Paul Smith returns to the Annex! Known for his 20 years as Ella Fitzgerald’s pianist and conductor, Smith is a true master of cool jazz, bebop and swing. His career goes beyond his work with F...

Join author Mark Cohen in lively conversation with journalist and film producer Tom Teicholz as they discuss
 the legacy of song parodist and comedian Allan Sherman. 

Cohen’s book Overweight Sensation: The Life and Comedy of Allan Sherman is the first biography of Sherman, an L.A. native who achieved worldwide fame in 1963 with his hit “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh,” and whose unapologetic Jewish comedy heralded an explosion in American ethnic pride.

A sampling of Sherman’s lost and well-known recordings will also be played. A Q&A and book signing follow the program.

ABOUT ALLAN SHERMAN

Allan Sherman got his start in October 1962 with his first album, My Son, the Folk Singer, and its radio hit, “Sarah Jackman.” His Jewish parody of the “Frère Jacques” nursery rhyme unexpectedly made Folk Singer one of the fastest selling albums in history, with sales eventually topping 1.6 million. Other favorites included “The Ballad of Harry Lewis,” a parody of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” that the New York Times praised for the “sneak-attack brilliance” of its wordplay. Sherman built on his fame with his second album, My Son, the Celebrity, and in July 1963 “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh” appeared on Sherman's third gold album in ten months, My Son, The Nut, which was also awarded a Grammy. 

L.A. Derby Dolls events offer a full range of entertainment off the track in the Vendor Village with live musical entertainment at halftime, vendors selling art, jewelry and clothes; food from Garage Pizza and a variety of other food trucks onsite; and various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage choices.

Founded in 2003, the L.A. Derby Dolls are Southern California’s premiere women’s banked-track, quad-skating, roller derby league. Within the league, four fierce teams battle for dominance: Fight Crew, Sirens, Tough Cookies and Varsity Brawlers. The L.A. Ri-Ettes are L.A. Derby Doll’s all-star team that competes on a national level against the best of the best in the country.