The Silent Comedy Watch Party
Update: It appears that The Silent Comedy Watch Party with Ben Model and Steve Massa will be a weekly event. Join them again on Sunday, March 29th at 3pm EDT. You can keep track of upcoming shows at this link, or sign up for Ben Model’s email list below.
Original Post: Silent film composer Ben Model often performs silent film accompaniment in live shows in New York City and around the East Coast. Unfortunately, during this period of self-quarantine and social distancing, live shows are cancelled… unless you can do them from the confines of your home.
Consequently, Ben Model experimented with streaming a live-accompanied silent film program last weekend, which he called “The Silent Comedy Watch Party.” He hosted the show from his apartment, accompanying two rare, silent comedy shorts, with film historian Steve Massa helping with the film intros.
The experiment was a great success, so the The Silent Comedy Watch Party is getting its “official” launch on Sunday, March 22nd at 3pm EDT.
Below are the details from Ben Model’s website, as well as an embed of the YouTube page where the show will stream (and be sure to sign up for Ben’s email list to be informed of future shows):
The premiere episode of “The Silent Comedy Watch Party” will stream live on Sunday March 22 at 3pm EDT (New York, east coast USA). Hosted by silent film accompanist Ben Model and film historian Steve Massa, the one-hour program will present three rare slapstick comedy shorts. The films will be streamed live — Ben Model will accompany them live on piano, and Steve Massa will introduce the films. The show will live-stream on YouTube (scroll down for link and embed).
I will always announce these shows to my email list and here on this site. If you subscribe to the blog or to my emails, you will always get a reminder or news about a show.
If you are able to support me and Steve and the work and craft we put in to be able to visit with you and bring these films to you wherever you’re watching them:
- make a one-time drop-something-in-the-hat right here
- make one every time we do a show on my Patreon page
