Finally, neighbors I like

OK, that title is not an entirely true statement.

But!  The fact that people I know and like are moving into a Village Woods condo is good news indeed.  I didn't even tell them how crazy the board and president are.  I did tell them which condos to avoid and how to not act like they're having any fun in the pool, which is right next to the President's condo.

GOD!  Why can't people be happy!  Like my with my new neighbors.

Why I like this hat

I like this hat. It looks good one me, it has a cool graphic and nice colors.  I also connects me with 1 billion like-minded people and, while I like to stand out in the crowd, we need to stand together on some things.

Like violence against women.  Do you know anyone who's for that?  What about rape?  Anyone for that?  No?  Then stand with me.

On Feb. 14, 2013 I am joining One Billion Rising -- a global uprising to bring to light something that is not fun to talk about but that every person in the world would say he/she is against.  And you don't even have to get the hat.

If you want more information, visit: 1BillionRisingSD.com or OneBillionRising.org

If you want the hat, visit www.cafepress.com/onebillionrisingsd

Vote Today, Baby

Vote, Baby.

#RollerDisco

So a group of friends met me at Skate World in Linda Vista.  The event? Roller Disco (or #RollerDisco as we call it in the age of Twit).  The reason?  To have fun.

And have fun we (for the most part) did.  There were some bruised knees, my bottom hurt for a few days and one lucky unfortunate twisted a knee exiting the hard wood rink floor.  Good news? The carpet landing was at least a little softer.

See the photos here... and you can watch the video below.  Maybe the next time you are invited to an event called Roller Disco, you'll go...

Election time at the association

And here's the only one running...

Kevin Six's Monologue to be published

Here's a brief note from my new publisher...

Just a quick note to let you know that your monologue, "Stupid," has been selected for inclusion in JAC Publishing's interJACtions: Monologues from the Heart of Human Nature, Volume II. Thank you for submitting it to us!

New Cool Record Holders

Our friends at CoolRecordHolders have created a boogie wonderland of 70s albums.  From roller disco, to mushy teen idols to hard-driving country rock, these new albums will give you something to put your stuff in.

That's right.  These albums have been re-purposed as boxes, bowls and pencil holders.  Finally, something to do with all those records. 

To see for yourself, view the CoolRecordHolders website.

Meme This

Here are a few names for things:

Mark Hiss's new play "Talking Woman"

See a reading of Mark Hiss' new play Talking Woman at 7:00 p.m August 11th, Twiggs Green Room.

"Talking Woman"

Talking Woman Play Reading Mark Hiss will have his play, Talking Woman read at Twiggs Green Room at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, August 11, 2012.  In Talking Woman, a haunted newspaper photographer and a beautiful burlesque dancer from Tijuana navigate passion and politics in post-World War II San Diego. Twiggs Green Room, next to Twiggs Coffee House, 4590 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA  92116.  (619) 296-0616. The photo that started it all... In Mark's words: "Her name was Soria Moria. She was a burlesque dancer at the Hollywood Theater, which was eventually demolished to make way for Horton Plaza. She was run out of town in 1949 thanks to an ordinance the city council passed banning "immoral" entertainment. The play is inspired by her story."

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Kevin Six shows you two hidden tree swings

La Jolla Shores, Scripps Pier and Two Swings
A walk from La Jolla Shores Beach to Scripps Pier, across a pedestrian bridge to two hidden tree swings.

"No Child..." is worth the drive

Theatre Review By Kevin Six

(from left) Marc Amial Caro, John Rogers, Robert Malave, Lynae DePriest, Dempsey Davis, Bianca Ostojich, and Rebekah Ensley in InnerMission and Mesa College Theatre's production of "No Child...". Photo: Paul Savage

When you produce a play about teaching artists trying to make sense of arts and education, set in a school, and performed at a community college – with student actors yet – you’re asking a lot of an audience.  This much was asked of me last night and, after my disclaimer that I am married to a member of the cast, I must say Mesa College and InnerMission Productions’ “No Child…” It’s worth the drive to Kearney Mesa.

The play itself is short – less than an hour – but every second of it brings something new, touching and uplifting.  The story is real and often acted solo by the author, by Nilaja Sun.  Some day, I’d like to see her do this because the rapid-fire exchange of dialogue is an amazing feat and this cast of 16 was working overtime as it was.

The play is narrated by Janitor Barron, in an extremely human and wizened portrayal by Rhys Green.  Barron paints the picture of a school and a class full of kids who have already been left behind when the national No Child Left Behind brings its show to Brooklyn.  Ms. Sun has been hired, through a department of education grant, to teach the worst of the worst kids a play.  Lynae DePriest pretty much lives the pain, and pathos of this poor artist with an impossible task, and manages to instill hope.  Another stand out in the cast is Justine Hince as the overwhelmed and finally consumed Ms. Tam.  Watching her go from hopeful to disenchanted, to giving up is worth the price of admission.

It is at this point that a reviewer would explain that this production was an educational collaboration with actual students playing the actual students and professionals playing the adults in a way to soften the blow that the kids were blown away by the pros.  But not so.  These kids are possessed of so much energy, talent and emotion (and so much control over them all) that it is hard to understand that they are just beginning their careers as actors.  The ensemble as a whole is even, competent and surefooted.

Standouts among the kids are Brandon Kelly as the angry young Jerome, Bianca Ostojich whose Shondrika can kill with a look, and Rebekah Ensley whose Cocoa puts hope into a much-too-common end to her high school studies.

The production team is also a combination of students and professionals and by-and-large they pull it off with nary a hitch.  Directors Carla Nell and Kym Pappas have managed to create a strong, powerful cast that is surprisingly even, even as the emotions trickle, flow and sometimes gush. The only thing wanting is more sound design.  There was too little musical accompaniment to follow up an excellent opening.

So what, you will think, wiping away tears, as the lights fade on an excellently-wrought “No Child…”  After all, as Janitor Barron says, “sometimes the most talented ones just slip through the cracks.”  All in all Mesa and InnerMission created an excellent production with an excellent use of student and professional actors, staff and technicians – and an excellent way to spend an evening.  Just give yourself time to find the college, the parking lot and the theatre – watch this video for information on where to park.

InnerMission Productions and Mesa College present “No Child” by Nilaja Sun at Mesa College’s A Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. through May 20.  Tickets range from $10-15 and are available at InnerMissionProductions.org or Mesa College’s Apolliad Theater, 7250 Mesa College Dr., San Diego, CA, 92111.  Building C-100 on this map.

How to get to the Apolliad Theatre at Mesa College to see No Child...

Have you ever wondered how to get to the Apolliad Theatre at Mesa College? There's a great play,No Child... there in May and I want to see it. So I went there. See directions and a map here, or follow me...

War vs. Miracle

There has been a war on drugs since Nancy Reagan asked kids to "just say no." in the 80s.  The drugs are winning.  The war on terrorism is difficult to win because it's also war on a concept more than an enemy.  No what people need to instigate, manage and finally win a war is a real enemy.

Like my friend who had a war against the cable company. He thought it was OK to take cable from a company too lazy to protect its flow.  When the cable company terminated the signal at the wires above his house, instead of right where he could tap in at the junction box, I asked him if the war was over.  His reply, "It's no longer war.  It's Jihad."

This was the 90s when Jihad simply meant living your life only to destroy your enemy.  We have come to learn that the enemy of the Jihadists is the Infidel (us) and that we started it with the Crusades.

The term Holy War is possibly the funniest thing in human history.  The idea that somehow the being charged with loving the world so much that He created it for us would stand for us killing people who don't believe in Him is ludicrous on so many levels...

War is not holy.  No, war is personal.  It began with tribes and it continues with tribes to this day.  Or have you never lived in a mixed-use condominium complex?  The idea about condos used to be to allow people who cannot afford to own a whole house or apartment building to own just one little bit.  It was a way for these people to live together and own part of the building and share ownership of the common area.  But now it's just a place for people to start and lose wars.

In my opinion, there is no winner in any war.

There are many reasons for Condos becoming war zones but my main pet peeve is people who used to believe in the condo model but who move out and rent to complete fucking morons.  People who are in the mindset of an apartment and not a shared experience, people who don't care as much as owners.

My complex had flipped.  Most of the units near me are owned by investors.  Some of them are good about the people they rent to and others are keeping oddball family members there.  Read my wife's blog on it.

The problem is that we have an enemy.  One who doesn't believe in the idea of community property, personal space, hygiene... But we're against war.

Part of me wants to go all Jihad but it takes too much time i.e. the rest of my life.  Like the Gerard Depardieu character in Green Card, part of me wants to tattoo the name of my upstairs neighbor on my forearm as a reminder that I need to kill that person and, once it's done, to have the tattoo artists draw a line through it...

The problem with that, besides how messy killing is, is that you have to live with it.  Right there on your arm and in your heart. All war, holy or otherwise, just never goes away.

How to get a person to believe or leave, then?  We've tried talking, note-leaving, appealing to the landlords and now we're appealing to the authorities and, possibly the legal system.  And just that's going to leave a mark. Imagine the mark a war will leave.

All I want is what's best for everyone involved.  For my wife and me to be able to sleep at night without hearing a whining, barking dog begging to be let out; for that dog to be owned by loving people who walk it and dote on it; for my upstairs neighbor to become a loving, intelligent member of society who is aware of the needs of other people.

I don't think war is going to solve this problem.

I guess I am ready for a miracle.

The Doushey Basket (#dousheybasket)

The hashtag #dousheybasket can be used to refer to anything you pay too much for, especially if you pay too much for it in order to look better to the people who shop at the Little Italy Farmer's Market.

Besides, no matter how hard you try my wife and I are the doushey-est people there.

It all started on a normal Saturday afternoon at the La Jolla Farmer's Market -- oddly the second doushy-est farmer's market in the county.  Jennie wanted one of the robo-baskets that a nice European-looking woman was selling.  We asked the price.  $40.

After her pitch (it was made in Germany with strong materials and Eurpoean design touches and better engineering), we thought it was worth the price.  Especially because it would complete our doushey traveling-to-farmer's-markets-ensemble: a Smart Car.

This became apparent when we went to the Little Italy Farmer's Market in the Smarty (only we can call it Smarty; because you don't own one, you have to call it The Smart Car).  We tooled past all the Range Rovers, Fiats and Priuses; we popped into an impossibly small parking spot and -- the piece de resistance?

We opened the back window (you can do that with the touch of a button in a Smarty) and pulled out the $40 basket. We knew it was cool because people didn't look at us until after we'd passed. It was such a pleasure paying extra for things and putting them in out too-small, over-heavy and exorbitantly  expensive Doushey Basket.  How do we know we paid too much for it?

The only thing we do that hipsters don't do, apparently, is shop at Safeway, where we saw the very same basket for $9.

It's still worth it, though.

The Blood Countess Actors

This play has been a dream to work on.  Mainly because of the cast.  Here are some photos of The Blood Countess cast and my thoughts on their work on the show:

Tony Beville is the Minister of Culture.  The play would not be without him.  This character sets all the wheels in motion and most of that work happens off stage, in the past and in the actor's mind. thankfully, Tony's mind words like an encyclopedia wrapped in a great actor.  His talent and skill make the Minister (and the secret he shares) one of the great character in The Blood Countess.

Elisa Gonzales was a true find.  there she was at the audition with "Dot" written all over her.  She was trained at Emerson College, where a friend went so I was familiar with the program.  Her skills are powerful and the timing was perfect: The Blood Countess is her first production since returning to San Diego from New York.  The part of Dod is a fun one.  This Goth Chick has a brain and knows how to use it.  She also has a thing for the Minister and they both use this odd attraction to their benefit.

Brigette Erpelding is excellent as Ilona.  She had the character figured out fairly early on when she came to the realization that she lies to get what she wants.  The character is so opposite the actor, who would never lie, is kind and considerate and would never use people.  Such a delight to work with an actress who had these qualities and can act like a bad person instead of the other way around.  I think you will like the conniver that Brigette has created in Ilona Black.

Justine Hince is Darcy.  This is always the tough part: the lead's friend.  She has to set up all the stuff that happens.  But two weeks ago, she told me she wanted to bring some darkness and depth to the role.  And then she did.  Justine went to a Goth club with the cast and found something there that was missing in Darcy.  Now, without changing a line, the character is smarter, darker and considerably deeper.  Justine is member of the production company and I dislike having my hands ties as a director.  But there she was at the audition and could have played any of the roles.  She graciously stepped into the most difficult one and here I am enjoying my tied hands.

Erik Cram was a great find.  This kid is going to do very well in theatre, film, TV and stand-up, which he already does so well.  He came to the audition and read and was good.  Then I gave him a few secrets about Janos and he flat became the character.  We have him in the same outfit he auditioned in. he was just that perfect in the role.  As Janos, the odd and not-so-bright castle handyman, he excels; but Erik also gets to play Janos the DJ, Janos the vampire and Janos playing a few other choice roles and he's just as perfect in those roles too.

Carla Navaro is also with the production company and also makes me happy with tied hands.  She came to the audition and read for The Blood Countess and just sat in the tub and owned it.  Please note that where wasn't a tub at the audition.  I honestly believe she manifested the tub we now have her in.  You will think we had it made for her.  It is not easy to enter the show last -- and late at that -- then sit in a tub for a long time while setting the record straight.  But Carla manages to to all that and more. 

She is as much The Blood Countess as Erik is Janos, Justine is Darcy, Elisa is Dot, Brigette is Ilona and Tony is The Minister. Come see The Blood Countess, and these great actors.  For more information, visit DangerHouse13.com.  See you there!

Blood Countess Videos

There are many technical things going on in my new play, not the least of which is video.  The characters in "The Blood Countess" communicate with one another on video.  There's a screen on stage and a camera in the house.  We will see if any of it works soon as we go into technical rehearsals and kick-start this mother.  Until then, please look at the videos we've made up to this time wo whet your appetite for "The Blood Countess".

Blooper: director caught over-acting on an off-screen voice over shoot.

  

Making a statue: part one, we encase Carla Navarro in plaster.

 

Fundraising video: PS you can give money to this production here.  Thanks!

 

Production Stills from "The Blood Countess

Josh Freeman took some production stills for The Blood Countess and whey were awesome!  See Josh's stuff at: http://www.obeymybrain.com/.  Take a look at the photos and, to see the play, visit http://dangerhouse13.com/.

Kevin Six Blood Countess Video

Here's another look at what we're doing with The Blood Countess...

 

 

Poop Waterfall

No really. It was a Dog Poop Waterfall.  The upstairs neigobor (I live in a condominium and I should say to anyone thinking of doing this DON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) is... how do I put this?

A sociopath.  No, really.  She wakes up at 4:30 in the morning and sings.  She lets the dogs bark and, worst of all, outside to poop and pee.  Not bad, you say?
I say that outside is actually outside, not on the balcony, which the sociapath thinks is outside.  The balcony is the roof to my patio.  The pee and poop ferment there.  When she washes up, rarely, all she does is wash said pee and poop into the rain gutter.

In the days before the Poop Waterfall, the doggie pee and poop would trundle down the rain guter and lay there just outside my patio.  And smell.  Don't ask me, ask the condo association.  They could smell it and they were 10 feet from it. I live closer than 10 feet from it.  This is impeeding with the safe, healthy enjoyment of the property I own.

And now, the pee and poop actually falls from the rain gutter that runs across my patio.  Why?
Because it's clogged with dog shit, that's why!  Dog shit.  In the rain gutters.  The water has to have somewhere to go so now it overflows onto my patio and, yesterday as I was prepping a $750 surfboard for resale, that water rained down on the board.
Like a fool, I put my hand in it and smelled.  It smelled exactly like dog pee and god poop and it was raining down onto me, my patio and the surfboard I cannot sell. Because it smells like dog piss and dog shit.

I cannot sell my condo for the same reason.  If I were a renter I'd just move out.  I am actually in a financial position to rent the condo at a monthly profit.  The only problem is that it would be unconsionable to rent the condo with the neighbor from hell living upstairs -- and probably impossible to sell it either.

And I am going to prove it.  I have so many friends in Real Estate (fodder from another blog) and I am going to get all of them to weigh in on the rent-ability and sell-ability of this condo with the status quo.  Then I'm going to have them write up their professional opinions as to how much I have lost by living downstairs from a woman who: a) wakes up at 4:30 a.m.; b) allows two dogs to bark at al hours of the night and day; c) lets her dogs relieve themselves on the patio; d) washes their excrement into my rain gutters causing a Poop Waterfall; and e) tells the maintenance company, who tell her she can't put dog poop in the rain gutters: "I don't have a dog."

This letter, and the expenses we've already racked up (insulation, cleaning the patio, therapy, that $750 surfboard I can't sell, etc.) are going to a lawyer.  That lawyer is going to sue the owners of the condo above me who, if they're smart, will evict the stupid asshole who invented the Shit Waterfall.

Statue Comes to Life

In this video, the DangerHouse Team takes plaster castings of actress Carla Navarro's various body parts.  We're going to take these parts and make a statue that comes to life for the production of my play The Blood Countess.  For more information, click here: Blood Countess Information. Now here's that video:

Rolller Disco is my Life!

Yeah.  That's me in a white suit, white roller skates and pink wheels.  I am pretty much the fifteenth best roller skater at Skate World in Linda Vista.

Don't believe me?  Watch the video!

Kevin Six's New Play

Feb. 14 through March 3, 2012 At the Victory Theatre, 2558 Imperial Avenue Three American college students travel to Transylvania and Castle Bathory to bring The Blood Countess the same kind of fame that Bram Stoker brought to Dracula... But The Blood Countess has other plans. Much has been made of Elizabeth Bathory. Operas, ballets, films, novels and now a world premiere stage play by Kevin Six. What is it about this woman that such a chilling mass murderer cannot command the same respect as Count what's-his-name? Ilona Black comes to Transylvania to right this wrong and bring infamy to the name of Bathory with the help of her friends Darcy & Dot, the mysterious Minister of Culture and a Romanian handyman who wants to be a DJ. But working with vampires has its drawbacks. When The Blood Countess wakes and readies herself to bathe in your blood will you be ready?   Ticket Information Victory Theatre Production Photos Help by Donating DangerHouse on Facebook True Crime Bathory Story www.KevinSix.com Kevin Six has been acting, directing and writing for the stage for over 30 years. He was the 2009-11 playwright in residence at Swedenborg Hall. His play The Art of Love won the 2008 Script Tease of Short Plays. His play The Cake Women was published by Smith and Kraus and his play, Love Negotiated was produced to critical success in 2008; it will be published by Next Stage Press in early 2012. He really thinks you'll like his most recent play six.kevin@yahoo.com • Kevin Six

Help me raise money to produce my play by...

Um... Giving some. All gifts are tax deductible and there are a number of benefits to donating. One of them includes tickets to the show. Thanks!