Doug Skinner: An Archive on Your Gizmo

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Entries from September 2011

New Uke, New York

September 26th, 2011 · Comments Off on New Uke, New York

White Knuckle Sandwich organized two evenings of ukulele bands at Joe’s Pub in May 2001.  This was, mind you, before the uke became so popular.  Anne booked the bands, Jen designed the card, I came up with the title — New Uke, New York. And, of course, we all played.

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Tags: *Music · N

The Exiled Files of Eddie Gray

September 26th, 2011 · Comments Off on The Exiled Files of Eddie Gray

George Kuchar’s 1997 video, The Exiled Files of Eddie Gray, was somewhat of a return to his earlier film, The Corruption of the Damned. Larry Leibowitz and Floraine Conners were reunited onscreen; and John Keel, who had played a bit part, was interviewed in his apartment.  I portrayed a Keel expert in an interstitial segment […]

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Tags: *Other · E

The Shaver Talk (Four Walls)

September 24th, 2011 · Comments Off on The Shaver Talk (Four Walls)

I’ve often given talks on the visionary painter and pulp writer, Richard Shaver.  The one I did at Brooklyn’s “Four Walls” gallery was the most elaborate.  Mike Ballou made wall sconces using Shaver’s rock photos; we hung a tree with Shaver publications; and I spoke within a charming fake cave.

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Tags: *Words · S

Millennial Mouthful

September 24th, 2011 · Comments Off on Millennial Mouthful

Millennial Mouthful was White Knuckle Sandwich’s millennial extravaganza, in December 1999.  I wrote a new song for the occasion, “Y2WKS”; we had slides, videos, and special appearances by Brian Dewan and Linda Mancini.  Anne and Jen showed their smutty slideshow, “The Milkman Cometh”; Brian joined me for a two-autoharp arrangement of my song “Make the […]

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Tags: *Music · *Stage · M

White Knuckle Sandwich (4)

September 24th, 2011 · Comments Off on White Knuckle Sandwich (4)

Here’s a postcard I designed, for a gig that White Knuckle Sandwich did at the Duplex, back when we were doing that sort of thing.

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Tags: *Music · *Stage · W

A Torok Painting

September 24th, 2011 · 2 Comments

Jim Torok paints remarkable miniature oil paintings; he did this portrait of me sometime back in the ’90s.

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Tags: *Other · T

Fine Wishes, Fine Dances, Good Life, Good Luck

September 22nd, 2011 · 1 Comment

Helen Dannenberg put on a concert of her dances at the Margaret Jenkins Dance Studio, in San Francisco, in November 1982.  I provided music for “Fine Wishes, Fine Dances, Good Life, Good Luck,” drawing upon a large assortment of percussion instruments and noisemakers.

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Tags: *Music · *Stage · F

Mike’s Kiddie Show

September 20th, 2011 · Comments Off on Mike’s Kiddie Show

Michael Smith developed a children’s show in the ’90s, and I was invited to provide music.  I loaded a piano with percussion and sound effects, and had a fine time.  A number of people were also on board through its many changes, including that notable puppeteer, Alison Mork.  Mike and I decided at some point […]

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Tags: *Music · *Stage · M

Varieties!

September 20th, 2011 · 2 Comments

Steve Paul and Gregory Dawson put together a cabaret revue at the Rainbow and Stars in 1991.  Somehow, I ended up hosting it — with my inimitable dummy, Eddie Gray, who received separate billing.

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Tags: *Stage · V

Shishkabob

September 20th, 2011 · Comments Off on Shishkabob

There were many variety/performance/music series in downtown Manhattan in the ’90s.  This one was hosted by that excellent cartoonist, R. Sikoryak.  I sang my songs, with Carol Benner playing obbligati on the viola; we were bracketed with that excellent writer, David Sedaris.

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Tags: *Music · *Stage · S