True crime fans can put their knowledge to the test at Q.E.D. in Astoria on Wednesday night, Oct. 3, when the venue hosts “Yellow Tape: A True Crime Show,” an atypical mix of bar trivia game and performance that is celebrating its one-year anniversary.
On the first Wednesday of every month since October of last year, the show has allowed “Serial,” “Law & Order” and “Forensic Files” fans to share their obsession and maybe even learn a thing or two.
“It corresponds with what is going on presently,” said main performer and creator, Rebekah Sebastian, who said that she decided to incorporate the topic of political crimes and scandal in light of the accusations made by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford toward Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the resulting FBI investigation.
Other political scandals that will be touched on during trivia include Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and sexual misconduct allegations made against him by Anita Hill during the 1990s, and former Congressman Gary Condit and the disappearance of intern Chandra Levy in 2001.
But not everything will be centered around politics. Crowd favorites like The Line Up and Name That Lunatic, a game that involves Sebastian playing short audio clips of high-profile criminals and asking trivia players to properly identify them, will make their rounds again this Wednesday.
Back by popular demand, the evening will feature rounds devoted to serial killers and cults like the Nxivm sex cult started by Keith Raniere and one involving “Smallville” actress Allison Mack.
About 25 people attend Yellow Tape. But according to Sebastian, turnout has been as high as 50. Like with any bar trivia game, evenings can become cutthroat. However, the winner does not receive a prize; instead, a donation is made in their name to the Innocence Project, a nonprofit legal organization that is committed to exonerating wrongly convicted people through the use of DNA testing and to reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice.
“I wanted something positive and redemptive and not to just use murder for entertainment,” Sebastian said.
Sebastian said that she has plans to expand her niche trivia show to other boroughs but just finding the time to make it real has proven to be a challenge.
“I have a full-time job and three kids so I really am looking for a right-hand man to help me,” said Sebastian.
Sebastian is bringing her show to the West Coast at the end of October to help fundraise for an elementary school in Solana Beach, California.
“I hope that in 2019 we will start the new year with a new venue,” said Sebastian.
For more information about Yellow Tape: A True Crime Show and the price of tickets, please visit https//qedastoria.com/collections/rebekah-sebastian/products/yellow-tape-a-true-crime-trivia-show-9
