Daniel Kitson (more by David Andrako)

As previously mentioned, like last year, UK comedian Daniel Kitson has a show at St. Ann's in Brooklyn this month (the first of many 2012 performances was last night). This year's 90 minute show is called It's Always Right Now, Until It's Later, and it runs through 1/29.

"This is a show about every single one of us, the past in our pockets, the future in our hearts and us, ourselves, very much stuck, trapped forever, in the tiny eternal moment between the two," Kitson said in a statement.

As you know, Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs has an opera coming to St. Ann's Warehouse in DUMBO. Kicking off in conjunction with VICE's "Creator's Project" (more details TBA), the show will actually run on eight nights from October 12-22...

An assault on the tragic joys of youth, fever dreams drenched in visual seduction, a cathartic spell spun through a cycle of nine songs.

Featuring Money Mark, Jack Lawrence, Patrick Keeler, Brian Chase, Nick Zinner, Jason Grisell, Gillian Rivers, Yuiko Kamakari, Justin Kantor and Lili Taylor

"I can never thank @iamdiddy enough. And everyone who helped make that happen on any level. Never give up. #diddygethard" - Chris Gethard

Puff Daddy & Chris Get Hard @ UCB (photo by Ari Scott)

"At about 11:30 p.m. [on Friday], Mr. Gethard (pronounced GETH-erd) could be found in his mended glasses, pacing the pea-green dressing room of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in Chelsea. He had been told Diddy would be arriving soon, but then, that rapper had broken promises to him in the past, and he was trying to keep his expectations in check.

"He just lives on a different planet from me," said Mr. Gethard, who was drinking from a 16-ounce can of Red Bull and repeatedly applying ChapStick to his lips. "I have no idea why he's doing this."

Then, through a back door, Diddy arrived, as unassumingly as one could enter a room with a hulking bodyguard (as well as an assistant and his teenage son, Justin). Dressed casually in a thermal shirt and jeans, Diddy (whose given name is Sean Combs) introduced himself to Mr. Gethard and the other comedians he'd soon be performing with. They chatted about the night's routine and Mr. Gethard warned Diddy not to take personal offense at anything in the show.

"That's good," Diddy replied, "because I'll talk about everything.""
[NY Times]

I don't know when the next edition of The Chris Gethard Show hits UCB in NYC, but you can catch Chris and the gang on tour across the country now, and with some effort you can figure out (or influence) exactly where. All I know (and they know) is that the tour ends at UCB n LA on 1/27. A video with some more info on the tour is below too.

Meanwhile, head to UCB in NYC on Monday night (1/17) to catch the next edition of Whiplash with special guests John Mulaney (SNL), Moshe Kasher, Mike Drucker, Jim Marsdale, and... Daniel Kitson who has that night off from his current St Ann's Warehouse run.

Video of Chris Gethard reaching out to Diddy, Diddy at UCB, videos of Gethard and friends on the road, and more below...

Continue reading "Chris Gethard (on tour now) landed Diddy as his guest @ UCB (where Daniel Kitson will be Monday night)"

by Klaus Kinski

DOWNLOAD: 30 Rock - Werewolf Bar Mitzvah (RAC Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: 30 Rock - "Lemon's Theme" featuring Christopher Cross (MP3)

Mirman, Kitson, Gaffigan & friends @ the Bell House (more by David Andrako)

People like Patton Oswalt, Todd Barry, Kumail Nanjiani and Joe Mande are part of a personal roster of active comedians who keep my zeal for classic stand-up alive. I like the short trip from set-up to punchline and the volume of material that can be crammed into a set, whether it be 10 minutes or an hour. But as a 33 year old with the soul of a 65 year old, I have found myself gravitating towards the art of the monologue lately. And I don't mean the banal current events-based late-night talk show opening garbage. I am talking about long-form storytelling with a central theme that has many diversions and hilarious detours throughout the journey. Mike Birbiglia, a longtime favorite of mine, has evolved from a pretty standard (and prodigal) stand-up comic to an expert monologist. His epic one man show Sleepwalk With Me was my first taste of his stunning evolution. Then a few weeks ago I watched him workshop a new one man show called My Girlfriend's Boyfriend (an unfortunate title as Alyssa Milano recently starred in a movie of the same name. It probably sucked). I also just read his wonderful new book Sleepwalk with Me: and Other Painfully True Stories. He's my generation's Spalding Gray, and, man, we definitely need that.

My favorite living story teller in the entire universe, though, is Daniel Kitson. He's British. Americans are simply not afforded enough opportunities to bask in this man's genius, and that sucks. But it makes sense. He lives in Britain. Not America. When he does get here (for The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, for example), he sells rooms right the funk out. Good for him, bad for us because a sell out surely means some people aren't witnessing the force that is Daniel Kitson. Luckily for us, St. Ann's Warehouse is hosting a whopping 22 show run of Daniel's tale The Interminable Suicide of Gregory Church from January 6th to January 30th. From St. Ann's website:

The show to see at the 2009 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, British Stand up comedian and storyteller, Daniel Kitson, brings the story of Gregory Church to St. Ann's Warehouse for its American Premiere.

Gregory had fifty seven letters to write. He'd never written that many letters, not in one go. In fact, he'd never written a single letter and it was taking significantly longer than he'd anticipated. He'd started, full of optimism, curiously enough, at 9 am and now here he was 8 hours later half way through letter twenty four. He glanced at his watch and then at the noose hanging over his head.

Gregory sighed.

Had he known how long suicide letters take, he thought, he wouldn't have cancelled the milk for the morning.

A story of a death postponed by life.

And, hey, since you have your wallet out, why not buy a ticket or two to 1 of 7 Jim Gaffigan shows happening at the Best Buy Theater. I don't know how many shows he had scheduled there initially, but it definitely wasn't 7. To be honest I have never paid more than $5 to see Jim Gaffigan. As a matter of fact, I've never headed out to a comedy show with the intention of seeing Jim Gaffigan. Jim Gaffigan just likes to test his material out in tiny rooms all over the city, unannounced. So if you can't swing these shows, go to one of the many small but incredible shows around the city. You never know.

Speaking of the Best Buy Theater, did you get your tickets to one of Tim and Eric's two appearances at the Best Buy Theater on November 27th? Some people will probably be lame and still be their families for Thanksgiving that weekend. For those of us who aren't, the night belongs to us.

Klaus Kinski favorite Tig Notaro is working on something that I am not at liberty to mention and she needs your help. She and her comedian friends are coming to your town! If you'd be interested in hosting a live comedy show at your house (like a BV loft party), please post a video submission on her Facebook page telling her why it should be you, where you live and how you would present the show. "From stage, lighting, promotions, audience, to where in your home you will hold the show, it's all up to you." Tig is so f-ing great and I hope you people submit! Submissions must be up by November 23rd!

Look, I am a busy man and would love to write about stuff all day and have you read it and leave hummus comments but I have bills to pay and mouths to feed. Four of them. So I leave you with this: on Tuesday November 16th, the official 30 Rock Soundtrack hit the shelves. At first I thought this seemed like sort of a lame thing for one to want to buy. But then I read the track listing and realized how many funny and amazing songs there have been on the show, especially Werewolf Bar Mitzvah and Lemon's Theme featuring Christopher Cross. Download both of those for free above. Stream the whole thing at MSN. Buy it this Saturday and get it signed by the cast who will be in attendance in a Manhattan store. Details with full tracklistling below...

Continue reading "Daniel Kitson playing 22 NYC shows, Jim Gaffigan adds a 7th, Tig Notaro will play in your house ++ the 30 Rock soundtrack "

words & photos by David Andrako

"Boo Todd relentlessly. Throw shit at him. When Jon (Benjamin) and I tell you to stop, ignore us and boo louder." - David Cross's instructions to the audience just before Todd Barry's "surprise" appearance.

The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival came to a close on Sunday, its fourth and final day, at The Bell House with two sold out shows. There was the early show billed as "Wes and Eugene's Cabinet of Wonders", and the late show "A Toddless Tinkle."

Friend and frequent collaborator of Eugene, John Wesley Harding, hosted the early show along with Eugene. The show featured performances by Yo La Tengo, John Oliver, Colson Whitehead, Darin Strauss, and Scott McCaughey.

Darin Strauss, the Brooklyn based author of "Half a Life" read a recently written piece entitled "Puberty", which was an autobiographical story set in the mid 1980s that involved gaining entrance to a much cooler high school classmate's party. Scott McCaughey, touring member of REM, performed two songs backed by Harding and his backing band The English UK including a 5 minute tribute to the 1986 Mets.

Eugene Mirman made a brief appearance with his newly purchased $380 Theremin and also returned to the stage to "sing" a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson." Colson Whitehead, the New York based author, read a chapter from his best selling 2009 book, Sag Harbor. "John Wesley Harding's favorite comedian", John Oliver, from The Daily Show and the upcoming "Smurfs" movie followed with a set that featured a particularly interesting story about a gig in the remote Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Yo La Tengo closed the show with a five song set that featured both Harding and McCaughey and included covers of "I'm A Believer" and The Kinks' "All That Will."

Between the shows Eugene made his way out to the dunk tank in front of The Bell House as John Oliver and Daniel Kitson threw balls at the target and were cheered on by the long line of fans waiting for the 2nd show.

The 2nd show, "A Toddless Tinkle", was hosted by Tinkle founders David Cross and Jon Benjamin. Todd Barry, the other member of the Tinkle crew was at the Music Hall of Williamsburg as an opening act for Superchunk. From the beginning of the show Cross and Benjamin let the crowd in on the fact that Todd would be making a "surprise" walk on sometime between 10 and 11PM. Both agreed that the proper greeting for Todd would be for the audience to boo him off stage. Throughout the evening random audience members were brought onstage to audition to fill the role of "Todd." "Todd #2", an audience member named Andy ventured out into the audience to attempt to do some of Todd's famous crowd work. Andy failed miserably but did offer some unintentional comedy when he approached (and didn't recognize) Ira Kaplan of Yo La Tengo and mocked him for his orange shirt and told him that he looked like Gilbert Gotfried. Cross quickly jumped in and saved Kaplan from being mocked by the auditioning "Todd".

Todd Barry made his way to The Bell House shortly after 11PM and was greeted by the aforementioned boos as well as cups, beer cans and hundreds of expletives. He attempted to win the crowd over but ended up quickly leaving the stage and the venue.

The nearly 3 hour show featured short sets from John Mulaney, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, and Karen Kilgariff. Festival favorite Daniel Kitson was the final performer of the evening with a 12 minute set that saw him chastise the audience over their reaction to Todd Barry's appearance and pointed out that everyone went along with the "mean boys" (Cross and Benjamin). The show ended with the 2nd ever screening of Cross and Bejamin's "Paid Programming", a mock informercial that aired a handful of times on Adult Swim last fall. The 11 minute short was meant to be aired at 4AM and didn't have any mention of the creators. And with that the 3rd Annual Festival came to a close. 9 shows, 3 venues, 25 velvet paintings of Eugene and 1 angry Todd Barry.

Check out the pictures and reviews from previous nights: NIGHT 1, NIGHT 2 and NIGHT 3. NIGHT 4 continued below...

Continue reading "Todd Barry booed, Yo La Tengo harassed, David Cross & more @ night 4 of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Fest (pics & review)"

today in NYC
* It is It @ Pianos
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Magma @ Highline Ballroom
* Nick Zinner @ Barnes & Noble
* Jim Campilongo @ Living Room
* Pavement member DJ set @ Living Room
* Sleigh Bells @ The Studio at Webster Hall
* Klaxons, Baby Monster @ Bowery Ballroom
* Sea Wolf, Sera Cahoone, Patrick Park @ Knitting Factory
* Jon Irabagon and Mike Pride Duo, Powerdove! @ Zebulon
* Esben & The Witch, Mon Khmer, Grooms, Megafortress @ Glasslands

Daniel Kitson is still in town. Did you miss his sets at the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival? Catch him and Reggie Watts for free tonight at UCB.

Pianos has free comedy every Monday too.

At Barnes & Noble:

Nick Zinner
Upstairs at the Square
Author Event
Our monthly series continues with journalist Katherine Lanpher interviewing photographer and Yeah Yeah Yeahs guitarist Nick Zinner, who will discuss his new collection of photographs, Please Take Me Off the Guest List.
Monday September 20, 2010 7:00 PM

Union Square
33 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003, 212-253-0810

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

words & photos by David Andrako

Daniel Kitson / Jim Gaffigan

The 2nd night of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival (read about the first here) featured two shows: "Montreal Callbacks" and a super sized "Invite Them Up."

The first show of the evening was held at Union Hall and was billed as "Montreal Callbacks" - a reference to the Montreal Comedy Festival. Kurt Braunohler began the show with a brief set before he assumed the role of host for the evening. The night featured young stand-ups many of whom can be found performing weekly at clubs in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Mike Lawrence, Greg Johnson, Max Silvestri, Andrea Rosen, Ken Reid, Dan St. Germain and Hannibal Buress.

Highlights of the show included Ken Reid's set, which featured stories of his "white trash" childhood growing up in Massachusetts, Dan St. Germain's self depreciating tales of living in Brooklyn and Andrea Rosen recounting awkward encounters with celebrities and long lost friends. I caught the first few minutes of always great Hannibal Buress's set before heading off to The Bell House for the second show of the night.

Invite Them Up, the much beloved weekly comedy show that Eugene was involved with from 2005-2008 returned for a sold out performance at The Bell House. The show was again hosted by Bobby Tisdale, and featured performances by ITU co-host (and the host of the night) Eugene Mirman, A.D. Miles, , Maeve Higgins, Morgan Murphy, Reggie Watts, Daniel Kitson and special guest, Jim Gaffigan.

Jim Gaffigan, who headlines SIX shows at the Best Buy (formerly Nokia) Theater in December, was greeted with some of the loudest cheers of the evening and the fact that the comics from the earlier show had made their way down to The Bell House to watch his set from the back of the room speaks to his status as a massively respected comedian. His unannounced appearance strengthened an already packed show.

Daniel Kitson, the British stand-up and storyteller, ended the show with an hour long set that featured some impressive crowd work and allowed him to display his razor sharp commentary and lightning fast wit. After admitting that he "didn't have the professionalism to be a middle act," Kitson launched into quizzing audience members on their names and occupations only to later weave them all together in a freestyle rant comparing audience members to each other. In addition to his biting commentary, he wasn't afraid to display his vulnerability explaining that, "I'm quite lonely and I live alone. This is my chance to chat." He also addressed his stutter, which was apparent during his performance. At the age of 33, his stand-up act is impressive and made even more impressive by the fact that Kitson has turned down most television work in the US and Britain. He has performed both story shows and stand-up at the past eleven Edinburgh Fringe Festivals.

The 2010 Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival concludes Sunday night. Read about Thursday night HERE. More pictures from Friday below...

Continue reading "Jim Gaffigan showed up & Daniel Kitson was there at night 2 of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Fest (pics & review) "

by Klaus Kinski

As I get older, I just I don't have the wherewithal to see as much comedy as I should. It's really depressing. There are so many goddamned GREAT comedy shows happening in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and even Queens that rather than pick one to go to, my brain shuts down and says "Just go home and watch Wheeler Dealers on the ole DVR, KK." It was easier to decide when Rififi was around. So thank Cod there's a yearly comedy festival in Brooklyntown that brings my ever flabbening body out of hibernation and reacquaints me with a sliver of the current roster of the greatest living comedians. That festival is the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, and this year it takes place from September 16th - September 19th and will impregnate The Bell House, The Rock Shop, and Union Hall (or as I like to call them, the most annoying venues to go if you don't have kids or play bocce) with its comedy seedlings.

As with previous years, the 2010 Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival brings together a supremely jaw-dropping group of comedians and performers. What can one expect? Oh, I don't know. Maybe (definitely) Emo Philips, Daniel Kitson, Jon Glaser, Max Silvestri, David Cross, Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohler, Yo La Tengo, John Wesley Harding, Sarah Vowell, John Mulaney, and so many more I'm liable to puke with glee should I continue. What am I most looking forward to? Thanks for asking! I'd have to say it's a toss up between the bill Yo La Tengo falls on and a rare Tinkle performance (without Todd Barry, sadly)(although, Todd is opening for Superchunk at MHOW on September 19th, so that's something) (sold out though) (probably because Todd is on the bill).

The festival line-up will be tweaked, added onto, emboldened, modified, and made better as we make our way to the opening date, but have a gander at what's already planned below. In the immortal words of the person who put the roster together for me, "This is what's happening; but not everything that's happening". Ticket info to follow, but many shows will be on sale in advance. Also, please see a message from enfant terrible David Cross below...

Continue reading "the 2010 Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival is coming"

Leo Allen opening for the Walkmen @ the Guggenheim (more by Kurt Christensen)

Daniel Kitson tickets and other Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival tickets are on sale.

Tickets are also on sale for the New York Comedy Festival shows.

Leo Allen opened for The Walkmen at the Guggenheim Museum on Friday night. Leo Allen hosts Whiplash every Monday night at the UCB Theatre in NYC. David Cross, Ted Alexandro & Aparna Nancherla are among those performing there tonight (8/17).

Also tonight, but in Brooklyn: Falling Down, a new monthly comedy series at Bruar Falls hosted by Ali Wong, features Todd Barry, Dave Hill and more.

by Klaus Kinski

Secret Wars @ All Points West 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

So we've got the Del Close Marathon happening this weekend (8/14-8/16) and we've got the New York Comedy Festival happening in November. And now it is with unbridled enthusiasm that I can achieve a comedy-festival-posting-hat-trick by announcing the EUGENE MIRMAN COMEDY FESTIVAL which is set to take over Brooklyn venues Union Hall and the Bell House from September 17 - September 20. OK, so we briefly mentioned the festival before, but with line-ups, showtimes, as well as venue and ticket info just released, it's time to spread the word.

Curated by the great Eugene Mirman, this year's festival has a gasp worthy line-up that is truly beyond belief and will feature stand-up, panels, videos, special guests, 'theme' shows, the occasional free drink, after-parties, and much more. The highlight of the festival for me are two Daniel Kitson headlining gigs at Union Hall. Daniel is a British Stand-up comedian who I've only had the opportunity to see once, but that one experience was epic. More monologuist than stand-up comedian, he is one of the smartest, funniest, most energetic and eloquent performers I have ever seen. We are blessed to have two chances to see him headline such an intimate room. Besides that, the festival boasts appearances by Reggie Watts, Todd Barry, John Hodgman, Bobby Tisdale, AD Miles, Kristen Schaal, Michael Showalter, Marc Maron, John Mulaney, Jon Benjamin, and many many more. And, of course, Eugene.

The schedule so far is below. According to the folks in charge, even more excitement will be announced in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!! Tickets for all shows go on sale Sunday August 16 Saturday, August 15 at noon via Ticketweb (Bell House, Union Hall).

Full lineup and more below...

Continue reading "Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival 2009 lineup (Daniel Kitson & more), an 826NYC benefit (tickets), a new Sub Pop album"

British comedian Daniel Kitson played four sold-out shows at Union Hall in Brooklyn last week. Were you there? If so, how was it? If not (or even if so) - he's playing again TONIGHT (Dec 10, 2007) @ UCB with Eugene Mirman, Leo Allen, Human Giant & John F. O'Donnell - FREE!

Kitson, Oliver, Schaal, Clement (CRED)

Daniel Kitson added a FOURTH show at Union Hall. The Sunday and Monday shows are completely sold out, but there's a handful for tickets left for the remaining shows. I'm telling you, if ever there was a comedy show that absolutely cannot be missed it's this one. As a matter of fact, I'm giving away one pair of tickets to the Wednesday 12/5, 10pm show (details at the end of this post). Maybe they'll release a ticket or two the nights of the peformances, maybe they won't. It's totally worthy a shot though.

And don't forget about the NY Mag Not Your Office Holiday Party featuring We Are Scientists and the UCB Theater happening on 12/18/07 at the Canal Room. The show will be hosted by Daily Show correspondent Rob Riggle who will also serve as The Boss. Partygoers will be provided with fakey name tags as well as a checklist of inappropriate office things that you should be partaking in such as admitting your best excuses for taking a sick day, kissing a co-worker under the mistle toe, brown nosing your boss, and photo-copying your buns. It sounds like lots of fun. I've got two pairs of tickets to give away (also at the end of this post).

Taking a page out of Sub Pop's book, indie label Matador Records has signed their first comedy act! Earles and Jensen Present: Just Farr A Laugh Vol. 1 and 2 will be released February 19th on Matador Records. Their myspace page has an ever changing sample of their work, so check it out. Scads more info at Chunklet.

MUCH MORE BELOW......

Continue reading "Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (12/01/07)"

JUSTICE, CoC STYLE (© Ryan Russell, Chicago '07)

With the holidays fast approaching, nothing makes me happier than spreading holiday cheer by giving away free tickets to two awesome upcoming shows. First up are two pairs of tickets to A Very Special Night With Fred Armisen on November 29th at The Knitting Factory. The show will also feature Chelsea Peretti and Jon Glaser - one of the most brilliant comedians alive.

I also have two pairs of tickets to attend a special Yacht Rock event at the Knitting Factory on December 27. To me, Yacht Rock are the funniest videos ever to grace the internet, and if you haven't seen them, acquaint yourself immediately. The show, hosted by Yacht Rock creator JD Ryznar (Michael McDonald), includes a screening of all 10 episodes, as well as musical guests The School of Rock playing Yacht Rock Classics. YR cast members will also be in the house.

Details on how to win either contest, as well as more phenomenal upcoming shows, at the end of this post....

But first...I always heard a lot of great things about LA based comedian Brody Stevens but never actually took the time to familiarize myself with him. However, his recent contributions to the Comedy Death Ray profile on Superdeluxe have made me a huge fan. For those who don't know, Comedy Death Ray is a weekly "alternative" comedy show in L.A. founded by former Mr. Show writers/actors, Scott Aukerman and B.J. Porter - they created one of the best comedy CDs ever by the way. Anyhow, Brody's show is called The Brody Stevens Interview Challenge and the premiere episode features Zach Galifianakis. Watch Part 1 below, and head on over to Superdeluxe for Part 2. Keep checking back as more episodes are sure to surface.....

The big news around town has to be that British comedian Daniel Kitson has confirmed three shows at Union Hall on December 2, 3, and 4. Hailed as a favorite of comedians including David Cross and Eugene Mirman, Daniel Kitson doesn't get to the states enough. Like a jerk, the last time he was around I missed every single one of his appearances. I shan't make the same mistake twice. These shows are going to sell out for sure, so get tickets ASAP!.

Bobby Tisdale, co-Host of Invite Them Up, has a new bi-weekly show at Cake Shop called Llama Toe with Bobby and Friends. Co-Hosted by Reggie Watts, this show originally took place at Caroline's and man am I glad it's been moved to Cake Shop. 5 bucks, no minimum, no touristas.

Keeeeep reading....

Continue reading "Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (11/15/07)"