Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival Announces 2010 Comedy Lineup
Posted by Nikki Benson
Seattle, WA – One Reel, the not for profit arts organization that produces Bumbershoot: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival, is proud to announce the Comedy program for the 40th Annual Festival taking place September 4-6 at Seattle Center. This popular Festival staple is just another example that highlights the eclectic programming Bumbershoot offers in addition to its always-stellar music lineup.
COMEDY
Bumbershoot’s ever popular comedy program, known for being ahead of the curve when it comes to featuring up-and-coming performers (in 1988 Bumbershoot hosted a fresh young comedian named Jerry Seinfeld!) features two stages of national headlining comic talent in addition to one stage dedicated to showcasing the emergent voices of comedy from right here in the Pacific Northwest. The Festival will welcome some of the most hilarious personalities working today for uproarious entertainment Bumbershoot fans with diverse comic tastes will enjoy.
Comedy Stage South (located in the Charlotte Martin Theatre)
This stage features the best of top national comedy groups and unique format performances.
Patton Oswalt & Friends
Patton Oswalt is a nationally touring comedian in addition to starring in the film Big Fan and as the voice of Remy the rat in Ratatouille. Patton has shot three TV specials and two critically acclaimed albums, including My Weakness is Strong, which received a Grammy nomination for “Best Comedy Album” in 2009. For his comedic appearance at Bumbershoot, Oswalt brings surprise special guests and, along with these friends, is a guaranteed evening of sidesplitting laughter.
Bring the Rock with Greg Behrendt
This unique show features compelling, confessional, and often hilarious stories from comics and musicians about the music and bands that rock them, embarrassing encounters with rock notables, and dreams of or flirtations with rock & roll glory. Each “rocktail” is followed by a rousing cover of said band/song performed by house band the Electrick Snowflake. Hosted by Greg Behrendt, co-author of the bestselling He’s Just Not That Into You and It’s Called a Break-Up Because It’s Broken, the Bumbershoot edition of Bring the Rock will feature special guests so don’t come expecting Karaoke come expecting to be ROCKED!
Comedy Loves Music! featuring Garfunkel and Oates, David O’Doherty and Nick Thune
Garfunkel and Oates is an LA-based comedy/folk duo made up of actresses Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci. They’ve appeared on The Tonight Show, Last Call with Carson Daly, and CNN. Videos for their songs “Present Face” and “Pregnant Women are Smug” have made them YouTube stars.
David O’Doherty
Irish stand-up comedian and writer David O’Doherty worked as a telemarketer and a temp before trying his hand at comedy. The multi-talented O’Doherty has written two plays, a radio series, and a children’s book called 100 Facts About Pandas. He recently toured with Demetri Martin and Flight of the Conchords.
Nick Thune
A rising star in the comedy world, Nick Thune is known for seamlessly combining music and humor. His stand-up has been featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and in his own special for Comedy Central Presents. He has also appeared in movies including Knocked Up, Extract, and Unaccompanied Minors.
Comedy Podcast Live! featuring live episodes of Never Not Funny with Jimmy Pardo, WTF with Marc Maron, and The Nerdist with Chris Hardwick
Never Not Funny with Jimmy Pardo
Come laugh as comedian/host Jimmy Pardo, producer Matt Belknap, and show favorite Pat Francis gather together to talk about life, parenthood, and most importantly, Jimmy’s love of awful music. Having just celebrated their 200th episode, Never Not Funny is one of the longest-running and most beloved comedy podcasts in the world.
WTF with Marc Maron
Comedian Marc Maron is tackling the most complex philosophical question of our day – WTF? He’ll get to the bottom of it in this live version of his WTF podcast with help from comedian friends, celebrity guests, and the voices in his own head.
The Nerdist with Chris Hardwick
G4’s Chris Hardwick started The Nerdist, a popular comedy podcast, as a way for he and his friends Jonah Ray and Matt Mira to discuss comedy and “nerdy stuff,” usually accompanied by a celebrity guest. In addition to their roundtable conversation, the live podcast includes comedy and music performances.
Comedy Stage North (located in the Intiman Theatre)
This stage is packed with stand-up from the following national comedic superstars (listed alphabetically).
Donald Glover
Currently starring on NBC’s hit comedy Community, Donald Glover is a comedy wunderkind, hired as a writer on 30 Rock while he was still working as a Resident Advisor at NYU. Glover is also one of the founding members of the comedy group and YouTube sensation DERRICK Comedy.
Chris Hardwick
The host of G4’s Web Soup and a correspondent for Attack of the Show, Chris Hardwick is also half of the musical comedy duo Hard ‘n Phirm. Hardwick performed at Bumbershoot in 2001 and 2005, and is “impregnated with joy babies” to be returning this year.
Jamie Kilstein
Opening for comedy greats including Eddie Izzard, Billy Connolly, Lewis Black, and Louis CK, Jamie Kilstein’s humor is often politically driven, as fans of his Citizen Radio show are well aware. Selected as Punchline Magazine’s “One Comic to Watch in 2009,” Kilstein has performed at prestigious venues around the world and featured internationally on the UK’s Paramount Comedy Channel, Australia’s Comedy Channel, and Showtime Comedy in the Middle East.
Nick Kroll
Nick Kroll is well known for his characters, including the Ed Hardy-obsessed Bobby Bottleservice and Fabrice Fabrice, a craft service coordinator for the TV show That’s So Raven. Most recently, he has appeared in the films Date Night and Get Him to the Greek, and stars in FX’s The League.
Joe Mande
A rising star in New York City’s alt-comedy scene, Joe Mande was named “Best New Comedian” of the year by Time Out New York. He has contributed to VH1’s Best Week Ever, Videogum.com, and his new book Look at this F*cking Hipster is a vicious and hilarious study of hipsters.
Marc Maron
Comedian Marc Maron explains his approach to stand-up by using the fan-coined description of an “Iggy Pop Woody Allen.” In addition to performing in multiple one-man shows and appearing regularly on late night talk shows, Maron was extremely involved in Air America, hosting several of their radio programs.
John Mulaney
John Mulaney has appeared on Saturday Night Live, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and VH1’s Best Week Ever. Only 26 years old, he has already recorded a Comedy Central special and an album. In 2008 he was named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” and Entertainment Weekly’s “Comedians on the Rise.”
Morgan Murphy
Morgan Murphy started making a name on the LA comedy scene while she was still a student at Loyola Marymount University. Shortly after she graduated she appeared on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and became a writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live! Murphy is currently a staff writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.
Kumail Nanjiani
A tireless New York-based writer and performer, Kumail Nanjiani first gained attention for his critically acclaimed one-man show “Unpronounceable.” In the past year, Kumail has appeared on The Colbert Report, Late Night with David Letterman, and was named among both Variety and New York Magazine’s “10 Comics to Watch.”
Tig Notaro
Tig Notaro performs regularly at the Hollywood Improv, the UCB Theater, and Largo in her monthly show, Tig Notaro and Friends. She had a recurring role on all three seasons of The Sarah Silverman Program, was a series regular on In the Motherhood, and has had her own Comedy Central Presents special.
Chelsea Peretti
Many will recognize Chelsea Peretti from her recurring role on Louis CK’s FX show, Louie. She has written for Details, Playgirl, and the Village Voice, contributed to television projects for MTV, VH1, Adult Swim, and Comedy Central, and participated in the Axe Twisted Humor Tour in conjunction with Funny or Die.
Comedy Stage West (located in The Vera Project)
This stage hosts the best in Pacific Northwest comedy co-curated by Seattle’s own People’s Republic of Komedy (listed alphabetically).
Blood Squad/Duos
The local phenomenon Blood Squad presents fully improvised shows in the style of horror films based on a made-up title from the audience. Sharing the bill will be some of the best and freshest comedy and improv duos in Seattle, who perform regularly in Unexpected Productions’ Duo showcase at The Market Theater.
Bridgetown Comedy Festival Showcase
The Bridgetown Comedy Festival arose from a love of boundary-pushing comedy and the belief that the Pacific Northwest’s exposure to the national stand-up scene’s current golden age was limited. For the last three years, the Portland-based national comedy festival has featured some of the best comedy the Northwest and the nation have to offer.
The Cracked Up
The Cracked Up is a monthly showcase that blends sketch, stand-up, and storytelling from local comedians who stretch the boundaries of their craft. Hosted by Solomon Georgio of the People’s Republic of Komedy, this show is an intimate and delightful comedic hodgepodge that leaves audiences aching from laughter.
Famous Mysterious Actor Show
The Famous Mysterious Actor, host of the hilariously surreal late night talk show parody known as The Famous Mysterious Actor Show, performs in what appears to be a Mexican wrestling mask, soiled army parka, and black fright wig. He was not born to fame, but is more than willing to thrust it down your throat.
Komedy Kabaret
People’s Republic of Komedy has played host to some of Seattle’s best comedic infused Cabaret and Burlesque performers and for Bumbershoot, they’re pulling out all the stops. They’ve handpicked their favorites—from ventriloquists to fortunetellers—this vaudeville style show will take you back to a sillier time.
Laff Hole!
The People’s Republic of Komedy, a tight-knit group of like-minded Seattle comedians, has been creating a stir in the local arts scene with their wildly popular, stand-up heavy, variety show Laff Hole. Their combination of up-and-coming comedians and musicians continues to rise like a phoenix into the humorsphere.
New Kids
Some of the freshest young talent in Seattle earn their chops at the People’s Republic Kafe coffee house open mics. These rising comedic stars have been handpicked to showcase their fresh and hilarious perspectives at Bumbershoot. Come see the future stars of the Seattle comedy scene.
Stop Podcasting Yourself Live Podcast
Vancouver stand-up comedians Graham Clark and Dave Shumka host this weekly comedy podcast. Every week, the show, which started in March of 2008, invites an entertaining guest on to talk about life, funny things overheard on the street, and anything else that comes up.
TBTL Live Podcast
TBTL (Too Beautiful To Live) is the Northwest Podcast Sensation that features Luke Burbank. Burbank is the foremost Imaginary Radio Host in America. That sounds pretty badass until you consider that he’s the only Imaginary Radio Host in America (because he made that term up). Come see him and his very special guests!
Ubiquitous They
The comedic troupe known as Ubiquitous They formed in 2002 at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA. Despite astronomically bad odds, the group’s members managed to graduate from college and, shortly thereafter, realized they were suddenly without an outlet for their comic creativity. Setting their sights on Seattle, they added new members and set sail to conquer this new comedy scene. What lies ahead is uncertain, but know this: UT loves you dearly and wants you to be very happy.
FESTIVAL COMEDY PASS INFORMATION
Due to the high demand for comedic offerings at the Festival and the intimate venues in which the shows are staged, all comedy programs offer a free pass onsite guaranteeing admission to Festival patrons. Comedy passes are not required, but recommended to secure a seat in one of the comedy performances.
Comedy passes are available each Festival day beginning at 11am at the Comedy Pass Distribution booth (located outside at the northwest corner of the Center House), on a first-come, first-served basis until all passes are distributed. To allow more comedy fans the opportunity to see a show, one Comedy pass will be available per person/ticket, per day, while supplies last. In addition, each performance will have a stand-by line for patrons without comedy passes. Admission from the stand-by line is not guaranteed and is first-come, first-served.
YOUNGERSHOOT
Bumbershoot is the perfect place for family fun with the return of Youngershoot. This kid-focused “festival within the Festival” provides music, hands-on activities, and arts programming the whole family can enjoy.
Youngershoot musical performances include:
Caspar Babypants
Also known as Chris Ballew, lead singer of the rock & roll band The Presidents of the United States of America, Caspar Babypants makes simple, sing-along music for babies’ brains and parents’ ears that both will enjoy and love.
Johnny Bregar
Featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, Johnny Bregar is a star in the local “kindie” (kid + indie) music scene. Bregar’s original songs and arrangements of familiar children’s songs have tinges of roots and blues and a relaxed, old-fashioned style. He’s best known for his concerts, which delight kids and parents alike.
Brian Vogan
Seattle “kindie rock” sensation Brian Vogan writes engaging and creative songs for the whole family. As a music therapist and early childhood music educator, Vogan works with preschool age children around Seattle. This experience has helped him bring the valuable lessons he encounters in the classroom to life in his songs.
In addition to these specific kiddie-centric entertainers, there are many other family-friendly performers in the Bumbershoot music lineup. A detailed Youngershoot schedule will be available mid-July on bumbershoot.org.
The Bumbershoot Kids Pavilion will inspire creativity and imagination. Here, kids are encouraged to play, dance, experiment, learn, and have fun. There will be opportunities to learn all about how great artists like Matisse, Picasso, and Pollock painted and try it for themselves with Early Masters; dance, create interactive sculptures, and more with Fremont Arts Abbey; create cityscapes or nature scenes with all natural clay with Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay; learn how magnets work at the Kid’s Discovery Museum; join Northwest Double Dutch to watch and learn new jump rope tricks; and experience breathing and relaxing with 8 Limbs yoga for all ages.
The Bumbershoot Kids Pavilion is open from 11am – 6pm daily inside the Center House.
Family fun continues throughout the Seattle Center grounds with exciting and breath-taking spectacle entertainment by NANDA, Circus Una’s Motorcycle Thrill Show, the Museum of Glass Mobile Hot Shop, and Cyclecide.
Films4Families, a special program of film shorts tailor-made for kids of all ages returns as part of the 1 Reel Film Festival. The Bumbershoot “Youngershoot” Theatre lineup includes engaging performances of The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee on the Theatre Puget Sound Stage.
There’s so much art, music, dance, theatre, film, and culture for kids to experience at the Festival and, new this year, Bumbershoot makes it even more affordable for families to participate in all the fun. The Festival has increased the age children can attend for free from 5 and under, to 10 and under. Free kids’ admission does not include access to the Mainstage. For detailed information on child entry and tickets, visit bumbershoot.org.
TICKETS:
Bumbershoot has historically offered a substantial weekend roster of world-class entertainment, arts and culture for an exceptionally low-ticket price. This year, Bumbershoot unveiled an even greater bargain with the introduction of the Economy Ticket. The Bumbershoot Economy Ticket ($22 advance/$30 gate) gives ticketholders first-come, first-served access to everything at Bumbershoot except the Mainstage performances in Memorial Stadium.
The Bumbershoot Standard Ticket ($40 advance/$50 gate), one of the best festival bargains around, now includes guaranteed Mainstage admission, as well as first-come, first-served access to all other Festival venues.
Single day-specific advance ticket prices are good through Friday, September 3. Gate prices go into effect at the start of the Festival on Saturday, September 4
Tickets are currently available to purchase at bumbershoot.org, Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.
For more ticket information visit bumbershoot.org/tickets.htm.
