July 2009 Archives

Grottofilms' whimsical road comedy "Full Grown Men" will have its home video release August 25th through Liberation Entertainment. Winner of the 2007 Undiscovered Gems Sundance Channel Audience Award, the film was written by Grotto filmmakers David Munro and Xandra Castleton, directed by David and produced by Xandra. "Full Grown Men" tells the story of a hopelessly nostalgic man who learns the hard way that the best years of his life may still lie ahead. Stars Matt McGrath, Judah Friedlander (30 Rock), Amy Sedaris (Strangers With Candy), Alan Cumming (X-Men 2, Cabaret), and Deborah Harry (Blondie). You can pre-order on Amazon or save on your Netflix queue by clicking links below. If it's not at your neighborhood video store, contact us via our website and we'll make sure it is. You can read about the "making of" in our series of Filmmaker Diaries for the SF Chronicle (see the link below), and there's a new blog about the current state of indie film distribution at Filmmaker Magazine blog. More information at http://www.fullgrownmenthemovie.com.

Amazon, Netflix, Filmmaker Diaries, Filmmaker Magazine

MELANIE’S “THE SLIPPERY YEAR” GARNERS STELLAR NEW YORK TIMES AND NEW YORKER BOOK BENCH REVIEWS – DON’T MISS THE BOOK LAUNCH ON AUGUST 12-13

We're in for a new spate of Grotto books this late summer and fall, and the accolades are already coming in. Hot off the press is Melanie’s profile in the July 30th New York Times (see link below). And Andrea Walker reviewed Melanie's book in the online New Yorker Book Bench, stating, “By the end of the book I felt like I had just spent several hours knocking back drinks with an especially funny friend. Which is some of my highest praise.” (As Grottoite Caroline Paul remarked, “I like the way the reviewer starts her review all crotchety and at the end wants to have a drink with Melanie. Wait in line, girl. We all want a drink with Melanie.”)

DON’T MISS JILL SOBULE, COMEDY, MUSIC, AND SEX AT THIS TUESDAY’S RUMPUS SHOW

This Tuesday, July 7, 7pm The Rumpus and Kink.com present:

Sex-Music-Comedy Night featuring JILL SOBULE

Hosted by Grottoite Stephen Elliott and Co-sponsored by The Center for Sex and Culture

WHERE: The Makeout Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco

Featuring readings and performances from sex worker authors: Zak Smith, Kirk Read, Michelle Tea, and Madison Young

Comedy by Los Angeles based comedian Kyle Kinane

Songstress burlesque by Mariel a la Mode

Music by Sig Hafstrom

And Special Guest Musician JILL SOBULE

Purchase Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/70578

Catered reception, 5pm at The Latin American featuring the artists and special guests from Kink.com

$20 event, $55 event and reception. More information at http://therumpus.net/sections/rumpus-events/


JULY IS THE MONTH TO TAKE A SUMMER WRITING CLASS AT THE GROTTO!

This summer, we're offering a terrific bunch of one-day and shorter multi-week classes. And the Grotto was just awarded a mention in the 2009 BEST OF THE BAY: BEST WRITING CLASSES [see the link at http://www.sanfranmag.com/story/write-novel ], so check it out for yourself!