New shows, old favorites and Sketch Fest on May’s comedy calendar
This is a golden time for the Austin comedy scene, exemplified by the Funniest Person in Austin Contest at Cap City Comedy Club, which continues through May 15. The contest to crown Austin’s funniest was first held more than 30 years ago with a handful of contestants and has grown into a 200-plus comic slugfest. There are so many diverse and talented comics in this town that you’re in for a solid show regardless of what night you choose. This year is extra poignant with the April passing of current FPIA winner and eternal queen Lashonda Lester. For a great insight into what goes on behind the scenes, check out the documentary “Funniest” by Katie Pengra and Dustin Svehlak at fpiamovie.com.
Mondays in May “Stage Dive” at Cold
Towne. This is a fantastic open mic, although it is usually booked solid in advance. Look for a healthy mix of first-timers and veterans trying out new material. Host Amber Bixby took over the show, formerly called “Shtick,” from LA-bound comic Maggie Maye. Bixby has been a fixture on the scene for years and recently appeared at Moontower Comedy Festival and in the web series “Pretty Awful” alongside Katie Pengra.
Thursdays in May “Gutbusters” at Hops
and Grains Brewery. It’s becoming a new tradition in Austin to have a comedy room inside a brewery. “Gutbusters,” hosted by Nathan Ehrmann, is going on three years strong. It is not automatically conducive to standup. In Ehrmann’s words, “It’s a weird, fully lit room with the constant whir of industrial equipment and fans and an overhead PA that makes you sound like an assistant principal, but the beer is good and so is Austin comedy.” This is where I spent my 40th birthday solo, enjoying the smell of beer in the air and watching comics scribbling last-minute notes. It was perfect. Check out “Gutbusters” for the amazing price of free. Pro-tip: Stick around after the show and, if you’re lucky, Ehrmann will play some amazing piano.
Wednesdays starting May 10 Garage at the New Movement Theater. Garage is an new all female-identifying powerhouse improv troupe led by Ariel Greenspoon and Lisa Friedrich with Roxy Castillo, Shay Millheiser, Malia Moss, Lindsey Moringy, Franny Harold and Jessica von Schramm. New Movement artistic director Yamina Khoune approached Greenspoon and Freidrich about forming an all-female troupe. Greenspoon was “drawn to a ‘Riot Grrrl’ aesthetic and decided we wanted music somewhat involved. … The audience will put a band/artist name in a bucket and we do our monoscene set based on the first song that comes up for that band.” This looks to be another cool show from the always surprising and experimental New Movement. May 13 Mac Blake headlines “Sure Thing” at Austin
Java Parkway. My heart goes aflutter for Brendan K. O’Grady and Duncan Carson’s weekly standard “Sure Thing.” O’Grady and Carson are like sommeliers of comedy, curating every “Sure Thing” show like a full-course meal. They also run a comedy record label, producing an aces roster of local and national artists. May 11 they will be dropping the new EP from former Funniest Person in Austin winner Mac Blake. His previous album “Bird Drugs” debuted at No. 3 on the iTunes comedy charts. Catch him as he headlines the always-steady and always-free “Sure Thing” on May 13. May 19-20 Carina Magyar at the Velveeta Room. “I’m a lesbian, transgender single parent with two kids under 5. But I’m sure your dating life is rough, too.” Carina Magyar is many things: parent, comic, storyteller, writer and consistently hilarious. She currently books and co-hosts the weekly stand-up showcase “Live at Coldtowne” and the monthly improv-meetsromance show “Date or Die” at the New Movement. She has appeared on the late, great “ATX Uncensored(ish)” and KLBJ’s “Dudley and Bob with Matt” and will be featured on the upcoming Season 2 of PBS’s “Stand Up Empire” She also runs Austin’s online comedy calendar, LastGasComedy.com. Take this opportunity to see her hold the stage like no other when she headlines the legendary Velveeta Room.
May 22-28
Austin Sketch Fest at ColdTowne and Spider
House. ColdTowne Theater presents the 8th annual Austin Sketch Fest through Memorial Day weekend, showcasing the best scripted comedy from Austin and the national scene. I’ve been digging the rise of this festival for years, and the lineup for the 2017 edition is fierce. Featured performers include James Adomian (“Trump vs. Bernie” debates), Reductress and Upright Citizens Brigade, and a live audience comedy album recording by Duncan Carson will close out the fest. First year festival director Will Cleveland says the festival has been successful “because we love making sketch comedy and bringing people together. It’s a week of making art and making new friends who share a passion for sketch comedy.”