Improv Everywhere's "MP3 Experiment Ten"

I had the pleasure of celebrating this year's Bastille Day by photographing a flash mob at South Street Seaport held by Improv Everywhere.  They're the same group that puts together the No-Pants-Subway-Ride each year, amongst many other things.  This particular event was centered around a roughly 45-minute mp3 that participants played simultaneously in their headphones, which directed a long-form flash mob that included silent dance parties, paper airplane throwing, bubble blowing, and randomly giving observers a dollar (I was on the receiving end of this last part a few times, so I guess this was technically a paying gig).

I'd only heard about it on my way out the door, so I didn't get a chance to download the track or gather the necessary supplies (i.e. paper, bubbles, dollars...), so I had to (/got to) witness the flash mob with fresh eyes.  I've seen a good deal of flash mob videos online, but I don't think I've never seen so many people in once place.  Pier 17 was packed like Mumford and Sons was headlining a music festival on the river or something.  I'd wager it was one of the largest mass bubble-blowing events in recent history.  The part where everyone suddenly stood still like statues was also pretty entertaining, though I suppose the effect is lost in still photos.

I've been photographing a lot of improv-related things lately, between The Chris Gethard Show, The UCB's Del Close Marathon, and now this Improv Everywhere flash mob.  I've noticed a lot of overlap of friendly faces throughout, and I've really warmed to the whole community.  I've got a lot of appreciation (but perhaps little understanding) of the improv world as a whole, so I feel really lucky to have gained all the access and trust of these communities.  Or maybe that's just how networking works.  Anyway, here's pictures!

The Chris Gethard Show (cont'd)

Here are some photos from my last to visits to The Chris Gethard Show. I'm enjoying myself more with each visit, and have loved getting to know the cast/crew/fans these past few weeks. Still a relative newcomer, it's always a warm reception whenever I'm able to make it to the show. 

With a car on the fritz and a full-time job on the horizon, I may not be able to make it into the city each Wednesday night, but in any case I'll always look forward to watching online. At the very least I'd really like to make it out to the near-approaching episode 100 - I've got no clue what's planned, and I'm not sure if they do either, but it should be one for the books!

Red Bull Music Academy Presents: A Night Of Improvised Round Robin Duets

I've been getting more live music gigs lately, and this one was a bit of a treat.  A little while ago I photographed a show at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple called "A Night of Improvised Round Robin Duets."  This was a show where one artist starts improving onstage for five minutes, and was joined by a second musician who would duet with them for another five.  Then the first musician would leave and the next would join in, and for the next two hours twenty musicians would take the stage.

Of the twenty musicians I was only really familiar with three:  ?uestlove, Andrew W.K. and Andrew Bird.  It seemed like a rather random assortment of talents to bring together on one stage, so I was intrigued to see how the rest of the lineup would mesh together.  It was just as random as I expected - DJ's playing with pianists, jazz sax players playing with punk rockers, acoustic instrumentalists playing with computerized sound-scapes, etc.

What ensued was a one-of-a-kind performance that brought together a wide array of musicians and fans that would otherwise never have found themselves at the same show.

Game of Thrones Exhibition in NYC

When I heard about the temporary traveling Game of Thrones exhibition I jumped at the chance to nerd out for an afternoon.  I had no idea (though I guess I should have) that so many people would line up around a city block just to get an inside look at the show. 

I had a great time photographing costumes, props and behind-the-scenes aspects of the show, but I also indulged in the Blackwater Bay video game and got my Santa-at-the-mall-esque picture taken on the Iron Throne.

...and I might have gotten in line again and posed as Spider-Man.

"The Dream @50" Celebration at The Met

Yesterday I had the pleasure of covering 'The Dream @50' Celebration at The Met.  This was an art contest awards ceremony that included submissions from local K-12 students, meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's famous 'I Have a Dream' speech.  Though the actual date isn't until August 28 (something I've always remembered as it's also my birthday), holding this event in January was a great, touching way to start of Black History Month this year.

The assignment for the art competition was to present a piece that reflected on the progress of the Civil Rights Movement in the decades since MLK's work.  What was really interesting/inspiring was how much of the artwork dealt with not just the state of Blacks, but of all races, religions and orientations.

The ceremony included two performances by students from the Harlem School of the Arts.  Between the artwork and the performers, there was some amazing stuff presented.  I kept having to remind myself that these were elementary, middle and high school kids dancing and singing and painting, etc.  - which made the work 'RULL' impressive, rather than simply 'really' impressive.

Curators made several references to works form the American Wing throughout the ceremony, so I decided to take a walkthrough afterwards and as a bonus I've included some of those HDR's.

2013 NYC Winter Jazz Fest

I had the pleasure of photographing the NYC Winter Jazz Fest in the West Village this past weekend.  Not a whole lot to say here, so let's get right to the pictures!  

Bonus:  Here's a botched HDR of an upright bass player at Sullivan Hall.  I rather like how it came out.

The Upright Citizens Brigade's 14th Annual Del Close Marathon

Here's another rather large batch of pictures from one of my latest gigs - the UCB's 14th Annual Del Close Marathon (a bit of back story: The Upright Citizens Brigade, originally founded by Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh, created the Del Close Marathon after Del Close, one of the pioneers of improvisational comedy, passed away in 1999).

This was, by far the COOLEST photography gig I've gotten so far.  Three straight days of improv, performed by the best comedians in the business, and all I had to do was sit in the front row and take pictures.  I'd always assumed there was more to improv than Michael Scott continuously pulling out his "gun" (see: The Office), but I had no idea how much of a fine craft it really is.  Or how much hard work and training it takes to be a professional improv comedian.

I knew there were going to be some big names at the marathon (after all, one of the UCB's founding members is Amy Poehler, one of the most successful female comedians out there), but I was surprised at how many familiar faces I saw on the various stages.  From minor recurring TV characters, to frequent supporting roles, even my favorite YouTube sketch comedy groups, it was interesting to see how wide the UCB network spans.  Basically, if I ever decide to become a comedian, this would definitely be the place to start.

Anyhoo, without further ado, PICTURES!