Bumbershoot 2008

[rdemint]

http://bumbershoot.org/lineup.htm

August 30-September 1

Lots of great comedy this year at the festival. Human Giant, The Sound of Young America, Doug Benson, Zach Galifianakis, Greg Behrendt, Janeane Garofalo, and a lot more.

Last year was my first time going to this festival and I'm considering going again.

[Embiggen]

Arrrghghghgh!!! Who put Beck on at the same time as M. Ward and Nada Surf? Fuck. Also, am I getting old, or does Sunday have no musical acts of note? Is anybody *really* that psyched to see Stone Temple Pilots or Lee "Scratch" Perry?

I'm psyched for Zach, Doug, Tig, Human Giant, TSOYA live, and so much more, but the music this year definitely seems to be lacking.*

Also, don't forget to check out Portland's best at the Bridgetown showcase at 1:15 on Saturday.

* again, it's also possible that I'm just getting old.

[st.raw]

Come for the Bridgetown showcase, stay for the Entertainment Show.

I might have been excited about the music lineup in 1994.

[dougbenson]

i'm looking forward to seeing stp. (yeah, that's what i call 'em.) i'm not saying they are the best band of all time, like the bugaloos or bay city rollers, but if you see them live, you will be pretty impressed by how many hits they have in their repetoire.

as for my b-shoot appearances, i will be in the intaman theater with karen kilgariff and hannibal buress at 2:00 on saturday, 7:15 sunday night, and 3:45 on monday.

(plan your days accordingly!)

[pg13]

And I'm pleased to note that I'll be done with MY show at Bumbershoot ("The Best of the Comedy Underground" at the Vera stage, Monday from 3pm-4pm) in time to see the Old 97's...

Yes, I'm that old.

AND that white.

pg--And I'm not kidding about seeing the Old 97's...they're one of my favorite live bands.--bumbershootburgh

[Heather Christianson]

Arrrghghghgh!!! Who put Beck on at the same time as M. Ward and Nada Surf?

You can also sign up to see Nada Surf at 3:45 on Saturday as part of the KEXP sponsored Bumbershoot Music Lounge
here:
http://www.kexp.org/events/bshoot08_signup.asp

[Randy Liedtke]

Beck, M Ward, Nada Surf, and !!! (Chk Chk Chk) all at the same time, I will be at the !!! show for I will be into'ing them and hanging out back stage with them for 2 hours before their show. Yes I am totally bragging,

[pg13]

Will there be enough of an AST presence at this year's Bumbershoot to make some plans for a meet and greet somewhere?

I'm up for it--and will, obviously, be in the area... Anyone else?

pg--If anyone is on the fence about coming to this wonderful arts festival in one of the best cities of the world...OUCH. Get that fence out of your ass and make the trip!--seattle

[congolia]

I will be attending all three days. Come and meet the real deal or avoid the real deal. Your choice.

[ronfunc]

see you there congolia and pg. If anyone wants to see me ill be at Vera Project on Saturday at 1:15pm with them bridgetown boyz. My wife and I are looking forward to seeing Zach, Dougie B,Tig, Human Giant, and dancing the night away to Beck.

[dougbenson]

zach can't make it to b-shoot this year. don't know who's replacing him. plan accordingly.

[st.raw]

i can cover his spots

[Embiggen]

Don't forget to come by the Bumbershoot after-party (well, it's sort of a during party, as it's Sunday night) put on by the People's Republic of Komedy.

It'll be at the King Cobra, 916 E. Pike St. in the Capitol Hill district. From what I've been told, the doors are at 9pm and the festivities will kick off around 10. Sunday, August 31st. Hopefully many of the comics in town for the fest will come.

[dougbenson]

i heard that there may be some sort of special show/gathering at laughs in kirkland on saturday, august 30 around midnight.

(but you didn't hear it from me!)

[ronfunc]

i heard that there may be some sort of special show/gathering at laughs in kirkland on saturday, august 30 around midnight.

(but you didn't hear it from me!)

I didnt hear it from you I heard it from their website (after I didnt hear it from you)

I also heard it was 15 bucks a head.

way too much for a starving regional comedian

how do I put this politely

Hook a brotha up?

[pg13]

Bumbershoot begging aside... Next time you're in town on the weekend, Ron. I'll take you over to Laughs, introduce you to Dave. You'll like the club...and it would be a good place for you to get to work up here.

[DanielleR]

I guess this is as good a place as any... which P-Town comics are crashing with me?

[pg13]

All of them, Danielle...all of them.

[ronfunc]

Bumbershoot begging aside... Next time you're in town on the weekend, Ron. I'll take you over to Laughs, introduce you to Dave. You'll like the club...and it would be a good place for you to get to work up here.

Thanks PG I would like that very much.

[Heather Christianson]

If you're going to be in town early for bumbershoot and would like some stage time, you can try contacting Paul at:
ballardcomedy@gmail.com

Show details:
Lo-Ball! The Local Ballard Comedy Show
Every Friday Night!
All-ages / $5 / Doors open at 10:30pm
Live Girls! Theater
2220 Market Street (Lower Level)
Ballard
www.ballardcomedy.com

[dougbenson]

I didnt hear it from you I heard it from their website (after I didnt hear it from you)

I also heard it was 15 bucks a head.

way too much for a starving regional comedian

how do I put this politely

Hook a brotha up?

IF i show up i'm sure i can get you in if you don't mind standing in the back.

(that's a big if)

[pg13]

Hey Doug, let me take the pressure off of you.

I've got it on the best authority that Laughs Comedy Spot owner, Dave Dennison, is extending his "comedians don't pay" policy to all of the Bumbershoot comedians...even for this super secret special show...

Dave, a comedian himself, is committed to making his club a welcome home for comedians.

So...if you're a comedian...and you're in the Kirkland area when Laughs is open...let 'em know at the front door and enjoy the best comedy that the Eastside of Seattle has to offer.

(Even if Doug Benson isn't right there at the door to rep ya!)

pg--Bearer of Good News For a Change!--seattle

PS--As far as getting TIME on a show if you just drop in...well, that's...something else entirely...

[st.raw]

ron if they don't let you in we can always go smoke hash by the dumpsters

[dougbenson]

mr. greyy is right! i just talked to dave d and anyone who claims to be a comedian will get in for free. should be fun, hope to see y'all there.

(and by the dumpster)

[congolia]

This totally makes me want to try to pass as a comic. You guys all favor canes these days, right?

[Embiggen]

By the way, it looks from Bumbershoot's site like David Cross is filling in for Zach. Cross must be Bumbershoot's pinch hitter -- I remember Mary Lynn Rajskub couldn't make it in 2003 and he showed up in her place.

[dougbenson]

cross was gonna be here anyway, doing surprise appearances in various shows. i'll try to get him to come you-know-where you-know-when.

(tonight!)

[Marty_Malt]

This totally makes me want to try to pass as a comic. You guys all favor canes these days, right?

The password is "Suspenders"

[dougbenson]

what a great secret show! monti, her husband, pete greyy, greg behrendt, nick thune, hannibal buress, pete holmes, seth morris, tig notaro, tj miller and me! i got pretty fucked up in the party bus on the way home, but thanks to everyone at laughs comedy spot for a great night. see you in november!

[Embiggen]

So nobody's going to write about day one of Bumbershoot? Fine, then I will.

The Bridgetown showcase went swimmingly -- a packed house in spite of a very early start time and good performances all around. The Sound of Young America live was a lot of fun, especially since I'd never seen Jonathan Coulton perform live. His songs would be great even if they weren't hilarious. Tig's standup set kicking off the show was awesome as always, and the interview with Janeane Garofalo was engaging and fun. I think at a certain point Jesse sensed that Janeane was about to switch into rant mode to discuss how the mainstream media was complicit in Bush's lies when Jesse suddenly and charmingly caused a digression into the topic of whether karate lessons can be given over the radio. Jesse, I don't know if that was an intentional sidetrack or not, but it cracked me up.

Human Giant put on a solid show with guest appearances by Hannibal Buress, Seth Morris and Matt Walsh, among others. Highlights for me were the T-shirt gun sketch and the Three Brothers Carpet Store video.

I didn't catch as much music as I thought I would, but I saw parts of The Walkmen's set, which was pretty forgettable. What I heard of Nada Surf I liked just fine, but the musical highlight of the day had to be M. Ward. I think that was the first time I'd seen a full set by him, and it was amazing. His backing band was great, even if two drummers does seem like a bit of overkill. Also, I just realized tonight that his guitarist/keyboard player is the guy who works at my neighborhood music store. He's the kind of guy who can play every instrument in the store ridiculously well and makes you want to quit trying to play music altogether, because what justice is there in the world if someone as good as this isn't playing for a living? So guess it's kind of cool to once in a while realize there is some justice in the world re: music store employees. Those were an awkard few sentences, but it's 4am.

The super secret midnight show at Laughs in Kirkland was well worth the trip. I'll try to remember the entire lineup: Peter Greyy, Monti, Billy Wayne Davis, Hannibal Buress, Seth Morris, TJ Miller, Tig Notaro, Pete Holmes, Doug Benson, Greg Behrendt, Nick Thune and others I might be forgetting. Apologies if I left anyone off the list. Everybody at the show was great, especially the only person who I was seeing for the first time, who was Pete Holmes. That guy is goddamn funny.

More updates late night tomorrow!

[pg13]

Let me ditto what Doug & Andy said about the Super Secret Midnight show at Laughs Comedy Spot in Kirkland last night...

I think there's always the risk of SERIOUS TRAINWRECK when there's a show like this--and, by this, I mean a late show where it is hoped that comedians that are in town for a festival will come and do some time for a crowd that isn't able to be told what they might expect... Sometimes the audience you get for a Saturday @ Midnight show just isn't there to pay attention to comedy and sometimes the comedians aren't really into it and aren't doing their best to capture and keep a tired audience's attention...BUT THAT WAS CERTAINLY NOT THE CASE TONIGHT.

I was thrilled to be asked to be part of the show...as I was excited just at the chance of seeing some of the very funny people that I'll probably miss at the actual Bumbershoot festival this year--the idea of being asked to be part of the show wasn't even a consideration.

Thus, 'twas an unexpected privilege for me... Especially, as there were any number of damn funny people who DIDN'T get time...including Rory Scovel, PJ Walsh, Andy Haynes and Scott Moran from New York...Randy Liedtke and John Sanders from Los Angeles...Andy Wood, Dax Jordan and Ron Funches from Portland...Graham Clark from Vancouver, BC...Spencer King from Utah...and a slew of top Seattle talent, including (but not limited to): Brad Upton, Geoff Brousseau, Derek Sheen, Owen Straw, Kevin Hyder, Lizzy Pilcher, Jaqi Furback, Danielle Radford and more...

So, I did my best comedy Richie Havens...and turned the show over to the people that this audience had come to see.

*Monti was a delightful and enthusiastic host.
*Billy Wayne Davis is simply rock solid and one of the best things about Seattle comedy right now.
*This show gave me a chance to see Greg Behrendt perform live for the first time in about four years...and I'm still a big fan.
*I'm a big fan of Nick Thune's, too--Nick's got strong Seattle ties and we've crossed paths more than a couple of times. This was the first time I got to see him work live without his guitar...and that was cool to see that his material remains just as strong.
*Hannibal Burress, I'd just seen for the first time when I watched, and enjoyed, his Live at Gotham, OnDemand. Just as solid live, Hannibal is definitely one to watch!
*Pete Holmes. Wow! As my good friend Embiggen said, totally rocked it. My Sweet Haven pals told me to watch out for him...and Pete proved their recommendations more than valid.
*I wasn't familiar with Seth Morris before this show...but I'm glad I am now, as he was strong.
*Tig Notaro is wonderful...and tonight was another example of how she can maximize such understated slivers of brilliance and keep everyone engaged throughout.
*TJ Miller is another performer that I was aware of before but hadn't had a chance to see in person before. He found fun and extracted energy out of an audience at 1:40am, after they'd seen probably as much comedy as any audience could absorb. No small task.
*And who better to close this show than Doug Benson? Laughs Comedy Spot LOVES Doug Benson...and they were paying attention and being entertained right to the end--even through a "hurry up and chug your drinks, we're supposed to be closed now" moment to start his set. It is always good to watch Doug work (and it's so strange to realize that it was last year at this time when, after a back and forth between us here on AST, I officially met Doug at the Bumbershoot 2K7 Artist Entrance.)

It certainly wasn't a trainwreck...it was just really cool...and really fun, for everyone involved.

YAY!!!

pg--I heard, but wasn't there, that the late night Lo-Ball comedy show on Friday night (also secretly hosting some Bumbershoot performers from out of town) was a sold out success...which is awesome. Comedy in Seattle should ALWAYS be like it is during Bumbershoot.--seattle

PS--There's a picture of me, Doug and Embiggen taken after the Super Secret Midnight Show tonight, that I hope gets posted here. In case anyone is curious, I'll be the fat one in that photo.

[congolia]

I spent my whole first day at the Vera Project comedy stage. I saw Bridgetown Comedy, The Entertainment Show, Blood Squad, and the Best of Laffhole. I thoroughly enjoyed every show. Its always nice to see AST'ers on stage (Embiggen, Ronfunc, and St.raw).

I think the new comedy pass is a great idea, but I wish we could get two a day, instead of one.

Did anybody see Beck? Did anybody besides me leave halfway through because the sound was so shitty?

(the sound was just as shitty as my recapping skills)

[st.raw]

i saw beck



in 1994 when it mattered

[pg13]

I hadn't even realized this...but one of my most cherished Bumbershoot memories is being relived this weekend...

A couple of years ago, I got to see Paul Gilmartin do his "Ask a Republican" bit live (right before Patton's performance)--and the show that I saw made up the very first clips that were ever shown of this brilliant bit.

And this year, Paul is back...once again in the guise of Republican Representative Dick Martin...answering questions from the audience in a totally believably but absolutely hysterical way...

As Patton described it "Leave it to Paul Gilmartin to come up with a totally killer bit that can ONLY work in Seattle..."

pg--seattle

PS--Any ASTer doing Bumbershoot who has never seen me perform can catch me today, Monday, between 3pm and 4pm as I'll be presenting the Best of Comedy Underground show at the Vera Project. Say "Hi!" if you do.

[Embiggen]

Which show has Paul Gilmartin? Satiristas?

Day 2 highlights for me were the Best of Sweet Haven, TSOYA Live (I pity the fools who left early) and the BBQ Pork Combo at the filipino food stand near the Broad Street stage.

[darrylduffy]

Which show has Paul Gilmartin? Satiristas?

yep, if there's any chance you're not already there. he mentioned on NNF he's in the Satiristas lineup.

[pg13]

Which show has Paul Gilmartin? Satiristas?


Yes!

UPDATE: Curse you Darryl for being one minute faster in being informative!

[pg13]

I SAW U: Tig, Paul Scheer & Rob Heubel...digging the sounds of the Old 97's on this, the last day of Bumbershoot in Seattle.

(More to come...but, as always, comedy came to Seattle...comedy was seen...and comedy kicked ass!)

pg

[ronfunc]

I saw and loved
Beck
Human Giant
Satiristas
The Secret Show

also getting compliments from the awesome TJ Miller was one of my several weekend highlights, which included meeting congolia and lady congolia, and an exclusive dumpster party with most of the secret show comedians.

great times all around

[ronfunc]

I forgot and dont think anyone has mentioned the PROK show at King Cobra. It was a refreshing dose of what im used to in oregon.

A crowd full of comedians, hipsters, and people who were too drunk to give a shit.

Yet many comedians manage to shine though the noise including

Hannibal
David Cope
Rory Scovel
Andy Haynes

and I had a good time on stage eventhough I thought I was going to throw up on the guy who looked like the monopoly man

[dougbenson]

boy did i have a good time at bumbershoot. see you next year, seattle center!

(i hope)

[Embiggen]

Good times, indeed.

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3875/cimg5459ze8.jpg

[pg13]

Wow...who'd have thought that I'd end up looking the most blunted in that picture?

[mary]

Boomtime's Bumbershoot video:
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