#SPOTTED: MACAULAY CULKIN + THE PIZZA UNDERGROUND IN TORONTO FOR NXNE FESTIVAL

The ’80s were good to Child Star Macaulay Culkin, who rocketed to international fame with Home Alone and its massively-successful Sequel.  That popularity carried over to the ’90s with him starring in heartbreaking My Girl opposite Anna Chlumsky, who has seen a resurgence of late with her role on acclaimed Veep.  Where has Culkin been, many wonder?

Well, he’s certainly in Toronto right now partkaing in the fun of the Comedy-focused NXNE Festival, and the Actor-turned-Musician has been turning heads with his The Velvet Underground Parody Band, The Pizza Underground.  Comprised of five Members, the New York based Band has been doing the Festival Circuit and in addition to surprising with a performance on a TTC Streetcar last night, they played a show at Lee’s Palace.

Earlier today, they played a surprised show at Edward Day Gallery on Queen Street West.  Despite being an hour late as Festival Crew fumbled to keep their prop Pizza from collapsing and ensuring that microphones were working, Fans were rewarded with free Pizza from Panago and Vitaminwater.

“Don’t get your hopes too high”, says Frontwoman Deenah Vollmer. “This is about as good as it gets”.  She makes it clear early on that their musical ambitions are geared towards fun, the Band craftily substituting Pizza-inspired lyrics of the famous American Rock Band to which they pay homage.

Culkin is seen on-stage alternating between percussion (Pizza Boxes are not spared!) and the Kazoo, enthused and focused on entertaining in sunglasses and the Audience knows now to be too harsh, sedated by their charm and the carbs of the three varieties of pizza offered.  I liked the Chicken most. And will be the first to admit I actually had fun!

See a Clip below of the Performance:

NXNE runs through Sunday. More details here.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)