Creative Loafing : Aisha Tyler Podcast

Thanks to Noah & the fine people at Creative Loafing, the Atlanta Comedy Community is finally going to get a bit more recognition as an artistic entity. He’ll personally be devoting time to BOTH nationally traveling acts making their way through town as well as our growing local comedy scene.

If you see him in the club, send a drink his way, one comedy supporter/comic to another.

There are just a few here in Atlanta comedy who warrant the “legendary” status; Dan Mengini is certainly one of them. Which gives us here at Atlanta Stands Up… goosebumps to announce the recording of Mengini’s new comedy album at The Buford Variety Theater, this Friday & Saturday, June 4th-5th @ 9PM.

Mengini undoubtedly chose this venue to record his album for it’s unique stake here in the Atlanta comedy scene, as well as for the nostalgia of many a fun performance he’s had there. In Mengini’s own words about the venue, “It’s such a fun place to perform that I’ve decided to record my new comedy album there. If you live near Atlanta, please come out this Friday or Saturday. The atmosphere has always been amazing at this place.”

Come down to Buford Variety this weekend and support a true Atlanta comic make a career accomplishment all comics wish to achieve; the kind that will make you laugh!

Jessica Hinckle
Co-Editor

One of our favorite blogs: Sean McCarthy’s “The Comic’s Comic” has posted today, an interview with one of our very own stand-up brethren.

For those of you who don’t know of Dan Pasternack … well, I’m sorry.

Here’s the story. Lifelong showbiz superhero Dan took a job at Turner (Champion of the now defunct “Super Deluxe.”) The economic turn crushed his job. His family was stuck in Atlanta. So – Dan filled in his time with us returning to his roots … Stand-Up comedy.

For most of us, Dan wasn’t “Mr. Showbiz” and he certainly wasn’t “Hot Shot McGee.” He was one of the guys. Part of the family (His lanyard at The First Annual Laughing Skull Festival read “The Godfather.”) He was a comedy nerd. He was a comedy collector, with a basement so covered in comedy history some of us lovingly called it “The Museum.” Most of all – he was an LA boy who wanted to go home.  And when he unleashed his comic mind onstage … well … the room listened.

We are honored to have had Dan for the short time that we have. Atlanta Stands Up and every one of it’s contributors are proud to call him a friend. And we will miss him when he completes his move to NYC this May.

Please read (and RSS Subscribe) to “The Comic’s Comic” and read the article about Dan and his new job. Couldn’t have happened to a better guy.

CLICK HERE FOR A DIRECT LINK TO THE ARTICLE

EDIT:

A second interview has popped up with Dan for a complete different reason. Atlanta’s Creative Loafing has published an interview with Dan about his new TV show “Gravity” – Check it out HERE

Justin Morgan
Editor

Atlanta comedian Chelcie Rice has recently started a blog for comedians wether new or old to take interest in under the title “How To Suck At Comedy.”

Chelcie, a seasoned veteran and creator of “Sugar Free Comedy,” shares a unique and interesting perspective on the business of funny. He’s strong willed, opinionated and quite biting. We here at ASU thoroughly encourage you to check him and his blog out. We will gladly be posting material from “How To Suck At Comedy” as it comes to us.

Now without further ado:

“Don’t Just Do Something!! Stand There and Whine About It!!”

I really like people who complain.  Mostly cause I do it myself so I have a close relationship with whiners. So here’s another little nugget that they wont teach you in a stand up comedy class.

That bullshit about “the squeaky wheel gets the oil” really doesn’t stand true in comedy.  You may know the guy who’s always complaining about not getting stage time and who is getting more than he is and what not.  Look…we all know it’s hard to get stage time and definitely even harder to get paid for it.  But hanging out whining will get you a nice scarlet letter tagged on you really quick.  Not whining about stage time isn’t the only thing these guys cry about.  Here’s some oldies but goodies:

“I know I’m funnier than him/her”

“That crowd was a bunch of _______” (*the blank can be filled with* rednecks, assholes, drunks, hippies, old people, etc)

“Aw he doesn’t want to book me cause he’s a racist”

“They don’t like female comics”

“They won’t let me on cause they know I’ll blow it up” (this has to be the dumbest thing I’ve actually heard.  Hey stupid, If they knew you would do well why in the blue hell would they not want you to perform in their club? NEWSFLASH!! It’s really because you suck!!)

There’s a lot more but it’s late and I’ve been putting off this post all week so I’m not going to give ‘em all to you.  But you get what I’m trying to say.  The point I’m trying to make is stop friggin’ whining about not getting what you want from stand up comedy.  Just get up and do something.  If it’s nothing but ideas or writing new jokes.  The jokes don’t have to be funny or even well written.  Exercise your brain.  Just do something to keep your mind active and always be moving forward.  If one place isn’t giving you stage time then go find another OR make your own show.  Get online and find other comics to bounce ideas off of.  ANYTHING!  Always remember that nobody likes a whiner but another whiner and even they have fucking limits.  How embarrassing would it be to have a whiner whine about how much you whine?  You want people to listen to you at some point.  That’s a comedian’s job…to be heard.  And your first and really most supportive fans will always be your peers.  So it’s best to keep them around.  These comedy tips are seriously for your own good as well and the art form.  Cause I seriously am tired of the whining.

—

Find Chelcie @ : howtosuckatcomedy.com, facebook.com/comedianchelcierice & ilovebrownrice.com

“How To Suck At Comedy” and all it’s content by comedian Chelcie Rice

Post by Editor Justin Morgan

In case you’ve been MIA for the Dogwood Homegrown Comedy Binge at the Laughing Skull Lounge, here’s a recap of all the comics who had to crawl through hot coals, broken glass, and listen to 3 hours worth of Sarah Palin interviews to make the final cut…. ok, no, not really. But they DID give stellar performances and were chosen by a panel of Dogwood Festival board members to move on to the semi-finals.

The Dogwood Homegrown Comedy Binge Semi-Finals will be held this Wednesday at the Laughing Skull Lounge, at 8pm. Followed by the finals, which will be held at the Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park, this Friday, also at 8pm.

All of the finalists listed below are accompanied by a video of their winning set provided by Trey Toler via the Laughing Skull Lounge’s YouTube Channel. And yes, you can hear both Trey Toler and Justin Morgan laughing in the background during most of these sets.

Laugh!

Week 1 Finalists

Patton Smith
Thomas Jenkins
Jamie Ward
Eric Fier

Week 2 Finalists

Dave Stone
Od Ezeokoli
Mike Haun
Matt White
Gilbert Lawand

Week 3 Finalists

Mike Kaiser
Trey Toler
Steve Haigh
Cynthia Bateman
Sarah Cooper

Week 4 Finalists

Jeff Dearman
Katrina Braxton
Anthony Dahlen
Kevin Dwyer

Week 5 Finalists

Andy Sandford
Matt O’Meara
Xavier King
“Devil’s Advocate”

We’ll see you on Wednesday for the semi-finals!

Jessica Hinckle
Contributing Editor

Trey Toler
Video Contributor
Comedian

Jessica Hinckle
Contributing Editor

Joe Zimmerman is also one of the Beards Of Comedy. A truly hilarious and talented group of guys that you’ve probably heard on The Regular Guys, or if you’ve been so lucky, you’ve seen them on tour. If you haven’t been so lucky then a little bearded bird told me that they will be at the Laughing Skull Lounge May 20th through May 23rd.

Jessica Hinckle
Contributing Editor

Who couldn’t use an extra $1000 just from one night of comedy? Here’s the skinny:

Contest: ‘Death At A Funeral’ Amateur Comedy
Hosted By: Screen Gems Studios
Location: Uptown Comedy Corner
Date: Thursday, April 8th
Time: 8pm
To Participate: Next week, any comedians interested in competing will need to upload a 3 minute routine onto the V-103 website. V-103 will then chose 20 comedians to compete in the contest on April 8th.
Grade Prize: $1000!! Also, a chance to perform your winning routine at the Death At A Funeral promotional screening. Includes 4 reserved seats for you and 4 of your friends with free concessions.
Sourced From: The World ATL (According To Love). This blog will provide us with more details soon. Join their fanpage!

Jessica Hinckle
Contributing Editor

A side note. Patton is a finalist from The Dogwood Homegrown Comedy Binge at the Laughing Skull Lounge! Finals will be held at The Dogwood Festival, April 16th, at 8pm in Piedmont Park. End side note.

Jessica Hinckle
Contributing Editor

A side note. Comedy Gold is an awesome, old school, club to check out on Friday and Saturday nights at 9pm. Landmark Diner Side-lounge, in Buckhead. Always a great lineup and the bartender makes a killer drink!

Jessica Hinckle
Contributing Editor