On September 11th, 2001....well, we all know what happened on that tragic, tragic day.
A year later, my dear friend Judy Toll passed away, having lost her nearly five year long battle with cancer.
A month later, I separated from my husband of 14 years.
And a month after that, in August of '02, I created Tasty Words™, a spoken word salon. After the events of the previous year, I felt if I didn't have a place to get onstage and tell my stories, my head would explode. And I knew I wasn't alone in this. I started inviting other writer/performer friends to come and tell their stories. Real, hilarious, horrifying stories. We did a show. I can't even remember now what the first one was about. I just know it spoke to enough people that we did it again. And again.
And now we have done...I'm guessing here...easily 60 or 70 shows. All amazing. And different. And moving. And funny. And real.
I must use this opportunity to thank my wonderful friends Lee Cohen and Lois Sarkisian, the amazing and generous owners of Every Picture Tells A Story Gallery. They have been our gracious hosts for all these years, and I am fairly certain that without them and their magical gallery, Tasty Words would not exist. I also couldn't do what I do without their fabulous staff. In particular, I must mention the dynamic duo of Pierre and Blaire. Pierre Adeli and Blaire Chandler, I love love love working with you both. To my beautiful friend Judith Krain, who most months runs our box office, I am wildly grateful. And the incredible Dee Dee Flores, who was there in the beginning, and ran box office for years and always brought her great spirit and her crazy laugh, big thanks.
Finally, the audience. The folks that show up and laugh and cry and revel in these extraordinary artists each month (you know who you are). Thank you. Thank you. For digging this work as much as I do. I am committed to continuing to present writers and tellers who will knock your socks off for years to come.
Tasty Words happens one Wednesday a month (occasionally more) at the Every Picture Tells A Story Gallery in Santa Monica and from time to time, in other cool places, too.
Here is what we have in store for the remainder of 2010:
All of these shows are being presented at the lovely, historical landmark building, The Santa Monica Bay Women's Club.
For info and reservations for any of these shows, please email or click here to pay online.
To be added to our mailing list, please send me an email at and write "list please" in the subject line.
To submit pieces for consideration, kindly send me a 6 to 8 minute story with your name on it in the body of an email, or as a jpeg or pdf. Thanks so much and see you at the show! Wendy