This week's episode features Chris Velez, a sound technician and employee at Production Express Inc., who services all Appell Center events! If you have ever attended a Strand or Capitol Theatre show, chances are, Chris Velez was behind the scenes. We chat about the impact of COVID-19 on tech and crew in the music industry, his fondest memories and experiences after working over a thousand live events, and so much more!

This week's episode features the dynamic Director of Downtown Inc, Elaine Bonneau! She leads the daily operations of the Downtown Inc team, whose goal is to enhance and encourage investment in York’s central business district through economic development, promotions, placemaking, and public safety initiatives. 

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Green Room Gossip, offbeat interviews from the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, takes you behind the scenes for candid discussions with performers that take to the Strand and Capitol Theatre stage.

To learn more about the initiatives mentioned in this episode, please visit PreparedYork.com and DowntownInc.com

This week's episode features comedian Mark Gregory. Mark is the nephew of comedic legend and civil rights activist, satirist, and author, Dick Gregory, who inspired younger comedians such as Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. Mark was set to perform in the Capitol theatre as part of our CapComedy series, until quarantine hit and his show was canceled. When it is safe to do so we certainly hope to have Mark take to our stage! We chat about a variety of fun topics, from his background as a National Champion sprinter and how he got his start, to COVID struggle meals and insane news headlines. 

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Mark Gregory has appeared on Aspire TV’s We Got Next, FOX TV’s One Mic Stand and TBS Just for Laughs comedy festival. In 2015, he won the Search for the One Comedy Competition and has traveled the country as the host of the Rebirth of Comedy tour. 

In this week's episode, we sat down via Skype with dad, actor, and comedian, Aaron Kleiber! Aaron has toured alongside the likes of Bob Saget, Jim Breuer, John Witherspoon, and Harland Williams. We talk horror movies, food, ultimate Dad's and so much more! Check out Aaron's podcast Grown Dad Business, and his comedy special Grown A%$ Dad, on Amazon Prime! 

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No new episode this week! Instead take a look back at some of our past favorite interviews, topics, and hear about some new initiatives we have going on here at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in Historically Edgy Downtown York, PA! From JJ Grey and Mofro to The Wood Brothers, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood to The Second City, listen in and take a look back with us! Stay tuned for a brand new episode in 2 weeks!

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The Appell Center for the Performing Arts is proud to present the Appell Center Master Series: Interviews with Leading Industry Professionals in Music, Theatre, and Dance. Spearheaded by our education department, join us every Friday through August 2020, for a brand-new interview with a Performing Arts professional! Our Master Series is perfect for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the arts! Episodes will be posted on our YouTube and Facebook pages each Friday @AppellCenter

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Don't miss FIELD OF DREAMS, June 26, 2020 at Peoples Bank Park in Downtown York, PA. Tickets are only $6 and are available at bit.ly/Movies

On May 22nd we had the good fortune to sit down for a virtual discussion with comedian, author, podcaster, commentator, and veritable Indiana Jones of scooping cat litter, Paula Poundstone. We talked camping, cats, Broadway musicals, historic figures as roommates, and much more! Paula Poundstone will be appearing at the Strand Theatre on January 29, 2021, tickets are on sale now at AppellCenter.org!

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Paula Poundstone hosts the popular podcast, Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone, and is revered as a favorite on NPR’s #1 show, Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me! Starting her career in the late 1980s, she still tours the country as a comedian and commentator.

This week, Stephanie chatted with a local musician, educator, and veritable jack of all trades, Brent Gregory. Brent Gregory is a York, PA native, music teacher at York Academy Charter School, and musician who has toured and played with several notable bands including Bustle & Bump, Younger Me, The Art of Abandonment, and more. Until the restrictions from Covid-19 hit our theaters, Brent was also an active member of our Production Express team, who are responsible for all the sound, tech, setup... essentially the lifeblood of our theatre. Join us in a refreshing conversation on his background in music, awesome concert venues, unique and historical ways to distribute music on the cheap,  ways to keep kids and young adults engaged in music, and much more! 

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You can listen to music from Brent Gregory's most recent venture, Younger Me, on Bandcamp.

Our talented Appell Center education staff has been working hard to provide virtual learning experiences since the start of COVID-19 restrictions while managing to continue teaching their students from home. Tune in to this very special episode and get an inside look into their stories, the new world of education they face, and much more! Plus, some fun offbeat stories are thrown in for good measure!

Check out our virtual learning on our Facebook page and on YouTube @Appell Center

Thanks to our incredible educators, Gregory Lauer, Shianne Williams Brown, Weston Jackson, Cyd Tokar, and Tom Ryan, for sharing their inspiring stories with us!

Join us as we sit down (via Zoom) for a quick chat with community leader, champion of the arts, and President of the Cultural Alliance of York County, Kelley Gibson! We chat triathlons, 80's fashion, Harry Potter knowledge, and the importance of supporting the arts in even the smallest ways. We want to remind you that Give Local York is May 1st! You can be part of this important day of giving back! So many York County non-profits need your support right now. We hope you will consider making a donation to the Appell Center for the Performing Arts during this incredibly challenging moment in our history! Visit www.GiveLocalYork.org on May 1st!

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The Cultural Alliance of York County’s partner agencies and artists foster interest in and exposure to arts, history, and culture for thousands of adults and children throughout the region. Educational outreach, performances, gallery openings, classes, and camps are just some of the activities of our member agencies. Follow them on Facebook @CulturalAllianceYork

We sat down with self-proclaimed 40-something cougar, 100lb losing, gluten-dairy-soy-egg free, cat-owning standup comedienne, Lis Russo! Listen in as we talk pet voices, creepers, superpowers, and so much more! Learn about how you can support the Appell Center for the Performing in ways both big and small during this incredibly challenging time in our history as COVID-19 has shut our doors!

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LIZ RUSSO is a standup comic and has been performing for over a decade and headlines regularly for comedy clubs, colleges, theaters, casinos, festivals. Follow her on Twitter @TheLizRusso