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“Gonzo” master of ceremonies Willy Appelman moves around the floor like a young Bob Barker invoking Elvis. “Complete this sentence: ‘Momma’s coming home, and you had better clean up your…?’” he demands of the audience as they sit on the amphitheater steps, drinks in hand, laughing at his frenetic energy. Behind Appelman, a trio of local artists, backs to the crowd, apply paints to blank canvases.
“Jambalaya…?” offers one man after a brief pause.
“Momma’s coming home, and you better clean up your jambalaya!” Appelman agrees before moving on to the next mad lib. Appelman’s word-play shtick has something to do with what artists Mike Perry, Jing Wie and Ana Benaroya are painting on the canvases behind him, but it’s kind of hard to say what exactly.