Confetti & CHAOS

From packing up a New York City apartment over Facetime to serving tables in surprisingly awkward situations, Adam has seen it all through the lens of a singing server. Listen along as we share our combined histories of working in Times Square for over a decade while trying to stay grounded, enriched and safe.🎶✨

Adam Rennie - Instagram

It's been a minute or two. Welcome back to the archive.

In this mid-season check-in, I open up a cardboard box of battered Moleskine notebooks to look at the physical toll of a decade spent inside the epicenter of the tourist gaze.

We talk about the "Great Scrub" of my digital footprint, Phillip the Bucket, who funded an entire indie rock album, building boundaries and expectations with coworkers who ultimately have become family.

I had to decide if I was writing a kitschy memoir about the good old days, or conducting a commemorative reckoning of a decade. I chose the reckoning.

The project is soundtracked by Matthew Lee and the Standbys

Follow the archive on Instagram HERE.

In this episode of Confetti & Chaos, Matt sits down with Kevin Ray to explore the formation of Stardust Family United, the singing servers’ union at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. From his journey from LA to NYC to the pivotal moments that led to organizing SFU, Kevin shares firsthand stories of resilience, advocacy, and the fight for performers’ rights. Tune in for an inside look at the highs, the hardships, and the legacy of unionizing in Times Square. 🎶✨

Kevin Ray - Instagram

In this episode of Confetti & Chaos, Matt chats with performer Courtney Dease (@courtneydease) about his journey at Ellen’s Stardust Diner. From cruise ship performances to building emotional connections with guests, Courtney shares powerful stories of the magic of music and the beauty of live performance. Tune in to discover how Stardust becomes a place where dreams come true and memories are made!

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In this episode of Confetti and Chaos, Matt goes behind the scenes as a singing server at Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Times Square. Joined by performer Mollie Craven (@mollie.craven), they discuss balancing live performance and restaurant work, handling NYC tourists, and life in a Broadway-adjacent diner. From customer chaos to moments of artistry, they explore resilience, camaraderie, and the magic of live entertainment. New episodes every two weeks!

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In the premiere episode of Confetti & Chaos, host Matt Patterson shares his journey as a singing server at Ellen’s Stardust Diner in Times Square. From his audition to a decade of performances, Matt pulls back the curtain on life in NYC’s most iconic musical diner. With humor and heart, he explores the highs, lows, and dreams of aspiring performers navigating Broadway’s orbit. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at restaurant performance and creative ambition! New episodes every two weeks.

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