"Catholic kills at Jewish memoir reading." Our Six-Word Story Show, Sept. 21, 92YTribeca
Walter Mosley at the Six-Word Story Show. from SMITHmag on Vimeo.
Our fourth Six-Word Story Show, "Oy! Only Six? Why Not More?"—Six Words on the Jewish Life, on September 21 at NYC's 92YTribeca started with a tribute to Leonard Cohen and ended with a song from Godspell. In between what followed was an unforgettable evening of storytelling.
Realizing our show was on the same day as Leonard Cohen's birthday—is there a better storytelling Jew?—I enlisted my friend Doni Gewirtzman, a constitutional law professor with the gift of song, to open the evening with an unannounced rendition of "Dance Me To the End of Love." And then the storytellers took the stage, one after another, telling brisk, intense, funny, and inspirational backstories to a Six-Word Memoir on
the Jewish life. Lynn Harris (watch her video, above) told a hysterical tale about being a born and bred New England girl addicted to lobster and falling in love with a rabbi. Rachel Sklar, accompanied by Francesca Garrard, sang a funny ode to Jewish camp boyfriends past in a piece called, "Summer Camp: Good for the Jews." Writer and PEN American Lifetime Award winner Walter Mosley (video, 
above, at top) spoke movingly about being an outsider as both a black and a Jew. Deborah Copaken Kogan (video, below) recalled the morning of her Orthodox father-in-law's funeral, and the amazing moment in which her 13-year-old daughter led a "bloodless coup" against the rabbi who tried to stop 40 mourning women from walking to the gravesite. Watch the video here:
The Six-Word Memoir Game: Best Gift Idea Ever
The Six-Word Memoir Game is here! Since we launched the Six-Word Memoir project in 2006, time and again people have suggested we make a game. Now we're pleased to announce that the Six-Word Memoir game will be in stores soon courtesy of University Games, the shop behind games such as Murder Mystery Party, 20 Questions, and Worst-Case Scenario. University is SMITH Magazine's kind of place: an independently owned company that's found huge success by creating games that are smart, fun, and addictive. Our game is a simple format that requires little more than a pack of cards, a pencil, and a group of friends. We suspect Six Words will spur the same playful passion in game form as it does online, in books, and at live events. Order it from Amazon or Toys R Us.
"With Regrets…": Live in LA & NYC—in Six Words and More
Which hairdresser told me I could effectively pull off a pixie cut? Why did I decide it was a good idea to leave the house wearing this? And what was I thinking when I dated that less than reputable character all those years ago?
Although we may ask ourselves questions like these on a daily basis, the what ifs and the woulda, coulda, shouldas become more dominant in the face of a New Year. Reflecting on regrets can be positively therapeutic. So whether you're anxious to get a clean slate before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, next week or just hoping to get a head start on resolutions before December, what better way to experience catharsis than confessing in the disciplined form of just six words?
Below, some of your fellow memoirists share their six-word regrets. And if you want to get regretful in the flesh in L.A (Sep.22) or NYC (Sep. 27)—good places for such behavior‚ we’re teaming up with Jewish culture mavens at Reboot's 10Q project for a storytelling show called, "With Regrets..." It’s sure to be an evening chock-full of good comedy, great company, and hilariously woeful tales of regret from some of the world's best storytellers, including Time Magazine's Joel Stein, FOUND's Davy Rothbart, spoken word rockstar Rich Ferguson, comedians Todd Levin and Jessi Klein, SNL alum Michaela Watkins, and writers A.J. Jacobs and Starlee Klein. For more info on the LA show go here, and for the NYC show click here.
I regret introducing you to fan-fiction.
-Melissa Appleby
Regret not pursuing masters in twenties.
-JC Turner
SMITH Live: "Six Words on the Jewish Life"—Sept. 21, NYC
"Found Jewish princess. Good-bye succulent pork." "More Philip Roth than David Lee." "He's a doctor and he's single." “Jewish dad, Wiccan mom, so f**ked.” "Didn't get Seinfeld 'til met in-laws." "Moved to Israel. Rest is history."
On September 21, 2011, SMITH, along with Tablet Magazine, and Reboot present, "Oy! Only Six? Why Not More?" A Six-Word Story Show on the Jewish Life at the 92YTribeca, 7pm, 200 Hudson St. in downtown NYC. From identity and mother issues, from unfettered love of kugel to inner conflict over Israel, and the sheer joy of discussing and debating... everything, the Jewish life is a rich and storied one for Jews and non-Jews alike. The night starts at 6 p.m. with a Happy Hour at 92YTribeca's beautiful bar, where you can meet other six-lovers over drink specials. At 7 p.m., the show begins: six performers, six minutes or less each to tell their backstory behind the six words. The evening ends with audience participation Six-Word Slam: you’re invited to share your own six words on the Jewish life or any part of your life at all. Get advance, discounted tickets at the 92YTribeca event page, and tickets will also be available at the door. Featured storytellers include: • Walter Mosley, the author of more than 34 critically acclaimed books, including the bestselling mystery series featuring Easy Rawlins. Mosley is the winner of an O. Henry Award, a Grammy, and PEN America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.Six-Word Search: "Barbie"
This year, the iconic American doll Barbie and her male counterpart Ken are celebrating their fiftieth anniversary. Never the types to miss an iconic event, SMITH Six-Word Memoirists distill what it meant, and still means, to grow up with Barbie, for better and for worse. Click on each writer's name for more of his or her stories.
Ragdoll living in a Barbie world.
—EternalRose
I've become my own Barbie doll.
—Katy Reinsel
Barbie doesn't look fifty like me!
—HerminiaB