MIDLAND, Pa. – “You said you had to work then whys your car HERE at HER place?? …You’re a – LIAR. I hate you… PS Page me later.”
An angry-slash-hopeful handwritten note meant for someone else but left, on a snowy Chicago night back in 2000, under the windshield wiper of Davy Rothbart’s car, was the unlikely beginning of a collection of odd or funny notes, lists, letters, pictures, doodles and other items that people around the world have found and submitted for publication in Found Magazine.
On Tuesday, Sept. 4, Midland and its Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center will be the first stop on an epic cross-country tour – 75 cities in 37 states – to celebrate the release of Found Magazine co-creator Davy Rothbart’s latest book, “My Heart is an Idiot.”
Free and open to the public, the show is sponsored by Lincoln Park’s Literary Arts Department, chaired by Daniel Leroy.
Accompanied by his brother, singer-musician Peter Rothbart, Davy is to appear at 6 p.m. in Lincoln Park’s intimate studio theater.
“At each exhilarating show, Davy will share the latest magnificent and mesmerizing finds that have landed in the Found mailbox, plus outrageous tales from his new book, while Peter will dazzle with beautiful, haunting, and hilarious songs based on Found notes,” according to a press release from Found Magazine.
Davy Rothbart’s book of personal essays, “My Heart is an Idiot,” Peter’s new CD album, and a new annual issue of Found Magazine will be on sale at the event.
The following day, Wednesday, Sept. 5, the Rothbart brothers will take their show and book tour to Pittsburgh for an 8 p.m. appearance at the Hollywood Theater in Dormont. Tickets are $7 at the door for the Pittsburgh show.
Found Magazine (www.foundmagazine.com) was created by Davy Rothbart and Jason Bitner in Ann Arbor, Mich., in 2003. Its eclectic collection of odd and personal notes, photos, love letters, to-do lists, poetry on napkins, homework excuses and other interesting items found in public places are published in an annual printed magazine, in books and on a website. A play and a movie have been based on the items and ideas of Found Magazine.
Samples from recent Found Magazine posts:
“Janet how long do you expect me to keep these smelly dead chickens….?” (Note found on the street.)
“Psychology research study looking for people who are cocaine or crack users. If you really like using cocaine or crack please call…” (notice posted in a university student lounge)
“Hier is a kind of turtle that is extinct. This is the hardest test I have ever taken.” (Illustrated note found in elementary school trash.)
“This pole is MY bike parking pole. I am sick and tierd of you taking it. I park my bike here now quit! Quit or I’ll pop your tires…” (Note left on a parked bicycle.)
“Cheerleading sucks.” (Note found at a middle school summer cheerleading camp.)
“List of things to do: – Grow up – Go to Iceland – Become President – Buy a cat – Die”
(Scrap of paper found wedged in floorboards of a bedroom by a family moving into a house.)
(Lincoln Park press release. Contact Fred Miller, 724.777.5918, fred.miller@nndsonline.org)
