12,068 stories from Trav S.D.
I have a sort of standing rule at Travalanche; if I can find a pic of my subject in a vaudeville style derby or top hat, I use it for my blogpost, especially if the person is of more recent …
A few lines here on drummer and bandleader Bill McKinney (1895–1969), motive force behind McKinney’s Cotton Pickers. Before you have a conniption about the name, know that this was by n…
As one does (or doesn’t), your correspondent tends to be cautious in recommending books that are in competition with his own, even when the differences are considerable. But from time to t…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for September 16, 2026 are about jazz fiddler Joe Venuti, sideshow performer Pasqual Piñón, and the late Lissa Moira. September 16 is a great day for show b…
I have had about a dozen occasions to mention Giuseppi “Joe” Venuti (1903-1978), so I thought I would afford him a quick natal day tribute of his own. The latter phrase is with reference…
We were so sorry to learn this morning that long-time downtown pillar of the arts Lissa Moira has passed on. I associate Lissa primarily with Theater for the New City, although she also pres…
Today is Mexican Independence Day! Having already done a post on La Carpa, the traditional Mexican tent show, we select a topic that may be deemed less respectful and dignified, but actually…
I’d seen George Rowe (1894–1975) in dozens of silent comedies but didn’t put a name to his distinctive puss until Steve Massa devoted an entire chapter to him in his 2013 book Lame Bra…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for September 15, 2026 are about silent comedian George Rowe and Columbia House record club. Also Happy Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15). Check out th…
Today has been announced as the last day that Columbia House will accept new orders. When I first heard the news from Eve Golden I had the inevitable thoughts: 1) That still exists??? and 2)…
I don’t have tons of things to say about country singer George Jones (1931-2013) but I find that I have a surprising amount to show pictorially. Jones was not one of those country artists …
Today’s new Travalanche post for September 14, 2026 is about character actor Tom Pedi. Other Travalanche posts for September 14 include ones on: James Nicholson and the founding of America…
I was re-watching the glorious Weegee inspired procedural The Naked City (1948) recently and spotted among the ensemble a character actor I recognized but couldn’t immediately place — wh…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for September 13, 2026 are about the Hoosier Hot Shots and Solid Gold. Other Travalanche posts for September 13 include ones on: Claudette Colbert Jesse Lasky…
September 13, 1980, was the premiere air date of Solid Gold and I sure hope you didn’t like it, because this won’t be some gauzey-lensed nostalgic look back at cherished memories. I was …
Before Spike Jones and His City Slickers…before Freddie Fisher and His Schnicklefritz…before Bob Burns and His Bazooka…before Stan Fritts and the Korn Kobblers…there were the Hoosier…
Today’s new Travalanche post for September 12, 2026 is about animal trainer Gunther Gebel-Williams. Other Travalanche posts for September 12 include ones on: Chaplin’s A King in New York…
September 12 was the birthday of animal trainer Gunther Gebel-Williams (1934-2001) Are there circus stars any more? I don’t mean circus performers who are highly regarded by peers within t…
Today’s new Travalanche post for September 11, 2026 is a comparison of the area around the World Trade Center as it is now, as it was before, during, and after September 11, 2001. The post…
Once more, the somber anniversary, this time a quarter of a century on. We begin by reconnecting you with the updated finding aid for all of the September 11 pieces I have posted here up til…
Today’s new Travalanche post for September 10, 2026 is about NYC Kids Who Witnessed 9/11 from Their Schools Near the World Trade Center. Earlier posts for September 10 include ones on: Sch…
This one goes out to Cashel Byron Stewart, whose 31st birthday it is today. My experience of September 11 will forever be tied to my oldest son, because we were together that day. His mother…
It’s an old question, but it was kicked up several notches on September 11 and throughout the intervening years — what are the ethics and responsibilities of spectatorship where real lif…
Today’s new Travalanche post for September 9, 2026 is on Camera People Who Bravely Captured the Events of September 11. Other Travalanche posts for September 9 include ones on: John Lennon…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for September 8, 2026 are about the impact of September 11 on some friends of Travalanche; and some drama at the Cinema Arts Center. Other Travalanche posts f…
