Episode 16: Live Music Jam with Big Ed Cody

Our first-ever live music performance on the show results in a major accomplishment: We record our new show theme song. Big Ed Cody of the Whiskey Wranglers is our guest. Listen as we work out—and try multiple takes—of the song we’ll use to open and close the show. The Whiskey Wranglers play all over the city and Ed is the lead singer and guitarist. Also on the show he plays a little Johnny Cash and Continue Reading →

Episode 15: Paranormal Investigator Douglas McMillan

For our Halloween show we get to chat with Paranormal Investigator Douglas McMillan, who has conducted research into things that go bump in the night all over New York and New Jersey. He’s looked into the paranormal in homes, hotels, and even karaoke bars. For a guy who saw his first ghost at age six, we had a fascinating talk with Doug. Follow him on Facebook and his blog. We also talk a little more Continue Reading →

Episode 14: Absinthe Guru Don Spiro

Absinthe was not available in the United States for more than 70 years. Today it is one of the rising stars in the world of spirits. On our show we chat with Don Spiro, who has been running a monthly absinthe drinking party (not an absinthe tasting) called the Green Fairy Society at the Red Room (85 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003). The party is the first Thursday of the month. Don tells Continue Reading →

Episode 13: Sculptor Mike Dominick

Art surrounds us and there are creators amongst us dreaming up new and expressive ways to make it. One of those is American sculptor Mike Dominick, founder of the molten iron painting movement. For 20 years he’s been taking iron, sometimes from cast-off old radiators, and turning it into sculptures and paintings exhibited in galleries. On Episode 13 of Joanna and Kevin’s Big Show, Mike walks us through the process—and the fun—of working with molten Continue Reading →

Episode 12: Nostalgia and Memories

Ernest Hemingway wrote, “Everyone has a girl, and her name is nostalgia.” Looking at old photos or videos of yourself, it washes over you. Finding a lost clip or picture from 20+ years ago triggers emotions. On Episode 12 of Joanna and Kevin’s Big Show, we have a conversation that begins after Jo starts digging up old video clips of herself bartending from the Giuliani era. What does it mean to look at images of Continue Reading →

Dorothy Parker Birthday in 2 Boroughs

I added a blog post on my site dorothyparker.com about the celebration on Wednesday, Aug. 22, for the 125th anniversary of Dorothy Parker’s birthday. She was born Dorothy Rothschild on Aug. 22, 1893, in Long Branch New Jersey. I’m leading a walking tour, and then heading right over to Brooklyn to the New York Distilling Company for the big party. The Shanty will be the spot to be in NYC that night! Read about the Continue Reading →

Episode 11: Beer Guru Chet Lenczewski

On episode 11 of Joanna & Kevin’s Big Show our guest is Chet Lenczewski, a guy who knows an incredible amount about making beer. As a representative for two breweries and a 20-year veteran of the industry, we get the lowdown on the state of the beer business today. We chat about craft beer and what has made this such a force in the industry. Plus we crack open a couple of cold ones for Continue Reading →

Episode 10: Bar Maven Sean Murphy

On episode 10 of Joanna & Kevin’s Big Show our guest is Sean Murphy, the longtime proprietor of Murphguide.com. Murph has been tracking and keeping tabs on New York bars for more than 20 years. We chat about the changing nature of bar culture, places to go out that he recommends, and what trends he sees. We also get the lowdown on comedy clubs. Murph is a champion for bars and we love him for Continue Reading →

Cocktail Book Talk on a Rooftop

Last night I got the opportunity to do something I’ve not done in a couple of years. I didn’t know how much I missed it until I actually was doing it. This was a quick book talk about Under the Table: A Dorothy Parker Cocktail Guide, which was my third book and was published five years ago. Our financial planner, Steve Gross of Ameriprise, hosted a really nice cocktail party on the rooftop lounge of Continue Reading →

Episode 9: Mae West Fest

On episode 9 of Joanna & Kevin’s Big Show we chat with Michele Gouveia, the producer of Mae West Fest. Michele is a writer, photographer, and blogger. Mae West Fest is August 17-19 and 25-26 in New York. It’s a celebration of the legendary screen star Mae West, born and raised in Brooklyn 125 years ago. Michele talks about the festival and Mae’s status as a pioneer in the entertainment business. We record at The Continue Reading →