6th Annual Gotham Storytelling Festival to Play The Kraine Theater

This November, FRIGID New York @ Horse Trade presents the Sixth Annual Gotham Storytelling Festival.

The most diverse Gotham yet, with storytellers from a variety of ethnic, national and sexual backgrounds telling stories in a wide variety of formats, including magic. This year's festival promises to break the mold and bring you stories that are both intensely individual and strikingly universal. Don't miss out on a week of stories that will make you laugh, cry, wonder and want to hear more!

This year's festival will run November 1-7 at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street, between 2nd Avenue and Bowery). Tickets ($20) may be purchased in advance at www.horseTRADE.info.

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An Intimate Evening of Issues

Written & Performed by Tess Henry

Wednesday, November 1 @ 7pm

Come join us under the stars on this cool November evening where we get intimate and discuss those things that have been causing us some real issues. Hear some wonderful female story tellers vent to an audience ready to listen to them complain, because as we all know there is just no better feeling then complaining to an audience who is ready to validate you. Take your mind off the issues currently plaguing the nation and on to the issues currently plaguing New York's finest female comics. So just sit back, look at the stars, and enjoy the show.

On the Table

Written & Performed by Diana Arnold

Wednesday, November 1 @ 9pm

Diana Arnold tells her waitressing origin story! Using her signature monologue style, she shares it all. From autobiographical childhood connections made in her 30's, to hilarious celebrity anecdotes, and delicious specials, we get to hear what your waitress has to say - without having to tip.

Denial is a Wonderful Thing

Written by Christina Augello & John Caldon

Performed by Christina Augello, Directed by Ryan Marchand

Thursday, November 2 @ 7pm

One woman, three continents, six decades, and a lusty affair: from Mumbai to the Outback, New York to the Haight, and naïve schoolgirl to free spirit, Christina reveals all in this one-woman "talk story". Join her as she relives the highlights and laughs at the mistakes.

Other Men Need Help

Hosted by Mark Pagán

Thursday, November 2 @ 8:30pm

Mark Pagán along with a roster of storytellers present a live podcast taping of comedic performances, short films, and audio pieces highlighting the oh no's in failed personal attempts at etiquette, showing off, and being the king of cool. Wait - "king of cool"? See, even there - fail.

Waffle House Daze

Written & Performed by Trish Parry

Friday, November 3 @ 7pm

How do you like your hashbrowns? Smothered with onions, covered with cheese? How about injected with heroin? On November 3rd, Trish Parry will serve you the darkest parts of her past, hot and fast. 60 minutes

Dangerous When Wet: Booze, Sex, and My Mother

Written & Performed by Jamie Brickhouse, Directed by David Drake

Friday, November 3 @ 8:30pm

Sodomite Jamie Brickhouse (three-time Moth StorySLAM champion; voices on Beavis and Butthead) faces his three most defining relationships-booze, sex, and his Texas tornado of a mother Mama Jean-in this darkly comic tour de force. Based on his critically-acclaimed memoir that Interview called "as funny as an evening with Carrie Fisher," winner of the FRIGID Festival "Audience Choice Award."

Queer Memoir: MENTOR

Curated & Directed by Kelli Dunham

Saturday, November 4 @ 2pm

Queer Memoir is New York's longest-running and most startlingly earnest LGBT themed storytelling series. In this special edition, we're presenting teams of storytellers, queer friends across generations, who will share stories of their friendships, fellowships and--of course-- fights.

OBSCURA

Conceived & Performed by Christian Cagigal

Saturday, November 4 @ 4pm

Storyteller and magician, Christian Cagigal, weaves fairytales, dark fables, and strange happenings into an intimate evening of mystery and magic. Cagigal performs under the unblinking eye of a video camera, his wonder-working projected on a big a screen. The heightened level of scrutiny brings a special intensity to this hybrid of storytelling, magic and theater.

Reclaiming My Time

Directed by Ben Snyder

Saturday, November 4 @ 5:30pm

Masters of Storytelling World Tour. This is their first stop. Where in the world will they go next? An evening of performance you'll never forget. Showcasing brilliant stories and song by award-winning performers of the stage and film: Lavonda Elam, Una Aya Osato, David Deblinger and Victor Almanzar.

Where in the World is Vanessa Valerio?

Written & Performed by Vanessa Valerio, Directed by Jeff Simmermon

Saturday, November 4 @ 7pm

In 2005, Vanessa Valerio ran from an old love in the Dominican Republic to find new love and new life in another country. She learned that fortune tellers are only right by accident and that getting what you want when you want it and the way you want it never happens, either.

Only the Lonely

Written & Performed by Cyndi Freeman and Brad Lawrence

Saturday, November 4 @ 8:30pm

Critically acclaimed storytellers and married couple, Brad Lawrence and Cyndi Freeman, explore one of the most common and least talked about human experiences: Loneliness. Together, they'll pull apart what's funny and what's heartbreaking about being totally on your own, with no one to catch you, no one to compromise for, and no one to tell you it will ever change.

Dead Parents Club

Hosted by Susan Kent

Sunday, November 5 @ 4pm

Dead Parents Club is a way funnier than it sounds storytelling show where performers tell absurd tales about the saddest time in their life. Susan Kent (Snap Judgment, RISK!, Tell It: Brooklyn) hosts a lineup of NYC's best storytellers sharing hilariously irreverent tales about what it's like to lose a parent, and how we learn to manage our lives without their input.

Joe Charnitski: An Actual Patriot

Written & Performed by Joe Charnitski

Sunday, November 5 @ 5:30pm

Viva Mexico! When 2-time Moth Slam winning storyteller Joe Charnitski heard those words exclaimed from a stage in Mexico City he had to wonder: why was he feeling so proud, so inspired, so...patriotic?! These stories might be the answer. If today's headlines make you wonder, "What does it even mean to be a patriot?" this show is for you!

The Adam Wade Show

Written & Performed by Adam Wade

Tuesday, November 7 @ 7pm

A Very Special Adam Wade from NH Show! Adam Wade (Comedy Central's Inside Amy Schumer, NPR regular), a staggering 20-time Moth Story Slam winner, has put together many of his winning heartfelt and humorous stories for this special monthly show. No two shows are the same. A different featured guest will start the evening off.

Pohl-in-Progress

Written & Performed by Lucie Pohl

Tuesday, November 7 @ 8:30pm

Critically acclaimed comedian, actor and writer Lucie Pohl brings you Pohl-In-Progress, a special one hour peek into her newest untitled solo hour fresh off the heels of a sold out, hit Off-Broadway run at the Cherry Lane Theatre of her NY Innovative Theatre Award nominated comedy Hi, Hitler. "Lucie Pohl proves to be a delightful raconteur!" -The New York Times.

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FRIGID New York @ Horse Trade is a theater development group with a focus on new work that produces a massive quantity of stimulating downtown theater every season. FRIGID's Resident Artist Program offers a home to a select group of Independent theater artists, pooling together a great deal of talent and energy. FRIGID New York grew out of the annual FRIGID Festival, the first and only festival of its kind in New York City to offer artists 100% of their box office proceeds, and Horse Trade Theater Group, a self-sustaining theater development and management group.

Pictured: Lucie Pohl. Photo by Mindy Tucker.