WDEK Podcast Ep. 77: Raja Feather Kelly, Alex English & Adira Amram - 1/28/2020

Happy 2020!  Christian and Shonali roll into 2020 with tales of hunger and dogs gone wild.  Have you ever tried the Whole30? Christian and Shonali start the year out with another amazing lineup of guests.  Christian and Shonali are obsessed with all of them.  Their first guest is award winning choreographer, director, artistic director Raja Feather Kelly.  He is the artistic director of his own theater media dance company The feath3r theory.  How did a young man from Houston, TX with an obsession for pop culture, musical theater, dance and Andy Warhol become the critical darling of the uptown theater world?  His work as a brilliant choreographer is featured in works like Fairview and Strange Loop and his last performance as a dancer was a solo show, 2 years ago in Ugly at The Bushwick Star.  Go see his Kelly's upcoming works, Wednesday by the feath3r company and We're Gonna Die which he is directing at 2nd Stage premiering Feb. 4 and opening in February 25, 2020.  See why Raja's been featured in the New York Times so many times this past year. 

Shonali has hopes of Christian getting a dog when times get lonely and has brought Rhonda the Dog Trainer (comedian & actress Becky Chicoine) from Pittsburgh to give him some dog training lessons.  The audience at home, should pay special attention to her words, because although you have no idea what Rhonda is doing, you can try these tricks at home with your own moves.  

WDEK's second guest of the evening is comedian and writer Alex English.   Alex is black, from Detroit and recently started making friendships with white people.  Alex shares his astute observations regarding dating, weddings and eating brunch with white people.   He also has special words for comedians who can't turn it off.   Make sure to check out Alex at his monthly show Dad, happening at the Jane Hotel, the first Monday of the month.  His next show is Feb. 3, 8:30PM.  

Jack Dwyer joins us from work in his gorgeous black velvet suit for this month's #GetItOffYourChest.  Topics include haircuts, relatives, salad bar hoverers and imaginary friends.  What is yours?

Photo by Daria Huxley

WDEK's final guest is dancer, singer, songwriter, comedian and choreographer Adira Amram. Adira's unique brand of song, dance and collaboration is all about having a good time.  She has been performing with Maresa D'Amore-Morrison and Jessi Colon  (The Experience) for 12 years.  Adira claims that her work comes from the child inside of her.  She has released an album called Hot Jamzs for Teens.  Adira is the daughter of legendary composer and multi-instrumentalist David Amram.  Adira explains her dad had creative parenting techniques and how at 89 he's still continuously looking forward to the next gig.  Adira performs two of her tunes for our live studio audience: 1) 17 Signs You Are Having A Midlife Crisis (The Condensed Version) and 2) I Want You to Be You Only Different.  Look for Adira at her upcoming show this spring with Ophira Eisenberg, Ophira & Adira at Union Hall!

Thank you all for supporting us for over 6 years!  For enjoying a noncommercial experience that is about heart and soul! 


WDEK Podcast Ep. 77: Raja Feather Kelly, Alex English & Adira Amram - 1/28/2020

Episode 19 - Jeffrey Gamblero - November 4, 2013

Happy Halloween! Happy Diwali! Happy November! Shonali just got her tooth drilled at the dentist office. Tooth ash was spewing everywhere. Christian was beligerant on Halloween, not just beligerant, but the Beligerant Yogi. Pictures are up on our FB page. Christian's landlord took his family on vacation to Burning Man and we're not judging. Christian, Shonali, Justin and special guest Jeffrey Gamblero have never been to Burning Man, so we don't even know. Bathroom attendants are a thing of the past, thank goodness. It's always so awkward. Christian ponders whether its the noises or the smell that would be the worst Have you seen the Jumbotron at Barclays Center during a Nets game? If so you definitely saw our Ep. 19 guest up there! Our "Uber" guest is Jeffrey Gamblero, a super fan of Brooklyn Nets, former professional poker player, graffitti writer, artist and current Lofty Goals NYC art collective partner. There is a viral meme out now with him on it regarding the Nets win over the Heat. Jeffrey did not have gambling groupies while he gambled. His beautiful wife to be, Kristi Evans, with the beautiful hair, is his partner in Lofty Goals. Jeffrey and Kristi will be hosting interactive art shows - ie. gambling for art. Our special music comes from Four Tet, a song called Parallel Jalebi in honor of Shonali's newlywed friends.

Episode 16 - Dakota Hall - July 16th, 2013

Happy Heatwave to all of you. Christian and Shonali discuss the unique New York City sights, sounds and smells that happen during a week long scorching heatwave. Our latest episode is brought to you from Justin's apartment in Bushwick recorded live in front of a studio audience; Justin's mom- Dorie, Dad - Mark, and little brother Dakota who happens to be our special guest this episode. Krissy Chula has a meltdown along with our friend who is responsible for inserting the term "war dialing" into our vernacular. We discuss phone etiquette and Christian's rules for modes of communication. Our special guest, 16 year old Dakota Hall is from Walker, Minnesota, knows everyone at his high school, plays the piano, and listens to Jack Johnson and John Mayer (whew! for a second there we thought he was going to be listening to someone we had never heard of - turns out we were way off. We probably heard of them before he was born.) Shonali would like to go to Walker for the weekend Eelpout fishing festival they have in February in an ice village on a lake along with 10,000 people. It may just be the heat. Savages are an English all woman band that rocked Shonali's world a few weeks back at Webster Hall in NYC. Here is the first song of their debut full length Silence Yourself. The song is called Shut Up.

Episode 16: Dakota Hall, Justin's 16 Year Old Brother - July 20, 2013

Episode 13 - Reno Villacis - March 29, 2013

Happy Spring everyone! Here at WDEK Headquarters we are eagerly awaiting the warm weather which brings sunlight, vacations, drinking, working out, the beach, wearing short shorts, speedos, and mini skirts. To help us look good and laugh hard for the spring is our special guest Renaud "Reno" Villacis, Shonali's physical trainer and comic relief in the gym. Shonali got a new haircut and is wearing her high waisted jeans. Christian is wearing a headband. Justin is going to his godmother's for Easter. Christian coins the term "life fans." WDEK is blowing up on FB with new "likes" from all over the country. The current North Korean dictator looks like a lonelier version of his dad. Team America is hilarious. Reno will not date a woman that litters. Listen carefully to Reno's eating and exercise tips. Reno's favorite girl is his dog Chloe. Guess which one of us wears Speedos? Reno has a tattoo on his neck and he regrets it. If you want to check out some of Reno's work outs on his youtube channel at RockReno1. Reno will not return to Ecuador. Reno met a special woman via a smoothie. Boney M's Rasputin has 26 million views.

Ep. 5 The Fun Keeps on Rollin' with Charles Scott

Shonali went to the US Open and Christian booked a lead role in a new play. Don't mess with the Bathroom Police. Why do people break lines? The summer has ended and Lupe Fiasco is going to retire. Our special guest Charles Scott is the quintessential endurance athlete, writer, family adventurer - only because we know noone else with all those titles. Charles just ran his 6th Iron Man in which he guided a 69 year old blind competitor. Here are some questions we had for Charles: Why run a 14th marathon, what's wrong with 4 or 5? Why cycle across the entire country of Japan, over 2500 miles in 67 days with an 8 year old? Why leave a 14 year career at Intel Capital and decide to write your first book? Are you crazy? Some people use swords as everyday weapons. Charles is worried about Christian and Shonali's relationship. Is it time for you to make that change? Charles punched a tree. Charles is a truly inspiring character. Catpower's newest release is out.

WDEK was so happy to have Shonali’s long time friend, Charles Scott on the show last week.  As an author, athlete, family man and dreamer, Charles dropped some serious knowledge!  Check out all of the the cool things Charles has been up to on his HuffPo Page and you can keep up to date with the latest on Mr. Scott’s Facebook Page.

Episode 5: Charles Scott - September 7, 2012