Seen: David Sedaris + More Celebs in the 401

Seen: David Sedaris + More Celebs in the 401

One of the funniest writers of today brought his particular brand of comedy to the Providence Performing Arts Center last weekend. David Sedaris, author of such books as Me Talk Pretty One Day and Naked and brother of actress Amy Sedaris, read some of his past essays and told hilarious stories about the absurd events in his life on Saturday evening. He spoke on a variety of subjects, from religion to politics, putting his unique twist on the ordinary and turning it into the ridiculous. Afterwards he spent hours signing his latest book, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary, taking time to talk at length to every fan. Even if it ran a little late, everyone left in a good mood, thanks to Sedaris’ wit and amiable nature…

First he went to White Castle, then to the White House, then to the Ivy League. Actor Kal Penn, known as Kumar from the Harold and Kumar movies and television shows such as House, spoke at Brown University on Wednesday evening. He spoke about his experience as White House Associate Director of Public Engagement, his experiences as an Indian-American actor, and how difficult it was to leave working with Olivia Wilde on House for Washington. Penn is currently one of the co-chairs, along with Eva Longoria and Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee, of Obama’s re-election campaign. His most important advice to students was to be crazy, as “being crazy is probably a little bit good….”

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The New England Patriot with the longest name appeared at the University of Rhode Island last Friday night. Tight end Rob Gronkowski spoke to hundreds of students and members of the public, despite having a 100-degree fever. He entertained the crowd all night, especially when asked in a game of who would you marry, sleep with, or kill between Betty White, Rex Ryan, and Tim Tebow, he said he would sleep with Tebow to take his virginity. He hosted push-up and hot sauce-drinking contests as well, with the winners receiving signed jerseys, and gave away Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards, signed footballs, and bottles of hot sauce from his home town of Buffalo. After the talk, he stayed to sign autographs and take photos with fans, saying he felt very blessed to be there with all those incredible people. Funny, humble, and athletic? Where can I find one of him?

The Ivy Film Festival continued all last week at Brown, with special guests and events from Monday to Sunday. On Thursday evening, Academy Award-winning director and screenwriter Barry Levinson, known for Rain Man, Good Morning, Vietnam, and others, showed an advance screening of his upcoming ecological horror film The Bay by at the Avon Cinema, which was the first time the film has ever been shown to an audience. He then had a short question and answer session, and the screenwriter of the film Michael Wallach was also in attendance. Then on Saturday afternoon Lena Dunham, director, creator, and star of the much buzzed-about new Judd Apatow-produced HBO comedy Girls (which just premiered on Sunday) spoke and showed the first two episodes of the show. Her first feature film Tiny Furniture was a huge indie hit, and her younger sister Grace, who is currently a Brown student, acted in it as well. Also, rumor holds that originally Julie Bowen of Modern Family was planned to make an appearance at the Festival, but the plans fell through…

A Providence local reportedly spotted the controversial Reverend Al Sharpton at the Providence Place Mall. The former Presidential candidate, civil rights activist, and television/radio show host was seen eating at the mall’s food court. If anyone has any news about why he might have been in Rhode Island, let Seen know…

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