Margarita Meyendorff

Whether a pub, tavern, saloon, lounge, canteen-or even your uncle's basement-every bar in every culture is a launching point for stories. In this anthology, Read650's editor Edward McCann has a dozen bar stories on tap, from a dozen talented writers. These pieces were originally performed live for a full house at The Cell Theater in New York City, and Read650 shows on wide-ranging topics are produced at venues around the country. You can learn about submission deadlines and upcoming events on our website or Facebook page. Please help spread the word about the spoken word.

The daughter of a Russian Baron, Mourka (Margarita Meyendorff) was born in a Russian displaced persons camp in Germany - far from the opulence of Imperial Russia which was her birthright. Her father danced with Anastasia, attended balls and military schools but a series of wars destroyed this privileged existence - and her parents were themselves displaced- forced to flee the ancestral estates and run through Nazi Germany. After the war, under Allied occupation, Mourka was born in a German Displaced Persons camp and from then on, life became a series of extraordinary moves: As a tiny immigrant girl, Margarita's first American home was the estate of an eccentric millionaire impresario which served as a temporary enclave of Russian aristocrats - given quarters in elephant stalls. Her childhood ran like a roller coaster of highs - performing as a rooster to applause for the Russian Orthodox audience and lows - coping with her traumatized and disturbed parents. IAt 18, Mourka escaped to the road- most often taking to the stage where she found her natural footing, but then always on the run - moving, displaced around the US and then Europe - hitting ecstatic highs as a performer and lows in her personal life. In her search, she tours the country as a gypsy performer in a caravan, and goes from a rusted trailer back to her ancestral castle...seeking, always seeking her rightful place and some sense of peace. Can she ever "unpack" and feel she is truly at that place which always been so elusive: HOME. She carries with her a suitcase filled with documents and treasured memorabilia, her Russian legacy. Margarita Meyendorff's journey is thrillingly personal yet universal-the journey we all take, to find our true selves and safe haven.

Like corny song lyrics, love is all around, and sometimes we're lucky enough to share some, to give some, to receive some. But love is different from marriage, and, while they may go together like ... well, like a horse and carriage, these are two very different things that also exist quite independent from each other. This collection of personal stories collected by Read650's Edward McCann were originally performed live for a full house at Sarah Lawrence College. Read650 shows on wide-ranging topics are produced at venues around the country, and you can learn about submission deadlines and upcoming events on our website or Facebook page. Please help spread the word about the spoken word.