One show already sold out. The other on sale now.

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!

Back in February I wrote, "It looks like the days of cheap performances at places like UCB and Union Hall are once again over." Well, now it looks like those days are back! For one night at least. Mike Birbiglia, whose show 'My Girlfriend's Boyfriend' closed in June, returns to Union Hall in Brooklyn for "An Evening of Stories" on October 18th. Tickets are on sale now. UPDATE: and... they're gone.

"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.

"Mike Birbiglia, a longtime favorite of mine, has evolved from a pretty standard (and prodigal) stand-up comic to an expert monologist. His epic one man show Sleepwalk With Me was my first taste of his stunning evolution. Then a few weeks ago I watched him workshop a new one man show called My Girlfriend's Boyfriend (an unfortunate title as Alyssa Milano recently starred in a movie of the same name. It probably sucked). I also just read his wonderful new book Sleepwalk with Me: and Other Painfully True Stories. He's my generation's Spalding Gray, and, man, we definitely need that." [Klaus Kinski, Nov, 19, 2010]

It looks like the days of cheap performances at places like UCB and Union Hall are once again over...

Continue reading "Mike Birbiglia's 'My Girlfriend's Boyfriend' opening at the Barrow Street Theatre in NYC (tix on sale)"

Tune in at 11am today (1/31) to catch Stella buds Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black streaming in Michael Birbiglia's Macys window (which he is still in through Tuesday).

In related comedy news, Michael Showalter is kicking off his "Mr. Funny Pants" tour on February 24th at Barnes & Noble in Union Square with special musical guest Neko Case. He swings back through town mid-tour to hit the Bell House in Brooklyn on 2/27. Tickets are still on sale for that special edition of "Pretty Good Friends" with Eugene Mirman, Reggie Watts, Kumail Nanjiani and special guests ("Please note this show will be mixed seated and standing. For best seat selection please arrive early and use the TicketFast print-at-home ticketing option. ").

Michael and Michael, as many know, used to be on a very funny show called The State along with red head Kevin Allison who is still doing his thing as well. Catch his show called "RISK! STORYSLAM" tonight (1/31) at the Pit at 6pm for FREE. If you miss it, there's always next Monday and the Monday after that and...

Also on Mondays (but much later): Whiplash at UCB. Jon Friedman, Myq Kaplan, Mike DeStefano and Adira Amram will all be there tonight.

Also coming up at the Bell House in Brooklyn: two chances to see "WTF With Marc Maron". Early and late March 10th shows are on sale.

Also coming up at the Bell House:

MON 1/31: 7:30pm doors / FREE

WONDER TWINS & RUSSCOMM PRESENT
THE 2011 BROOKLYN BEARDFEST & STACHE BASH:
NECKBEARD TELECASTER
LOS ENCANTADOS
JON MIZRACHI
BEARD-LESQUE
By members of Storybook Burlesque, featuring:
Magdalena Fox, Victoria Privates, and Jenny C'est Quoi with mustacio'd stage kitten Rosey la Rouge

Finally - a festival for bearded and mustached people and the people who love them! Come celebrate all things beard with us on Monday January 31st as we prepare to enter "Facial Hair February" with beardy bands, mustached DJs, vendors, contests, food and more.

DJ Russ and DJ Choyce Hacks will also be supplying the tunes at the Brooklyn beard event.

Speaking of tunes, piano-playing comedian Bo Burnham isn't even old enough to drink but he is big enough to headline Best Buy Theater in Times Square on February 4th. Tickets are still on sale. Maybe you caught Bo's special on Comedy Central. If not, it airs again on February 4th and February 11th.

Speaking of Comedy Central, Nick Kroll's special that was taped at Music Hall of Williamsburg aired on Saturday. I don't know when it will air again, but I only caught about 10 minutes and wish I saw the rest - in part because it's fun to see the barely recognizable Brooklyn venue on TV. Meanwhile you can watch two clips below.

Kurt Braunohler and Kristen's next edition of Hot Tub @ Littlefield in Brooklyn (the only remaining Hot Tub on Littlefield's schedule for now) happens tonight (1/31). Their guests include Dan St. Germain, Matt Higgins, Dr. Uke and Daughters, "+ more!"

It won't be long before you see more of Kurt though. He's starting a new talk show at the Pit called "Night of the Living." "This monthly show will feature special house band Adira Amram and the Experience, and bits and sketches from New York City's finest comedians. Come see the beginning of something very cool. And very stupid. Because that's how we like it." Its first episode happens live on February 4th with special guests Eugene Mirman, Jon Glaser, and a secret musical guest. Tickets are on sale.

Daniel Kitson played his final show at St. Ann's Warehouse last night.

Neil Hamburger is touring in February and March. Tickets are on sale for a March 17th Brooklyn show at Knitting Factory with "The Kenny 'K-Strass' Strasser Yo-Yo Extravaganza" and "Major Entertainer Mike H." All tour dates are below....

Continue reading "Michaels in Birbigs' window, Neil Hamburger tour, Beardfest, Bo Burnham, Marc Maron, Nick Kroll, Kurt Braunohler & more"

Procter & Gamble Co. has an eye-opening campaign ready with Macy's Inc. pitching its Downy fabric softener at the many Americans who don't get enough sleep.

P&G will offer Downy as sleep aid with a 7-day live window display featuring comedian Mike Birbiglia at retailer Macy's Herald Square store, beginning [TODAY]. Birbiglia, known for his routines making light of his sleepwalking problem, will talk with fans, interact online and, it's planned, sleep. [AP, Wall Street Journal]

And if you live in Grand Rapids, Michigan, note: tickets are on sale for a Birbigs show happening there on March 14th.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 12/27/2010 (Jason Persse)

Sunday night's Bouncing Souls show was postponed. Tonight/Monday's is cancelled. Stay tuned for the status of the rest of the "Home for the Holidays" week.

BB King's has cancelled tonight's Sublime cover band show.

Lincoln Center says "Performances are continuing as scheduled as of now."

BAM is open and running.

Fontana's is open and offering free coffee to anyone that stops in today.

The Disco Biscuits will still play their show at Terminal 5 despite the snow, and despite their drummer being in the hospital.

Union Hall confirms that Mike Birbiglia will go on as planned tonight. The Living Room and Brooklyn Bowl also promise that they are having their scheduled shows (though Brooklyn Bowl's kitchen is closed).

UPDATE: After both Union Hall and Mike Birbiglia publicly said the show will go on tonight, they have now announced that it is postponed until Wednesday.

UPDATE: The jazz show at Mercury Lounge tonight is cancelled.

UPDATE: Tonight's Fantasia show at the Beacon Theater is cancelled.

UPDATE: Whiplash & all shows at UCB are cancelled tonight.

UPDATE: Both acts at Pianos tonight have postponed.

UPDATE: The show at Cake Shop tonight is postponed.

UPDATE: Tonights show at Party Xpo in Brooklyn has been cancelled according to one of the bands who was supposed to play.

UPDATE: "We regret to say that the Tank office is closed today due to the snow storm in New York City. As a result, Rob Gorden's "True Stories" show for tonight is postponed until January 31, 2011 at 7pm "

UPDATE: Coco66 is open with a DJ all night, and Rockwood Music Hall appears to be open and running with a full lineup of live music.

Make sure to check with venues before you trek out to a show, though with Lauryn Hill at Highline Ballroom tonight, you're probably screwed either way (kidding!) (sort of).

UPDATE: Highline Ballroom released an update about the Lauryn Hill show. It reads: "***PLEASE NOTE DOORS AND SHOW TIMES HAVE BEEN PUSHED BACK ON THIS SHOW DUE TO THE WEATHER. KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR MORE DETAILS.***"

UPDATE: ***PLEASE NOTE LAURYN HILL HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR FEB 1ST. ALL TIX HONORED. REFUNDS AVAILABLE AT POINT OF PURCHASE.***

Speaking of Highline Ballroom, last night's Talib Kweli/SAS/Jean Grae show was postponed until January 3rd. All tickets will be honored or you can get a refund.

Gwar braved the snow and slaughtered humans at Best Buy Theater in NYC last night, but our photographer had to cancel, and Gwar couldn't make it to their Vermont show tonight.

If you know of any snow-related cancellations or postponements, please leave them in the comments.

by Klaus Kinski

Doug Benson

As previously mentioned, Doug Benson, Rob Cantrell, and Tony Camin will hit the Gramercy Theater this Saturday 12/18 at 4:20pm for the magnificent, doobie-centric spoken-word show The Marijuana-Logues. Depending on who you ask, Doug, who hosts the preposterously hilarious Comedy Central show The Benson Interruption, is probably the most recognizable presence on the panel. But having seen Tony and Rob individually several times I can tell you that they are two of the funniest dudes in the biz and that there is absolutely zero imbalance in the comedy onslaught coming from those three fellas. As a triad, Doug, Rob, and Tony create one of the funnest, funniest atmospheres on the planet. Tickets are still on sale. I cannot recommend this show enough. Last time I saw the 'logues, I laughed so hard I had an asthma attack AND had tears streaming down my face. Plus, you have nothing better to do this Saturday afternoon. Nor is there anything better you could be doing in NYC this Saturday afternoon.

If you are among the 1 or 2 people in NYC who have prior obligations or, Cod forbid, actually found something better to do Saturday afternoon, you may be wailing aloud "I'm going to miss Doug Benson's only NYC appearance!?" Relax, little grasshopper. I have great news. It was just announced that Doug will be returning to the Gramercy Theater that very evening, Saturday 12/18, for a live recording of his infamous Doug Loves Movies podcast. Tickets went on sale yesterday at the oddly specific time of 11:22am (is that another pot number reference a la 420 that I am not hip to?). The show will have special guests, and this being NYC I can promise that they will blow your mind away. Come to think of it, my first ever exposure to Doug Benson was way back when on bobanddavid.com (RIP) where he had a frequent column called I Love Movies. I liked him immediately and will never forgot his tweet-length review (before Twitter existed) "Amelie is as cute as a button. I hate buttons." Follow my example: go to both shows.

--

In other comedy news, hey San Francisco, Mike Birbiglia is coming to your town. Tickets are on sale for three shows. Grab them before they sell out like every one of his December Union Hall shows did.

We're just one day away from Reggie Watts' headlining show at Highline Ballroom.

Tickets are on presale NOW for a "Benefit for Greg Giraldo featuring Jerry Seinfeld, Lewis Black & More." Taking place at the Beacon on 2/9, the show will be "hosted by Tom Papa and feature Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Norton, Dave Attell, Ted Alexandro, Lewis Black, Judy Gold, Colin Quinn, & Jesse Joyce." PRESALE PASSWORD = HECOMEDY. Regular sale starts Saturday, 12/18, at 10am. Greg Giraldo sadly passed away way too young back in September.

Jerry Seinfeld was recently spotted in the crowd of the Apollo Theater.

Jim Gaffigan's 7-show Best Buy Theater run continues this weekend.

You can catch Jenny Slate in Brooklyn tonight (12/16).

Don't wait until he launches a new show Off Broadway where tickets will be $50. Catch Mike Birbiglia for "An Evening of Stories" in the intimate Union Hall basement space on five different nights in December. $15 tickets are on sale for each of them. Also catch Mike for free today, 12/1, at Borders.

The above picture is Mike's 2010 Christmas card which he'll send you if you donate $5 to charity. Holiday gift ideas (made up of bundles of his merch) are at his site too.

by Klaus Kinski

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gregory sighed.

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

A story of a death postponed by life.

To give you a better picture, you can read some reviews here and here. If you've never seen Kitson, this is your chance to see him in his purest form.

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

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

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

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

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

today in NYC
* Jay-Z @ NYPL
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Leni Stern @ Barbes
* Chicha Libre @ Barbes
* DJ Shadow, Pigeon John @ Irving Plaza
* Sufjan Stevens, DM Stith @ Beacon Theatre
* Minor Stars, Parlour, Kordan, deVries @ Pianos
* Easy Action, The Men, Pregnant @ The Acheron
* Adam Rudolph's Go Organic Orchestra @ Roulette
* Cheer-Accident, Stats, Inzinzac, Xaddax @ Cake Shop
* Steve Lewis & the Vagrants, Oh Land @ Mercury Lounge
* Mumford & Sons, Cadillac Sky, King Charles @ Terminal 5
* Fiction Plane (Sting's son), The Globes @ Mercury Lounge
* Jason Anderson, Mount Moriah, Modest Midas @ The Rock Shop
* Charlie Hunter Trio, Mark Guiliana's Beat Music @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Feather and Folly, Zachary Cale, La Defense, Plates of Cake @ Zebulon
* Jimmy Herring & Jamie Mclean of Widespread Panic @ Highline Ballroom
* Vicky Emerson, The Bowmans, Tony Scherr Trio, Jim Campilongo Electric Trio, Tony Mason @ The Living Room
* Jonsi, Kjartan Sveinsson of Sigur Ros, The Hilliard Ensemble, Latvian National Choir, Wordless Music Orchestra @ The Church of St. Paul the Apostle
* Hot Tub w/ Kurt Braunohler, Hannibal Buress, Shonali Bhowmik, Scott Moran, Jane Borden, Julian McCullough @ Littlefield

Easy Action (members of Negative Approach) hit the Acheron tonight.

Mike Birbiglia is confirmed to appear at Whiplash at UCB tonight (reservations still available as of this posting)

Sarah Kirkland Snider has a new video for "The Lotus Eaters" featuring Shara Worden and Signal. Check it out below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

Mike Birbiglia & Michael Showalter @ Mirman Fest (more by David Andrako)

Mike Birbiglia, you know, the guy from the subway ads that has a book out, celebrates, well, that book, at Caroline's on Tuesday, November 2nd. Tickets are on sale.

Amazingly there are also still tickets left for Birbigs' November 22nd "My Girlfriend's Boyfriend" show at UCB. That's a Monday which is convenient because then you can stick around for Whiplash.

One week earlier, Nick Kroll does the pre-Whiplash show for only $5.00 which is cheaper than the shows he'll be practicing for.

The New York Comedy Festival presents "Louie: A Conversation with Louis C.K.", at the Paley Center this Wednesday, November 3rd. Tickets are on sale.

Louis plays Carnegie Hall one day later which is almost three months before Aziz Ansari plays Carnegie Hall with Eugene Mirman, but only two days before Aziz plays Beacon Theatre.

Who knows who will show up to play later that night, and the night after that, at UCB for two special non-Monday editions of Whiplash, aka "The Best of Whiplash."

Also Wednesday: "The world premiere of Dave Hill's Rock Shop with special guests PAT KIERNAN of NY1, MICHAEL SHOWALTER, and DOUG GILLARD (Guided By Voices/Nada Surf)!" I mean, I don't think you need to know more than that to immediately want to buy a ticket, but just in case:

Dave Hill's Rock Shop is a new comedy "talk" show which will hopefully happen the first Wednesday of each month at Park Slope's newest buzzworthy club, The Rock Shop. The show will run approximately an hour and will feature comedian/guitarist and Ohio native, Dave Hill hosting the shit out it. Dave Hill's Rock Shop will feature interviews with a famous or semi-famous or not so famous person, a famous or semi-famous or not so famous comedian, plus the focus of the show: Dave challenges a famous or semi-famous rock musician to a guitar duel (possibly to the death). The show is being produced by Caroline Creaghead (Tearing The Veil Of Maya / Eugene Mirman's Comedy Festival / The Rope Swing) and Jack McFadden (The Bell House / The Rock Shop booking guru) and is sure to have South Brooklyn peeps peeing in their seats (don't worry, we clean them, sorta).'

Our debut show will be on Wednesday, November 3 at 7:30pm and features Pat Kiernan of NY1, comedian Michael Showalter, and guitar hero Doug Gillard of Nada Surf & Guided By Voices. The show will cost $7 and you'll feel pretty good about getting your 7 dollars worth. There will be no refunds.

Unlike one of the the non-Doug Gillard Guided By Voices shows coming up, The Rock Shop is offering no refunds.

One of Dave Hill's bands, the one with Moby in it, plays Mercury Lounge on December 4th. 21+. No refunds.

PREVIOUSLY: Tim & Eric add a show, Eugene Mirman & Hannibal Buress every Sunday & other comedy stuff too

Mike Birbiglia was on Jimmy Kimmel last week. Video of his segment below...

Continue reading "Louis CK, Mike Birbiglia, Dave Hill, Pat Kiernan & other tickets "

words & photos by David Andrako

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More pictures from the whole day, below...

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

by Klaus Kinski

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

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

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

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

Questlove @ the Roots Picnic 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

tonight in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* Mike Birbiglia @ UCB
* John Waters @ NYPL
* Owl Drugs @ Cake Shop
* It is It comedy @ Pianos
* Jim Campilongo @ The Living Room
* Active Child, Blair @ Mercury Lounge
* La Roux, Atarah Valentine @ Terminal 5
* Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae @ Roseland Ballroom
* The Brand New Heavies @ Highline Ballroom
* Yeah Right, Huntronik, Thomas Beddoe @ Pianos
* Reverend Vince Anderson & His Love Choir @ Union Pool
* Air Waves, The Young Sinclairs, Easter Vomit @ Death By Audio
* Anamanaguchi, Home Video, Blast Off! @ Knitting Factory Brooklyn
* Camera Obscura, The Love Language @ Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom
* Softspot, Haunted Ghost, Fractal Farm, Unsolved Mysteries @ Glasslands
* Fela! Original Cast Recording Release Party w/ cast member, Questlove (DJ) @ Brooklyn Bowl

It's Internet Week.

John Waters is speaking at the library.

Camera Obscura played Sunday afternoon at the Brooklyn Flea. This evening they headline Grand Ballroom in Manhattan.

Little Women and their saxophones played 538 Johnson Apt 202 on June 4th. Video below...

As Jay-Z pointed out, there's a Fela! party tonight at Brooklyn Bowl. It's free, and Questlove is performing (djing) at it after he's done opening for Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu at Roseland. Flyer is re-posted below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday?"

"Playing Fordham's Spring Weekend w/ @birbigs and so far what I've learned about the youths of today is they still love flip flops and cargs." - Max Silvestri

'Only mgmt singing my fav-song-of-the-moment, Congratulations. Nbd.' -mickiemyheart

MGMT went from Fordham on Saturday (5/1) (where Max Silvestri and Mike Birbiglia also performed), pictured above, to the Bamboozle in Jersey on Sunday...

[After Girl Talk was] MGMT, the glam-prog outfit whose new album Congratulations is being met with confusion from some corners. It's certainly not as immediate a listen as the group's keyboard-spangled Oracular Spectacular, but it is a somewhat bewitchingly strange pop album. At one point a man canvassed the crowd handing out 3-D glasses, which seemed appropriate both for the red-and-blue beams surrounding the band and for the pillowy, proggy songs they rocked from the new record. MGMT brought back the doubters by closing their set with the sugar-coated "Kids," and as fans' camera phones were held aloft, they lobbed a question at the next headliner: "Hey, Weezer, are you playing this song, too? It's our song."

As it turned out, the answer was "yes," although it wouldn't be answered until much later in Weezer's set...It was during the first encore (which was introduced by the band replicating the drum and guitar solos that open Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher") that "Kids" was brought out and interpolated with Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," not to mention a blonde wig on Cuomo's head. While the borrowed bits of other songs delighted the crowd, Weezer opted to end the night and the festival with "Buddy Holly," demonstrating they still have plenty of firepower from their own catalog." [Rolling Stone @ Bamboozle]

Videos of both versions of "Kids" are below.

MGMT will be be on Letterman on May 11th. And they're playing Radio City Music Hall on Tuesday, August 17th. Tickets go on sale Friday at 9am. I wonder how many, if any, show they'll add. Can they beat Vampire Weekend's three? Peter Gabriel plays his second show at the venue tonight (5/3).

The MGMT show comes at the end of the band's summer-long tour of North America (the May/June secion of which will be opened by Tame Impala). They also have European dates from September to December mapped out. All tour dates and videos are below...

Continue reading "MGMT played Fordham & Bamboozle, playing Radio City "

Lollapalooza tickets go on sale at 10am CST, or to be more specific ("Three-Day passes for Lollapalooza 2010 go on-sale March 30, at 10am CST. A limited number of Advance-priced three-day passes will be available for $190. When this allotment sells out, Regular-priced three-day passes will be available for $215. Prices are inclusive of all service fees. VIP Lolla Lounge passes will also be on-sale [too]"

in semi-related news, "We are excited to announce that Sasquatch! Music Festival has officially sold out! The sellout occurred in record time, selling the highest number of tickets since the festival's inception. Additionally, the day schedule has been finalized with the addition of comedian Aziz Ansari, They Might Be Giants, and more. See below for [the full lineup which also now includes Bobcat Goldthwait]."

Continue reading "Lollapalooza on sale, Sasquatch sells out & adds more acts"

by Klaus Kinski

Patton Oswalt, Johnny Depp, & Tim Burton @ Comic Con - july 23, 2009 (Anime Nut)

"Some of the 3-D effects aren't going to look absolutely perfect," said Patton Oswalt, the comedian and voice actor who moderated a presentation of Disney's forthcoming "A Christmas Carol," "Alice in Wonderland" and "Tron: Legacy." Mr. Oswalt asked attendees not to blog about effects being "quite subpar." [NY Times]

The New York Comedy Festival isn't until November 4 - 8, but with the line-up just announced, Carnegie Hall tix available now, and ticket presales (and some on sales) starting on August 12, the time to mention it is NOW. This is the 6th installment of the festival and unlike NYC music festivals such as CMJ or Northside (festivals where you can wander the city for days on end catching hundreds of bands), the focus here is on having a few large-scale shows over the course of a few evenings. NYC is a place where you can catch cheap or free comedy with big name talent almost every evening, but sometimes it's nice to venture out of the back rooms, basements, and comedy clubs and see one or two of your faves at a fancy pants venue. The full schedule is below, but for me some of the better highlights include:

• 11/4 - Stand Up For Heroes - a special benefit presented by NYCF and the Bob Woodruff Foundation at Town Hall
• 11/5 - Ricky Gervais - Carnegie Hall - ON SALE NOW
• 11/5 - Mike Birbiglia - Town Hall - Presale 8/12, On Sale 8/17
• 11/6 - Tracy Morgan - Carnegie Hall - ON SALE NOW
• 11/7 - Patton Oswalt - Town Hall - Presale 8/12, On Sale 8/17

Full schedule (Andy Samberg included) and ticket info below...

Continue reading "New York Comedy Festival - 2009 dates, lineup & ticket info "

tonight in NYC
* DANCE
* Bob Mould @ Joe's Pub
* Pedro Soler @ Sycamore
* Chris Cornell @ Webster Hall
* Eddie Izzard @ Bleeker St Theatre
* Kreator, Exodus, Belphegor, Warbringer & Epicurean @ Nokia Theatre
* Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers, EGM, My Education, Coin Under Tongue @ DBA
* Scorpio Rising, Leftcoast, Matamoros, Freetime @ Glasslands Gallery

Eddie Izzard is playing a last-minute show at the small-for-him Bleeker St Theatre. The show sold out instantly, but tickets will be available at the box office.

Bleeker St Theatre is home to Mike Birbiglia's great, and now Lortel-nominated, Sleepwalk With Me show (running through June 7th). Mike's "Awkward 10 Minutes" guest this Friday, April 10th, is Rue McClanahan of the Golden Girls!

The new Thermals video, below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Wednesday? (Passover)"

Elvis Perkins @ SXSW (Austinist party @ the Mohawk) (by Chad Wadsworth)

tonight in NYC
* DANCE
* Leela James @ SOB's
* Peggy Sue @ Sidewalk Cafe
* Bloc Party, Longwave @ Terminal 5
* Camera Obscura @ Mercury Lounge
* Micachu & The Shapes, The Grates @ Pianos
* Morrissey, The Courteeners @ Webster Hall
* Elvis Perkins in Dearland @ Bowery Ballroom
* Pronto (w/ Mikael Jorgensen of Wilco), Shortstack @ Maxwell's
* Human Highway, The Magic, Cotton Jones @ (le) poisson rouge
* USAISAMONSTER, Uke of Spaces, Weirding Module, more @ Death By Audio
* Janeane Garofalo, Mike Birbiglia, Wyatt Cenac, Joe Mande & Noah Garfinkel @ UCB

I hear Mike Birbiglia will also be appearing at 92YTribeca tomorrow.

Tortoise shows coming up.

Powersolo played Santos Party House before SXSW. Video from that show below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Wednesday?"

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"

David Cross @ Knitting Factory (more by Eric M Townsend)

upcoming guests @ Sleepwalk With Me

Jan 07 - Janeane Garofalo
Jan 14 - Jonathan Ames
Jan 21 - David Cross
Jan 28 - Andy Borowitz

upcoming shows @ 92YTribeca

Jan 08 - Janeane Garofalo, Paul F. Tompkins, David Cross, Kristen Schaal
Jan 27 - Best Week Ever, John Hodgeman, Paul F. Tompkins

In other comedy news, Demetri Martin has a couple of shows coming up, and Jessi Klein, Ryan McKee & Cock Lorge will be telling Stripped Stories @ UCB on Thursday. Penis Photographer video below...

Continue reading "David Cross, Janeane Garofalo & other comedians playing 92YTribeca & Sleepwalk With Me"

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.

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

This is at the Bell House in Brooklyn. Tickets are on sale.

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 "