“Yum’s The Word” is a new show that blends old-fashioned birthday parties with modern- day storytelling. Each month comedian and storyteller, Robin Gelfenbien, throws a party for an audience member replete with Mad Libs, balloon animals and homemade ice cream cakes. Join Robin and some of New York City’s best storytellers for a sweet and decadent night of juicy stories and treats.

Christian Finnegan official site | Christian Finnegan on Twitter | Christian Finnegan on Instagram

Christian Finnegan is a stand up comedian. He appears frequently on the television and also writes stuff. Christian is the creator and co-host of Black & White, a comedy show that premiered in 2016 on A&E. Christian and co-host Sherrod Small examined current events and social trends through the lens of Race.

Christian is perhaps best known as one of the original panelists on VH1’s “Best Week Ever” and as Chad, the only white roommate in “Chappelle’s Show’s” infamous “Mad Real World” sketch. He played Martin on the popular syndicated sitcom “Are We There Yet?” and politics junkies will recognize Christian from his many appearances on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”.

Over the past decade, Christian Finnegan has been a fixture on Comedy Central, having starred in his own one hour stand up special “Au Contraire!”, as well as “Comedy Central Presents”, “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn” and countless network interstitials. He’s also appeared on “Conan”, “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”, “Good Afternoon America” and “The Today Show”.

Christian’s latest comedy special, “The Fun Part” was released on Netflix in April 2014. It’s available on iTunes and Amazon, along with his first two albums, “Two for Flinching” and “Au Contraire!”. When he’s not on tour, Christian Finnegan lives in New York City with his wife, author Kambri Crews, their faithful pooch Griswold and two dumb parakeets.

Baratunde is the CEO, co-founder, and hashtagger-in-chief of Cultivated Wit. He wrote the New York Times bestseller How To Be Black and served for five years as director of digital for the satirical news outlet, The Onion. When he’s not delivering keynote talks at gatherings such as SXSW Interactive, LeWeb, and Personal Democracy Forum, he writes the monthly back page column for Fast Company and contributes to the MIT Media Lab as a director’s fellow. He co-founded the black political blog, Jack and Jill Politics, has advised the Obama White House, has more than 10 years’ experience in standup comedy, and more than 30 years’ experience being black. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.
 
Baratunde Thurston official site

Julie Kraut is a writer living in Los Angeles, but here in New York for the summer. She is a staff writer on Bravo’s Odd Mom Out and the co-author of Hot Mess and author of Slept Away, both young adult books published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers, a division of Random House. Her writing has appeared in places such as the Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, Atlanta Journal Constitution, and Seventeen, among others.
 
Julie Kraut official site

Robin Gelfenbien Official Website | Robin Gelfenbien on Twitter | Robin Gelfenbien on Instagram | Yum’s the Word on Twitter | Yum’s the Word on Instagram

Robin Gelfenbien is the self-proclaimed Ambassador of Fun and an NYC-based storyteller, writer and comedian. She’s a three-time Moth Story SLAM winner who has performed on PBS, RISK!, Mortified and countless other shows. She’s also shared the stage with Hannah Gadsby, Trevor Noah and more.

Robin is the Creator and Host of the storytelling series and podcast, “Yum’s the Word,” that features her homemade ice cream cakes. The show has been named a New York Times and Time Out New York Critic’s Pick. Guests have included Tim Gunn, Jason Biggs, Joy Behar and stars from “Orange is the New Black.”

New York Magazine called her solo show, “My Salvation Has a First Name: A Wienermobile Journey,” “the highlight of the Fringe” and Time Out New York gave it 4 stars.

She’s performed her original comedy songs at The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and on Sirius Radio. She’s also been featured in Marie Claire magazine and she starred in a commercial directed by Spike Lee.