Elizabeth Soychak of the Renegade Cabaret

Our Brand of Crazy

Finally at the end of the path, a gaze towards the last house on the left, and Poof! My privacy is gone.  No more walking around in the loft half dressed.  Maybe you can even hear me on the phone arguing if I get excited. What about my laundry? I've hung it on the fire escape for decades.

When I saw the opening date, I told my good friend Elizabeth Soychak: “We have to do something. We have to respond.”

She says, “I can sing a few songs.”

I say, “OK.”

I had these great Party Patio Lanterns from the 60's which I unwrapped and clipped to the railing.  Elizabeth donned a beautiful dress which was gifted from Debra, the former upstairs neighbor. She plugged in the mic and did a few jazz standards. Immediately a captive audience began to pool. Sam Shepherd asked one of the Highline Park staff, “Did you organize this?” and the guy answered, “No, it's just the neighbors”.

Suddenly it came to me and I blurted out: “Welcome to the Renegade Cabaret!”

So when the Party Patio Lanterns are lit, something special is about to happen.

Patty Heffley