When I first saw Michael Showalter was appearing at a bookstore tonight (2/16) to promote a book, I thought, "wasn't that last year? Is it a new book??", but then I realized it's because the paperpack version of "Mr. Funny Pants" was recently released. Grab a copy. #TeamBev

You can also catch Michael tell some jokes at Union Hall on 2/25 as part of Heart of Darkness with host Greg Barris, and other guests Kate Berlant, Dr. Clayton Curtis, The Mast, and The Forgiveness. Tickets are on sale.

In related news, Michael's Stella/State partner in crime Michael Ian Black also has a new book, but actually a new book, and his will be out, in hardcover, on February 28th. You can pre-order You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations at Amazon.

And Michael Ian Black also has a bunch of promotional appearances planned around the release of his book including one at the Strand and one at Greenlight. They're all listed below...

Continue reading "Michael Showalter & Michael Ian Black have new books & are appearing places"

by Klaus Kinski

Wet Hot Showalter @ Mirman Fest 2010 (more by David Andrako)

If you're like me (you wish), you were looking forward to going to the Wet Hot American Summer 10 Year Anniversary Show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Tuesday July 26th. Then you were looking forward to making your way to the Williamsburg Waterfront just a few days later (July 29th) to catch the FREE Eugene Mirman & Pretty Good Friends show featuring Todd Barry, Patton Oswalt, Kristen Schaal, They Might Be Giants and more. Please be advised though that 50% of those plans have changed as the Wet Hot 10th Anniversary Show has been rescheduled to Tuesday August 2nd. This sucker has been sold out forever, but rest assured that your July 26th tickets will indeed be honored.

There has has been a shit ton of Kickstarter talk going on around here lately and I'd like to throw another cause your way. This year, The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival has started up a Kickstarter campaign. I actually think the main tenents behind this Kickstarter campaign make a lot of sense, as it's aim is to benefit the people putting the show together, the talent that will be performing, and the people who will be spending money on tickets to the shows.

"In the past, our festival has been funded by our ticket sales, a small gift from Sub Pop Records, and a few ads in our program. We'd originally started the festival as a joke, but enjoyed putting it on and wanted to keep it going. Each year the costs (pig roast, a limo to take audience to the subway after shows, cotton candy machine, giant banners for made-up sponsors, etc.) and time put in have grown and we toy with the idea of corporate sponsors to cover them, but mostly shy away from it. This year, we thought we'd try to raise money with Kickstarter so we can pay employees, keep ticket prices affordable, and still do ridiculous and fun things. Here's a list of the things we will do with any money we raise:

• Pay a living wage to the people who work really hard to make this event possible.
• Build an ice cream limo or buy an ice cream truck
• Pay comedians enough money to afford one very nice meal and maybe even buy a pair of shoes.
• Fly out and put up some performers so that we can have more events/ panels/ shows/ comedy/ music
• Set up a petting zoo outside of our venue
• Awkward Party Bus
• Have musical guests on some of our shows
• Have fun after-parties
• Pay recent college grads to have sex in a pit (probably not, but we'll see how much money we raise)
• Delicious free food!
• More surprises!

So when you're at the Williamsburg Waterfront on Friday July 29th watching Eugene Mirman and his Pretty Good Friends bring laughter and joy to you and your pals, don't hesitate to whip out that 'smart' phone and, after you take a pic of your dopey friend with the big sunglasses, get on the internet and donate to this wonderful campaign before you lose said smart phone in the cab on your way home. Or just use your computer to donate whenever. EVERYONE wins with this one!

In 2001, members of MTV's sketch comedy group The State came together with Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Showalter, Marguerite Moreau, Paul Rudd, Molly Shannon, Christopher Meloni, Elizabeth Banks, Michael Ian Black, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Zak Orth, A.D. Miles to star in the David Wain-directed film We Hot American Summer. The film, which initially flopped, is apparently/possibly/according-to-some, now considered a cult classic and in honor of its tenth anniversary, David Wain, Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black (collectively known as Stella) are hosting a celebration of the film at Music Hall of Williamsburg on July 26 "with tons of GUESTS and SURPRISES!!" Tickets for the Brooklyn event go on sale today (6/10) at noon.

Wet Hot American Summer is currently Netflix on demand if you're into that kind of thing.

David also keeps busy working on Adult Swim show "Children's Hospital."

And David Wain hosted a 10th anniversary screening of the movie at the LA Film School theater (in LA) last night (6/9), and will be hosting a reception to celebrate a Wet Hot-inspired art show in Santa Monica tonight. The movie is also screening (sans David) in Boston tonight (6/10). More event info and the movie's trailer, below...

Continue reading "Wet Hot American Summer is 10, parties include a Stella-hosted show in Brooklyn"

Antony @ Apollo Theater in 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)

tonight in NYC
* DANCE
* Atlantic Antic
* Lucinda Williams @ Irving Plaza
* NY Burlesque Fest @ (Le) Poisson Rouge
* Dinosaur Jr @ Northern Lights in Clifton Park
* Sufjan Stevens, Cryptacize @ Bowery Ballroom
* Woe, Aluk Todolo, Malkuth, Castevet @ Union Pool
* The Legendary Shack Shakers, The Defibulators @ The Bell House
* Chain and the Gang, Silk Flowers, Julianna Barwick, Screens @ Mercury Lounge
* Maps and Atlases, Princeton, Laura Stevenson & The Cans @ Knitting Factory
* Life of the World to Come (film) w/ Rian Johnson, John Darnielle @ Housing Works
* Gavin Friday & Friends w/ U2 members, Rufus Wainwright, Laurie Anderson, Antony & many, many more @ Carnegie Hall

Today is The Ninth Annual New York City International Pickle Day.

Sufjan Stevens kicks off a four-night run with Cryptacize at Bowery Ballroom.

"Count yourselves among the fortunate, Philadelphians. Celebrated songwriter Sufjan Stevens is playing only 14 shows on his tour that launched at a sold-out Johnny Brenda's on Monday, and with a repeat performance scheduled last night, two of the indie auteur's dates were set at the cozy Fishtown club.

Stevens' 75-minute set with his six-piece band was notable for more than just its intimate setting. (Last time through town, Stevens - who brought the indie-music world to ecstasy with his 2005 folk-baroque album Illinois - sold out the Tower Theater in Upper Darby, roughly 10 times the size of Johnny Brenda's.)

Coming on stage in a Zoo York skull-and-bones T-shirt and camouflage cap, Stevens was backed by an able and adaptable ensemble that included a trombonist who played guitar and a trumpeter who switched off to French horn and keyboards. Finger-picking a banjo, and singing in a tremulous voice, Stevens began by conveying a sense of spiritual wonder with "All the Trees in the Field Will Clap Their Hands" from 2004's biblical-flavored Seven Swans." [philadelphia inquirer]

Sufjan performed all of Seven Swans at ATP NY this year.

Lucinda Williams plays from her 1992-2001 catalogue at Irving Plaza tonight. She played the same venue last night.

Rian Johnson's Mountain Goats concert film, Life of the World to Come, screens at Housing Works Bookstore with the director and John Darnielle in attendance.

Chain and the Gang, Silk Flowers, Julianna Barwick and Screens play Mercury Lounge.

Zazen Boys were scheduled to play Southpaw tonight, but their trip here was canceled.

NY Burlesque Fest continues at (Le) Poisson Rouge.

Union Pool hosts a BV-sponsored metal bill that includes Woe, Aluk Todolo (who played the WFMU Fest this week), Malkuth and Castevet.

Have you checked out the new Knitting Factory Brooklyn yet? Tonight the venue presents Princeton, Maps and Atlases, and Laura Stevenson & The Cans. In October Princeton is going on tour with Art Brut.

Gavin Friday & Friends holds a benefit at Carnegie Hall. Guests include Laurie Anderson, Antony, Elizabeth Ashley, Bono, Adam Clayton, Andrea Corr, The Edge, Flo & Eddie, Joel Grey, Bill Frisell, Guggi, Scarlett Johansson, Courtney Love, Lydia Lunch (who played Music Hall last night), Patrick McCabe, Maria McKee, Shane MacGowan, Eric Mingus, Larry Mullen, Jr., JG Thirlwell, Martha Wainwright, Rufus Wainwright, Chloe Webb and "special guests" (the phrase starts to lose meaning...).

Video of Lady Gaga on SNL, new Breakfast at Sulimay's, Volcano Choir and more below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Sunday?"

Executive produced by Black, Showalter, Jim Biederman ("Whitest Kids U Know," "I'm With Busey") and Lou Wallach, "Michael and Michael Have Issues" stars Black and Showalter in a new twist on narrative and sketch comedies that features the long-time comedic partners as the hosts of their own fictitious sketch show. Sketches will be interspersed throughout the narrative thread of each episode."

Michael and Michael is a new show that premieres on Comedy Central on July 15th. That same night, the State/Stella veterans "will perform comedy sets leading up to the live broadcast of the show" at The Bell House in Brooklyn! Tickets are on sale.

Last Thursday, M&M shot "a theater scene in front of a live audience". Videos below...

Continue reading "Michael & Michael Have Issues - on TV & live in Brooklyn"

photos by Eric M. Townsend

"On Tuesday night (12/9), a few of us ventured into Times Square to catch comedy troupe Stella at the Nokia Theatre. Stella is David Wain, Michael Showalter, and Michael Ian Black, all founding members of another comedy troupe, The State. Also, all film/TV actors/writers/directors. The Stella style of comedy is not for every taste, but it's for me. On Tuesday night's homecoming gig, the trio offered up a head-spinning assortment of absurd and abstract jokes, bits, and riffs. Their comedy is a stream-of-consciousness style that is hard to summarize, but it recalls the so-clever-it's-silly routines of Monty Python or the Marx Brothers.

Part of the show included a funny cameo by Paul Rudd, who has worked with the guys in films such as Wet Hot American Summer, The Baxter, and The Ten. Opening the show was fellow geek comic Eugene Mirman, stacked with his trademark dry wit and abstract social commentary. Both sets probably played best to the chemically-enhanced members of the audience. For those of us sticking to liquor, it was still a delight." [Matt Dentler]

Tonight/Wednesday is the 2nd of two NYC shows. More pictures from last night below...

Continue reading "Eugene Mirman, Stella & Paul Rudd @ Nokia Theatre - pics"

Stella in Time Out, March 1997

The Stella comedy tour is underway and hits Nokia Theatre in their hometown of NYC tonight/Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets are still on sale, AND I have a pair for each show to giveaway...

Continue reading "Stella is here (again) - win tickets to Nokia Theatre"

Stella @ Hammerstein Ballroom (more by Zach Dilgard)

If you missed last weekend's Stella comedy show, don't fret -- you'll get two more chances to see Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter and David Wain back in action in an intimate space! We have just announced two back to back shows at Union Hall this Saturday, November 29! Union Hall will sell 50 tickets for each show on Ticketweb starting at noon on Wednesday, November 26. Last week they sold in 16 seconds, so get your Internets ready for the race.

Saturday, November 29
STELLA
with Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter and David Wain
8pm & 10pm

Tickets available at Ticketweb starting at noon on Wednesday, November 26

Stella's bigger venue tour begins at the end of November.

In other NYC comedy news, Demetri Martin has a show coming up at the UCB Theatre on December 1st.

Bishop Allen @ Fun Fun Fun Fest 2008 (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

today in NYC
* DANCE
* Stella @ Union Hall !
* NY Dolls @ Stone Pony
* Ani Difranco @ Town Hall
* Rasputina @ the Bell House
* Al Green @ Wellmont Theater
* The Hackensaw Boys @ 92YTribeca
* Robyn Hitchcock @ Symphony Space
* Slutty Puppets @ Galapagos Art Space
* The Dig & Frankpollis @ The Studio at Webster Hall
* Baroness, Coliseum & Minsk @ Bowery Ballroom
* Electric Six, Local H, Fall On Your Sword @ Webster Hall
* Bishop Allen, Drink Up Buttercup & Electric Owls @ MHOW
* Peter & The Wolf, Ava Luna & Draw Into Disorder @ Silent Barn
* We Are Scientists, Mobius Band & Grandma's Boy @ Irving Plaza
* Grails, Silver Apples, Dinowalrus & Nudge @ Knitting Factory
* Hopewell, Bear in Heaven, Artranker Convoy & Tulips @ Cake Shop
* Cheap Time w/ The Black Clouds, The Konks, and Golden Error @ Asterisk Art Space

in Boston: The Brainwaves Festival

! I have no idea when they added the Stella show at Union Hall, but Union Hall's site reads "SOLD OUT: no tickets are available". It's a warmup for the upcoming tour and shows at Nokia Theatre. It's not clear whether Michael Showalter will also be performing with Eugene Mirman at Union Hall this Sunday. How was the Showalter/Black show at Caroline's?

Local H goes on at 7:45 tonight at Webster Hall (or someone just told me maybe 9:00).

Bishop Allen also plays MHOW on Sunday.

Tonight was supposed to be the first of two Flower Travellin Band shows at Knitting Factory.

NY Dolls added tonight's NJ show since I last posted their tour dates that include Irving Plaza in December.

Ludacris is playing Highline Ballroom Tuesday night.

Bjork turned 43 yesterday.

Karen O was born today in 1978.

Steven Van Zandt was born today in 1950.

John F. Kennedy died today in 1963.

Grails played Union Pool last night. Video below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Saturday?"

Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter (2/3 of Stella) are playing a free MySpace Secret Stand Up show at Caroline's Comedy Club in NYC on Thursday November 6th. As you can see from the picture above, the show is affiliated with the New York Comedy Festival that kicks off today (Wednesday, November 5th).

All of Stella are touring, and playing 2 NYC shows, in December. You can watch them discuss president-elect Barack Obama in the video below...

Continue reading "Michael Showalter & Michael Ian Black - free MySpace show "

Photos by Chris La Putt

STELLA REUNITES FOR MEDIUM TO MODERATELY SIZED-WAIT! THEY-NEVER-REALLY-BROKE-UP-TOUR

JDub Records is delighted to announce that renowned comedy trio Stella will be back on the road this November. Formed in 1997, Stella features comedians David Wain, Michael Ian Black and everyone's favorite goof-off Michael Showalter.

Showalter first came to recognition as a cast member, writer, producer, and director of MTV's half hour sketch comedy show, The State, which aired from 1993-1995. Michael later went on to co-write and star in the cult classic film Wet Hot American Summer (2001), write, direct, and star in The Baxter (2005), as well as write, produce, and star in Comedy Central's televised Stella (also 2005). In addition to these many feats, Showalter also hosts the excellent online interview show The Michael Showalter Showalter on CollegeHumor.com (you can see the episodes here: http://www.collegehumor.com/tag:michaelshowalter); recent guests include Andy Samberg, Paul Rudd, David Cross and Michael Cera. Showalter's 2007 album, Sandwiches and Cats, out on JDub Records, gleefully inhabits "the comedy danger zone that hovers between too far and just enough" (The New York Times).

Though they rarely tour as a collective, a typical Stella show guarantees audiences a playful mix of mainstream comedy and surrealist wit. Their absurd approach to the mundane promises that no show is the same as the last. So why don't you find out for yourself?

They never really did break up. In fact, you might have caught the trio earlier this month at NY Mag's 40th Anniversary party @ Hammerstein Ballroom. Individually, they are not that rare either (which is a good thing), well Michael Showalter especially, who, for instance, just performed with John Vanderslice at the opening of the 92YTribeca way back before CMJ (10/18). That's where the pictures in this post came from.

Stella play the Nokia Theatre in NYC on December 9th and 10th. Tickets are on sale. More tour dates below...

Continue reading "Stella (reunited) (again) - 2008 (comedy) Tour Dates"

Photos by Zach Dilgard

NY Magazine held their 40th anniversary party at Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC on Friday night (Oct 10, 2008). Their were musical sets by Grizzly Bear and The National, and comedy by Stella's Michael Showalter, David Wain, and Michael Ian Black. More pictures from the evening (Oct 10, 2008) below...

Continue reading "NY Mag's 40th party (Grizzly Bear, The National & Stella) @ Hammerstein Ballroom, NYC - pics"

photos by Bao Nguyen

"The National is headlining the concert at Hammerstein Ballroom on October 10th, Grizzly Bear is opening and the evening is hosted by Stella: Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter and David Wain. Tickets are $35 and there's no scalping, like all New York events, it's will-call only." [The Life Vicarious]

The show will be in honor of NY Magazine's 40th anniversary. No tickets yet. NY Mag's last show was with Islands. Their next show has Jose Gonzalez.

The National's last NYC show was at Central Park Summerstage.

Grizzly Bear's last NYC show was at Music Hall of Williamsburg. The night before that they played All Points West in Jersey City - part of their tour with Radiohead that ended August 15th in Toronto. Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood never speaks at shows. At that Toronto show he spoke on stage possibly for the first time ever. What he said was (approximately), "I would like to thank my favourite band in the world, Grizzly Bear, so thanks alot, thank you very much for touring with us". Thom followed that with, "Jonny speaks". Video footage from Toronto and more pictures from All Points West, below...

Continue reading "The National, Grizzly Bear (Jonny Greenwood's favorite) & Stella playing Hammerstein for NY Mag's 40th"

photos by Chris La Putt

Stella Hosted, Nina Persson, Alberta Cross, OK Go & Joan as Policewoman played

Paul Rudd also showed up at the event. More photos & videos below...

Continue reading "Shudder To Think reunited @ Get Up & Vote @ Bowery"

DOWNLOAD: Craig Wedren - Poolkiss (MP3)

Craig Wedren & Angela McCluskey @ Ars Nova, Dec 1, 2007 (CRED)

* VOTE tomorrow
* or Register to Vote
* Exodus & Goatwhore @ BB King's
* Death Vessel & Thao Nguyen @ Knitting Factory
* Barack Rock hosted by Stella w/ Craig Wedren, OK GO & more
* The Slits play Webster Hall for Chloe Sevigney (RSVP may be necessary)

Craig Wedren, Stella and the rest of the cast of tonight's sold-out Barack Rock show at Bowery Ballroom reminded me to remind you to get up and vote tomorrow. In honor of that, Craig gave us a brand spankin' new MP3 that you can download at the top of this post, and Dangle & Junior of Reno 911 recorded some special video messages that you can watch below. What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday? (Craig Wedren, Stella, vote, MP3)"

Craig Wedren @ Pianos, NYC (BV CMJ), NYC - Oct 20, 2007 (Bao)

Craig Wedren helped put together this "Get Up And Vote" show at Bowery Ballroom on February 4th. All his friends from Stella will be there, his former bandmate Nathan Larson, Nathan's wife Nina Persson, Joan as Policewoman, AND: OK GO (of YouTube fame) are headlining. More details below.....

Continue reading "Barack Obama "Get up and Vote" show @ Bowery Ballroom"