A b b y B e n d e r
stuff about the performing artist, abby bender. (still under construction - the site and the artist.) stay tuned for more info, including video clips to come!
"MEMBERSHIP DOWN!"
A live, variety, fundraising game show series
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February, March, April , 2018 at the Oak Bluffs Public Library
April, May, June, December 2019 at the Oak Bluffs Public Library
February, 2020 at the Oak Bluffs Public Library
February, 2021 on Zoom
April, 2022 at The Cardboard Box in Oak Bluffs
February, 2023 at The PA Club in Oak Bluffs
January, 2024 at The PA Club in Oak Bluffs
January, 2025 at The PA Club in Oak Bluffs
March, 2025 at The PA Club in Oak Bluffs
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In collaboration with her cousin, Molly Coogan, Abby spearheads "Membership Down!" (a tip of the hat to the beloved adventure novel "Watership Down".) It's a series of live variety game shows that originated in collaboration with Nate Luce at the Oak Bluffs Public Library. Three contestants compete to win cash prizes for the local charity of their choice. "Membership Down!" is free, with suggested donations that go towards the players' selected. non-profits. Each show features original interactive games and loads of goofy entertainment. Over $7,000 has been raised for local charities so far!
Past contestants have included Alton Sterling, Sidney Morris, Sakiko Isomichi, Meredith Aldrich, Leah Crosby, Scott Hershowitz, Sara Ahren, Timothy McNerney, Rizwan Malik, Brent Alberghini, Jefferson Munroe, Holly Pretsky, Brian Dowd, Michael Barnes, Sharon Strimling, Claire Gross, Xavier Powers, Gordon Healy, Caroline Derrig, Rob Myers, Jannette Vanderhoop, Tim Dobel, Jesse Keller Jason, Andy Dickerson, Jane Loutzenhiser, Danielle Mulcahy, Brian Ditchfield, James Jennings, Hannah Burbidge, Ian Chickering, Molly Purves, Katherine Reid, Lagan Love, David Mintz, Ariella Faria, Glenn Gaskill, Charlie Davol, Shelagh Hackett, Alex Wright, Mac Young. Other past participants include guest performers Darby Patterson, the MV Fly Girls: Jessica Francis, Alise Hagazian, Sophie Hiller, Lizzy Kent and co., and drag queen Reina del Taco, guest judges Anna Barber, Heather Beeman, Walker Roman, and Allyson Malik as well as several former contestants, DJ Jordan Bullinger, and 'membershipmates' Xavier Powers, Molly Purves, Lexi Willett, Flo Alexander, Nina Moore, Grace Hall, and Henry and Gus Coogan. Look forward to more MD coming soon!
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"Membership Down!" has been supported, in part, by the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs, Pizza di Napoli at the Loft, The Barn Bowl and Bistro, The Cardboard Box, Dion's and the Martha's Vineyard Cultural Council.
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Read the piece from the MV Times HERE
