John S. Hall was in fine form exhorting the crowd to "get into the shit" at the April 28th, Wide-Open Cabaret held at ABC No Rio, 156 Rivington Street in the poetic bowels of the Lower Eastside. Matthew Courtney has been running the performance Cabaret since 1985, with a five year hiatus to get his own shit together. Open and running again, the Cabaret is now rebirthing itself every two weeks.

Baron Von Blumenzak was rockin' the audience with his up-beat sound improvisations, Fly (off the wall) was the quick sketch artist for the Courtney court and Bina Sharif was telling us her trials and tribulations of opening a New York bank account without any acceptable ID, apparently her American passport was suspect to Mr. Fuckin' Bank Manager.

Elmer Lang related a story called "The Elvis of the Indians", a tale of tribal drag. Carl Watson revisited his version of Bob Dylan's classic tune "Highway 61, Revisited, Revisited". FYI when you revisit highway 61 you will find that the tolls and speed traps have increased. Jennifer Demerit recanted from her relationship, let's talk about it, prose.

Master of ceremonies Matthew Courtney speaks to S.D. Prestiani of "Food Not Bombs", now an officially sponsored ABC No Rio program. New York City Food Not Bombs serves free vegetarian food to all comers three times a week in Tompkins' Square Park, near the corner of 7th St. and Avenue A, usually between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. Margarite is the Director of ABC No Rio's unorganized poetry readings. ABC No Rio's Sunday afternoon open poetry readings have become an institution, known for its welcoming, open, and spontaneous vibe. No sign-up, no time limit, no b.s. all at 3p.m. Sundays. Matthew's Cabaret are wide-open in other words, more than just words -- every other Friday, starting at 8:30p.m. (Friday, May 26 will be next)

Our last picture depicts the infamous Clayton Patterson and the impeccable Elsa Rensaa, doing pre-cabaret press duty covering a police raid on 101 Rivington Street (no further details available).

Other noteable performances were given by David Reich, Impala, John Potash, Rodger Manning, Mary Clark, Orion Feig, Christine Sparta, Micheal Carter and Kendall. L.L. Coolie brought along Master Lee.

ABC No Rio is located at 156 Rivington St. on the Lower East Side. It is two blocks south of Houston St. and one block north of Delancey St., between Clinton and Suffolk Streets. To get here by subway, take the F train to Delancey St. or the J to Essex St. and walk one block north.

For more information, call (212) 254-3697 or visit http://www.abcnorio.org .

photos ©carol braddock aka red ed