Thursday, November 4, 2010

Storyteller Leslie Perry, battling ALS, to be toasted in Altadena

FREE event, public invited, on Sunday, November 7, at 2 pm, in Altadena

RENOWNED STORYTELLER, BATTLING DEADLY DISEASE, DOES BOOK SIGNING OF HIS LIFE’S WORK, WITH READINGS; A TRIUMPH OF COMMUNITY, NOVEMBER 7

Leslie Perry is a well-known and long-regarded figure throughout the Los Angeles arts and storytelling communities. When he was diagnosed with ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease, his enduring inner strength and smiling presence began to endear him even more to those who knew him and those who came to know him.

“The Story Man – the Stories and Plays of Leslie Perry,” is the new book of his life’s work. It makes its debut, with readings by renowned storytellers and Leslie in attendance, at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena, 91001. Information (for this event only, NOT for Backstage shows) is available by calling the venue phone at 626-398-7917. The book will be available at the event for $11.95.

This is a story of triumph from tragedy. During one of Leslie’s visits to Altadena’s formidable little arts mecca, the Coffee Gallery (which includes the world-famous Coffee Gallery Backstage), Leslie let slip a revelation. He told Coffee Gallery coffeehouse and Front Stage proprietor / part-time standup comic Julie Sandoval that he wished he “had gotten around to publishing that book” of his stories and plays that, over the years, he had crafted, polished, and never quite assembled for placement between covers.

“Say something like that to Julie, and stand back and watch. More likely, find you’ve been drafted to help, before you know what happened,” says music journalist Larry Wines. He adds, “For starters, Leslie found himself the guest of honor at an evening of performance art in a local church, chosen as the venue because it held more people than the Coffee Gallery. Musicians, poets, storytellers, pundits, painters and a growing legion of admirers came to the event to pay homage to Leslie, the man, and to Leslie, the artist.”

But that wasn’t all. When Julie wears her “event producer” hat, expect substantially more than an opportunity to bask in the light of a deserving honoree. That first phase brought many who shared the sense of Leslie Perry’s gifts, and it brought their money. Contributions from that gathering of artists and admirers raised the money needed to publish the book that debuts Sunday – the book Leslie always dreamed he’d “gotten around to publishing.”

The irrepressible Julie is, as always, both central and humble. She produces the annual “Relay for Life” in Altadena’s Farnsworth Park – including a live music stage – to raise money for the American Cancer Society. She does a long-running monthly show in the Backstage to help the local food bank – “Cans for Comedy,” where a couple cans of food are your admission to the show, AND you get free pizza and libations. Beyond that, Julie was a key member of the triumvirate that brought more food donations than any weekend event in Pasadena history with last year’s “Food Drive at the Fork in the Road.”

Sunday’s culmination of Julie’s two events for Leslie Perry allow an entire community to honor him and the legacy of his artistic body of work. And it includes food – Leslie’s favorite dishes, for all.

Leslie Perry has quietly revealed this will likely be one of his last scheduled public appearances. He’s stopped driving. He needs a caregiver now, to get around. He’s moved to a board and care facility that can meet his needs as ALS takes its course. Leslie, absent from the storyteller’s stage? Well, not quite yet.

Come for Leslie Perry and come for yourself. Come to restore, reinforce or recharge your sense of community. You’ll laugh and you’ll be touched. Food and libations will be provided. The event is free.

www.coffeegallery.com

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