Tag: Robin Gelfenbien

“Fly By” Part 1: Lowell Stephens and Robin Gelfenbien (Episode 73)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Have you ever heard of Elinor Smith? Our fall “Fly By” show was a fantastic way to learn about this teenage pilot who beat out Amelia Earhart for “Best Woman Pilot in America” in 1930.

For this special show hosted by Ellie Dvorkin Dunn and produced in partnership with the Greater Astoria Historical Society, we provided our storytellers with a visual prompt depicting Elinor Smith’s legendary 1928 flight under four East River bridges—Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg … and Queensboro!

The animated image created by Queens artist Annie Shi inspired a modern-day story swap of a very different kind of airplane dare and a gutt-wrenching attempt to bridge the divide between father and son. WATCH the full show here on our YouTube page.

Lowell Stephens performs Robin Gelfenbien’s story

Donate here to support No, YOU Tell It!, and we’ll send you an electronic copy of Annie’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 flight.

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

  • Connecting Flights by Robin Gelfenbien, performed by Lowell Stephens, directed by Erika Iverson
  • Liquid Mercury by Lowell Stephens, performed by Robin Gelfenbien, directed by Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons

 

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.

March 25, 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!

***

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 Robin Gelfenbien

Sep 28 2023 @ 7:00PM

It’s almost show day! Our storytellers have traded true tales inspired by this image and are rehearsing with their directors to step into their story partner’s life experience as their own.

Meet our final “Fly By” storyteller, Robin Gelfenbien below, and see you on Thursday at Grove 34.

Photo credit Jordan Matter

Robin Gelfenbien is the self-proclaimed Ambassador of Fun and an NYC-based storyteller, writer and comedian. She’s a three-time Moth Story SLAM winner who has performed on PBS, RISK!, Mortified and countless other shows. She’s also shared the stage with Hannah Gadsby, Trevor Noah and more.

Robin is the Creator and Host of the storytelling series and podcast, “Yum’s the Word,” that features her homemade ice cream cakes. The show has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and named a New York Times and Time Out New York Critic’s Pick. Guests have included Tim Gunn, Mo Rocca, Joy Behar, Jason Biggs, Jerry Greenfield (Jerry from Ben & Jerry’s) and stars from “Orange is the New Black.”

New York Magazine called her solo show, “My Salvation Has a First Name: A Wienermobile Journey,” “the highlight of the Fringe” and Time Out New York gave it 4 stars.

She’s performed her original comedy songs at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and on Sirius Radio. She’s also been featured in Marie Claire magazine and she starred in a commercial directed by Spike Lee. 

www.robingelfenbien.com

***

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 26, 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: , , , , , ,