Comedian Steve Flye and the Ice House in Pasadena make a killer combo folks. Last night I hit up Flye’s monthly show at the venue for the first time. Again, the Ice House proved that it is the best large comedy venue in the greater L.A.-area - hands down.
The Ice House is what live comedy is all about. The staff is incredible - especially long time staffer and new author Barbara Corry. I want to personally thank Barbara for showing us a great time last night. She is an amazing contributor to the community. Live comedy and the Ice House should be proud to have her. We will be spotlighting Barbara Corry and her new book “The Ultimate Green Room” in the coming weeks.
On to the show - simply put…Steve Flye has the skills to be a big time player. I asked Steve to perform at my 30th birthday a few weeks ago because I wanted more people to see that he is the real deal. But, honestly, I think he is doing just fine on his own…he packed the Ice House last night…that’s not easy. You may know “Life of the Party with Jay Davis”. But “Flye Comedy” is right there. His material killed again and he can sing (who knew?). I loved when he went into the crowd and talked about the “horchatas” on the Mexican girl in the front row. He said, “Those things could squeeze out cinnamon.”
I also enjoyed the sets from Honest John and Chris Spencer. Honest John is this older dude who talks dirty. Love that. If you are a fan of stand-up, you probably know Chris Spencer from hosting Chocolate Sunday’s at the Laugh Factory. I had never seen him before, but he was great. Tons of great material and so natural.
I want to thank Barbara Corry again. And I want to thank Steve Flye for giving Live Comedy L.A. a big shout out at the end of the show. So cool. He called me the Founder and CEO. How ’bout that people…I’m a CEO. Go Laugh.
Upcoming shows at the Ice House
Gabriel Iglesias: Aug. 28, 29, 31
Kevin Nealon: Aug. 30
This season, there are two L.A. comedians still on Last Comic Standing (literally as I type) - Adam Hunter and Iliza Shlesinger. Here is what I find strange - the incredible support Adam Hunter is getting from his fellow comedians and the lack of support Iliza is getting. I am basing this off of the barrage of bulletins, event listings, and e-mails that I’m seeing on Myspace that say “Support Adam Hunter on Last Comic Standing”. Jay Davis, Steve Byrne, Andy Kozel, and some dude named Toogie…among others have all been promoting Adam Hunter via Myspace. I see none of this for Iliza. Why? I want to know why.
Of the comedians left, my choice is Iliza. I have seen her perform close to 10 times in person. I’ve done many write-ups on her performances at Ballgame’s Laugh Lounge and elsewhere.
I really enjoy the comedy show Linda Pine produces once a month at Meltdown Comics. It’s one of the most original comedy experiences in Los Angeles. Nerd comedy…sponsored/free beer from Asahi…in a comic book store…cool stuff. I highly recommend checking this one out. Jonah Ray, the host, is always great. It’s a fun Friday night. Hit the Bosanova for dinner and you have an awesome, inexpensive date. I know…pimp right?
Comedy Meltdown 8: Jason Takes Manhattan
“Rennie: You don’t understand, there is a maniac trying to kill us! New York Waitress: Welcome to New York.”
Date: Friday, July 25th
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Place: The swanktastic Meltdown Gallery at the rear of the store which is located here:
7522 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
90046-3408, US
http://meltcomics.com/
Whom:
ANTHONY JESELNIK
JACKIE KASHAIN
ROB DELANEY
BRIAN ZARIN
ROBERT YASUMURA
Hosted by: JONAH RAY
Sponsored by: ASAHI
In addition to this stellar line-up we are charging NO COVER! Please drink responsibly or designate a driver. Something to be aware of: parking in this neighborhood is dodgy, so please plan accordingly.
We’re celebrating live comedy, Live Comedy L.A., and yes…my 30th birthday this Saturday at Red Rock with a show that will blow you away. The line-up is awesome. If you want to laugh, please come down and enjoy the celebration with me. The show is FREE. Yeah…FREE COMEDY. I swear to you…this line-up rivals any of the line-ups you will see at a major club this weekend. Hope to see you there.
OK folks…big weekend for Los Angeles comedian Ryan Sickler. First, he is appearing on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham on Friday, July 18th. The show airs at 10pm on Friday, so set your DVR’s tonight! Here’s a clip:
Then…he is performing at my 30th birthday on Saturday the 19th at Red Rock on Sunset at 9pm. Watch him on Comedy Central and then come watch him live in a small, intimate setting. Yeah…you can reach out and touch him…if you want. The rest of the line-up is awesome…I booked it myself ; ). Matty “Ballgame” Balaker, Lauri Roggenkamp, Steve Flye, Brian Scolaro, Chris Franjola, and Sickler. That’s a lot of sexiness in one line-up people. Can you handle it?
Keep an eye out for the new Verizon Wireless commercial…you’ll see L.A. comedian Dwayne Perkins. Dwayne is a terrific, clean comedian from NY who now performs regularly in the L.A.-area. In fact, you can catch him this Tuesday, March 4th at the Hollywood Improv at 10pm. See them on TV…then see them live in the clubs. It’s great when our local comedians get their breaks. If you spot any L.A. comedians on TV shows, in commercials, or in movies…let us know. In the mean time, check out Dwayne in the Verizon commercial and in the this YouTube Video.
Or for the those of us that are stand-up comedy AND college hoops junkies…the day the great Artie Lange will perform in Los Angeles and the day of the 2008 Final Four. It’s shaping up to be one of the great days in the history of mankind…and really…I can’t overstate that enough. Don’t ask me to do anything that day…nothing…I’m in front of my TV…watching the greatest sports spectacle that exists…and then I’m off to the Gibson Amphitheater to watch a legend…Artie Lange. I’m going to be doing a lot of things to get ready for that day…so let’s take a look (just mouse over the link - don’t even need to click - and check out the content in the SnapShot):
1. I may buy stock in the producers of my favorite content…let’s check the stock prices: CBS Corp. (CBS) and Live Nation, Inc. (LYV)
2. Definitely going to be laughing at Artie videos on YouTube…and getting chills from great Final Four moments.
3. Probably gonna need directions to Gibson Amphitheater and wishing that I needed directions to the Alamo Dome.
4. Probably not playing World of War Craft…but hey…whatever floats your boat.
5. Hitting up Artie on Myspace.
6. Preparing for the next Mid-Major to make the Final Four by reading my favorite blog.
7. Seeing if Flickr has any cool shots of Artie.
8. Listening to “One Shining Moment”.
9. Checking out Artie’s IMDb.
10. Doing some research on Wikipedia on the History of the Final Four.
11. I’m definitely going to do some shopping - perhaps a DVD….or maybe a book.
12. Or maybe I’ll just check out where it all happens…HERE and HERE.
Largo is a very cool place to see stand-up comedy in Los Angeles. If you want a very cheap night of comedy, pay the $5 cover and stand at the bar. But that’s for the die hard live comedy fans. I suggest saving a weekend night out for one of their Monday night shows…and having dinner there. You still pay the $5 cover…and there is a $15 minimum per person at the table…but you get a good show. $20…dinner…great comedy…in Los Angeles…pretty rare. Everyone should understand what you are getting however…the comedians are very loose here…they use their notes…and they try out new material. If you want polished…go to the clubs…if you want very good comedians grinding out good stuff…this is a cool spot.
Thune was a very good host…he was enthusiastic and I appreciated his work. I’m still blown away by the fact that there is a comedian named Mookie Blaylock…and he’s not the retired point guard from the Atlanta Hawks. Odd. Tig Notaro definitely delivered the set of the night. She is simply an amazing stand-up comedian…and totally clean. She’s so cool…and calm…I love her. Sarah Silverman was on-point as well…which was great…because the last few times she literally has forgotten her set. When she’s on…she’s one of the best. Todd Glass was great too. I really would like to see a polished set from him as well. It’s fun seeing him work out material though.
BTW…just chillin’ tonight…didn’t go see a show. I’ll keep you updated on the other shows during LIVE COMEDY WEEK.
