Max Silvestri @ Rififi, NYC - Oct 29, 2007 (CRED)

In addition to all the special comedy shows always going on, don't forget that there are plenty of shows that happen weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly in NYC that are always reliable, rarely over $5, and usually feature some of the biggest comedians in the business. Why, just the other day Invite Them Up featured Jim Gaffigan, Demetri Martin, Nick Kroll, Andy Blitz, and Max Silvestri. Nuts, right!? Here are some other recurring shows I highly recommend.

• Totally J/K with Joe and Noah: Every other Monday at Rififi with Joe Mande and Noah Garfinkle
• At Night with Gabe and Jenny: Mondays at Rififi
• Sweet: Tuesday at The Slipper Room with Seth Herzog
• Invite Them Up: Wednesdays at Rififi with Eugene Mirman and Bobby Tisdale
• Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy: Fridays at Rififi with Greg Johnson and Larry Murphy
• It is It: Monthly at Pianos with Adam Lowitt (The Daily Show)
• Tearing the Veil of Maya: Sundays at Union Hall with Eugene Mirman and Michael Showalter

God's Pottery

The big news around town (or, in my brain at least) is the fact that Christian folk duo God's Pottery is ready to unleash a new 1-hour show onto us Godless, sinful New Yorkers before heading off to Canada and Scotland to spread fellowship. You see, last summer they put on several benefit shows known as The Concert For LaVert. The success of those shows made them realize they were doing mankind a huge disservice by helping only one soul at a time. To remedy this, they bring us God's Pottery Saves The World. In this new show, the boys take on more global issues like adoption, drug addiction, and Africa in an effort to save all mankind through the power of song, true belief, and a PowerPoint™ presentation.

New York is entitled to three performances only before they take on the world. They're at the UCB Theatre, and you better make reservations now, or else be damned to swelter in anquish in the stand-by line

IN OTHER NEWS........

Continue reading "Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (06/27/07) [God's Pottery]"

What's the best comedy show you saw recently?

The next few days offer no shortage of comedy in NYC. Highlights of the week include:

Live at Joe's Pub 6/22/07, ROFL! hosted by Slovin & Allen and Reggie Watts, presented by The Onion and Paper Thin Walls. What is ROFL?

• ROFL is the very best of the internet, lovingly hand-picked by eight of America’s most-respected blogger types for maximum freshness and optimum awesomeness.
• ROFL is high art, low humor, YouTube video, Myspace weirdness, flash animation, web memes, conceptual puzzles, original film and non-sequiturs galore.
• ROFL is a gong show for the new millennium.
• ROFL is twelve bucks to get out of the house and meet people who are even more web-obsessed than you are!

More below....

Continue reading "Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (06/20/07)"

DOWNLOAD: Patton Oswalt - Dukes of Hazard (MP3) (info)

Tickets are on sale for The Dave Hill Explosion w/ John Hodgman & Jonathan Coulton @ UCB, Crash Test with Aziz Ansari @ UCB, and a special Tinkle show at Southpaw with David Cross, Todd Barry, and Jon Benjamin. Slovin and Allen and Reggie Watts are hosting ROFL at Joe's Pub. Patton Oswalt is playing a free show at Sound Fix.

Jon Benjamin paid a guy to serenade Eug and Bobby for the Invite Them Up anniversary. Oliver and Schaal look on from the back room. (April 25, 2007)

I am also beyond giddy to report that HBO Video will be releasing Louis CK's live 1 hour special Shameless on June 26th, 2007. That's a Tuesday people. Shameless is CK's third HBO special, and further reinforces my opinion that he is easily one of the best comedians out there. He takes nauseatingly banal topics such as family life, childhood, and sex and riffs about them in such an unexpectedly blunt and graphic manner that you can't help but be drawn in. To celebrate this release, we are giving away TWO copies of Shameless to two lucky winners. Send an e-mail to BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM and tell us what comedian you think should really release a DVD ASAP. Two winners will be picked at random and notified.

More comedy (including a Louis CK DVD clip) belooooooow....

Continue reading "Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (06/19/07)"

Demetri Martin & Pete Yorn (CRED)

Crowd Surfer?(CRED)

More photos and sad Ornette Coleman news below....

Continue reading "More photos and what not from Bonnaroo 2007"

The following review of Day 2 (May 27, 2007) of the 2007 Sasquatch! Festival in George, Washington is brought to you by Jerry Yeti exclusively for BrooklynVegan.com. If you're just joining us, you may want to start with Day 1.

Things kicked off at the Gorge on Sunday with a few more blankets, a nice spot on the terraced grass, and a sweet DJ set by Mix Master Mike. This was followed up by the hip hop duo Blackalicious. Both of these acts got the early attendees jumping. Blackalicious brought out their "Alphabet Aerobics" with its increasingly sped up delivery, but it was "Rhythm Sticks" that got people truly moving. If the ground wasn't on bedrock, the floor would have given way under all that impact.

All warmed up, Bad Brains was the only set on Sunday we were sure not going to miss. While we waited near the epicenter of anticipated mayhem, one of their most enthusiastic fans attempted to get others around him equally as stoked. He singled out a small guy that -as he informed him- was going to be propelled into the air. And sure enough, when the band appeared, he launched the poor kid into the unsuspecting crowd behind him. No, the bedrock below him did not give way. As the mosh pit grew in size, so did the size of the guys thrashing around in it. One giant of a man wore a Professional Slam Wresting shirt and bulldozed his way around. H.R. is a startling front man, appearing quite tranquil despite the tumult below - like a prophet amidst a storm. Dashingly dressed, if you had a video on mute, you would be baffled by the calm on stage, and the reaction below.

Unfortunately that was the last full set on the main stage before Polyphonic Spree had to cease for the blustery wind. It got cold within minutes, and sundown was still four hours away. While the crew re-prepped the stage to handle the winds, and let the worst of them pass, people migrated over to Tokyo Police Club at the Wookie. The Toronto band sensed they were playing for a much larger crowd, and they delivered. Their invigoration and charm very likely won over a few new fans.....

Continue reading "Sasquatch! 2007 | Sunday review in words & pics"

The following review of Day 1 (May 26, 2007) of the 2007 Sasquatch! Festival in George, Washington is brought to you by Jerry Yeti exclusively for BrooklynVegan.com

For the second consecutive year, strange natural phenomena have marred Sasquatch Festival. This year's mysterious force - Wind - cut short the Polyphonic Spree on Sunday, and silenced the music at the main stage for nearly three and a half hours. As the other stages continued onward, the remaining bands condensed their sets - Interpol so much so that they finished 10 minutes before scheduled. We didn't see all the bands we wanted to - probably the most saddened by the early start times of the Hold Steady and the Blow, but we took in a wider variety than expected.

Saturday was looking like it would be a Day of Duos kicking off with the Blow, but the Two Gallants immediately shattered that dream by becoming the Two-and-a-Half Gallants. That is, with the addition of a partial? third member. We had better luck with Portland's own Viva Voce, who stayed true to the coupling idea and brought some serious rock to the Yeti stage. Percussive, tight, and [as my scribbled handwriting noted] "They Rocked." Anita Robinson has some serious skills on the frets, as her husband does with the sticks. I had forgotten how catchy their album "Get Yr Blood Sucked Out" is. They stuck to most of its material as they finally finished the tour. Over at the main stage, Neko Case, lingerie model extraordinaire, was similarly focusing on songs off the her latest not-so-recent album and included her cover of Bob Dylan's "Buckets of Rain." Sporting some shades in a gesture that spited the clouds that would not, could not hail nor storm, her voice resonated strong enough to the sunstroke folks below.

We weren't the only ones fashionably late to the first day of the festival. Comedian and MC Aziz Ansari missed his flight the night before, but arrived at the Wookie stage right in time for Ghostland Observatory. Battling house music, Aziz got a few jokes off successfully before the crowd began to turn restless. Seattle crowds are pretty rough I guess. Sarah Silverman had even less luck at the main stage. Yikes.

As it turns out, Ghostland Observatory are a big deal in Seattle. Thanks to KEXP, the duo -a true one at that- became a mandatory experience and the attendance at the Wookie Stage showed. Always fashionable Aaron Behrens led us through an energy injected performance highlighted with "Sad Sad City," eventually blowing the power out on the entire stage. Of course they did. With that, things were starting to really get going. After all, Aziz had arrived....

Continue reading "Sasquatch! 2007 | Saturday review in words & pics"

We hosted a Flight of the Conchords (FOTC) contest. Some winners won passes to a screening of the first episode of the new HBO series. Now EVERYONE - even those who don't have HBO (like me) - can watch the first episode thanks to the kind folks at HBO.com. Look for appearances by UCB, Rififi and Union Hall regulars Arj Barker, Eugene Mirman, and Kristen Schaal.

Speaking of Kristen Schaal who was also a guest on the 24 Hour Human Giant Marathon on MTV, we asked all those entering the FOTC contest to tell us who their favorite stand up comedian was. We got something like 50 comedian names total, but these were - by a small margin - the top seven:

your favorite comedians
1) Demetri Martin
2) David Cross
3) Mitch Hedberg
4) George Carlin
5) Aziz Ansari (tie)
5) Brian Posehn (tie)
5) Kristen Schaal (tie)

That's right - you like Kristen Schaal as much as you like Aziz Ansari who you like just as much as Brian Posehn WHO LOVES METAL.........

Continue reading "Flight of the Conchords, Human Giant, Kristen Schaal, YOUR FAVORITE COMEDIANS, Michael Showalter, Brian Posehn & MASTODON"

WAIT... Did you see Cloud Cult on MTV?

NEXT: Clell Tickle to reunite with Tapes 'n Tapes and Ted Leo on MTV. You can watch it, or you can be in the studio audience. Details below....

Continue reading "spend 24 hours (or less) w/ HUMAN GIANT on MTV + Ted Leo"

Flight of the Conchords on set - April 20, 2007 (CRED)

No sooner did we express our love for Flight of the Concords, than we were contacted by those involved with the series inviting us to a screening of the first episode at the Tribeca Grand Hotel in NYC this Thursday May 17th (8:30pm). It gets better – they’re giving us 10 PAIRS of tickets to give away to said screening. BUT THAT'S NOT ALL - for those not in NYC (or for those in NYC that are TOO busy on Thursday), we've also got five Flight of the Conchords prize packs (DVD, t-shirt, etc) to give away. To enter to win one of these 15 prizes, E-mail BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (subject: FOC). Tell us your favorite stand up comedian. Include your first and last name as you would like it to appear on the guestlist. Winners will be contacted via email. Losers will not.

Flight of the Conchords & Aziz Ansari in NYC - May 10, 2007

In the meantime, the Conchords are, and have been, filming all over NYC - possibly in your apartment. Just the other day they did some outdoor filming with special guest Aziz Ansari - another awesome addition to an already insane guest roster.

In related news, I sincerely hope you've been watching The Human Giant on MTV, people. The core cast of Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, and Paul Scheer and the masterful direction of Jason Woliner has made it one of the greatest comedy shows to hit the tube in recent memory. Add special guests such as Patton Oswalt, Jon Benjamin, Jon Glaser, Brian Posehn, Jonah Ray and Ghostface Killah to the mix, and you've got the concept of 'must-see TV' redefined.

And speaking of Jason Woliner, he was recently interviewed by Aspecialthing. Read it HERE. Though the three main stars of the show get the most exposure, it should be noted that the show wouldn't be what it is without Jason. As Sub Pop's Patton Oswalt once said...

He's as crucial to the success of Human Giant as the writing and acting abilities of its stars. He's a sharp comedic actor himself, as well as infinitely patient and instinctive, so he always knows how to get maximum wattage out of every sketch.

And speaking of music festivals and Aziz Ansari........

Continue reading "WIN tix to a FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS screening & other COMEDY in this canon by KLAUS"

Tim & Eric are on tour. They visit NYC Monday.

We're still sorting out the complete 'Comedy Canon' this week, but in the meantime you need to know what local comedy shows are coming up. So here's that - and a video of Eugene Mirman on network television - below...

Continue reading "Klaus' upcoming comedy listings (Aziz is back) ++ video of EUGENE MIRMAN on THIRD WATCH"

CONGRATS!

"Santa Monica, CA, October 4, 2006 MTV: Music Television today announced the greenlight of a new comedy series, Human Giant, set to premiere in Q1 2007 and begin production immediately. Human Giant consists of four members -- Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, Paul Scheer, who will all star and executive produce, and Jason Woliner, who will direct and executive produce." [The Futon Critic]

Continue reading "Aziz Ansari + Rob Huebel + Paul Scheer = Human Giant the new MTV show"

No spoilers here. A must see!

Gothamist is sponsoring a comedy show at Pianos in NYC on June 27, 2006 with an all-star cast: Eugene Mirman, Aziz Ansari & Todd Barry. Tix on sale now.

BEARDS
The NYC Beard and Moustache Championshipsx" take place tonight (May 16) @ Knitting Factory in NYC. "Among the competitors: World champion Heinz Christophel of Germany, a three-time world champion in the full beard freestyle category, Phil Olsen, manager of the World Beard and Moustache Championships and championship hopeful Jack Passion." [Eyewitness News]. Gothamist interviewed the organizer.

AIR GUITARS
"For 2006, the US Air Guitar Championships has gone nationwide, with 13 regionals across the country. Judging is based on technical prowess, stage presence, and the ever elusive quality of "airness." All guitars must be air — because let’s face it: Anyone can find the right fret on a cardboard mock-up, but it takes serious skill to play the harmonic on the 12th fret of an air Les Paul.....Regional winners compete against defending US champ the "Rockness Monster" at NYC's storied Bowery Ballroom; plus, they have a crack at the Worlds in Oulu, Finland." [San Francisco Guardian]. Satanicide are playing the June 22nd event. Tix are on sale.

AZIZ UNDERRATED
Aziz Ansari is "DJing" upstairs at Pianos tonight (free) Get there early for Cross Pollination (also free).

CHARLATANS AFTERPARTY
Tim Burgess (Charlatans), Oil, and Gerald from Other Music are DJing the Charlatans (show at Webster Hall) NYC afterparty @ Beauty Bar (free)

DJs Finger on the Pulse (as seen on Gothamist Wednesday) & Mike Nouveau helped throw together a last-minute Voxtrot afterparty at White Rabbit (on Houston) Monday night (April 10, 2006). Voxtrot's singer Ramesh and comedian Aziz Ansari helped Nouveau and FOP's 'never forget' and 'terry diabolik' man the decks laptops. I was there for a few minutes, but it was Roger Kisby who took these cool pictures.

RAMESH & AZIZ

Continue reading "DJs Aziz Ansari, Ramesh & friends | Voxtrot Afterparty pics"

Patton Oswalt is coming to NYC. Aziz Ansari will join him for a $6.00 show at Mo Pitkins on Monday. Who will join Aziz later that night @ UCB? (actually it's no mystery)

David Cross and Demetri Martin were the special guests last night at Aziz Ansari's weekly (when he's in town) Monday night "Crash Test" show at the UCB Theatre (April, 3, 2006). The following set of pictures closely documents the transition from David Cross' stand-up set back to host Aziz Ansari. Then came the part where Aziz did some more comedy before introducing Demetri Martin to the stage.

Aziz said he's pretty sure next week should also have another very special guest.

Previously
SXSW funny
Comedians of Comedy's Patton Oswalt @ Emo's (SXSW) | pics
Aziz Ansari @ Emo's, Austin, TX (SXSW) | pic
David Cross & Lesbians | Strokes video & mp3
Comedy DJ David Cross MP3 Interview & New Pornographers
DJ David Cross | @ Scenic

I'm pretty sure there were more people at Emo's Tuesday night (March 14, 2006) to see Aziz and the rest of the Comedians of Comedy than there were to see My Chemical Romance a few days later. Austin loved him. He went on to host the Stereogum party on Thursday, co-host the Pitchfork party on Friday, and perform a guest set with Patton Oswalt at a comedy club Friday night.

In Austin I learned that Aziz is now most famous for the Other Music video and that he'll be making his big screen debut soon. Billy Bob Thornton, David Cross and Sarah Silverman will be his co-stars.

Previously
The Dresden Dolls played SXSW, like comedy, touring
Common & Sonic Youth (& Aziz) playing Bonnaroo too

The latest additions to the Bonnaroo lineup include Sonic Youth & Common. I hear Aziz Ansari is performing in the comedy tent as well.

David Cross & Michael Showalter are performing in Hot Tub's one year anniversary show at the Pit on Friday. "This show is SOLD OUT, but there may be limited availability tickets at the door."

Michael Showalter, Eugene Mirman & Leo Allen are doing a show at Warsaw in Brooklyn on March 31st. Tickets on sale.

Add Michael Ian Black to the list of celebrity Stella judges at Bowery Ballroom on March 13th. Tickets still on sale. Showalter's site also says "w/special guest DJ from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!". (tix)

Aziz Ansari, Todd Barry & Nick Kroll are at Pianos on February 28.

Previously
Comedy @ UCB | "We Used to Go Out"
NOT Stella @ Bowery Ballroom | Tix on Sale
NY Times does Arctic Monkeys, Apiary & Aziz

Sunday's NY Times featured an article on NYC's alt-comedy scene. Aziz Ansari, The Apiary, Nick Kroll, Rififi, Invite Them Up, Demetri Martin and others were given shout-outs.

Nearly every newspaper on Earth has an article on Arctic Monkeys right now. That's because "their first album, 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not,' has become the fastest-selling debut in British chart history, with sales of more than 360,000 copies during its first week on the charts." That includes the NY Times who says "Hype isn't really the right word to describe the Arctic Monkeys phenomenon".

Previously
Aziz hosting, Celebration playing & Plug Award Presenters
Arctic Monkeys snub Bowie @ Bowery Ballroom?
Eugene Mirman's Brother, Yo La Tengo do Invite Them Up

CELEBRATION

Comedian Aziz Ansari will be hosting the Plug Awards @ Webster Hall on February 2nd. 4AD's Celebration will be performing along with previously announced artists The National, Cage, Beans and Holy F**k, and Chad Vangaalen. Don't expect long sets because two more performers have yet to be announced, and that will make a total of eight performers (counting Aziz).

Some of the presenters have also been announced: Matisyahu, members of TV On The Radio, Langhorne Slim, Gang Gang Dance, Rob Crowe (Pinback & Goblin Cock), and Emiliana Torrini.

VOTING ends January 20th. Tickets still on sale.

RELATED
* Chad Vangaalen is playing Mercury Lounge the next day
* Pitchfork reviewed Holy F*ck's album today
* The teaser for Aziz's next film
* The National playing Bruce Springsteen Saturday
* Independent Award Shows: Totally Pointless?
* New Pantheon Award Finalists Revealed

(A FLYER FOR A PAST EVENT)

You know what albums Pitchfork thought were the best this year. Now find out which albums Aziz liked the best.

BONUS: Aziz posted MP3s

...and if you missed it, College Humor has the video of Aziz carrying around a boombox playing the world's shittiest mixtape.

Previously
Aziz Ansari sees M.I.A. | M.I.A. doesn't see Aziz
Aziz Ansari likes NIN

A letter from Aziz to Scarlett, as seen on the Apiary and Gawker...

---
"Hi,

Thought you were really cute. You should come by my comedy show tonight! It just got named Rolling Stones "Hot Comedy Show" for 2005. (Legit!) The show is tonight at 11 pm at the UCB Theatre (26th btw 8th and 9th Avenue). Hope you can make it.

- Aziz
[insert my cell number]

P.S. 10 cent wings is a pretty good deal huh?"
---

"I just dropped the napkin and flyers in front of SJ and said "Hey you guys should come to this show later if you aren't doing anything" - to which Scarlett's buddy Josh Hartnett responded - "Thanks man" in a deep 'hey I was in f'n Sin City' voice. I then booked it out of there very quickly, but not before I caught a glance of Scarlett reading my hearfelt napkin/love letter. It was awesome..." [Aziz Ansari]

---

See two sets by comedian Aziz Ansari on Tuesday Sept 13, 2005 at the Brooklynvegan pre-CMJ (BMJ) show at Tonic in NYC. Cloud Cult, Doveman, and Dave Deporis also on the bill. TICKETS (or buy them at the door).

Previously
BMJ Show - Now For Charity
CMJ-eve is just like CMJ
Dave Deporis Added to BMJ
Aziz Ansari added to BMJ @ Tonic | Tickets on sale
Aziz Ansari wins Best Male Comic @ the ECNY Awards