Professional Smart Aleck - Carla Ulbrich - News

free new song- this week only

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

This week only, go to the Fump and get a free download of a new song from... me!

What's up at Carla U

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Here's what I got planned for the rest of July here at Carla U:
1) deal with my arm tumor
2) finish my book!
3) do some gigs

What? Tumor? I didn't tell you I had a tumor? What I specifically have is (new word) an enchondroma. That's when part of your bone turns back into cartilage. (Incidentally it took me 5 tries to spell cartilage. Must be French or something). Yet enchodroma- easy to spell. They're very common and usually benign. I get hopefully only one more test- radioactive dye! Stand back! Chances are, no surgery, just keep an eye on it. But it took me 6 appointments to get to this point. Even more tries than it took to spell cartilage.

What? Book? I didn't tell you I was writing a book, either? Well, I've had ideas for a book for years, and there's nothing like a book contract and a deadline to make you get off your butt and start writing it. In reality, I find myself spending quite a but of time *on* my butt at the desk, but you know what I mean. We're doing the (I hope) final edits now, then the graphic artist works her magic and then I don't know what else, since this is my first real book, but bottom line is sometime early next year, there will be copies of my collection of sometimes humorous and hopefully helpful essays about dealing with chronic illness. Stay tuned for progress reports.

What? gigs? I didn't mention those either? What is wrong with me? I haven't had the radioactive dye yet, can't blame it on that. I'm playing in Rockville MD (just a little north and west of DC) with the fabulously smart and funny John Forster July 27. He's really smart and funny, and a fine musician. We've got a duet or 2 planned, and I'm going to read an essay from my book!

I may be playing in Massachusetts in August with the very funny Grant Baccioco. Stay tuned, and please tell your friends about Rockville- Gonna be a fun night!

What's up at Carla U

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Hey howdy hi!
Well here's what's new around here:

I decided to take the month of July off from teaching guitar to catch up on some writing. Well, alright and I have to go to the oncologist. But I expect it to turn out to be no big thing. And then...

My manuscript for my book landed back on my desk, and I will be hard at work over the next few weeks working on the final (I hope) edits. Well, I wanted to catch up on some writing!

Just before that arrived, I was cooking up some new parodies and mash-ups that I hope to start recording later this year. I won't say more- I want you to be surprised by them.

The gig at the Seagull's Nest at Sandy Hook NJ was nice. So nice, I'm going back next week! From that vantage point on the deck, you can see both the ocean and the inlet on the other side of the island, and every night they have a sunset tribute.

Later this month (7/27) I'm splitting a bill with the delightful JohnForster in Rockville, MD.
Here is one of his songs.

What's up at Carla U

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

The latest at Carla U is this:
- Had a fantastic time at Geek Talk last week. They are in Reston, VA and they meet monthly to discuss "geeky" topics such as Star Trek, Star Wars, the Big Bang Theory, or on some occasions (such as last week), for a geeky house concert (me). Then everyone plays all sorts of board games all afternoon and evening. And Gwen is a fantastic cook. Or rather, chef. If you live in the DC area, and like to hang around smart interesting people and play party or board games, well by all means, get on their list and make some awesome new friends. If I lived closer, i'd be there every month. geekconcert@gmail.com (Dave and Gwen, tell 'em I sent ya!)

- taking a week to visit my family in South Carolina. It's hot and humid and I love it! Not only that, perfect strangers strike up conversations with you, and when they bump into you they say "excuse me." Wow, have I missed that.

- Later this month I'm doing a background/ cover tune gig at a restaurant on the beach in NJ. I started out in Clemson in 1995 doing these kinds of gigs, and I love making music outdoors, especially by the beach, so I'm looking forward to an evening of regaling strangers with Eagles and Beatles tunes (this crowd likes the Classic rock. In one more decade, that music will be oldies, but right now it's classic rock).

- In late July I've got a double bill with John Forster. He's really talented and smart, so I'm hoping it leads to more double bills with him.

- Headed to a science fiction convention in late July in Pittsburgh. Joe will also be there. We're both doing concerts. I've been working on a few new song parodies, and I'll be premiering them there. I have no idea if they're funny or not. You never know until you get to try them on humans. My dog is not a great test audience- she loves everything I do.

What's up at Carla U

Sun, 16 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

The one woman show was a success! I premiered a short (20-minute) version at the festival as sort of a toe-in-the-water test, and it went well, so I'll be expanding it to an hour. I expect that's going to take me a while to write (and memorize). I'm sure my neighbors are enjoying watching me walk around the block talking to myself. I should stick a bluetooth in my ear so they think I'm on the phone.

A week later, we pulled off a recital for all my guitar students in Westfield, and everyone did really well. Most of them it was their first time on stage playing guitar, and you can only say that once (well you can keep saying it, but it's only true once). We even had guitar-shaped cake at intermission.

The next day I was in Connecticut sharing a bill with the very funny, very smart Dan Hart. I *love* his songwriting. I wish we were neighbors!

And now, I am finally sitting here at home today with enough time on my hands to walk the dog and update my website. Until I choose my next big project...

One Woman Show Premiere!

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0800

I will be premiering the short version of my one-woman show, "How Can You Not Laugh at a Time Like This?" in New York City on Thurs., May 6 as part of this festival (note: my show only happens *once*, on May 6 at 9pm):

Emerging Artists Theatre presents”¦
ILLUMINATING ARTISTS: New Work Series
April 19th — May 9th
Monday — Sunday at 7pm & 9pm
At Tada Theatre
15 West 28th St., 2nd Floor
Between Broadway/5th Avenue
$10 Admission
Advance Tickets & Exact Showtimes at
www.emergingartiststheatre.org

"Top 10 of 2009"

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The Serious Comedy Website Seriously likes "Live From Outer Space" and chose it as one of the Top 10 Comedy CDs of 2009.

http://www.theseriouscomedysite.com/showreview.php?r_id=1723

WVIA's George Graham chooses "Live from Outer Space" as one of the "Best CDs of 2009"
http://georgegraham.com/best2009.html

Festival Radio chooses "Live From Outer Space" as one of the "favorite CDs of 2009"
http://www.onlinefolkfestival.com/blog/2009/12/30/favorite-albums-of-2009/

#5 for the year on Dr Demento!

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

"Duet with a Klingon" is in Dr. Demento's "Funny 25" of 2009. In fact, it's #5 for the year.

http://dmdb.org/cgi-bin/plinfo.pl?drd09.1227.html

Holiday Greetings

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

from me and Tony Romeo

new videos up

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Got a little live footage from the NERFA conference showcase in November, with thanks to cameraman John Webber.

The Klingon "duet" (done solo...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QksbqjjdDR4

and The Guy Who Changes the Light Bulbs (Waffle House song):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7sMiFzR-eg