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"

John Oliver is hosting/taping a "New York Stand-Up Show" at NYU's Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Saturday & Sunday - January 14-16...

"Stand-up Comedian and Daily Show correspondent, John Oliver, hosts a unique series of stand-up comedy shows for Comedy Central which feature some of America's most influential stand-up stars and great upcoming comics. Season 2 is sure to be amazing. Headliners this year include Greg Behrendt, Pete Holmes, Al Madrigal and Maria Bamford as well as these great comics Brendon Walsh, Kyle Kinane, Anthony Jeselnik, Marina Franklin, Jen Kirkman, Deon Cole, Mike Lawrence, Kumail Nanjiani, Rory Albanese, Glenn Wool, Moshe Kasher, Rory Scovel plus more tbd..."

Wyatt Cenac is doing something similar. Free tickets available.

Free weekly series Whiplash continues every Monday night at NYC's UCB Theater. Tonight's special guests are John Oliver, Rory Scovel & Mike Lawrence.

Reggie Watts and Daniel Pinchbeck are having "An Open Dialogue About the Future" at Cameo Gallery tonight (1/10) (doors at 9pm). On January 17th, 2011, Daniel Pinchbeck will host a screening of "2012, Time for a Change" at the same venue.

The Wednesday night free "Big Teriffic" show has been happening again at Cameo Gallery, and it will happen again on 1/12 and 1/19 (and probably after that!). Max Silvestri, Gabe Liedman, and Jenny Slate host. Other special guests perform too.

Hannibal Buress still hosts the free show every Sunday night at Knitting Factory. 1/16 promises Rory Scovel, Ben Lerman, Jermaine Fowler, John Mulaney & Rob Shapiro

Monthly show Variety Shac with Andrea Rosen returns to UCB on January 13th with special guests John Mulaney, Aasif Mandvi & Negin Farsad.

Joe Mande breaks out at Caroline's this Tuesday, January 11th. Tickets are on sale.

Neil Innes of Monty Python and The Rutles fame plays Highline Ballroom on May 10th. Tickets are on sale.

Did you miss all six appearances Patton Oswalt just made in NYC? If you live in Fargo, North Dakota you're in luck.

Did you miss the opening weekend of Daniel Kitson's show at St. Ann's Warehouse? Well, you have until January 30th to correct that!

Aziz Ansari's Carnegie Hall show happens on January 22nd. Tickets are still on sale.

Louis CK has a new CD and DVD entitled "Hilarious" which gets relesaed this Tuesday, 1/11. That's the cover art above. Have you seen it on Comedy Central? Well, the DVD is " uncensored and feature an additional 40 minutes of content not aired on TV." Check out the trailer/e-card thing below...

Continue reading "free John Oliver taping tickets, a Neil Innes show, Louis C.K. is 'Hilarious', Big Teriffic & other comedy shows & news"

The Tallest Man on Earth @ Town Hall in 2008 (more by Chris La Putt)

today in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* comedy @ Pianos
* Jim Campilongo @ Living Room
* M.I.A., Rye Rye @ Terminal 5
* Grant Hart, Remma @ Bruar Falls
* Jesse Harris, Spookhuisje @ Zebulon
* Breathe Owl Breathe, The Loom @ The Rock Shop
* Beach Fossils, Grass Widow, Oberhofer, Ovens @ Old Firehouse
* The Tallest Man On Earth, S. Carey @ Webster Hall
* Maximum Balloon (David Sitek DJ set) @ Other Music
* Teenage Fanclub, Radar Brothers @ Bowery Ballroom
* Ghastly City Sleep, Industries of the Blind, The Stationary Set, Heliotropes @ DBA
* Byron Westbrook, Keith Fullerton Whitman @ Issue Project Room
* Bobby Bare Jr., Blue Giant, Sallie Ford & Sound Outside, Thieving Irons @ Mercury Lounge
* Regina Spektor, Carina Round, Cooper, Jenny Owen Youngs, Jupiter One, Only Son, Rachel Platten, The Candles, Tracy Bonham, Wes Hutchinson (Daniel Cho Benefit) @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Tonight's Whiplash lineup includes John Oliver (The Daily Show), Josie Long, Myq Kaplan, Sean Patton, Rory Scovel, Nate Bargatze & Jarrod Harris. Last week, right after the Eugene Mirman Comedy Fest ended, Louis CK and Jim Gaffigan performed surprise sets on the bill that included Daniel Kitson and Reggie Watts.

Blank Dogs played Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos on 9/24. An (((unartig))) video from that show below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

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)"

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.

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"

Central Park Summerstage (more by Chris La Putt)

The schedule for the 2010 SummerStage series, which has music not just at Central Park, is out, and there are some great looking shows to highlight.

At Central Park, the first "rock" show happens on Saturday, June 5th with Living Colour, Ebony Bones!, Pillow Theory and CX KiDTRONiK. Baaba Maal, who just played Irving Plaza, will be at Central Park too on Monday, June 14th The Tinariwen show on Saturday, June 26th also features Syrian beat & mikeman Omar Souleyman. Gil Scott-Heron plays Central Park in June and Marcus Garvey Park in August.

There's also El Guincho, Bostich and Fussible and others in Central Park on July 7th. Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff plays Central Park on Sunday, July 11th. Raphael Saadiq performs there Saturday, July 17 at 3pm. The Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba/Fool's Gold show on Sunday, July 25th will also feature "West African electronica" band Burkina Electric.

On Wednesday, July 21st, there'll be a Comedy Central's The Daily Show and Friends Central Park gig hosted by Lewis Black with John Oliver, Rob Riggle, Wyatt Cenac, Adam Lowitt and Rory Albanese.

There's also music from St. Vincent, Tune-Yards and Basia Bulat on August 1st at Central Park. The xx play with Jack Penate and Chairlift there on August 8th. At the same spot, Public Enemy play an August 15th day show to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Fear of A Black Planet, and the Specials play on August 22nd with Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears and $mall ¢hange.

The borough-wide shows kick off with Jay Electronica in Red Hook Park on June 1st. Also at that park is Dan Deacon on Tuesday, June 15th. White Rabbits play East River Park on August 12th.

There's lots of great jazz too: McCoy Tyner plays with Ravi Coltrane, Esperanza Spalding and Francisco Mela as part of the CareFusion Jazz Festival on June 23rd. He also plays in the Charlie Parker Jazz Fest, which comes at the end of the summer with an incredible lineup. McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Scott, Jason Moran and the Bandwagon and Revive da Live play during the day at Marcus Garvey on Saturday, August 28th. Then the next day, James Moody, Catherine Russell, Vijay Iyer and The JD Allen Trio play at Tompkins Square Park.

The park benefit shows include John Butler Trio and State Radio on June 15th (tickets on sale), The Flaming Lips on July 26th, The Black Keys with the Morning Benders on July 27th and 28th, Hot Chip/Hercules & Love Affair/Holy Ghost on August 4th, Govt' Mule on August 11th (tickets), and one of the four Pavement shows September 21-24. Plus there's a "songbook of Simon & Garfunkel" benefit on June 8th.

Not all "Summerstage" shows are in Central Park anymore which drives home the point even further that the name of the venue in Central Park is actually "Rumsey Playfield" which hosts non-"Summerstage" shows too. Those so far include Coheed/Torche, CAKE, Ween, and Broken Social Scene.

The full Summerstage free show schedule is below...

Continue reading "Summerstage (Central Park & elsewhere) - full 2010 lineup "

...with Liam McEneaney, John Oliver, Caroline Rhea, Kristen Schaal & more TBA @ Comix in NYC on December 8th.

photos by Andrew Frisicano

"...big thanks to S.I.T. & Die, The Black Lips, John Oliver, Gary Panter and Joshua White. YLT tour phase 2 begins Friday in Montreal!" - Yo La Tengo

DOWNLOAD: Yo La Tengo - Here to Fall (MP3)

"YLT augmented their show with a light show by Joshua White and Gary Panter projected on a large screen at the rear of the stage. It very much reminded me of the time they played The Sounds Of Science at the Prospect Park Bandshell, but this time without the angry octopus. From the Mezzanine, I had a good vantage point from which to spy the setup. The band played on the stage where you'd expect them to be while the light show crew of about ten people worked behind the screen.

Pretty nifty! It resulted in a great psychedelic backdrop which pulsated and evolved with the trippy music, kinda like seeing the old Pink Floyd laser light show at the Hayden Planetarium, except live and more organic. [During] "Here To Fall"...they brought on a small troupe of accompanying strings" [QbertPlaya]

Andrew stopped by the show last night (9/25) and took some pics, but he got there too late to see opener Black Lips (who after the show went to Brooklyn and caused some WAVVES-related trouble). He did see host John Oliver, and Susquehanna Industrial Tool and Die Co, who were playing in the lobby, though. How was the show? More of his pictures below...

Continue reading "Yo La Tengo played Roseland Ballroom w/ Black Lips, a fancy light show & a band in the lobby (pics) "

Yura Yura Teikoku

As promised, Yo La Tengo added some more names to the bill of their September 25th NYC show at Roseland Ballroom that already includes opening an set by Black Lips, and a set in the lobby by Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co (tickets). I'm not sure if this is the final update, but there are two more additions. Joshua White & Gary Panter Light Show will be there (I guess doing a light show), and John Oliver of the Daily Show will be hosting (and presumably telling some jokes). I have one pair of tickets to giveaway. Details below.

Yura Yura Teikoku opened for Yo La Tengo at shows on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week...

"Warming up the stage with a lean blast of angular guitar rock, Japanese trio Yura Yura Teikoku was a fitting opener, just as interested in its music's fringes as the headliners so obviously were." [Boston Globe]

"But for me -- and several bewildered folks I spoke with during and after the show -- the night belonged to Yura Yura Teikoku, a Tokyo-based psych-rock trio that opened the show. Sweet holy hell. They might be my new favorite band. I even bought a CD at the show, which I rarely do -- mostly because I typically already have CDs sent to me from bands playing shows at HG. And also 'cuz I'm cheap." [Solid State]

Continue reading "updated Yo La Tengo tour dates, NYC show additions, Yura Yura Teikoku in Brooklyn (tonight) & some free tickets"

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"

The above flyer points out that there will be a free show this Friday at Santos Party House in NYC with comedian Jon Glaser, Andrew WK, and Cheeseburger all on the bill. The below list contains the special guests that will be appearing at Mike Birbiglia's Sleepwalk With Me show during the month of February...

Continue reading "Jon Glaser hosts a free Andrew WK/Cheeseburger show, Mike Birbiglia hosts Matthew Broderick and others"

Eugene Mirman's new book The Will to Whatevs will be releaed on February 10, 2009. Coincedentally that is the same day he is having a party celebrating the release of the book at The Bell House in Brooklyn. Sarah Vowell is DJing, and John Oliver, John Hodgman, Kristen Schaal, Paul F. Tompkins, and "more special guests" are also performing at the $15.00 show.

Also on Eugene's calendar: four headlining shows at Comix in January. Actually:

@ COMIX in NYC
Jan 02 (early) - Todd Barry
Jan 02 (late) - Todd Barry
Jan 03 (early) - Todd Barry
Jan 09 (early) - Aziz Ansari
Jan 09 (late) - Aziz Ansari
Jan 10 (early) - Aziz Ansari
Jan 10 (late) - Aziz Ansari
Jan 03 (late) - Todd Barry
Jan 16 (early) - Eugene Mirman
Jan 16 (late) - Eugene Mirman
Jan 17 (early) - Eugene Mirman
Jan 17 (late) - Eugene Mirman

BUT/AND/ALSO, unlike Todd Barry and Paul F. Tompkins, Eugene Mirman will NOT be opening any of the Yo La Tengo shows this year. All of Eugene's dates below...

Continue reading "Eugene Mirman's new book, parties, special guests, Comix shows & other tour dates (but no Yo La Tengo)"

John Oliver @ South Street Seaport (EV Radio Fest) by Chris LaPutt

MON 12/15: 7:30pm / $25
TELL YOUR FRIENDS! THERE'S NO CHRISTMAS IN DARFUR!
A comedy benefit for Save Darfur. Hosted by Liam McEneaney.
JOHN OLIVER
TODD BARRY
GREG GIRALDO / EDDIE BRILL / ANDRES DUBOUCHET
and way more! PLUS: The Comedy Nerd raffle, with prizes from The Onion, Comedy Central, Comix, more... PRODUCED BY: Liam McEneaney and Jessica Flores

David Cross and Dave Hill are performing at another benefit at Knitting Factory on December 8th.

Dave Hill's next Explosion takes place at UCB on December 18th.

Mike Birbiglia stars in the new show Sleepwalk With Me.

Stella & Demetri Martin have cheap/small-venue shows coming up.

The holiday edition of Eugene Mirman's show Tearing the Veil of Maya takes place at Union Hall on December 7th ("on sale soon").

Sara Schaefer will be Conrad of Takka Takka's guest at "Outsmarted: The Music Trivia Night" at The Bell House on December 1st (free).

"HANUKKAH with HOT SAUCE!" is the name of a show at UCB on December 26th. Add it to the list of other Hanukkah-related events happening in NYC this year.

John Oliver opened for Yo La Tengo at one of their 2007 Hanukkah shows at Maxwell's. Watch a video from that show - John is discussing "alternative energy - below...

Continue reading "John Oliver, Todd Barry, Mike Birbiglia, Dave Hill, benefits & other comedy shows "

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"

Continue reading "Nick Kroll & John Mulaney - Comix shows & a taping"

Day-Long Festival Marks 5th Anniversary of Premier Internet Radio Station

Line Up Includes Awesome Color, Vivian Girls, High Places, Dr. Lonnie Smith, The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Flying Lotus, Ólöf Arnalds, and Devin the Dude, as well as John Oliver of The Daily Show

Continue reading "South Street Seaport East Village Radio Music Fest lineup "

photos by Kyle Dean Reinford

John Darnielle (aka The Mountain Goats) played solo at Friday night's benefit show at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple (May 16, 2008). He took fan suggestions for the setlist which ended up including a lot of older stuff that he usually doesn't play, as well as a new song called "Wizard Buys A Hat," which he said is the worst song title he's ever written. Rock Plaza Central, John Oliver and Dave Hill were also on the bill. More pictures from the evening below....

Continue reading "the Mountain Goats (John Darnielle), Dave Hill, John Oliver & Rock Plaza Central @ Brooklyn Masonic Temple, NYC - pics"

Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices) and John Oliver (The Daily Show) will be Dave Hill's guests at the UCB Theatre in NYC on May 22nd.

Dave Hill and John Oliver are also playing that benefit with The Mountain Goats and Rock Plaza Central at Brooklyn Masonic Temple this Friday May 16th. Tickets are still on sale!

John Oliver is also taping his show "Political Animal" @ UCB on May 21st.

Mike Birbiglia does 60 Minutes of New Comedy @ UCB on May 15th & 23rd.

Demetri Martin and Dave Hill and many other comedians will also perform at Gelmania at Rififi TONIGHT (May 14). Flyer below....

Continue reading "Doug Gillard, John Oliver, Dave Hill, Demetri Martin, etc.."

DOWNLOAD: The Mountain Goats - Palmcorder Yajna (MP3)

Hodgman, Oliver & Darnielle (The Three Johns) (Lalitree)

March 19, 2008 Australian Tour Cancelled

As some Australian ticketholders have already heard, we have had to cancel the Australian tour. This is really devastating for us to do. Everybody knows I don't cancel a show unless I absolutely have to; what's worse, coming to Australia is the highlight of our year. So many of our favorite shows ever are from our Australian tours, and we were excited about showing everyone the full-band lineup. The note sent out by our wonderful Australian agents, Handsome Tours, says "for personal medical reasons," and that says as much as need be said; if it weren't serious, I would be leaving for Oz next week, believe me. You'll be doing me a great favor if you keep me in your thoughts and prayers, and if you know in your heart that I don't play around in doing right by the people I love: I will be back to make this up to you.

Thank you for your understanding and again I am really really sorry. Love to you all

John D.

For more Mtn Goats, check out a feature on NPR and an article at the Guardian about his love for monsters and Black Sabbath.

words by Jon Roren, photos by Marianne Ways

DOWNLOAD: Cobra Krames - What More Time! (MP3)

Karin, Bobby and the time capsule @ Rififi, Feb 25, 2008

Invite Them Up has been a mainstay on the Downtown comedy scene for about six years, and has played host to many great talents. This week sees the end of ITU's run as a weekly show, with shows on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night to celebrate more than a half-decade of fart jokes and fireballs. If you're coming on Wednesday, bring something for the fancy time capsule.

John Oliver

Host Bobby Tisdale got night one-of-three underway with his patented rubbing of the microphone on some dude's balls before bringing up opening comic Greg Johnson - the co-host of the ECNY award-winning Rififi variety show 'Greg Johnson and Larry Murphy Show'. Johnson was followed by Michael Showalter whose set consisted of one of his trademark "showbiz rants" - this one about how he was only 3rd-to-last-night material and that he clearly wasn't good enough for Wednesday night before trying to tell jokes about shows nobody in the audience had seen.

Continue reading "Invite Them Up, night 1 of 3 final shows (pics & recap) "

The dB's @ Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ - Dec 6, 2007 (CRED)

more below...

Continue reading "Jim James, Superchunk Mac, John Oliver & Eugene Mirman as Hanukkah w/ Yo La Tengo continues"

The Onion Holiday Rampage will be taking place at Crash Mansion on December 18, 2007 and it is a whopper. This evening of wonder will be hosted by the great Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler and feature the comedy of John Oliver and Jim Gaffigan as well as the music of Northern State and Celebration. Tickets for this 21+ show are $15.00 and can be purchased at ticketweb. Proceeds from the show will go to benefit 826 NYC.

Last year's party was a bit of a fiasco. Let's hope a public onsale through ticketweb will make things a bit smoother. -Klaus

----

In related news, Celebration play their headlining show at Bowery Ballroom TONIGHT (Nov 28, 2007). Holy Fuck & Effi Breast open. I have two pairs of tickets to give away. Details on how to win, the Onion flyer, and more tour dates, below....

Continue reading "Onion Holiday party, Celebration & a ticket contest"

Andrew WK, Kurt Braunohler, John Oliver, Leo Allen - Aug 20, 2007 (CRED)

The UCB Theater played host to a freaking stupendous edition of Bro'In Out with Leo and Tony. The show, which featured guests Andrew WK, Jon Oliver, Kurt Braunohler and music by Sam Bisbee, may be the comedy highlight of my summer. The show kicked-off with a sedate and chill Andrew WK discussing his recent lectures and motivational speeches which I found quite interesting. I find his theme of blocking out the bad, letting in the good, and making sure you feel happy and fulfilled all the time a bit unrealistic though - for me at least. WK was followed by Hot Tub Variety co-host Kurt Braunohler who delivered a monologue about fathering thousands of children all over the country. I pretty much laughed throughout the entire monologue and pray he performs it again soon. Up next was Daily Show correspondent Jon Oliver. I should point out that at this point in the show the guests and hosts had just about finished an entire bottle of absinthe, and that the effects were totally dictating the direction of the show. When Jon Oliver hit the stage it was pretty much a free-for-all with guests and hosts talking over each other and just having a blast. One stand-out line occured during a back-and-forth between bartender Jawnee and Jon Oliver when Oliver exclaimed "Giving you alcohol is like giving a child a tambourine." Finally, Sam Bisbee came out to close out the evening with a few songs, one of which was the most touching ode to his little daughter. He was fantastic and brought the energy back down to a normal, non-manic level. I left the show sore. These pics truly capture the essence of the experience.

And speaking of shows, we're giving away a pair of tickets to the next installment of ROFL at Joe's Pub on August 31, 2007. To enter, send us an e-mail at BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (subject: ROFL), and tell us the last thing that made you ROFL. Include your first and last name. One winner will be picked at random and contacted. ROFL! is high art, low humor, YouTube video, Myspace weirdness, flash animation, web memes, conceptual puzzles, original film and non-sequiturs galore.

A few weeks ago Stephen Colbert broke his wrist. Bid on the actual cast.

NYC comedy staple Variety Shac (featuring Heather Lawless, Chelsea Peretti, Andrea Rosen, and Shonali Bhowmik) is having a monster DVD release party on September 21st at the Knitting Factory. This evening of music, comedy, and shorts will have special guests including Zach Galifianakis, Fred Armisen, and Cory Arcangel. The show is on a Friday and tickets are only $8! Check out the sweet flyer.

Speaking of Fred Armisen.... Fred's been working on a new short video series called ThunderAnt with ex-Sleater-Kinney guitarist/vocalist Carrie Brownstein. A while back Fred and Carrie did a short called Boink! Look for the premiere of the newest video sometime soon on Stereogum.

Keep reading for more upcoming comedy shows, more news, tour dates, and just more stuff....

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