The first time I met Baratunde Thurston was back in 2008.  I think I was invited by Liza Sabater and/or Twanna Hines to have  drinks at a bar in the East Village.  It was an impromptu Black blogger meetup.  I knew he did stand-up comedy, worked at Onion, and most notably was the co-founder of the blog Jack & Jill Politics. Soon after meeting Baratunde, he was popping up everywhere–on my Twitter feed, at parties, and at SXSW.

About two weeks ago, I got a galley copy of Baratunde’s book, How To Be Black, from my friend Rachel. I started reading it immediately.  One of the added benefits of reading How To Be Black in public is the looks that you get when people see the book cover. I can relate to many of the things in the book, especially the chapters on “How To The Black Friend” and “How To Be The Black Employee”.

The book is part about being black, and  part memoir.  I kinda wish there was more memoir.  I am left wondering how did Baratunde make the leap from being a Harvard grad to being a stand-up comedian.  It would be nice to offer more insight on being the Black comedian.  As someone who worked tangentially in stand-up comedy, I know there’s a dirty underbelly to comedy especially when it comes to getting booked and getting paid.  When I read Tina Fey’s Bossypants, I wanted her to share more of the struggle of being a woman in comedy, and Baratunde could have added more as well.  Not as a woman, but as a Black man.  To be fair, I am a wee bit of a comedy geek, and not every reader wants to know how the hot link sausages are made.  Also, it would be a bonus to have a chapter on “How To Be The Black Couple”, but Baratunde is NOT Steve Harvey. Thank God!

How To Be Black is hilarious and very insightful. I highly recommend reading the book if you are Black.  I also recommend reading the book if you are White, but you may want to read it on your Kindle so as to not draw unwanted attention to yourself.

P.S.

I just checked on Amazon, and the book is $12.99 on Kindle and $14.40 Hardcover.  Advantage: People with a  Kindle.

Happy New Year! Happy Twenty-Ten! January is already jam-packed.

Jan 5. Six-Word Memoir Reading and Book Party at Word. FREE

Jan 8. Splurge. New monthly comedy show hosted by Carolyn Castiglia. Happy Ending. FREE

Jan 9. Wedding Crashers. A fun, alt-hipster bridal expo hosted by Brooklyn Based. The Bell House. $20.00 – $40.0

On deck for next week
Jan 13. How To Run a Successful Cupcake Business. $15

PS. new favorite word- “adorkable”

Picture of one of the casseroles from Tuesday.

It is the high tide of the fall social season so take your vitamins and buckle up. Since you may need to rest up for next weekend’s Halloween parties, here’s three things I recommend for this week.

Thursday, October 22 There’s a global hip hop CMJ showcase at 92YTribeca 7PM.

Saturday, October 24 Vernon Reid will premiere a multimedia piece commissioned by WNYC called “Artificial Afrika” at the Winter Garden. FREE 8PM

Wednesday, October 28 is The Rejection Show. Hosted by Jon Friedman, the show features Wyatt Cenac who starred in the excellent movie, Medicine for Melancholy. 9:30PM $5

Related:
Last week’s Niche List

In no particular order, here’s some people I know that should be famous. I don’t have time for links, so “Google” them up!

1. Arthur Lewis
2. Erin and Her Cello
3. Abbi Crutchfield
4. Don McCloskey
5. Taryn Harris (Fem Appeal)
6. The Lascivious Biddies
7. Neal Medlyn
8. Baratunde Thurston
9. Adira Amram
10. Mindy Raf
11. Carolyn Castiglia
12. Negin Farsad
13. Bridget Everett
14. Bari Koral
15. Tionna T. Smalls
16. Jen Kwok
17. Jess Wood

killmeloudly, originally uploaded by nichellest.

Last night I went to see “Kill Me Loudly“, a very funny play. It is a clown noir starring Deanna Fleysher, Chris Manley, Chris Roberti and Jeff Seal. These four are NOT scary clowns that perform at children’s parties. They are sexy, crazy, acrobatic clowns who had me howling with laughter throughout the show.

I highly recommend going if you want to laugh. Plus, you get to see guys playing with paddles and stripped down to their skivvies.

Milagro Theater at Clemente Soto Velez
107 Suffolk between Delancey and Rivington
$15 (to purchase tickets go to Brown Paper Tickets)

Kill Me LOUDLY

Saturday, July 19 8PM
Friday, July 25 8PM
Saturday, July 26 8PM

Tonight: Come to the Hysterical Festival Fundraiser show at Comix. Hosted by Carolyn Castiglia, the lineup includes Adira Amram, Rachel Feinstein, Heather Lawless, Ophira Eisenberg Bridget Everett and Mel and El.

Saturday: On April 19, you can party with a girl and her instrument. Join Erin and Her Cello as she celebrates the release of her debut CD with a performance at Joe’s Pub. Listen to her song, “Subway Crush“.

May 4: I am hosting a clothing swap at Angels and Kings.

May 8: Be social. Cupcakes Take The Cake is hosting a Cupcake Social 2.0 at The Delancey.