BH photos by David Andrako, UH photos by Ryan Muir

Saturday was the biggest day for the 2011 Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival which started with just one show at the Bell House on Thursday, and continued with one show each at the Bell House and Union Hall on Friday. Saturday looked like this:

6 PM @ Bell House: The Archer Variety Hour (and Panel)

9 PM @ Bell House: The Talent Show Presents: The Drunk Show

6:30 PM @ Union Hall: An Evening Of Very Likable Comedians

8:30 PM @ Union Hall: The Rick Jenkins Comedy Studio Showcase

The first show at Union Hall featured Ron Funches, Tom Allen, Craig Baldo, Jena Friedman, Damien Lemon and Greg Johnson. The next was with Rick Jenkins, Ken Reid, Rick Canavan, Erin Judge, Matt D, Mehran Khaghani, Myq Kaplan, and Lamont Price.

The first show at the Bell House was moderated by Eugene and had Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Jessica Walter, Chris Parnell, Amber Nash, Lucky Yates and executive producer Matt Thompson. That was preceded by a talent show involving the Archer cast. Miss Whitney says, "You guys. The Archer Variety Hour at the Bell House earlier tonight was pretty fucking fantastic... enjoy H. Jon Benjamin's performance of "Non-Dueling Banjos." (video below)" The late show was the 'Drunk Show' hosted by Kevin Townley and Elna Baker featuring John Hodgman, Ira Glass, Rachel Maddow, Eugene Mirman, Jodi Lennon, Leo Allen, Dan St. Germain and Ptolemy Slocum.

The 'Drunk Show' kicked off with Rachel Maddow being interviewed by Hodgman while she made several cocktails from the Savoy Cocktail Book. The show had the participants drinking, arm wrestling "wheelchair style", and ended with a karaoke sing along to "Do They Know Its Christmas."

More pictures from the whole night, both venues, below...

Continue reading "Eugene Mirman Fest 2011 --- Day 3 in pics (Rachel Maddow, John Hodgman, Jon Benjamin, Ira Glass & many more)"

by Klaus Kinski

Kristen Schaal & Eugene Mirman (more by David Andrako)

When the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival reared it's beautiful head for the first time in 2008, the sheer magnitude of the thing was really and truly mind-blowing; 10 epic shows, 4 nights, 2 venues. And for reasons which I can't fully explain because I don't quite understand them myself, I thought the festival would be a one-off thing. The whole thing had a slight whiff of irony, like it was lampooning the very concept of a comedy festival. Then the sucker was back in 2009 with a similar formula; 10 epic shows, 4 nights, 2 venues, and loads of shiver-inducing top-shelf talent. "Huh," I thought, "Maybe this really is something I can look forward to as an annual event." Then, BAM, Fall 2010 comes around and with it The 2010 Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival. That time around, the festival included The Rock Shop as a third venue (note: did you get your 8/27 Ted Leo tix yet?) and featured yet another magnificent roster of talent.

Well folks, it's nearly Fall 2011 and I have some really bad news for the humorless, hummus-eating commenters out there and really GREAT news for everyone else; The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival is BACK and will take over the Bell House and Union Hall from September 15-18, 2011. And as with previous years, the 2011 Fest is sure to blow the toupee or merkin right off your body. Expect appearances from H. Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, Jon Glaser as Bobby Tisdale, Aisha Tyler, Matt Thompson, Adam Reed, Jessica Walters, Jon Hodgman, Ira Glass and way way way way way more. Brace yourself, the whole schedule with ticket info is below. Check out the coverage and news from past fests to get an idea how truly remarkable they have been.

Hey. If you think I'm done talking about Eugene Mirman, you are so fucking wrong bro. Because there is another important aspect of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival that I've mentioned before but absolutely bears repeating; The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival Kickstarter page. No, Eugene didn't have a DIY venue packed with $40K worth of stuff that he forgot to insure that was subsequently robbed. The Festival costs a lot of money to produce, and the talent and people behind the scenes bust their asses to make it work for little or no money. The purpose of the Kickstarter is to amass a solid kitty (a pool of money, especially one to which a number of people have contributed for a designated purpose) that Festival organizers can use to produce a series of shows that will knock your socks off. Ticket costs can only cover so much. I donated because I am not an idiot who thinks this money is going to line some doofus' pockets; I donated because I know everyone who sees these shows will end up reaping the rewards of our collective generosity. Currently at 81%, The Kickstarter Campaign ends on AUGUST 17th, which is like so soon, so please donate and make this an amazing festival for EVERYONE.

In other Mirman-related news, be advised that there is a Pretty Good Friends 5 Year Anniversary Show happening at The Bell House on Sunday, August 21 at 7:30pm featuring the great David Cross, AD Miles, and more. Tickets are $15 and are currently on sale. Get em while they last. And if you find yourself in riot stricken London at some point between October 5th and October 15th, catch one of many Pretty Good Friends shows happening at the Soho Theater. Tickets are on sale. Don't be a pratt, wanker. Shag baby! Oh, behave! Don't give me that codswallop!

Mirman Fest schedule below...

Continue reading "Eugene Mirman Comedy Fest 2011 -- lineup & tix"

Walter Schreifels with Rival Schools at Irving Plaza (more by Tim Griffin)

Walter Schreifels in concert doesn't just mean it will be the hardcore veteran playing his Martin acoustic. For a few dates (so far), Walter Schriefels (the band) will play shows in the northeast, including one on June 17th in NYC at The Studio @ Webster Hall. Ticket info is forthcoming. Expect a mix of "everything" (Quicksand, Gorilla Biscuits, covers...), except Rival Schools since they are currently active. The band is:

vocals & guitar: Walter Schreifels
bass: Arthur Smilios (GB, CIV)
drums: Andy Action (2 Skinnee J's)
guitar: Dave Hill (Valley Lodge, Children of the Unicorn, Cobra Verde)

If you've ever seen comedian Dave Hill play guitar, you know he can shred (usually) in addition to telling jokes. He knows his shredders too. Catch his band Valley Lodge as "the house band for Triumph the Insult Comic Dog Presents Bonnapoo 2009" in the Bonnaroo comedy tent. Catch Dave's hilarious live comedy show, The Dave Hill Explosion, next at UCB in NYC on May 21st with special guests Takka Takka and Ira Glass.

Walter Schreifels' other venture, Rival Schools, are scheduled to play a few dates with Eagles of Death Metal, including NYC on August 6th at Webster Hall. Tickets are still on sale. Rival Schools is working on their new album, the follow-up to United By Fate and first album since reuniting.

All dates below...

Continue reading "Walter Schreifels playing (solo) shows with a new band (including Dave Hill) & some w/ Rival Schools - 2009 dates "

by Andrew Frisicano

Master storyteller Ira Glass took to the stage with illustrious composer Philip Glass at St. Ann's Warehouse on Tuesday [April 18th] for an intimate evening of music and conversation. In a time when little is for certain at most not-for-profit institutions, the success of the "Glass on Glass" benefit has ensured the theater's next season.

Ira Glass, host and producer of public radio show "This American Life," asked questions of Philip Glass, who alternately riffed on a gleaming Yamaha and answered Ira's questions about the method and processes that lead to his great musical successes.

To hear him explain it, though, Philip's work is not particularly innovative, nor necessarily 'new.' His compositions flow from natural, simple chord experimentation, he said, as he challenges himself to answer questions such as 'How do you achieve coherency without formality?' or 'How do you make it sound as if you have three hands?'

Ira asked if Philip might play one of his shorter pieces -- a prelude, for example. After illustrating the chord structure he said lightly, "I assure you, there is nothing else in the piece. But it'll take me six minutes to convince you of that." [Brooklyn Eagle]

Philip Glass will be speaking again, this Saturday, May 9th at Cooper Union. The event is titled "Art, Creativity and Tibetan Buddhism," and Glass will be joined by Gelek Rimpoche, Francesco Clemente, and Michael Imperioli. It's a benefit for Jewel Heart, a non-profit that "supports the preservation of Tibetan culture and Tibetan Buddhism." Tickets are on sale now.

On top of his speaking events, there are also a number of upcoming chances to catch Philip Glass' music. One of the best is Signal's performance of Glass' Symphony No. 3 and Suite from The Hours, with pianist Michael Riesman and conductor Brad Lubman, at Le Poisson Rouge on Sunday, May 17th. Tickets are still on sale.

New work by Glass will be showcased at the opening celebration/benefit for the 2009 World Science Festival at Alice Tully Hall on Wednesday, June 10th.

The evening's festivities will include the New York premiere of "LIFE: A Journey Through Time"--a moving and majestic concert piece, specially adapted for the World Science Festival, setting the lyrical imagery of National Geographic photographer Frans Lanting to an original score by the renowned composer Philip Glass, and performed by the Orchestra of St. Luke's under the baton of acclaimed conductor Marin Alsop.

Tickets to that run between $100 and $1,000.

At the same venue, on Saturday, July 25th, pianists Dennis Russell Davies and Maki Namekawa will perform the US and North American premiere of Glass' Four Movements for Two Pianos, as part of this year's Lincoln Center Festival. Also on the program for that is "the New York premiere of Chen Yi's China West Suite, as well as four hand piano versions of contemporary works by Stravinsky and Steve Reich." Tickets are on sale.

Finally, if "free" is more your price range, the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park is presenting The Bacchae by Euripides, featuring a score by Philip Glass, from August 11th - 30th.

This visionary interpretation, featuring a lush choral score by Philip Glass, re-imagines the classic story about what happens when a government attempts to outlaw desire.

Reserved seats are available for those who'd like to become "summer supporters" of the free performances. Info on how to get free tickets below. The shows will be held at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

More information on Shakespeare in the park and the Jewel Heart benefit, plus videos of Glass' Symphony No.3 and The Hours and a clips of the other Glass on The Colbert Report, below...

Continue reading "Philip Glass spoke w/ Ira Glass + Upcoming Glass benefits, talks & performances (Shakespeare in the Park included)"

by Andrew Frisicano

St. Ann's Warehouse is hosting its spring benefit, "A Gala Evening with Philip Glass + Ira Glass," on Tuesday, April 28th. The pair will engage in the "World Premiere Performance of Glass on Glass, a one-time-only evening with cousins, composer Philip Glass and master storyteller, Ira Glass, host of public radio's This American Life."

Tickets for the event, which run in $150, $350, and $1,000 packages, are on sale now.

Another upcoming benefit, for the Children's Health Fund, features a performance by Willie Nelson (with CHF co-founder Paul Simon) on Wednesday, May 27th at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Tower. Hillary Rodham Clinton and other notables will be in attendance as well.

To reserve a spot for that event, contribute between $1000 and $100,000 to the CHF (thx rajohn for the tip).

Willie recently played at the Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis in February, and has a US tour coming up. The closest stop to NYC on that is a show at New Brunswick, NJ's State Theatre on Saturday, April 18th. Tickets are on sale. All dates below..

Philip Glass tracks "Prophecies" and "Pruitt Igoe" from Koyaanisqatsi were recently featured in The Watchmen, and PBS is in the middle of screening GLASS: A Portrait of Philip Glass in Twelve Parts, a 12-part doc on the composer as part of its American Masters series.

The night after the St. Ann's benefit, Wednesday, April 29th, Glass' work will be performed by Michael Riesman, director of the Philip Glass Ensemble, at new downtown venue The Greene Space. The music will be integrated into a radio theatre performance of The Invisible Man.

On May 17th, "Signal performs Philip Glass' Symphony No. 3 and Suite from The Hours with pianist Michael Riesman, conducted by Brad Lubman at (Le) Poisson Rouge in New York City." (Tickets are on sale.)

Part of Glass' Koyaanisqatsi, Willie Nelson's best-of compilation infomercial video, and tour dates, below...

Continue reading "Philip & Ira Glass; Willie Nelson, Paul Simon play benefits & other upcoming shows "

Mike Birbiglia's new show Sleepwalk With Me "just started this new post-show talk-back segment called 'An Awkward Ten Minutes With Mike' where Mike brings on a friend of his after the show to share a previously untold uncomfortable story (going along with the whole telling uncomfortable stories theme of SWM). The first Awkward Ten Minutes guest was Nathan Lane and it was a total hit. And this Thursday (12/11), we've got Zach Galifianakis coming!"

You can get tickets at Telecharge.com, or call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200. Tickets are kind of pricey at $49.50, BUT "a limited number of tickets are also available 1 hour before the show (in this case, 7 pm) at the box office. Line forms outside the theater's main door (the one with the huge Mike Birbiglia face on it) - $25 (50% off!). Cash only - Bring valid student ID and/or proof of broke-ness (we're serious!)"

Ira Glass is the special guest on December 17th.

Photos by Ryan Muir

While millions were home watching the town hall debate betwen Barack Obama and John McCain, I was at Town Hall the venue missing it watching a variety of entertainers help raise money for 826NYC, an organization that helps educate children (Oct 7, 2008). The night went like this: Ira Glass came out and told a story. Then Thao Nguyen played two songs by herself. Zach from Rogue Wave was supposed to be with her, but he had to cancel. The Daily Show's John Oliver was the host and he was my favorite performer of the evening which was an extra bonus because he performed comedy between almost every other act.

Department of Eagles then played three songs - two of them as the core duo of Daniel and Fred and one just as Daniel. It was, as they pointed out, only their second show ever. Their first was the night before at the Bell House and was much longer, and I guess they weren't counting Conan where they only played two less songs than they did at Town Hall. Their album is out now (as they also pointed out).

Then 826NYC board president (and driver license-less) Sara Vowell pretended to be Sarah Palin unintelligently explaining what 826NYC is as 826NYC founder Dave Eggers told us what it was in an intelligent fashion. TV on the Radio's members did not perform music. Kyp Malone came out next and read a funny little story written by a kid at 826NYC and then (not counting John Oliver again) Paul Simon played four songs - three classics including "Mrs. Robinson", and one brand new song that he recently wrote and never played before. The new song felt the most special, but the old songs were definitely very great to hear from the legend in the somewhat intimate atmohsphere that is Town Hall. Paul was accompanied by one guy on guitar who also sang backup and played other instruments. You would think Paul would have played last, but I guess he wanted to get home early. After Paul came a surprise two song set by Angelique Kidjo who got the whole crowd to sing along with her and her guitar player.

And last but not least (well, maybe least), a whole group of people including TV on the Radio's Tunde Adibempe (showing off his acting side) and Parker Posey read a story about NY that was also a sorta-funny chapter from a book that was available for sale in the lobby. More pictures from the night below...

Continue reading "Revenge of The Bookeaters (Paul Simon, Department of Eagles, Thao Nguyen, Kyp Malone, etc) @ Town Hall - pics"

826NYC is hosting another "Revenge of the BookEaters" benefit show at Town Hall in NYC on October 7th. The headliner is none other than Paul Simon. Also on the bill: Ira Glass ("a story by"), Johnathan Franzen ("a play by"), Eric Bogosian ("read by"), a duet with Thao Nguyen & Zach Rogue, jokes by John Oliver, AND music by Department of Eagles. Expect each musical performer to play only a few songs, but for an overall special night. Maybe Paul Simon and Dan from DoE (and Grizzly Bear) will perform together (again). Department of Eagles play their first-ever (full) show only one day earlier at the Bell House.

Tickets for Revenge of the Bookeaters are ON SALE AT NOON.