Todd Barry at MHOW in 2010 (more by Chris Gersbeck)

Comedy variety show Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen [Schaal] continues to hit Park Slope/Gowanus club Littlefield every Monday. Tonight's lineup includes Todd Barry, Rob Cantrell, Leibya Rogers, and musical guest Adira Amram and The Experience who performs at Hot Tub this whole month. Tickets are still available for tonight (6/13), 6/20, and 6/27.

If you want to go June 27th, you should probably act quick because the "very special musical guest" on that one (as it was listed before today) has been revealed as Ted Leo. The bill also includes comedy superstar Wyatt Cenac, so it's a great one all around. Ted also plays a free headlining show on July 9 at South Street Seaport. Ted recently performed a new song in 'Room 205' which you can listen to at their site.

Todd Barry, who is on tonight's Littlefield show, also plays a headlining show at Maxwell's on July 31 with Ted Alexandro. Tickets are on sale. Todd also plays at this month's Mr. Coconuts Comedy show at Union Hall (6/21). The new monthly comedy show (which I think started in May) is hosted by Gabe Delahaye and the June bill also includes Gabe Liedman, Jessi Klein and more. Tickets are on sale.

Adira Amram is part of the very musical Amram family, much of which just played Bruar Falls. Adira's sister Alana (their father is composer David Amram), the force behind Alana Amram and the Rough Gems, is releasing Snow Shadows: Songs of Vince Martin on June 21. Vince Martin is a NYC folk singer who got his start in the late '50s recording with The Tarriers and with Fred Neil in the '60s. Martin was more recently discovered by Thurston Moore who he has since performed with. Alana stumbled upon him on her own though. She told WNYC:

I got pretty heavy into Greenwich Village, urban, folk musicians who I felt that I could really relate to a lot of their stories. I ended up moving down to New York City and here I am, kinda this country kid isolated, trying to find my way. And I'm playing in a bunch of rock and roll bands, everything's loud and crazy. And then I discover Fred Neil. He did that song "Everybody's Talkin' At Me," the theme from Midnight Cowboy. That led me to finding Karen Daulton who eventually led to Vince Martin. Now, he's my really good buddy and I'm really lucky to get access...to this cannon of songs that have been lost and kind of hidden.

Alana was scheduled to play Maxwell's tonight (6/13) with Carrie Rodriguez but that show is cancelled. She does have other upcoming local shows though. Those include a country folk Northside showcase on June 16 at Teddy's Bar with Carrie Ashley, June 30 at Union Pool, the Clearwater Festival, and August 18 at Union Hall with Frankpine and Doc Marshalls. Tickets for the Union Hall show are on sale.

Listen to two songs off Alana's new album below...

Continue reading "Alana Amram covered Vince Martin, Adira Amram playing Hot Tub ++ special guest Ted Leo, Todd Barry gigs & much more"

words & photos by David Andrako

"It looks like America might have fallen in love with a Pakistani!" Eugene Mirman after Kumail Nanjiani's well received set at The Bell House.

The third day of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival (Saturday) saw four shows performed at three different venues around Park Slope and Gowanus along with performances from over 20 comedians, a song by John Wesley Harding and a heavy dose of Bourne Trilogy references.

The early show, "Mike Birbiglia Interviews A Bunch Of Sort Of Authors and Sarah Vowell", was hosted by the aforementioned Birbiglia and saw him interviewing Michael Showalter, Eugene Mirman, Patrick Borelli and Sarah Vowell about their most recent books. Birbiglia based the order of the interviews on his anxiety about the interviews from highest to lowest. Sarah Vowell went first and Eugene Mirman closed. Sarah, the most accomplished author on the panel, admitted being jealous of Chuck Klosterman "because he would get mentioned on The O.C." She also spoke of her next project, a historical book on the American annexation of Hawaii.

Michael Showalter's book "Mr. Funny Pants" will be released early next year and was described as "a book about how to write a book." He and Birbiglia read a chapter from the book that recapped a fictional interview with Charlie Rose. Patrick Borelli gave a surprisingly heartfelt slideshow of headshots from his book, "Holy Headshots." Birgibilia reminded Borelli about their short-lived two man improv team "Michael O' Patrick" from earlier in their careers. Eugene Mirman joined Birbiglia to chat about his book "Will to Whatevs: A Guide to Modern Life" that was released in February of 2009. The two also recounted the origin of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival that was hatched during a night of heavy drinking and may or may not have been the result of a dare that Eugene accepted. The early show ended with all of the authors having a Q&A with the audience.

The two middle shows of the evening ran simultaneously at Union Hall and The Rock Shop. Eugene headed over to Union Hall to host "Eugene's World Class Masters of Comedy" which featured sets from Daniel Kitson (who also performed the night before), Ron Lynch, Marc Maron and Todd Barry. Being that I'd seen or would be seeing all of the comedians at Union Hall (except Todd Barry) at other shows during the festival I opted to head over to The Rock Shop for "A Night of Gay or Foreign Comedy." The show was hosted by Gabe Liedman and featured Maeve Higgins (who also performed the night before), Glenn Wool, Brent Sulivan, Kumail Nanjiani and Mehran Khaghani. Standouts of the show were Higgins, Boston based comic Mehran Khagani and Brent Sullivan (I agree with Eugene's description in the Festival guide that one of his jokes is a Top 5 joke of 2010).

The final show of the evening was held back at The Bell House and was billed as (deep breath) "Why Do I Know Everything about Everyone At The French Dinner? An Evening of Espionage Themed Comedy Celebrating Our Love of the Bourne Trilogy and All Things Spy." Eugene opened the show by explaining that his love for the Bourne Trilogy began when he watched the first film and showed a short film that he created in tribute to the trilogy. Kumail Nanjiani, fresh off a quick set at The Rock Shop, was the first comic of the evening and admitted that his set was "based on someone who watched the Bourne Trilogy yesterday". His set, which ended with a story about being subjected to racist taunts in Los Angeles, was rewarded by the loudest applause of the festival (so far).

Jon Glaser returned to the stage, not as Dr. Attitude (his character from Thursday night's show) but as The Man In The Green Mask - a CIA spy sent to educate the audience on what it takes to be a spy. He was unwilling to answer most questions during a brief Q&A but did admit to melting a gun into the shape of a banana. Friend of Eugene, John Wesley Harding (who also plays the fest Sunday night), performed a song written especially for the evening, "A Ballad Of The Bourne Trilogy". Sarah Vowell made several appearances between acts to read Bourne-themed poetry that was penned by Eugene.

Leo Allen and Eric Slovin (Allen and Slovin) performed in complete homemade, glue filled costumes as Spy vs. Spy and spent most of their set lamenting having booked a comedy show on Yom Kippur and talking about their day spent at Temple Beth Chuckles. Marc Maron, after performing at Union Hall, closed the show with a thoroughly researched set that featured his thoughts on spys, espionage, proper mic stands and the existence (or not) of his FBI file.

More pictures from the whole day, below...

Continue reading "Mike Birbiglia did interviews, Spy vs Spy & more on Day 3 of the 2010 Eugene Mirman Comedy Fetival (review & pics) "

photos by Gabi Porter

"Came home soaked in beer glitter sweat and smelling like Tim Harringtons arm pit the girl thought strip club nope Les Savy Fav record launch" -JasonFerguson

"glitter & purple spandex & the sweat descends & awesomeness. les savy fav nails it every time." -madeleinepascal

"Thanks to @IAMBEARDO I am covered in glitter for my commute. Another excellent Les Savy Fav experience". -TimDuffy

Tim, Syd & Harrison @ Mercury Lounge Wednesday night

If I didn't head to Brooklyn Masonic Temple last night (9/8) to catch Sleep, without a doubt I would have been at Mercury Lounge to catch the great Les Savy Fav. The show, a release party for the band's new LP Root for Ruin (out now on digital, and avail in hard formats on Tues, 9/14), featured the (anything but) normal antics of vocalist Tim Harrington (who recently played the last-ever(?) pool party) and from the looks of it, the OMGs and ROFLs were bountiful. The band focused heavily on the new record, but threw in old classics like 'Who Rocks the Party' & 'The Sweat Descends' as well. -BBG

Speaking of ROFLs, comedian Matt McCarthy opened the show which just made it a funny past week in general for LSF guitarist and Frenchkiss label-boss Syd Butler who also curated the lineup of comedians that played ATP NY Friday night.

Oh and speaking of comedians, Stereogum sister-site Videogum is hosting the festivities at The Bell House in Brooklyn TONIGHT (9/9). Laugh your way into the Jewish New Year with free comedy by Max Silvestri, Joe Mande, Gabe Liedman, John Mulaney, Jon Glaser & more (8pm doors).

Speaking of Frenchkiss, one of their new signings, Young Man, who are opening the BrooklynVegan CMJ showcase this year, released a Daytrotter session you can grab today.

More pictures and video from the Mercury Lounge show are below....

Continue reading "Les Savy Fav played Mercury Lounge (pics & video), Young Man did Daytrotter (MP3s), Videogum in Brooklyn (tonight)"

by Klaus Kinski

Islands at a show w/ comedians in 2008 (more by Eric Townsend)

Oh, hey guys. Lemme get these headphones off. There. Sorry, I've been listening to this Justing Bieber song that's been slowed down 800 percent non-stop since yesterday (sounds like a Justin K. Broadrick remix for crying out loud). Anyway, I almost forgot to tell you about some more very important comedy news. Keeping with the theme of great comedy coming to Brooklyn, Williamsburg's weekly Wednesday night comedy staple Big Terrific will leave the confine's of Cameo and grace the much larger stage of Music Hall of Williamsburg on Friday August 27th (8:00pm doors). For the uninitiated and/or too-lazy-to-google, Big Terrific is a weekly show hosted by Max Silvestri, Gabe Liedman, and Jenny Slate that showcases local talent as well as international comedic super stars. It is one of the many great weeklies in NYC, and it boasts one of NYC's most consistently stellar comedy line-ups, week after week after week, and has been doing so for over two years.

As far as I'm concerned, all really great comedy shows in NYC deserve to get dragged out of the back rooms and basements and given the opportunity to curate a larger scale show at one of our better venues (like Invite Them Up did at Bowery... 5 freakin years ago!? (5 years!? damn)). And the Big Terrific show at MHOW seems like the ideal scenario. It's on a Friday. It's on a payday (for some of us). It features the comedy whatnots of Todd Barry, Brent Sullivan, Joe Mande, Jesse Popp, and MORE. It features a live performance by Islands. It'll have a shitload of surprises that cannot be publicized because that's how the industry works people. It's ONLY 12 BUCKS. So if you're into amazing comedy, jaw dropping surprises, reasonably priced beer, great music, at a wonderful venue (that is turning three years old), I'd say your Friday night is covered. And if you don't like any of those things, I'm wondering why you read this far. Shouldn't you be opposing a mosque somewhere or something? Anyway, times are tough, so if you'd like to try and win a pair of tix, look below.

In addition to Big Terrific, your hosts Max, Gabe, and Jenny are pretty busy pups. SNL keeps Jenny very busy, but she will be returning to the new season of Bored to Death on HBO, which premieres in September. She also just released a short film she made with Dean Fleischer-Camp called Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Gabe Liedman can be seen on the Short List on Fridays at 9 on VH1. And Max just finished filming a pilot for Comedy Central that will hopefully get picked up and then air for thirty years. Following the MHOW show, you can count on Big Terrific every Wednesday at Cameo.

Some videos (and the contest details) below...

Continue reading "Islands, Todd Barry & more fun added to Big Terrific show "

Laugh with the stars at Comedy Central's Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education on Saturday, October 2 at the Beacon Theatre.

Hosted by Jon Stewart, the evening will feature Lewis Black, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Ricky Gervais, Joel McHale, John Oliver, Chris Rock, Sarah Silverman, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog and too many more scheduled to appear!

Proceeds benefit autism education and family service programs across the country in support of the overabundance of autistic individuals that so desperately need quality services.

American Express® cardmembers can purchase advance tickets, Thursday, July 29 from 10AM - Sunday, August 1 at 10PM before they go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 2 at 9AM.

A great lineup for a great cause.

Much sooner: Tearing The Veil of Maya, the sometimes-weekly show that mostly happens at Union Hall is turning four and celebrating at Union Hall's sister venue The Bell House. The Four Year Anniversary Show will feature Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, Leo Allen, AD Miles, Wyatt Cenac "and friends!" Maybe Michael Showalter will be there too? That's at the Bell House on August 1st and tickets are on sale (note: "This show will be mixed seated/standing - please come early for the best seats.")

And speaking of weekly comedy shows happening in bigger, near-by venues, The Cameo's "Big Terrific" is happening at Music Hall of Williamsburg on August 27th. Hosts Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate (SNL) and Max Silvestri promise "Many Special Guests". Tickets are on sale.

Continue reading "comedians fighting autism @ Beacon Theatre, Tearing the Veil of Maya turning four, Big Terrific getting bigger"

Natasha Leggero & Morgan Murphy

1. On Wednesday night Gabe Liedman, Jenny Slate [SNL] and I [Max Silvestri] have an especially spectacular Big Terrific for you all. It's almost too famous? We've got some special Halloween shenanigans planned (poisoned candy, knives, etc) as well as comedy appearances from Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation, Funny People), Natasha Leggero (Tonight Show), Joe Mande (Best Week Ever), John Mulaney (Conan O'Brien, writer for Saturday Night Live), Andrea Rosen (Stella, Flight of the Conchords) and Reggie Watts (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon). Are you kidding me? That is so crazy fun. Be there at 8pm at Cameo Gallery, located at 93 North 6th Street between Berry & Wythe in Williamsburg. It's free. The after-party will be something special too.

2. What is funnier or more rocking than a museum? Literally nothing. I am very proud to be emceeing It Came From Brooklyn at the Guggenheim on Friday night

That Cameo lineup is giving the UCB show (which also starts at 8:00 and has many of the same comedians performing) a run for its money!

Max Silvestri, Jenny Slate & Gabe Liedman @ Rififi (Marianne Ways)

Hi buds,

Woah, get ready. I have some huge news! As you know, one of my lovely Big Terrific co-hosts Jenny Slate has been absent as of late doing "showbiz" stuff, and a lot of you have been all "more like no-biz!!" Well first, stop saying that, and also, it's paid off! She is the newest cast member on Saturday Night Live, which is a long running television show that you have heard of. Won't that be amazing? She is going to be their go-to person for Gloria Estefan impressions. Also, she is going to be their go-to person for everything because she is the best, we love her so much, are so very proud, and cannot think of anyone who would be better on that show. It's really just perfect. Like, we were all surprised to get the news but also we totally weren't, you know? That's how great she'll be.

Jenny will be back at Big T soon to tell lots of showbiz stories about what Megan Fox smells like and how Ted Danson always has mints handy or whatever. Come this Wednesday and celebrate with Gabe and me, before all of us are too famous.

We've got super guests too: Eugene Mirman, Leo Allen, Brent Sullivan and more! We're so psyched. It's Wednesday September 2nd at 8pm at Cameo Gallery, 93 North 6th St between Berry & Wythe in Williamsburg. Come hang out!!

Thanks guys. You guys make Big Terrific the most fun. (Also us, but definitely you a bit too.)

-Max Silvestri

Klaus also tells me that comedian Hannibal Burress has been hired by SNL as a staff writer... which is confirmed by the Apiary that also says UCB performer Christine Nangle will also be writing for the show. Congrats to everyone! Some Jenny videos below...

Continue reading "Jenny Slate joins SNL, Max & Gabe continue @ Cameo "

by Klaus Kinski (of Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon)

Two films I've been dying to see quickly made their way in and out of our fair city this past June. Being an idiot that cannot seem to prioritize anything, I missed them both. The films I speak of are Big Fan starring Patton Oswalt and Visioneers starring Zach Galifianakis. You may recall from previous articles that Zach and Patton are among my favorite comedians of all time; thus the eagerness to see these films and the anguish at missing them. Big Fan is the directorial debut of Robert Siegel, the man wrote The Wrestler, a film that featured comedian Todd Barry (another favorite). In Big Fan, Patton plays the role of Paul.

Paul is a 35-year-old toll booth operator from Staten Island who lives and dies by his New York Giants. When he has a chance encounter with Giants linebacker Quantrell Bishop, however, things go horribly wrong and a brutal beating at the hands of his idol tests Paul's allegiance to the team. Comedian Patton Oswalt delivers a heartbreaking, layered performance in this pitch-black comedy that reveals the disturbing side of obsessive fandom.

Thankfully, word is out that Big Fan will begin showing in theaters in New York and Philadelphia August 28th, Los Angeles, D.C, Dallas and Houston theatres September 11th and then expanding! In the meantime, visit the official website for trailers and whatnot. And definitely check out Patton's diaries from when Big Fan played at Sundance back in January. Trailer below.

Having seen the trailer last year, I feel like Visioneers has been on my radar for a really long time. It definitely looks to be a somber, Orwellian, supremely dark comedy. The film, directed by Jared Drake, stars Galifianakis as George Washington Winsterhammerman.

George lives a comfortable yet completely uneventful life, and when he starts having dreams in which he's the first President of the United States, his doctor informs him that they could be signs of impending explosion. Later, as the dreams become more frequent and his co-workers continue to detonate, George is prompted to reevaluate his mundane existence.

It looks like that June 3 screening at the 92Y Tribeca may have been my only opportunity to see it theatrically; it comes out on DVD July 21st (using Zach's role in The Hangover to reach a broader audience) and there only seems to be independently organized screening parties scattered across the US. Trailer below.

Zach did a split 7" with Ted Leo a while back, available only via Chunklet.com and only available if you purchased another item from the Chunklet store. Now you no longer need to buy a second item in order to purchase the record. This extremely limited edition 7" is only $5 and is available on four different types of wax. Get 'em while they're hot!.

In Other News........

Continue reading "comedy news: Patton Oswalt, David Cross, Zach Galifianakis, Ricky Gervais, M Showalter, ATP & more (by Klaus Kinski)"

by Klaus Kinski

Max & Gabe D & friend @ MoMA - Jan 6, 2009 (by Fred Benenson) (via)

I don't get to see nearly as much comedy as I used to, but the scene is as vibrant as ever. If the mood strikes and I find myself wanting to get my yuck-on there is absolutely no shortage of one-off shows and recurring weekly shows. The Tribeca branch of the 92nd St Y has been booking some insane comedy shows recently. I caught Zach Galifianakis there a few weeks ago and was mightily impressed by the performance space and the insane, reasonably priced beer list at the bar. Sound Fix in Williamsburg has free comedy every Wednesday and Thursday. Joe Mande and Noah Garfinkle host Totally J/K every Wednesday at 9:30pm, while Max Silvestri, Gabe Liedman and Jenny Slate host Big Terriffic at 8:00pm on Thursdays. These shows fill the void left by the demise of Rififi and its staples Invite Them Up and The Greg Johnson & Larry Murphy Show by attracting big names like Zach Galifianakis, Sarah Silverman, Janeane Garofalo, Todd Barry, Eugene Mirman, and zillions more. Speaking of Greg Johnson, he's got a free show every Sunday at Pianos. And speaking of Invite Them Up, former host Bobby Tisdale now has a semi-regular, RSVP only show happening in Greenpoint called Wards of Merkin. It's usually $10 and there's usually free booze and top shelf comedians. And don't forget that the UCB Theater and The Pit have calendars bursting with options as does Comix's underground lair Ochi's. And that's just barely scratching the surface of the goings ons. Below are some shows currently on my radar...

Continue reading "NYC comedy @ 92Y, SoundFix, Comix, Pianos, UCB, places"