11,936 stories by "Trav S.d."
Vaudeville’s premiere jazz banjoist Brooke Johns (born this day in 1893) was already playing and singing in small time when the First World War broke out. He entertained in the Navy du…
I snuck away and recorded this at lunch yesterday in a single take like a Thief in the Night. Â My gift to you — the musical equivalent of a fruitcake! Have a happy holiday!
Lillian Kiernan Brown informs me that today would have been the 100th birthday of her mom, vaudeville and burlesque performer Margie LaMont. You can read all about Lamont, her sister Lillian…
Today is the birthday of Ann Pennington (full bio here) Here’s a clip of her dancing from 1929: To find out more about the history of vaudeville, consult No Applause, Just Throw…
Let this serve as entry #12 in our holiday gift suggestion series. Three shopping days left! The song above was written when my book came out; the clip above was shot by Bryan Enk and/or Chr…
Tonight at Le Poisson Rouge at 7pm: The New York Burlesque Festival Presents Martinis N’ Mistletoe An evening of live jazz & burlesque for the holidays! w/ Angie Pontani , Shelly &…
Today is the birthday of Paul Winchell (see full bio here). In honor od the day, ere is an amazing clip, the opening minutes of an episode from his show “Toyland Express” To find…
Here now, the sixth installment in our Vaudephone series: The Amazing Amy: Vaudephone is a co-production of Travalanche/ the American Vaudeville Theatre, and Vaudevisuals.com. To find out ab…
For the huge vaudeville fan in your life: Frank Cullen’s 2007 masterwork, co-authored with Florence Hackman and Donald McNeilly Vaudeville Old and New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Perfo…
Charles Gilpin (born this day in 1878) was best known, and achieved his greatest acclaim for playing the title role in Eugene O’Neill’s The Emporer Jones (a role that went to Pau…
Today is the birthday of music hall comedian Dan Leno (see here for full bio). Here’s a 1902 clip of him singing “The Grass Widower”: To find out more about the history…
Here’s a great gift for that certain person who has everything! This DVD from reelclassicdvd.com of obscure but extremely charming-looking Christmas themed silent films. The line-up in…
NYC’s longest running all-clown variety show is back for its 5th Season! As seen in American Theater,The Village Voice Choice, New York Times, The Villager, Spectacle Magazine, Variety…
Today is the birthday of Tess Gardella (see earlier post here). Here she is in her Aunt Jemima guise singing “Can’t Stop Lovin’ Dat Man” from Showboat. The recording …
Born this day in 1896, Enrico Rastelli was a third generation Italian acrobat and aerialist who grew up in Russia. He took up juggling on his own initiative at age eight; going solo with his…
So you think you’ve done everything, do you? How about A John Water Christmas — live? And you don’t even have to go to Baltimore for it. I got to wondering..what is it? Kit…
Dreadful sorry to hear the news that Vaclav Havel passed away today. I and about a hundred of my friends were fortunate to have gotten close to Mr. Havel’s magic thanks to Edward Einho…
If you are of a certain age, you’ve undoubtedly seen Al Kelly — he was a frequent guest on tv shows fronted by the likes of Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen, Ernie Kovacs and Soupy Sales…
Thanks to Circus NYC for this scoop! The King Charles Unicycle Troupe will be performing today Sunday, December 18th at NOON the NY Knicks open practice game. This blog has covered the King …
Saturday, December 17th 3:00pm – 6:00pm Holiday Tea at Three with Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks Eleven-piece band playing music of the 1920s & ’30s There will be …
Today is the birthday of magician Horace Goldin. Here’s a clip of him in action from the 1930s: To find out more about the history of vaudeville, consult No Applause, Just Throw…
Billy Hagan (1888-1986) started out as a boxer and a straightman to his brother in small time vaudevill. But he earned his greatest fame as a burlesque comic, earning his nickname from the e…
I am rarely as downright excited by events on Broadway as I am by this announcement — it represents a perfect storm of Trav-appeal! The Gershwin’s Porgie and Bess is easily one o…
Max Linder (born Gabriel-Maximilien Leuvielle on this day in 1883) is the cinema’s first comedy star. You never heard of him? Shame on you! Linder was a French music hall comedian who …
