My name is Terry and this is my blog. 
03/22/2007: "Aimee Bender, Greg Behrendt and Ben Lee"
music: I'm Just Coming Here to Come Down
What do all of these people have in common? Last night all three were at Largo night club reading and performing for an 826LA benefit and I had the fortune to be there.
This was actually my second 826LA benefit. My first benefit event was at UCLA's Royce Hall for the Bookeaters event which featured Andy Richter, John Krasinski (filling in for a scheduled Jake Gyllenhaal), The Mountain Goats, Sara Vowell and Jenny Lewis Jenny Lewis Jenny Lewis (I love typing that name).
Last night's event did not dissapoint (even the food was okay - penne with smoked salmon). Aimee Bender read a salacious short story from he collection, Greg Behrendt did some excellent stand-up comedy, and Ben Lee performed a mix of old and new songs. I will admit that I was never a fan of ANY of these people before the show (I was invited last minute) but afterwards I gained an appreciation for all their work.
The funny thing about Greg Behrendt was that I knew he was an author and that he used to write for Sex and the City, but when a friend of mine told me he used to have his own talk show I was surprised because I've never seen or heard of it. But when he took the stage in his casual clothes, I immediately recognized his face and realized that I did see his talk show when I was back home in PA doing nothing during the day but watching day-time talk shows. I juts never put the two and two together because his talk show was HORRIBLE (one episode focused on the models from NBC's Deal or No Deal giving relationship and beauty advice). I guess network television never allowed him to really shine, because he was hysterical last nite.
To sum it all up, 826LA always puts on a good show for a great cause, so I recommend you check out an upcoming event. The night was a bit of a trade-off because I missed the red-carpet premiere of Journey From the Fall in Orange County, only because I couldn't leave work early enough to sit on the 405 for a few hours. I'm sure I will make it down to the OC to see the film and maybe grab some of the best pho in the world. Seriously, anyone down for a road trip?
I'm off to see some grindhouse films at the New Beverly, so I will update later with links and stuff