MOCtalk set to 'Rock the Block' with anniversary show

A little over a year ago, Niagara Falls' resident Joe Stracuzzi had a vision - a vision to create his very own talk-show.
Just over a year later, Stracuzzi's vision has not only become a reality, but on Dec. 5, 2009, it will achieve its first major milestone, as his creation, MOCtalk, will celebrate its one-year anniversary.
"It's completely indescribable," said Stracuzzi of the milestone. "I had no anticipation that it would go farther than the first episode, so everything beyond that has just been gravy."
On Nov. 27, 2008 the self-proclaimed "MOCtalk Collective" introduced the world to Niagara's only independent talk show when the pilot episode was broadcast live from Stracuzzi's basement. Twelve months and 10 episodes later, MOCtalk is now gearing up for their one-year anniversary show, Rock the Block with MOCtalk.
The event will be held at three neighbouring venues - The Mide Bistro, Niagara Gallery and The Queens Pub - and will pay homage to the year that was by featuring a multitude of appearances and performances from musicians, artists and special guests from the show's first eleven episodes.
"It's something different, out of the box, and it's definitely going to be a celebration," said Stracuzzi of the anniversary show.
Headlining MOCtalk XII will be musical acts Green Dynamo and The Amazing Flying Hammer Brothers, while the show will also feature interviews with Stracuzzi, MOCtalk Director of Photography Kevin Davidson and the show's ever-colourful host Blenderhead.
"What I'm definitely looking forward to is the interview that I will have on the show - it will be the first time I've sat in that position," said Stracuzzi. "We've spent the past year creating a show based on interviews with guests and, for once, I get to be in the spotlight [.] It should be an adventure having [co-host] Joel Van Vliet taking the role of the lead host this time around."
To say that MOCtalk has grown over the last year would be an understatement, as it not only shifted location from a residential basement to Niagara's downtown core, but it has developed quite the following, and even garnered its very own magazine.
"I've created a word - not only a word, I've created a meaning - and that meaning has been transferred around the city and even outside the city as far as Toronto, actually as far as Vancouver, and pretty much all around the world," said Stracuzzi. "People use the word MOCtalk, [which isn't] even a word [.] People use it in everyday language and don't even think about it anymore. That's something I definitely enjoy."
Simply put, MOCtalk - with MOC being an acronym for Musician's Online Community - serves as a showcase for local talent, while simultaneously acting as an outlet for the community to come together and enjoy a good time. Stracuzzi humbly alludes to the fact that the show has become self-reliant and it is the hard work of those around him that have made it successful.
"I'd like to respect that it's not just my creation, it's a whole beast of its own, and I think that I could take myself out of the equation and MOCtalk would still exist and would still propel itself forward," he said. "Generally, MOCtalk is a reflection of all the talent in the Niagara Region, so I could say that each and every guest [deserves] credit for making the show what it is.
"As far as the actual creation, there were a few people I spoke to in the beginning that had helped me kind of work out the idea, [such as] Carl David Onofrio, Bob Goodall, Pete Haverkamp and definitely Kevin Davidson [.] So if I had to say anybody, I'd say them; but I'd like to say everybody."
As an added bonus to the anniversary celebration, MOCtalk will be releasing its very own DVD, MOCtalk DVD I. The DVD will include the first six episodes of MOCtalk in their entirety, as well as archived footage and previously-unreleased performances.
"I'm really looking forward to the release of the DVD [and] collecting and organizing the first set of the show in a complete package," said Stracuzzi.
After the anniversary celebration wraps up, the MOCtalk Collective plan to put the show on a short hiatus - as a means of re-organizing and re-focusing - and are aiming to return to monthly programming in the spring of 2010. In the meantime, MOCtalk Magazine will continue with its monthly release, and the Collective are eager to prep MOCtalk for a new and exciting direction.
Rock the Block with MOCtalk will take place on Sat., Dec. 5, at the Mide Bistro, Niagara Gallery and Queens Pub on Queen Street in Niagara Falls. Doors will open at 7 p.m. at the Mide Bistro, with taping to begin an hour later. After-party will commence at 9 p.m. at all three venues. For more information on MOCtalk visit moctalk.ca.