“Vices & Virtues” comes to the Howland Cultural Center
Author and raconteur, Matt Eddy, outside the Howland Cultural Center.
When I recently sat down with Matt Eddy, a local author and raconteur, he seemed entirely at home in the Yankee Clipper Diner (397 Main Street). His Australian accent belies his love of living in Beacon as we discussed our favorite thrift stores and the region's strategic importance during the Revolutionary War. His keen interest in the stories that shape our community reflects his curiosity about the world. In anticipation of his upcoming show, Vices & Virtues, at The Howland Cultural Center (477 Main Street) on Saturday, November 2nd, we spoke about his upbringing, the inspiration for his work, and all things Beacon.
The journey to Beacon, NY
What brought you to here?
I was living in Melbourne, Australia, when I vacationed in NYC and met my wife, Andrea, in a dive bar in the West Village. Shortly after I left New York, Andrea went on a business trip to the Bahamas. I called every resort on the island, impersonating her husband so I could have flowers and a bottle of wine delivered. After that, she knew I was serious.
Andrea moved to Australia eleven months later. We got a dog, planned a wedding in NYC, had our first child, watched endless hours of TikTok during the pandemic, and bought a house.
After six years of living in Australia, we returned to the US and rented an apartment in Jersey City.
We made several trips to Beacon before deciding we would move here. Andrea decided to go for a tarot reading at Notions N Potions (175 Main Street) on one impressionable trip. I opted to take our then 2-year-old to Max’s on Main (now Lyonshare, 246 Main Street), where she could draw on the tablecloth while I watched the Packers game with the locals. Beacon had a little slice of what we all needed.
Everything you need to know about Vices & Virtues
Vices & Virtues by Matt Eddy coming soon to the Howland.
How did you come to be performing a one-person show at the Howland?
While Andrea and I were dating, Andrea would ask me for a bedtime story. Drawing upon some of my favorite childhood stories (like Wind & The Willows and Winnie the Pooh), I would tell her a fantastical tale about animals. An early story was about a dingo who moved to an affluent part of Sydney and quickly found herself behind on rent. The dingo took to prostitution and found herself in a moral quandary - the only way she could keep her home was to continue to sell her body.
I joined the Hoboken Writing Group when we moved to the US in 2022. That community was incredibly supportive and gave me the motivation I needed to turn my ideas into a collection of stories. In 2023, we moved to Beacon, where I started performing at Lit Lit (a wonderful open mic for writers at the Howland Cultural Center). Again, that community of writers, along with Theresa and the team that runs the Howland, has been amazing.
What can the audience expect?
Vices & Virtues is a modernization of Aesop’s Fables. Animals from our childhood are reimagined to face the challenges of 21st-century life: A Raccoon with a drug problem, a Dog in a loveless marriage, and a Badger who likes to gamble.
I’ll be reading, with some flair, a selection of the Vices & Virtues stories with a few special guests - Barbara Lipp (a local humorist author) and Amy White (New York actress who has appeared in off-broadway shows and sitcoms produced by FX, Fox, and Starz).
Undoubtedly, I’ll have a cocktail (or two) and bring some of my taxidermied animals.
The inspiration for Vices & Virtues draws on classical literature.
What’s with the taxidermy?
Death has always been a huge motivator. To me, the taxidermy symbolizes that our lives have no meaning without death.
How have your experiences shaped your stories?
Everyone experiences difficult moments in their lives. Some of my challenges have been voluntary, and some have been less so. Backpacking through Europe, admittance to rehab for drug issues, completing my law degree, divorce, running ultramarathons, leading a team of criminal defense lawyers, a miscarriage, and relocating to the US. The culmination of these experiences has taught me that it’s not a question of the challenges we face - it’s how we deal with them. Our vices and virtues define who we are.
For those who can’t make the show, how can people access your stories?
The illustrations for Vices & Virtues were created by accomplished artist, Holly Dormor.
Vices & Virtues is currently being produced as a podcast you can find on all major platforms from Saturday, November 2nd onwards. Illustrations for the podcast have been done by a good friend (and accomplished artist in her own right), Holly Dormor (@HollyDormor). She has an amazing talent for capturing each story's mood and the animals' emotions.
Quick-fire questions
What advice would you give your former self?
Don’t insert yourself where you don’t have to. Spend energy on the things that matter to you most. It’s ok to be wrong - you often will be.
Are there any quotes you live by?
While competing in ultra-marathons, I found this quote applied to almost every aspect of my life: It doesn’t get easier. It just gets more meaningful.
What are you grateful for?
My family. Andrea, Audrey, Magnus, and Murdoch (the dog).
What is your favorite Beacon season (why)?
Whichever season least affects my allergies.
Sunrise or sunset?
I love standing at the top of Mt. Beacon, watching the sunset over the Hudson, and picturing what it would have been like at various times in American history.
Mountain or river?
Mountain. Trail running keeps me sane.
Tickets for Vices & Virtues on Saturday, November 2nd at the Howland Cultural Center are available at:
https://matteddystories.com/events/
https://howlandculturalcenter.ticketspice.com/matt-eddy
For links to the podcast:
Illustrator:
By Shelley Simmons-Blooms