News from Mark Mitton

My friend Todd Reichart, Artistic Director of the Princeton Theatre Experiment, put up my show at the Arts Council of Princeton over the weekend. We sold out both nights. The audience included mathematician John Conway and his son Gareth, cognitive neuropsychologist Dan Simons from the University of Illinois (who drove down right after his Science Friday appearance in New York), and many prominent Princetonians. Juggler Michael Davis showed up from California. A good time was had by all. Thanks Todd, for all your hard work!

 
 
L to R: the poster, the show; fun with lightbulbs; after the show with Bonnie Bassler, Todd Reichart, Gareth Conway, John Conway, Susanna Mitton, Michael Davis. [click to enlarge]

Neuroscientist Joseph Ledoux, a pioneer in the study of the brain mechanisms of emotion and memory (and the lead singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist of The Amygdaloids - check out their new album!), had me lecture to his Memory in Brain group at New York University this morning.

The documentary The Last Play at Shea was shown on the last night of the Hamptons International Film Festival. Through the prism of Billy Joel’s extraordinary career, the movie chronicles the waning days of Shea Stadium. I entertained at the pre-screening party (hosted by the New York State Film Commission), which was attended by both Billy Joel and Alec Baldwin, the narrator of the film. After the party we all went over to Guild Hall to see the movie and enjoy a Q&A with Alec and Billy.

Alec returned Billy’s wristwatch with panache…

[click to enlarge]