies made with friends along with a small part as a correctional officer in a student-produced prison film titled Concrete Beach back when I attended CSU Fresno. However, I have never done a solo performance nor have I ever portrayed a character anywhere like Carlos.
Again, I want to thank those who have come out to support my show, from colleagues and friends to complete strangers who found out about my show through the Rogue Map, the Rogue Festival website, and wherever else.
Before I head out, here is another review that was posted last night on the Rogue Festival website (http://roguefestival.com/rogue09/?p=162):
"I thought Confessions of a Karaoke DJ was pretty funny. I think people should definately go and see it. I really didn’t expect this to come out of my teacher, I think thats the funny part about it but it was a good show and I think people would enjoy going to this show to have a few laughs." --Katrina Ross
I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but doing this solo performance has really been a stretch for me. I have done some minor acting, such as home movies made with friends along with a small part as a correctional officer in a student-produced prison film titled Concrete Beach back when I attended CSU Fresno. However, I have never done a solo performance nor have I ever portrayed a character anywhere like Carlos.
Again, I want to thank those who have come out to support my show, from colleagues and friends to complete strangers who found out about my show through the Rogue Map, the Rogue Festival website, and wherever else.
Before I head out, here is another review that was posted last night on the Rogue Festival website (http://roguefestival.com/rogue09/?p=162):
"I thought Confessions of a Karaoke DJ was pretty funny. I think people should definately go and see it. I really didn’t expect this to come out of my teacher, I think thats the funny part about it but it was a good show and I think people would enjoy going to this show to have a few laughs." --Katrina Ross
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Some More Reviews
Here are a couple of reviews via the Rogue Festival website (http://roguefestival.com/rogue09/?p=162):
"I thought it was quite entertaining, and often thought what the possible comments could be from the perspective of a Karaoke DJ could be? LOL!
I must say, you nailed it right on the head!!! I’m in total agreement in all sentiment as pertaining to confessions of a Karaoke DJ. Great job Greg! I look forward to seeing more of your very entertaining works!" -- Abel R. Torres, Monday, March 2nd
"Gregory, been busy with my show, but looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday’s performance.I loved your video. You and your wife were great last year and can’t wait to see again Wednesday.Isn’t it great to be part of the Rogue AGAIN! Go Gregory!!" -- Annette Ash, Tuesday, March 3rd (NOTE: Don't forget about her show, about which you can find more information at http://roguefestival.com/rogue09/?p=112)
"I thought it was quite entertaining, and often thought what the possible comments could be from the perspective of a Karaoke DJ could be? LOL!
I must say, you nailed it right on the head!!! I’m in total agreement in all sentiment as pertaining to confessions of a Karaoke DJ. Great job Greg! I look forward to seeing more of your very entertaining works!" -- Abel R. Torres, Monday, March 2nd
"Gregory, been busy with my show, but looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday’s performance.I loved your video. You and your wife were great last year and can’t wait to see again Wednesday.Isn’t it great to be part of the Rogue AGAIN! Go Gregory!!" -- Annette Ash, Tuesday, March 3rd (NOTE: Don't forget about her show, about which you can find more information at http://roguefestival.com/rogue09/?p=112)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Review of the Show from the Rogue Festival Website
The following is a review of "Confessions of a Karaoke DJ" that was posted by Scott Eddy back on Saturday morning from the Rogue Festival website:
"Interesting collection of what goes on behind the senes of a ‘Karaoke DJ’. As a DJ myself I found this venue to be entertaing and familiar. For all you karaoke fans in the valley I encourage you to attend this event, You just might find out how things really work and have a greater appreciation of the stuff dj’s have to put up with. In eithier case, you will stop asking the dj “Am I up next..10 times a night!"
If you've seen the show, please don't be shy to post your reviews at http://roguefestival.com/rogue09/?p=162.
"Interesting collection of what goes on behind the senes of a ‘Karaoke DJ’. As a DJ myself I found this venue to be entertaing and familiar. For all you karaoke fans in the valley I encourage you to attend this event, You just might find out how things really work and have a greater appreciation of the stuff dj’s have to put up with. In eithier case, you will stop asking the dj “Am I up next..10 times a night!"
If you've seen the show, please don't be shy to post your reviews at http://roguefestival.com/rogue09/?p=162.
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