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You are here: Home / Open Threads / By Request: How About Some Levity

By Request: How About Some Levity

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Calling all Denver and nearby Balloon-Juicers. This request just popped up in my email from Balloon-Juicer and fellow Coloradoan, Case:

Night of Arabic Comedy this Thursday, starting at 6PM at the Buntport Theatre (717 Lipan St, Denver). We’re hoping this event will bring together Arabic immigrants/refugees and comedy & media enthusiasts – and remind the Arabic community here that some of us are thrilled to have them as neighbors.

War. Tragedy. Harrowing. Funny. America’s understanding of Arabic culture is all too often rooted in pain and sadness, and we’re missing the best part. Middle Eastern media is filled with laughter and hijinks – come see how much doesn’t get lost in translation.

Come join us at this free event for film clips, food and a panel discussion. No Arabic necessary!

Late arrivals ok.

Hey, it’s free! Bixby and I were invited, I’m assuming Bailey didn’t get an invite because she’s too young for any adult content. <3

Here is a video promo and the Facebook page with more information (you don’t to be on facebook to see it).

For the rest of you…open thread, see if you can find something good to discuss.

Reader Interactions

53Comments

  3. 3.

    Peter H Desmond

    TaMara, i looked at the promo video — and the last black-and-white shot reminded me of Cantinflas, the Mexican comedian. Arabic and Mexican movie comedy histories are parallel.

    Can’t attend the event — i won’t be in Colorado. :-)

  7. 7.

    BBA

    One of my reasons to keep on living is the MST3K marathon on Turkey Day + new season in the new year. I dunno about you guys but I’d like to be shot into space to watch cheesy movies with robot friends, it’s less harmful to one’s sanity than life on Earth.

  10. 10.

    Mnemosyne

    @NotMax:

    Yet another example of how you and I have almost exactly opposite taste in entertainment: it’s the only Trek I used to watch on a regular basis and by far my favorite.

  11. 11.

    Peter H Desmond

    @NotMax:
    notmax, that’s an intriguing statement. i wasn’t following the franchise as it played itself our, live. but i many not be the only one to wonder why you say that?

  14. 14.

    NotMax

    @Peter H Desmond

    Would prefer to remain mum and not prejudice anyone’s potential enjoyment.

    The only thing shall say is that Rick Berman has a lot to answer for when he stands before the nest of the Great Bird of the Galaxy.

  15. 15.

    Adam L Silverman

    @NotMax: It started slowly and a bit disjointedly, but it got better as season one gave way to two and two to three. Apparently there were some real cast personality clashes behind the scenes, which is why Terry Farrell left with a couple of seasons to go. She was unhappy with the work conditions so to speak.

  17. 17.

    Adam L Silverman

    @NotMax: Same issue with Enterprise. If they’d had the writers and show runners from season 3 when they started they’d have been an overall better show and would have been on longer.

  21. 21.

    Mike J

    Good news. Looks as if Mom is coming home from the hospital tomorrow. A bit behind schedule, but tomorrow looks like the day.

    She went in last Wednesday for an aortic valve replacement that they had to do the old fashioned crack your sternum and spread your ribs way. Was in CCU for a few extra days trying to get BP back up. Today she took three short strolls down the hall way of the cardiac telemetry unit (not a CCU, but able to monitor all the time.) She’s not at 100%, and won’t be for a few months yet, but she’s alive and getting stronger every day. I’ve had day shift while my dad took the nights for the past week. Will be much easier to do in her house, and less needed as time goes by. Looks like I’m cooking Thanksgiving, but I’m counting on a lot of backseat driving.

  28. 28.

    NotMax

    @Mnemosyne

    Cannot honestly say I hate it (or not), having never been able to get all the way through. Find more than a scant few minutes unbearable. But that goes for all and any hip-hop and rap. Just not in my wheelhouse.

  29. 29.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Mike J: Please keep us informed. And accept all of our best wishes. I think that I can speak for all of us right now. Any objections? Okay.

  30. 30.

    frosty

    @Mnemosyne:

    I prefer Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman (and Sam Rockwell, and Tony Shaloub)

    Yes, great cast. Great flick, haven’t seen the other one but now I’ll look for it. I saw Galaxy Quest once then listened to it in the car at least 3 or 4 times while my boys watched it in the back, with me wanting to stop and watch it with them. Finally caught it again late at night this year. Still good.

  31. 31.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Mike J: Congratulations! Did they put her on the bypass machine for the surgery? Just remember that if they did, its going to take a while for her emotional equilibrium to get back to what it was.

  32. 32.

    NotMax

    @frosty

    Don’t expect cinema quality. It was an el cheapo pilot for TV cranked out by the same people responsible for Hercules and Xena.

    Still, lots of fun moments which even cheesy production values couldn’t diminish.

  33. 33.

    Dog Dawg Damn

    Is anyone on here on Twitter ? I’m @noneya_mindyers there. Add me and I’ll add back or post handle here. Trying to get more plugged in.

  34. 34.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Pogonip: I’m not sure. I just remembered seeing a write up on her leaving with her having observed the camaraderie and pleasantness on the Voyager set and remarking that she wished things were that way on the DS9 set. It is entirely possible that she was the only one who felt this way and everyone else got along okay.

  35. 35.

    Mnemosyne

    If we’re going with minor good news today, I swear I have the only job when I can tell my boss that I’m writing a novel and my boss is actually happy and excited for me. (I of course included a reassurance that I was not working on my novel during business hours.)

  37. 37.

    Mary G

    On my Twitter feed the press is pitching a hissy fit because it went out to dinner at the 21 Club without notifying and taking along his press pool.

    Frank Gaffney, who believes ISIS is using Grover Norquist to infiltrate the NRA, working for it, ho hum. Didn’t tell us where he’s having dinner, TERRIBLE! OH NOES!

  38. 38.

    Это курам на смех

    @BBA: I have about 130 episodes of MST3K that I taped when they first aired. Half of these I have converted to DVD. I am set for life.

  40. 40.

    Aleta

    In Boston area this Thur-Sat, my friend’s new play + music is at Hibernian Hall in Roxbury. He’s a beautiful composer, and musician-musicologist. I haven’t seen it yet, but going to go this weekend. Description:

    Top Eye Open – In 1851 Shadrach Minkins became the first person arrested in Boston under the new Fugitive Slave Law. “Top Eye Open” tells the true story of his rescue from custody and escape to Canada, beyond the reach of slave-catchers and federal marshals. “Top Eye Open” brings to life memorable characters active in Boston during the years leading up to the Civil War.

    Another one of the stories/songs is of Nathum Hazard, who was a free boy kidnapped with another boy in 1839 and taken from Worcester to Va to be sold. Because of their literacy they were noticed, and traced and the kidnappers put on trial and convicted. Both boys eventually were returned. Nathum later joined the 55th Massachusetts Infantry, fought in the South, was wounded, and returned to Worcester County. He still has descendants there.

  43. 43.

    Mnemosyne

    @Adam L Silverman:

    Yes, and Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel. Fairy tale =/= historical romance.

    If it was, Belle and the transformed Beast would be getting dragged off to Paris to get guillotined at the end of the movie.

  44. 44.

    Mnemosyne

    Speaking of which, if people with insomnia need something to watch, I can recommend the recent live-action version of Cinderella. It’s nice and sweet and sincere and everything turns out right in the end. You might get a little annoyed with how passive Cinderella is, but it shouldn’t keep you awake.

    And, also speaking of which, the other thing my boss said today is that she’s noticed I’ve been a few minutes late every morning, so I need to head off to sleep. Good night to whomever is still hanging around.

  45. 45.

    WarMunchkin

    It’s being reported that Mike Pence has removed all lobbyists from Trump’s transition team. (WSJ Paywall) Having not bought access to the article, I can’t actually see what happened.

  46. 46.

    TS

    @WarMunchkin:

    google the sub heading – Vice President-elect Mike Pence drops lobbyists; former Intelligence panel head Mike Rogers ousted

    Click on the link

  48. 48.

    Aleta

    @Mnemosyne: I hesitated to say it was a musical, since it may be structured differently than is conventional? Have heard a couple of the songs but I don’t know how the songs are put in or where performed. May be more like storytelling ? Not sure, but it’s being called a play.

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