Brooke Shields and Tom Scharpling (via Patrick Cotnoir)

Tom Scharpling, Ted Leo, and Marianne Ways put together "A Very Special Benefit Show" on Friday (12/7) at the Bell House with a great lineup of Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Chris Elliott (joined by Adam Resnick), John Hodgman, Jon Benjamin, Julie Klausner (joined by Gary the Squirrel), Andrew W.K., Kristen Schaal, previously revealed surprise guests TItus Andronicus, and a secret appearance by Brooke Shields. The show began with an intro by Ted Leo and Tom Scharpling, and then the many acts began their (relatively short) sets with auctions spliced in between. Later on in the show, Tom and Ted returned to the stage together to interview Brooke Shields, and before Andrew WK's closing set, Ted played a song on stage with the auction winner. To end the night, after Andrew WK's set, he was joined on stage by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists and members of Titus for a killer cover of "Louie Louie." A picture of the setlist from the show is below.

Ted Leo was also added to the previously mentioned Concert & Comedy For Sandy Animals: Benefit for the Sean Casey Animal Rescue, which takes place at Littlefield TONIGHT (12/9) with Michael Showalter, Casey Shea, The National Reserve, Jena Friedman, Colleen Pelletier (video), and Rawan Rihani (art). Supercute were initially supposed to play but they had to cancel. Tickets for tonight's show are still available.

In case you missed it, Tom Scharpling also made the mix tape for the first of Yo La Tengo's eight Hanukkah shows last night (12/8). Last night's openers were The Raybeats and Emo Philips. Any guesses on who opens tonight?

Setlist from the Tom Scharpling benefit below...

Continue reading "Ted Leo played The Bell House w/ many guests (like Brooke Shields & Titus) (setlist), added to tonight's benefit at Littlefield"

Eugene Mirman at his 2012 Comedy Fest (more by David Andrako)

Eugene Mirman, who performed at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin earlier this week (11/4), continues to do his 'Pretty Good Friends' show at Union Hall every Sunday, and he'll also be doing one at The Bell House on November 25 to benefit Hurricane Sandy Relief dubbed "A Very Funny 'Fuck You' To Sandy." In addition to Mirman, the lineup for the show includes Jon Glaser, Wyatt Cenac, Mike Birbiglia, Michael Che, and more. Tickets are on sale now and 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Brooklyn Recovery Fund.

In related news, Eugene Mirman's animated FOX show with Kristen Schaal and others, Bob's Burgers, will be returning for a fourth season.

Eugene is also one of the guests at the Comedy for NYWC show at Highline Ballroom on December 2 with Janeane Garofalo and Dave Hill. But as mentioned, Mike Birbligia, who plays the Bell House show with Mirman, is no longer listed on the lineup of that show, but "special guests" still are.

As mentioned, Wyatt Cenac began his new weekly 'Night Train' comedy show at Littlefield last night (11/5), replacing Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler's now-defunct 'Hot Tub' show that used to happen on Mondays at the Brooklyn venue.

Speaking of Janeane Garofalo, she'll be at Tell Your Friends at Union Hall on Wednesday (11/7) with Liam McEneaney (who hosts an election viewing party at The Bell House tonight), Frank Conniff, Tanya O'Debra, host Victory Varnado, and house band AM to AM.

Public Enemy at ATP NJ 2011 (more by Dana (distortion) Yavin)

today in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Chica Libre @ Barbes
* Brain Cloud @ Barbes
* Jon Bibbs @ Joe's Pub
* Daniel Higgs @ Zebulon
* DJ Muro @ Bowery Electric
* Tony Scherr @ Living Room
* Urban Tango Trio @ Joe's Pub
* NYC Broken Comedy @ Bar Matchless
* The Campilongo Quartet @ Living Room
* The Gowanus All-Stars @ The Rock Shop
* Ladysmith Black Mambazo @ City Winery
* Public Enemy, Salt-N-Pepa @ Wingate Park
* The Mystery Lights, Brontide @ Mercury Lounge
* Dirt Done Cheap, Snakes and Arrows @ BB King's
* Kristen Schaal's last-ever Hot Tub @ Littlefield
* Blizzardo, No Glow, Motion Studies @ Cameo Gallery
* Kool A.D., Fat Tony, Lakutis, Tecla @ Mercury Lounge
* Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir @ Union Pool
* Bombay Bicycle Club, Plants and Animals @ Webster Hall
* A Silent Film, Anchor & Braille, Carousel @ Bowery Ballroom
* Gary War, White Out, Hahn Rowe, No Fun Acid @ Le Poisson Rouge
* This Is Cinema, North America, Dutch E Germ, Wet Hop @ Cake Shop
* Team Spirit, The Static Jacks, Beast Make Bomb, Our Mountain @ The Studio at Webster Hall

BrooklynVegan is presenting a free screening of "Celeste and Jesse Forever" tonight at 7 PM at Landmark Sunshine Cinema.

Tonight is Kristen Schaal's last-ever Hot Tub before she moves to LA. Tonight's sold out show is with Janeane Garofalo, Eugene Mirman, Leo Allen, and a "secret surprise guest."

Follow @BrooklynVegan on Twitter.
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Be our friend on Facebook too, and BV Austin's friend on Facebook and BV Chicago's friend on Facebook.

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Liars have a new video for "Brats." Check it out below.

Alaric have a new video for "Weep." Check it out below.

Frankie Rose has a new video for "Know Me." Check it out below.

Witchcraft has a new song called "It's Not Because of You," which you can stream below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

by Klaus Kinski

Mike Birbiglia cutting Kristen Schaal cake in Williamsburg (more by David Andrako)

I have a summer cold. An endless supply of watery snot is dripping down the back of my throat into my lungs and out my nostrils onto my mustache (which is part of a larger beard. I don't have just a mustache. Perish the thought). The air conditioning in my windowless office is relentless and exacerbating my various body aches. I am listening to "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking" by Roger Waters and my office is currently lit by a single light bulb. The scene is... grim. But there's a silver lining. I just noticed that Klaus favorite Mike Birbiglia is going to be performing at the ever-so-tiny Union Hall on Sunday July 29th at 7:30pm. Tickets are currently on sale, but don't dawdle because they're going to be gone faster than you can say "Linsanity."

Mike recently had the honor of kicking off BAMcinemafest back in June with the premiere of his directorial debut movie Sleepwalk With Me, which he also starred in and which is based on his blockbuster one man show of the same name. Tons of Birbiglia dates are listed below.

He also performed at the big Williamsburg Park edition of Pretty Good Friends. More pictures from that show (Jon Hamm and Bobcat Goldthwait included) HERE and a couple more below with all Birbigs dates...

Continue reading "Mike Birbiglia performed at Pretty Good Friends (pics), playing Union Hall on Sunday before tour (dates)"

by Klaus Kinski

Eugene Mirman at The Bell House, Sept. 2011 (more by David Andrako)

I mentioned some upcoming comedy-type events yesterday, but here are a few more shows of note that I forgot to mention. On Wednesday August 1st, 826NYC will play host to an event called 826NYC Presents Dueling Bingo. 826NYC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write. At the event, whose goal is to raise money for 826NYC and their various endeavors...

...you will go head to head against other players, including actress Catherine Keener, comedian Eugene Mirman, author Sarah Vowell, writer and producer Eric Gilliland, actor Scott Adsit, actress Kathy Najimy, and actor and musician Dan Finnerty to win fabulous prizes while supporting the free literacy programs of 826NYC.

There is a $25 registration fee and you must raise at least $100 to qualify for play. This event floats my boat on three levels. First off, I am a huge proponent of literacy in young adults and children. True imagination and articulate minds are a dying commodity and if we don't perpetuate the cycle of literacy we don't have much of a future people. Second, good line-up! Scott Adsit dude! Eugene Mirman! The voice of Peggy Hill! NO DOUBT this is going to be hella fun. Lastly, I LOVE BINGO! Back when I was a young man living in small town USA I used to sometimes go to my local Elks Lodge on Bingo night and play along with the old timers. They were a quiet lot when the numbers were being called, but between games and during snacktime... man, the stories they'd tell! They even let me take pictures during gameplay one night back in 1998. Instill the desire to learn in the young and respect your elders people!

Not feeling charitable but still want something funny to entertain yourself with on August 1st? Then perhaps you should head over to the Bell House! For on August 1st, the Bell House will play host to TELL YOUR FRIENDS! SUMMER FUN SPLASHTACULAR! The show will be hosted by the great Liam Mceneaney and feature Janeane Garofalo, Wyatt Cenac, Todd Barry, and musical guest The Starlight Girls.

Symphony Space, where I suffered permanent hearing damage during a Melvins/Keiji Haino live scoring of Cameron Jamie films, is a wonderful place with fantastically diverse programming. Comedy is a solid part of their repertoire and has been for quite some time. The comedic tradition continues on Tuesday July 24th when they present another in their ongoing and absolutely fucking hilarious series Uptown Showdown, this time featuring Kristen Schall, Kurt Braunohler, Christian Finnegan, Myq Kaplan, Bob Powers, and Matthew Love this time debating the topic of BABIES vs OLD PEOPLE.

Every other month Uptown Showdown brings together two teams of comedians, writers and performers to go head-to-head on a variety of topics, such as which pet is superior cats or dogs and is it better to be comfortable or fashionable? Debaters will argue these lingering questions, drawing from historical fact and personal opinion in equal measure, and with plenty of audience participation. Forget about school reform and health care, these issues, heatedly argued by some of the funniest, smartest, intensely wacky creative thinkers around, are the topics that keep us awake at night....in a good way. Winner decided by the audience.

Tickets to this awesome show are on sale now. But don't dilly-dally. Get one or several ASAP! Symphony Space is such a great place to see a show; comfy seats, perfect sightlines no matter where you are, clean lavs... the works!

Last and least, we're sad to hear that Kristen Schaal is moving to LA (so catch her in NYC while you can!). Six days after the Symphony Space shows she plays what will be her LAST-ever Hot Tub with Kurt at Littlefield. Her and Kurt are also at Williamsburg Park this Thursday. NYC isn't going to be the same.

by Klaus Kinski

'Pretty Good Friends' at Williamsburg Waterfront, 2011 (more by David Andrako)

I wish so badly that summer was almost over because this heat is basically killing me softly and enveloping me in depression and heat-related anxiety. By the time I get to work I'm as sweaty as Michael Moore after 8 hours of mowing lawns and people are all "Are you ok?" because they think I'm dying right before their eyes. Sadly, the reality that summer has hardly begun was made apparent when I realized that the concerts at Williamsburg Park kick off TONIGHT with the Outlaw Roadshow featuring Counting Crows, We Are Augustines, Field Report, and Kasey Anderson & the Honkies. Outlaw?! The fuck?! Yeah. Sure. Whatever, millionaires. Nothing says 'outlaw' like having a record that went 7× Platinum in both Canada and the United States.

I digress. What REALLY has me cranked is that Pretty Good Friends take their show from the tiny basement of Union Hall and return to the Waterfront again this year for a show on Thursday July 19th. This year's line-up is epic! Eugene Mirman will be joined by friends Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohler, the legendary Bobcat Goldthwait, music by OK Go and many surprises! (And hopefully no torrential downpours like last year.) For me, the main event is Bobcat. Over the past several years he has evolved from type-cast goofball character actor to acclaimed director, writer, and comedian. This is a rare treat for NYC and THE SHOW IS TOTALLY FREE! More Kurt Braunohler dates below...

I was out of town on Wednesday July 11th working on my tan and looking super hot and shiny on a beach which means I sadly missed BOB ODENKIRK and UCB PALS: A LOAD OF HOOEY! at the UCB Theater, Chelsea. This is a major heartbreaker for yours truly as Bob happens to be one of my idols, and seeing him perform in the flesh in NYC is beyond rare. Like, never happens. What makes it more painful was that his "pals" included the much loved/hated David Cross, Bob's partner in crime for many many years. I was gnashing my teeth at the idea that I missed a once in a life time reunion, but David quelled my anxiety with the following words on his facebook page.

Also, get your socks psyched for Bob and I to put something together for a low-key mini-tour of grandiose fucking around. We've been doing things with each other (not in a Penn State way) and they have been really fun and very well-recieved. I just jumped on a show he did at UCB here in NY last week. Super fun. So we'll be doing more of that hopefully late fall/early winter. Again, something very low-key, not a big production and in smaller theaters. Like 500 seaters, something like that. Keep it intimate.

Commence the high-fiving everyone! In the meantime, David will be hitting the road for a handful of dates. He's also gettin hitched; sorry ladies. And gentlemen. Anyhow, check out his scheduled, ok-to-publish publicized appearances below. With any luck, he'll be working out his material in small rooms all over NYC in the days leading up to these shows!

The Gramercy Theater on 23rd street is no stranger to awesome comedy events, and if I'm to believe what I read in my inbox the pattern continues. On Sunday August 19th, Klaus favorite Doug Benson will take over the Gramercy Theater for a whopping TWO SHOWS! First, The Benson Interruption Live Podcast will tear the roof off the place at 4:20PM. I LOVE THE INTERRUPTION. The premise is simple; Doug has his favorite comedy friends do stand-up while he sits there and derails their entire set. The results are some of the funniest shit I've ever seen. Once the place cools down and clears out, the doors will re-open at 7:00pm for Doug Loves Movies. This is a KILLER day of comedy in one spacious, air conditioned venue. If you're like me you're gonna want to go ahead and pick up the Official Doug Benson Combo Pass and make seeing both shows a total cinch.

And speaking of comedy at the Gramercy, Klaus favorite Pete Holmes just announced a show there on Friday December 21st. Tickets go on sale Friday July 20th at noon! Check out this website for more upcoming show info.

Oh and speaking of the Gramercy Theater and Klaus favorites, Klaus SUPER FAVORITE Todd Barry recently recorded a live album at the Gramercy Theater. Titled "Super Crazy," you can watch the performance on Comedy Central Saturday July 21st at 11pm. If you don't have a DVR, Comedy Central, friends with Comedy Central, or have other reasons why you can't see the special on the TV which are none of my business, Comedy Central Home Entertainment will release the "Todd Barry: Super Crazy" extended and uncensored DVD and Comedy Central Records will release the extended and uncensored CD and Digital Album on July 24. The CD fairy left a copy in my mailbox and, lemme tell you, it is fucking hilarious. Classic Todd.

Tour dates for Kurt Braunohler, David Cross, and Todd Barry are listed below.

Continue reading "Pretty Good Friends, Bobcat Goldthwait, Bob & David, Doug Benson, Todd Barry, Pete Holmes & more comedy news"

Amanda Palmer in Brooklyn in May (more by Bryan Bruchman)

Comic Book Club Live, a free, live podcast recording event has moved from its previous home of Pianos to fellow LES club Fontana's, and TONIGHT (6/26)'s show features Kurt Braunohler and musical guest Amanda Palmer. Show starts at 7PM.

Last night, Kurt Braunohler did his weekly Hot Tub show at Littlefield with Kristin Schaal that also featured UK comedian Simon Amstell who who plays SWEET tonight (6/26) at Ella Lounge in the East Village. The show, hosted by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon writer Seth Herzog, will also have John F. O'Donnell and Questlove as guests. Show starts at 8:30PM. Simon Amstell's Numb residency begins July 10th.

Friday (6/29) is Kurt Braunohler's live talk show Night of the Living at Littlefield which, as you may remember, has Amanda Palmer as a guest. Tim Heidecker was supposed to be the other guest but he had to drop out so Judah Friedlander will sub in his place. Tickets are still available to this.

It's a busy week for Amanda. Wednesday (6/27) is her sold-out show at Music Hall of Williamsburg with her band The Grand Theft Orchestra, and on Thursday she plays the opening of her art show at Momenta Art which is only open to high-level contributors to her Kickstarter campaign. Amanda and her band will be performing a full acoustic set that night, and her bassist Jherek Bischoff will be performing solo as well. Bischoff will open MHOW too, as well as all upcoming tour dates.

Then on Saturday (6/30), Amanda & Her Magical Ukulele will perform an intimate show at the newly-opened top floor of the South Street Seaport Museum. Tickets are $55 and $125 and still on sale, and proceeds benefit the museum. Ticket price includes open Brooklyn Brewery bar.

Anybody going to all five Amanda Palmer events this week?

Ted Leo at How Was Your Week? in February (more by Erik Erikson)

Julie Klausner's weekly How Was Your Week? podcast, which is often taped at The Bell House, will tape there again on June 27 with special guests Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (Ted was also a guest on the show back in February), Jim Gaffigan, Katie Notopoulous, and other very special guests. Tickets for that show are on sale now, and after its taping, it will be available for free on iTunes, like the rest of the How Was Your Week? podcasts.

Ted Leo, meanwhile, plays in Citizens Arrest at Warsaw on Thursday (6/14) as part of the FFF/Chaos in Tejas showcase at the Northside Festival with Ceremony, Magrudergrind and Royal Headache.

Speaking of comedy shows at the Bell House, the Greg Barris-hosted 'Heart of Darkness' featuring Kristen Schaal, Dave Hill, Jon Glaser, and Mind Warrior Hamilton Morris, with music by The Forgiveness w. Aerial East, Das and Alexandre Tannous, happens at the Brooklyn venue on Saturday (6/16). Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Speaking of Kristen Schaal, she also performs at Kurt Andersen's Kings County show on June 29 at Galapagos with Jessi Klein and Eleanor Friedberger (who plays the Seaport in July). Tickets for that show are on sale now. There's also a Kings County show at The Bell House on June 24 with Wyatt Cenac, Lucy Sexton, Chairlift, and a "A TOP SECRET SPECIAL GUEST". Tickets for that show are on sale now.

Kristen has also been doing warm up shows in advance of her 1-hour taping coming up in San Francisco. She's got two left, and they happen on Tuesday (6/12) and Thursday (6/14) at UCB East. Both are sold out but there will be a standby line for the Thursday show.

In other comedy news, Brooklyn Brewery is hosting a new monthly series called Tom Shillue's Funny Story. The first of those goes down this month on June 21 with Tom Shillue, Bobby Tisdale, John Mulaney, and more TBA. Tickets are $10 and include a free beer.

As reported previously, '90s alt-rockers that dog. are playing Music Hall of Williamsburg on May 24, the band's first NYC show in 15 years with Fred Armisen opening. That show sold out and the band added a second MHoW show the next night, Friday, May 25 with comedian openers Kurt Braunohler and Baron Vaughn. Tickets are still available to that one.

If you'd like to go for free, we're giving away a pair of tickets to the show of your choice. Details are below.

Oh, and speaking of Kurt Braunohler, he isn't playing the "Tell Your Friends! It's The Spring Fling!" at the Bell House tonight (5/15), but his partner in crime Kristen Schaal is along with host Liam McEneaney and fellow comedians Janeane Garofalo and Christian Finnegan, plus musical guest Hand Job Academy. Tickets are still available.

Continue reading "that dog. playing 2 Brooklyn shows (win tix); Kristen Schaal & many more playing the Bell House (tonight)"

Rob Delaney @ Bowery Ballroom (pic by jkspix)

As @BVComedy tweeted, Rob Delaney is a guest at Kurt & Kristen's Hot Tub tonight (5/14). Tickets are available. Rob came to town to play multiple shows at Bowery and Music Hall, and also played 92YTribeca and Comedy Cellar while he was here.

Eugene Mirman is also a guest at Hot Tub tonight. More Delaney dates HERE.

Amadou & Mariam

As you may remember from the past couple of years, "Summerstage" now encompasses more than just Central Park, but Central Park Summerstage will still always be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the series. Here's the 2012 schedule. Check it out below...

Continue reading "Central Park Summerstage 2012 schedule (Alabama Shakes, Dawes, Kurt Vile, Gary Clark Jr, Amadou & Mariam & more)"

We still have a few more days before we find out the entire music lineup of the Great GoogaMooga, but the new Prospect Park festival announced the May 19th & 20th schedule, and almost-full lineup, of "ExtraMooga", the part of the fest that requires you to pay extra money. Taking place in multiple park venues that you can see illustrated in the above map, in addition to chefs and the previously announced James Murphy & Aziz Ansari, the lineup now also includes WTF with Marc Maron, Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen, and Patton Oswalt too. You can view the whole thing HERE.

Meanwhile, Hot Tub with Kurt & Kristen continues every Monday night at Littlefield.

by Klaus Kinski

Pete Holmes @ Rock n ROFL 2008 (more by Elizabeth Weinberg)

In the Klaus Kinski Hall of Fame of Comedians Your Man Klaus Loves Endlessly Even Though They've Left NYC for Greener Pastures, Pete Holmes has his own gallery dedicated to his honor. Bear in mind that this hall of fame only exists in the meaty gore-locker between my ears so visitors are not permitted. But it is a very prestigious place to be, youbetcha. As a matter of fact, when our fearless leader BV asked me to curate a comedy line-up for the premier installment of our epic but short-lived Brooklyn Vegan and Klaus Kinski Present Rock n' ROFL, Pete was the first person I asked and first to commit to the bill. Back in those days, you could catch Pete practically any night of the week here in NYC. Nowadays he is in LA and, by Cod, he's thriving. From his website:

Pete Holmes is a comedian. Maybe you saw his half-hour Comedy Central Presents. Or on Conan. Or Jimmy Fallon. Or maybe you saw him on VH1. Or heard him as the e*trade baby or on Comedy Central's Ugly Americans. Pete was named one of Variety's Top Ten Comics to Watch in 2011. Pete also draws cartoons for The New Yorker, wrote for NBC's "Outsourced" and currently writes for FOX's "I Hate My Teenage Daughter." He is a regular on CollegeHumor.com and makes videos with FrontPage Films.

That blurb fails to mention that he has his own podcast called You Made it Weird which is one of the best, most entertaining podcasts in a comedy world that is practically choking to death on half assed, shitty, so-called comedy podcasts. THEREFORE, I am thrilled to fits to tell you that not only is Pete coming back to NYC for a show, but that show will be a live podcast of You Made it Weird!! The show will take place on Saturday April 7th at 10:00pm at the Gramercy Theater. Guests will include Jim Gaffigan, Michael Ian Black, and the great Matt McCarthy!! You can get regular tickets or VIP tickets. But considering Gaffigan sells out some of the largest theaters in the country ON HIS OWN, I think the theater will be a madhouse. My advice to you? Spend the extra $$$ and get a VIP ticket so you get early entry (and a signed poster) and, thus, a great seat. Regular seats are only $12 which is a preposterous bargain, bro. This show is going to be a blast, and I promise it will sell out so get on this. More Pete dates below...

Oh, and speaking of live podcasts taking place at the Gramercy Theater, get a load of this; Klaus fave Doug Benson will be bringing his I Love Movies podcast to the Gramercy on June 11th at 8:00pm. I haven't a clue who Doug's guests will be, but I've been to his Doug Loves Movies live shows before and let me tell ya, he brings line-ups worth 8 times the price of admission.

I also noticed in the dates below that Doug is recording a live album in Bellevue WA. on 4/20 which totally reminded me that Brooklyn-based comedy hero Eugene Mirman will bring his normally Brooklyn-Based comedy festival The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival to Seattle Washington from March 29th - March 31st, 2012!! Such good news for Seattle-based BV readers! You are in for SUCH a treat! You'll be getting:

* Invite Them Up, 3/29 at The Crocodile Hosted by Bobby Tisdale w/ Eugene Mirman, Ron Funches and more TBA!
*Star Talk Live, 3/30 at the Neptune Hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson w/ Paul F. Tompkins, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman and special guests!
*Talent Show, 3/31 at The Crocodile Hosted by Elna Baker and Kevin Townley with Eugene Mirman, Bobby Tisdale and more TBA!
*Pretty Good Friends, 3/31 at the Neptune With Bobcat Goldthwait, Todd Barry, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, Kurt Braunohler and more TBA!

Wow!

Tour dates below...

Continue reading "Pete Holmes touring, recording a podcast in NYC; Doug Benson too; Eugene Mirman Fest coming to Washington"

by Klaus Kinski

Pete & Pete reunion @ Bowery Ballroom, 2/24/2012 (photo by jenipherlyn)

Hey guys. So, lookit, you're about to ingest a lot of comedy data in a moment. But it's just the tip of the NYC comedy iceberg. No, it's less than the tip. It's a piece of dandruff that sailed from an Arctic explorer's head and settled on the tip of the iceberg. I don't have the time and you don't have the attention span to handle an entire survey of the NYC scene right now. What follows is a brief glimpse into some cool goings on in the coming weeks. Take it with a grain of dandruff.

First thing's first. Rob Delaney added a fourth NYC show, but you knew that. Moving on...

Did you miss the two Adventures of Pete & Pete reunion shows that happened at the Bowery Ballroom on February 24th? Bummer, right? Well, unfortunately the show I'm about to tell you about is already sold out, but where there's a will, there's a way (and that way could possibly include standby tix). Get a load of this. The great Kurt Braunohler has a late night talk show at The Pit called Night of the Living with Kurt Braunohler. The next installment of this show happens on Friday March 9th and features guest Mike Maronna (Pete) and Danny Tamberelli (Pete)! It's a fun sized, mini-reunion just for you! Also, Wyatt Cenac (Daily Show) will be there and a surprise musical guest who I am unable to mention, but whom we love and idolize here at BV headquarters (an internet cafe)! Hint, it is a man whose name may or may not rhyme with 'bread'.

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Thursday March 8th marks the return of Tom Shillue's story-telling-centric show Funny Story to the hallowed halls of UCB East. This time he will have guests Amine Zaitzeff (owner of Zaitzeff Burger), Mike Albo, the great Margot Leitman, and Stephen Gevedon. A super-diverse and well curated line-up. Show is at 7:30pm, tix are on sale.

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Speaking of burgers, Bob's Burgers is my favorite animated series on the TV and I was thrilled when it was (rightfully) renewed for another season (which premiers THIS Sunday March 11th on Fox). The casting a so fucking impeccable; H. Jon Benjamin, Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, Larry Murphy, John Roberts, Dan Mintz, Andy Kindler as well as guests like Jon Glaser. Holy! Well get a load of THIS shit. On Friday March 9th you can see the CAST OF BOB's BURGERS LIVE AT THE BELL HOUSE!! And IT'S FREE. I am not an all-caps kind of guy, but that pronouncement certainly merited such action. OK, full disclosure, the Bell House show doesn't feature the entire cast I listed above. The show will feature Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, and Larry Murphy doing funnies and also previewing clips from the next season. You can only get in with a wristband, and those will be distributed starting at 5:00pm. So, wristbands at 5pm, doors at 8pm, show sometime after that. 21+. Sorry, junior.

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While I'm on the subject of TV-related comedy, NYU's Skirball Center will play host to John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show from March 10th through March 12th. The show, being taped for Comedy Central, will include sets by David O'Doherty, Hannibal Buress, Wyatt Cenac, Dana Gould, Michael Ian Black, Marc Maron, and a shit-ton of rising stars from with the stand-up world. You can totally get in to these things for free, but you gotta head on over to The Blacklist NYC and get yourself situated. And for the record... as far as people who put together audiences for tapings, The Blacklist is pretty tops. Very well managed, never confusing, very organized. Totally rad. Just saying.

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Next Thursday, March 12th, Symphony Space will play host to an incredible comedy event called Uptown Showdown: Comedy Debate Series. This is not the first time Symphony Space has hosted this show, and I am wicked pissed at myself for not mentioning it to you people prior to earlier installments.

Uptown ShowDown is a comedy debate series that tackles some of the most important issues of our time, such as which decade was the coolest-the eighties or the nineties, is cake really better than pie and who would win in a showdown pirates or ninjas? Forget about school reform and health care, these issues, heatedly argued by some of the funniest, smartest, intensely wacky creative thinkers around, are the topics that keep us awake at night....in a good way. Past Performers include Michael Showalter, Leo Allen, Dave Hill, Jessi Klein, Julie Klausner, Andrea Rosen, A.D. Miles and more.

Next week's show will have Michael Ian Black and friends facing off with The talent Show's Elna Baker and Kevin Townley on the subject of Fashion vs. Comfort. Tom Shillue will host the festivities. Following the event, Mr. Ian Black will read from his new memoir You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations. He'll also sign your copy. I wish I could tell you how funny or awful this book is but I never got a galley copy because I am chopped liver or something. Tickets are on sale now, and I am also giving away a pair AND a copy of Michael Ian Black's book! Instructions below.

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The next installment of the mind-blowing experience known as Heart of Darkness will take place on Saturday March 17th at Union Hall. This time around, host Greg Barris will be joined by Joe Mande, Dave Hill, and more special guests that I shan't announce but are no doubt worthy of your attention. My thoughts? Get your tickets in advance, you.

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Speaking of Dave Hill, did you know that motherfucker wrote a book and that it comes out on May 22nd? If you're thinking what I think you're thinking, then you're thinking "Wait, Dave Hill is a flawless comedian. Dave Hill is a master guitar player, maybe the best in the world. Dave Hill is easy on the eyes. And Dave Hill can also write a freaking book? What can't that guy accomplish?" I know, right? The book is entitled Tasteful Nudes. If you like stories...

...about stolen meat, animal attacks, young love, death, naked people, clergymen, rock 'n' roll, irritable Canadians, and prison, you have just hit a street called Easy because my book talks about all that stuff and a bunch of other stuff, too.

I am nobody's shill and I wouldn't be saying this if it wasn't the Cod's honest truth; this book is absolutely impossible to put down. It is so funny and well written that I simply could not put it down. Pre-order it now, then forget you pre-ordered it, so then one day it shows up in your mailbox and you're all "Ha. Dave Hill's done it again."

And speaking of Joe Mande, he has a ton of upcoming dates all over the Northeast. Check out his tour schedule below.

And now, before I hang it up for the day, I am happy to report that The PIT is going to unleash its first ever NYC Improv Festival! The NYC Improv Festival will take place from March 21st to March 24th at Peoples Improv Theater and feature OVER 40 improv troupes as well as workshops. A TON of the shows are free, and some require tickets. You can also buy a festival pass for next to nothing that will get you into all the shows. I also have two UNLIMITED festival passes to give away. Instructions on how to win them are down there.

Joe dates and contests below...

Continue reading "Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (Bob's Burgers, contests, dates, an improv fest, Tom Shillue, Symphony Space & much more)"

Kurt and Kristen (by Marianne Ways)

today in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Liam Finn @ The Rock Shop
* Creep (DJ set), New Look @ Cake Shop
* Hot Tub with Kurt and Kristen @ Littlefield
* Laura Gibson, Alexa Wilding @ Mercury Lounge
* Dry the River, White Birds, Papertwin @ Glasslands
* Koen Holtkamp, Cleared, Mind Over Mirrors @ Zebulon
* Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir @ Union Pool
* Steve Earle, Allison Moorer, The Mastersons @ City Winery
* Abadabad, Slow Magic, Otem Rellick, Vensaire @ Cameo Gallery
* Bushwick Music Chamber Society, Paul Wheeler, Shahzad Ismaily @ Death By Audio
* Harper Blynn, David Meade, Tony Scherr Trio, Anton Fier, Rob Jost, Jim Campilongo/Steve Cardenas Acoustic Duo @ Living Room

Follow @BrooklynVegan on Twitter.

Also follow @bvAustin for just Austin stuff.

also follow @bvChicago for just Chicago stuff.

Be our friend on Facebook too.

Roger Waters tickets on sale at 10am.

Pete and Pete tickets on sale at noon.

Check out Laura Marling's new video below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

Though it doesn't say it on their website, Mike Birbiglia promises that he's performing "Sleepwalk With Me" at Comic Strip Live tonight (12/12).

UPDATE: Mike's show starts at 8:30 and tickets go on sale at noon.

I don't know what time it starts and ends, but if it's done early enough you can then head to UCB West for this week's edition of Whiplash with Leo Allen and guests.

Alternatively, you can spend your Monday night with Kurt and Kristen in Brooklyn at Littlefield. Their guests at Hot Tub this week include Michael Showalter.

Head back to UCB West on Wednesday after work for a live WFMU broadcast of "7 Second Delay" with guests Lou Reed and Suzanne Vega.

UPDATE: Lou Reed is also making an appearance at Book Court tonight.

In other "live" comedy news, tickets are on sale for Star Talk Live at The Bell House on Sunday, December 18th. The lineup includdes Neil de Grasse Tyson, Eugene Mirman, and John Hodgman.

One night after that is the Hot Tub Holiday edition at Littlefield with Kurt, Kristen, Jon Glaser, Hannibal Buress, Adam the Real Man, and musical guest River City Extension.

Speaking of Hannibal Buress, he opened two shows for Aziz Ansari at the Bell House on Saturday night. We posted pictures.

Speaking of the Bell House, Rocket from the Tombs plays there tonight!

Conan O'Brien is filming his late night show live from the Beacon Theater in NYC all this week. One of last night's musical/comical guests was Reggie Watts. Check out the video of Reggie doing a special rendition of "The Boys Are Back in Town" below.

Conan's writers are doing standup at Gotham Comedy Club tonight (11/1) (tickets still on sale), and at UCB Wednesday (standby list only).

Fallon writer Sara Schaefer co-hosts her weekly show at UCB East.

Also tonight: Todd Barry celebrates his 24th year in comedy with a one-hour Comedy Central special run-through show at the Pit. Tickets are still available.

Hopefully Todd also makes it over to Bowery Poetry Club in time to see the FAKE HIM perform as part of The 4th Annual SCHTICK OR TREAT. Other fake versions that will perform include:

Anthony Jeselnik
Aziz Ansari
Bobcat Goldthwait
Colin Quinn
David Cross
Emo Phillips
Jerry Seinfeld
Judah Friedlander
Larry David
Marc Maron
Maria Bamford
Paul F. Tompkins
Richard Lewis
Rodney Dangerfield
Susie Essman
Todd Barry
Whitney Cummings
Zach Galifianakis
...and more!

Think Halloween tribute show, but comedians.

Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, and John Mulaney aren't on the list of comedians getting roasted tonight, but you can catch their real versions at the Pretty Good Friends Holiday show happening at the Bell House on December 11th. Tickets are on sale. Take a peak at Eugene's tour page for more upcoming gigs including one in Turners Falls, MA this Saturday (and Union Hall the night after that).

Continue reading "Conan O'Brien & his writers are back in town, Todd Barry @ the Pit, more Eugene Mirman shows, fake Aziz & more"

Mountain Goats @ Knitting Factory, Halloween 2005 (more)

As previously mentioned, John Wesley Harding is holding a "Cabinet of Wonders" variety show at NYC's City Winery on October 28th with Hamilton Leithauser (The Walkmen), Eugene Mirman, John Hodgman, Emma Straub, Paul Harding, and more TBA. Since our last mention, two very special guests have been added to the bill: Craig Finn (The Hold Steady) and John Darnielle (The Mountain Goats). Hopefully you didn't sleep on tickets because the show is now sold out.

Tickets are however on sale now for A Haunted Hot Tub Halloween at Littlefield, also a comedy and music variety show, happening one day later (10/29) with Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohler, Wyatt Cenac, Andres du Bouchet, and... John Darnielle, and more.

Tickets are also on sale for Hot Tub on 10/10 and 10/17.

Tickets are also still on sale for the 11/18 Cabinet of Wonders at City Winery with The Blue Fisherman (from Edinburgh, Scotland), Howe Gelb, Myla Goldberg, Ted Leo, Eugene Mirman, Audrey Niffenegger AND "Plus for this Cabinet of Wonders, and this Cabinet of Wonders only, the House Band will be THE KING CHARLES TRIO, comprising: Peter Buck (REM), Jenny Conlee-Drizos, Chris Funk, John Wesley Harding (Appearing as Himself), Scott McCaughey (The Minus Five), John Moen, and Nate Query." That's a lot of Decemberists. More upcoming JWH shows HERE

Speaking of Ted Leo and Craig Finn, both are scheduled to make appearances at the BrooklynVegan-presented Replacements tribute shows happening at Bowery Electric in November. The previously announced two shows (and movie screenings) are sold out, BUT a third tribute concert - a late one on 11/17, has been added. Tickets for the new show are on sale. More info HERE.

Mountain Goats dates and flyers below...

Continue reading "3rd Replacements tribute show added, John Darnielle schedules guest appearances, Craig Finn too"

photos by David Andrako

The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival is underway, and continues tonight (Friday, 9/16) at both Union Hall & the Bell House. Thursday night's show at the Bell House (the only Thursday night show there was) was a live taping of Neil deGrasse Tyson's radio show, Star Talk. Eugene Mirman was a guest as were Kristen Schaal and Scott Adsit. Neil's guest, unannounced, was Alan Alda. They recorded the show for future broadcast and had a lengthy Q&A after the taping (stay tuned). Here are some pictures. They continue below...

Continue reading "Eugene Mirman Fest 2011 --- Day 1 @ The Bell House in pics (Neil deGrasse Tyson and... Alan Alda!)"

by Klaus Kinski

It goes without saying that New York Fucking City is the best fucking city in the fucking galaxy. Name some attributes of another city (and I am sure people *cough*commenters*cough* will) and any New Yorker worth his or her salt will gladly, after they're done laughing hysterically, verbally pants your claims and make you realize how much time you just wasted with your nonsense. Everything here is better, and we have more of it. End. Of. Fucking. Story. Among our better-than-everywhere-else attributes is our Comedy scene. And one way we articulate and reinforce this attribute is by having several comedy shows happening across this city every night of the week.

One of NYC's biggest stand-out weekly shows is Tell Your Friends! which happens in the basement of a place called Lolita Bar (almost) every goddamned Tuesday. Tell Your Friends! is the brainchild of the talented Liam McEneaney and it has been bringing some of the most incredible line-ups to its basement audiences for over 6 years. Conceived as a showcase that danced somewhere between open mic territory and some of NYCs other smaller, more intimate alt rooms, Tell Your Friends! was devised as sort of a "comedy workout room;" a place where comedians could workshop new material without all the hassles and limitations of standard open mics. No, Tell Your Friends! wasn't the first place to do this type of thing; 15 years ago NYC had Eating It at Luna Lounge, Klaus favorite Patrick Borelli set up shop at the Gershwin Hotel, and, of course, there was Invite Them Up at Rififi where Eugene Mirman and Bobby Tisdale basically wrote the book on how smaller, independent comedy showcases should be run until its demise in 2008. Invite Them Up took their backroom comedy debauchery to the next level when they did three nights of recording at Pianos for a 3 CD/1 DVD set that was released by Comedy Central Records. Incidentally, now that Invite Them Up is long gone (unless you count the upcoming Invite Them Up night at the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival), that CD/DVD set serves as an extremely important document of just how bonkers and diverse that era in comedy really was.

Like Invite Them Up, Tell Your Friends! has brought their presence in the comedy world to the next level with the release of Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film!. Shot at the Bell House, Liam McEneaney says

I had this idea that since I wanted to do a movie with standup comedians, comedians who had gotten their start outside the traditional comedy club scene, it shouldn't be shot as a typical comedy special. I sent Victor (Varnado) clips from concert films I felt should serve as the template, Woodstock, The Last Waltz, Stop Making Sense, The Beatles First Visit To America... Films that didn't just point a camera at a performance, but got you onstage with the acts themselves. And that didn't just record a concert, but really encapsulated a moment in history. Ultimately, we narrowed our influence down to Woodstock, and The Last Waltz, and used those more as our guides.

This epic piece of greatness features Reggie Watts, Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohler, Christian Finnegan, Leo Allen, Rob Paravonian, Nick Nace, Ann Enzminger, Marc Maron, and more. WANNA SEE IT!? Well SketchFest NYC is proud to present the New York City Premiere of Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film! at the Paley Center for Media on Thursday, September 22nd, 2011; at 7:30pm. After the movie there will be a panel moderated by Liam and feature Kristen Schaal, Kurt Braunohler, Christian Finnegan, Leo Allen, Neal Brennan, Jon Glaser, and Victor Varnado. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for the general public UPDATE: and $8.00 to BV readers!

In unrelated comedy news, don't forget that FYF Fest is Saturday September 3rd in Los Angeles and features a pretty toupee-spinning bunch of comedy check out the full comedy line-up below.

Continue reading "Tell Your Friends! the movie! (is screening in NYC), comedians (are playing FYF Fest in LA Saturday)"

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"

photos by David Andrako

Like those who chose to spend their Friday night at an outdoor Long Island amphitheater watching Weezer & Flaming Lips, and those caught in the long line outside House of Vans, the people who decided on the free They Might Be Giants music & comedy show at Williamsburg Waterfront got wet. Visual proof continues (more about this show later), below...

Continue reading "comedy, rain & music @ Williamsburg Waterfront in pics (They Might Be Giants, Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal & more)"

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"

People at Williamsburg Waterfront last year (more by Benjamin Lozovsky)

This summer's Williamsburg Waterfront concert season begins this weekend with a free show on Saturday (6/11) (5:30pm doors). For what it's worth, that show is Coheed and Cambria, Adrian Belew Power Trio and Tigers Jaw, but it is free. It's also one of three currently announced free shows (there will be five free shows total, one of which will be classical music). The other two announced free events are Eugene Mirman and Pretty Good Friends (Patton Oswalt will be one of those friends!) and special musical guests They Might Be Giants on July 29, and a children's show with Moey's Music Party and Story Pirates (who recently hosted a benefit) on June 19 at noon.

Ticketed shows include Death From Above 1979, Death Cab for Cutie, Sonic Youth, Bright Eyes, Thievery Corporation (with Dam-Funk & Master Blazter and Raphael Saadiq opening), TV on the Radio, Fleet Foxes and more. Check out the full lineup with openers listed below...

Continue reading "Williamsburg Waterfront opens this weekend, here is the full updated summer schedule"

"The Story Pirates, a national arts and literacy organization, will take the stage alongside special celebrity guests, including Jon Stewart (The Daily Show), Lou Reed, Ana Gasteyer (Saturday Night Live, Wicked), John Oliver (Community, The Daily Show), Mike Birbiglia (Sleepwalk With Me), Josh Gad (The Book of Mormon), and Kristen Schaal (Flight of the Conchords, Toy Story 3), to bring to life stories written by kids in the audience.

The Story Pirates sketch comedy musical shows are comprised of stories written by elementary schoolers and performed by professional actors and comedians. Enjoyed by all ages, the company is dedicated to showing kids that their words and ideas matter.

All funds raised at the After School Special will benefit the Story Pirates' arts and creative writing programs for low-income students. Story Pirates serves primarily low-income, culturally diverse elementary school students in over 100 schools in New York and around the country."

The Story Pirates benefit show takes place Friday, May 20th at Symphony Space and tickets are on sale.

Meanwhile catch Mike Birbiglia at his ongoing show My Girlfriend's Boyrfiend.