This Week in NorCal Comedy (week of 05/10/10)

It's a brand-new week in Northern California!  One wonders what kind of opportunities for comedic delight this week to come might bring.  Well, funny you should wonder.  I just happen to have some suggestions for you.

(Again, this is not meant to be a comprehensive list.  Just a few highlights I'm noting for y'all...).

MONDAY, 5/10

PO' BOYZ BAR & GRILLE, Folsom, 9:00 PM - Considered by some to be the best-kept secret in Sacramento area comedy, the Open Mic Night at Po' Boyz draw in the best comedians from Sacramento and the Bay, with out-of-towners carpooling together to come up to Folsom to try our their latest stuff on the local crowd.  Hosted by Cheryl the Soccer Mom (best known of late as part of the highly successful "Real (Funny) Housewives of Rio Linda"), this is a room with no cover and no minimums, and a great place for comedy fans to check out the up-and-comers, and even the occasional big-name special guest dropping in.  Come hang with the Boyz.

TUESDAY, 5/11

TOMMY T'S, Rancho Cordova, 7:00 PM - It's not only Open Mic Night at Tommy T's, but also Taco Tuesday!  Comedy and tacos...that's a magical combo, kids.  Comics of the brand-new and on-the-rise varieties will be hitting the mic for a shot at getting into season 3 of the Tommy T's Talent Search.  If you think you have what it takes, head down to Tommy T's and put that money right about where that mouth sits.  And if you just like to watch (you KNOW you do...), you and your tacos will witness a fantastic variety of comedians lightin' up that mic.  Two-drink min.

WEDNESDAY, 5/12

Wow.  Big day.  Take a deep breath, and...

VICE ULTRA LOUNGE, Walnut Creek, 7:00 PM - Well, comedy is hitting Walnut Creek in a BIG way.  Ambitious comedy nights going on at Vice, folks, and they smack of "can't miss" to me.  Comedy JAM Wednesdays include Open Mic and Showcase from 7:00 to 8:00, then the Headliner (with openers) from 8:00 to 9:30.  This particular Wednesday looks awesome for the listed Showcase comedians alone, because that list includes my boys Willie Mac, Mac McDonald and Roland Mothershed (as well as Melanie Bega, Jesse Elias, Tamarah Masdon and Chris Schiappacasse)!  As if they weren't enough of a draw ALONE, the Headliner for the eve is Candy Churilla, she of the Last Comic Standing fame and one painfully funny lady on stage (as I witnessed at Luna's a while back).  Opening for Candy are Susan Maletta and Liz Grant.  The show is run by TV's Mark Roman and comedian Kelleen, and celebrity guests are brought in each week representing their favorite charity.  This week, the celebs include Jacqueline Williams (Miss 2010 California Gold Coast) and Frankie Simmons-North (Mr. US, former Armani Model of the Year).  Did I say ambitious?  Do you get why now?  The party's in Walnut Creek, ladies and gents!  No cover.

TOMMY T'S, Rancho Cordova, 7:30 PM - Season 2 of the Tommy T's Talent Search continues as the next finalists take their shot in round 1 of the competition.  Which ones will advance to round 2, and which will go home?  Got to show up at Tommy T's to find out!  Finalists in this round include Jake Ward and Queenie TT.  And for all you stalkers out there, this is where you'll be able to find me Wednesday.  Five bucks at the door, two drink min.

LUNA'S CAFE, Sacramento, 8:00 PM - It's another fantastic Comedy Night at Luna's, and state-hopping, dangerously funny comedian Jason Resler is headlining the fun.  I just worked with Jason last week, and have confirmed - you're in for a big treat with this show.  The usual quality selection of local comics will be cracking you before Jason hits the stage, hand-selected by your host, Keith Lowell Jensen.  And as it's been standing room only lately at Luna's on Wednesdays, you might want to show up early to get a table.  Six bucks at the door gets you mucho comedo.  That's not a real Spanish phrase.  I just made it up.  I think.  It might be right, for all I know...

PUNCHLINE, Sacramento, 8:00 PM - Assuming they can manage to keep the parking lot from flooding this time (last week's busted fire hydrant at the Howe 'Bout Arden center yielded awesome Noah-like pics), Punchline is set to knock you OUT Wednesday night.  It's that time of the month (not THAT time...), and that means Sacramento Comedy Showcase!  Seriously, if you look around you on Wednesday night and notice you can't seem to find any comedians in sight?  Chances are that's because they're all HERE.  This is always an amazing night, bringing the best in Sac and the Bay on stage together.  And your host is one of California's funniest, the amazing John Ross.  Ten bucks will get you through the door.  Two drink min.

T2'S, Sacramento, 9:00 PM - Itching for some Wednesday night open mic action, Sacramento comics?  Then why the hell aren't you at T2's?  Maybe it's because you're used to that open mic being at Trino's, and you haven't figured out yet that it's the same building but with a new name.  Come toss your best punchlines with Sac-Town faves at the room hosted by Ruben Mora.  No cover.  Many laughs.  Good times.

THURSDAY, 5/15

TRE NIGHTCLUB, Sacramento, 7:00 PM - After its big debut last week, the funny continues at Open Mic Comedy Night at Tre, Sac's newest open mic alternative.  Tre is quite posh and comic-friendly, with great service and really rockin' food (the burger is to die for), and Sac's favorite boys and girls of ha-ha will be hitting the mic on the Tre dance floor (don't worry...no dancers until after the comedy, so the comics will not be injured).  Host Jennifer Rutherford will be making it all happen, and rumor has it I'll be there dropping some comedy my damn self.  Sign-ups for comics start at 6:00 PM, show starts promptly at 7:00 PM.  No cover, no minimum.  And hang around for the after-party and dance (and drink) the night away at Tre!

TOMMY T'S, Rancho Cordova, 7:30 PM - Originally from Detroit but a Californian now, Tony Roberts has been all over TV comedy - from HBO to BET to his lastest Showtime special.  One of the funniest guys currently in the biz (I have seen him live and speak the truth), he'll be bringing the roof down at Tommy T's on both Thursday (7:30 show only) and Friday (7:30 and 9:30 shows).  Tickets fifteen bucks.  WORTH it.

FRIDAY, 5/16

SACRAMENTO COMEDY SPOT, Sacramento, 9:00 PM - Your Friday night comedy needs are handled.  In fact, here's MORE than you can handle.  It's double improv action!  The Comedy Spot improv shows start at 9:00 PM with the Anti-Cooperation League ($8 tix).  Then, at 10:30 PM, you've got the 3 On 3 Improv Tournament ($5 tix).  You can save some scratch and increase your chuckles by spending $10 on an all-night pass and catching both shows.  Local comics...crazy make-em-ups!  Check it out!

SATURDAY, 5/17

CAFE NOSTRA, El Dorado Hills, CA - Holy smokes, what a lineup!  Appearing this weekend at Comedy Night at the fantastic venue at Cafe Nostra is a trio of comedy KAPOW!  Your headliner is the aforementioned Jason Resler.  Your feature set is the amazing Joey Gonzalez, who's been lighting it up around the state since his Final Four showing at the Tommy T's Talent Search got him so much notice.  And your special guest host for the evening is the woman who's bringing sexy back to comedy, Jennifer Rutherford.  This is worth the trip up the freeway, people!  What a way to spend an S-A-T-U-R, D-A-Y, night! No cover, no minimums, just good times and one tasty-ass sandwich.

SACRAMENTO COMEDY SPOT, Sacramento, 11:00 PM - Oh, it is finally HERE.  You've heard the rumors.  You've dared to dream.  And now, finally, The David Lew Experience premieres at Comedy Spot.  This late night event described as an "R-Rated Variety Show" will happen every Saturday night, and will be a different show each week.  Hosted and enabled by the amazing David Lew himself, the "Experience" will apparently involve contestants winning cash and prizes.  So you could be going home with some fetti if you check this show out...by the big question in your mind should be, "What am I going to have to DO to win that cash?".  It'll cost you five bucks to get in the door and find out.  Be there and be able to say you were at the first David Lew Experience EVER!

REVIEW: Keith Lowell Jensen - "To the Moon" - Comedy CD

He is Sacramento's own Keith Lowell Jensen.  We embrace him with a kind of pride usually only reserved for the likes of Tesla...Cake...or Molly Ringwald.  But while all of those just mentioned can sing, Keith, instead, croons a song of sarcastic mirth.  Comedy is timbre of his vibrato.  His lyrics are the observations and experiences of his life that speak to the shared existence of us all.  And through his serenade, we find that there's a little bit of Keith in all of us.

Or at least those of us who are consistently mistaken for being gay, like to watch our porn backwards, and don't get along very well with our imaginary friends.

You might know Keith as the Atheist on the Coexist Comedy Tour, or might have seen him back when he toured with Spike & Mike's, or might have even see him on Lopez Tonight and asked, "Why is that skinny white boy on TV impersonating Chris Rock while standing next to Chris Rock?".  But those of us in the Sacramento comedy world know him best as the founder and host of Comedy Night at Luna's, the every-Wednesday comedian showcase that takes place in Midtown at Luna's Cafe.  It's fitting to us, then, that Keith chose to record his newest comedy CD - "To the Moon" - at Luna's.  He performs all over the country, but if anywhere is his comedic home, it's Luna's.

What makes this CD such a pleasure, even before Keith takes the stage after the introduction, is the audio environment.  The recording perfectly captures what an evening of comedy at Luna's sounds like, a small but enthusiastic venue that many Sacramento comics find to be their favorite room to play.  The CD takes on the same personal, more intimate ambiance one finds on any given Wednesday in this artsy juice bar, as opposed to the impersonal overwhelm of a large club.

Jensen connects immediately with his audiences, and does so once more with this taping.  His particular charm is a combination of boyish enthusiasm, indignation, and subtle self-deprecation.  His years of experience at the game have taught him how to come off as speaking with the audience, not to it.  There's a genuineness in his performances, which is helped by drawing much of his material from his own life history, as the best in the comedy field always do.

Leaving his Atheism material behind (that which delights crowds on the Coexist tour or local shows like the recent "Ha Ha Heathens" night at the Sacramento Comedy Spot), Keith focuses, instead, on a range of subjects from touring stories in small towns, fatherhood, computer tech support, high school nightmares, his own oft-mislabeled sexual orientation, the history of pornography, Jenny McCarthy, dumb people, and his own evil, evil brother.  The crowd is with him, and loves it, with numerous laughter and applause breaks.  Once more, the familiar sounds of Luna's are captured, including the distinctive (and always appreciated by us comics) laughter of Babalou (she who takes the money at the door) and even the barely-heard ringing of the Luna's phone.  I like to imagine that the call was from someone asking, "What time does Keith Lowell Jensen go on?" halfway through Keith's set.

I had a number of laugh-out-loud moments during my listening of this CD, which is unusual for me, as I'm more of a laugh-on-the-inside kind of comedy fan.  I noticed this mainly because I was listening on my iPod out on my patio, and each time I laughed I surprised myself and looked around to make sure none of my neighbors were walking by and thinking I'd gone mental.  I've seen Keith on stage many times now, and was pleased to find most of "To the Moon" was material I'd not heard before.  And it was really good material.  Keith's writing and comedic timing sync together perfectly in this hour-long set, with all the right surprises, expert pauses, and inflections of his voice that he wields like a sword (if swords made people laugh instead of bleed and die).  Keith is the journeyman comedian who knows his craft and knows his audience, and exudes a confidence that never comes off cocky.  It's the confidence of a comedian who's seen it all, who's played every kind crowd on every kind of stage, and lets nothing shake him.  He carries just the right dosage of fearlessness that makes his words and tales impossible to ignore, and makes us grateful to be on the ride he's taking us on.

"To the Moon" is a winner, a perfect starting point for the KLJ-uninitiated and a treat for long-time fans.  It's available on Amazon for $14.99 for the CD, or an $8.99 MP3 download.  If you're up for an auditory trip to downtown Sacramento, an evening amongst close tables and friendly company (and a very tasty turkey melt, my personal favorite on the Luna's menu), and a lot of laughs at the expense of a man who truly knows how to pull them from you, then pick this one up.  Keith Lowell Jensen, the pride of Success High, is saving you a spot up front.

"GET WELL SOON" ALERT: Carlos Rodriguez

If you're in Sacramento comedy, you know comedian Carlos Rodriguez.  Carlos is all over the state in his performances, and it's not hyperbole to say he's easily one of the funniest comics in the California scene.  And one of the coolest, too.

Last night Carlos ended up in the ER after apparently losing a fight with a spider.  A bite on the hand led not to him gaining super-powers and webbing his way across the city, but to him getting a GIANT EFFING HAND.  It hurts just LOOKING at the damned thing. I can only imagine what it feels like wearing it. 

Whatever they did in the ER clearly wasn't enough, because by today, Carlos reported via Facebook that he was back at the hospital and about to go under the knife, so some kind of surgical remedy was needed.  Hopefully that'll be the thing that returns his hand to normal instead of the giant red sausage monster it transformed into.

So if you're one of Carlos' many Facebook friends and/or fans, why not drop in and post a "get well" to the man on his wall?  Or at the very least, a joke about how much this injury is going to affect his sex life.

Deflate soon, Mr. Rodriguez, and we'll see you on the mic.

This Week in NorCal Comedy

I'm always keeping an eye on what's happening in the comedy scene around Northern Cal, just to see what all my other comedy peeps are doing, and I like to point these things out from time to time so others might share in the fun.  I thought this week I'd just put all these in one place to reference.  Note that this is not meant to be a comprehensive list - just the stuff I've found, and mostly stuff involving folks I know.

TUESDAY, MAY 4

TOMMY T'S, Rancho Cordova, 7:00 PM - the second season of the Tommy T's finals has just gotten started (congrats to Sunday night's winners who moved on), so now's the time for the new hopefuls to hit the Open Mic Night to try to qualify for the season three finals.  It's Taco Tuesday at Tommy T's, so good eats and up-n-comin' comedy hopefuls showing their stuff.  If you think you got it in you, get up on the stage at Tommy T's and find out!  Limited to 12 comics only, so show up early if you're hitting the mic.

LAUGHS UNLIMITED, Old Sacramento, 8:00 PM - It's time for Shane Murphy's Funky Mad Fresh Comedy Show, the once-per-month open mic host by the Irish car bomb himself, Shane Murphy.  And it is ALWAYS full.  Lots of comics, new and vet, all hitting the mic and blowing the roof off the place.  Oh, and a special 21st birthday celebration will be happening for local comic Anthony Zimmer.  If you want to hit THIS open mic?  Show up and sign up early (signups start at 7:00), and bring people with you - "bringers" get priority on the list.  You want to try doing comedy in this town, Tuesday night's your night!  Double open mic ACTION, baby! 


WEDNESDAY, MAY 5

TOMMY T'S, Rancho Cordova, 7:00 PM - Oh, baby!  A comedy BOMB is dropping on Rancho!  And just in time to rock Cinco de Mayo!  The Real (Funny) Housewives of Rio Linda are bringing it to Tommy T's!  You might want to call for reservations, as this group has been known to sell out shows.  Watch Cheryl the Soccer Mom, Kristen Frisk, Stephanie Garcia, Sinderella and Kimmy Kay work their domestic mojo and rock the joint.  DAMMIT I wish I could make this one...

LUNA'S CAFE, Sacramento, 8:00 PM - This is where I'll be (to witness, not to perform).  The Comedy Night at Luna's weekly show, brought to you by Keith Lowell Jensen, will be headlined by Brendan Lynch this time around, and will feature a selection of awesome comics including Caitlin Gill, Miles K. Stenhjem, Nick Brunner and Zack Parrott...and the usual tasty Luna's chow (I'm partial to the turkey melt).  Six bucks gets you in the door.  Hilarity then ensues.  If you drink too much, Keith will be happy to drive you home.  He's just that kind of host.

T2'S, Sacramento, 9:00 PM - Speaking of open mics, here's your Wednesday option.  At the lounge formerly known as Trino's, host Delfino Reyna brings you the special Cinco de Mayo Comedy Competition.  Lots of comics (maybe you!), including Willie Mac and Joey G.  Winner gets a bottle of tequila, AND gets to host next month's comedy night at Delfino's comedy room (Club Evolution) in Los Banos.


THURSDAY, MAY 6

TRE NIGHTCLUB, Sacramento, 7:00 PM - The newest open mic in town premieres this Thursday at Tre (on Howe Avenue), hosted by Jennifer Rutherford.  Signups start at 6:00, the show at 7:00.  Come to watch hot young comedians (that sounded sleazy, didn't it?), or get on the list and try your game.  Be here for the opening night!

PUNCHLINE, Sacramento, 8:00 PM - Big hitter playing at Punchline Thursday night...none other than Ahmed Ahmed, world-touring comic seen in film (Iron Man, Swingers, You Don't Mess With the Zohan), on TV (Roseanne, JAG, Tracy Takes On, Jay Leno) and on stage (The Comedy Store in Hollywood, The Comedy Cellar in New York).  He's bringing it to Sac this week, and it should be a hell of a ride.


FRIDAY, MAY 7

THE STATE THEATER, Modesto, 7:00 PM - Heads up, Modesto...there's some MAJOR comedy going down at the State!  The 1st Annual Modesto Comedy Festival lights it up and brings the megafunny.  Headlining will be the amazing Mike E. Winfield (as seen on Showtime, BET, Last Comic Standing and Comic Unleashed), one of the fastest-rising and hysterical comics in the biz (I know...I've both seen him and shared the stage with him).  Is if that wasn't enough, the night's going to get warmed up with some amazing local comedy faves - Kabeezy, Cheryl the Soccer Mom, Anthony K and Chris Teicheira.  You're a lucky, lucky town, Modesto.

SACRAMENTO COMEDY SPOT, Sacramento, 8:00 PM - Okay, IMMA be in the crowd to watch THIS one.  The Stand-Up Shoot-Out goes down Friday night, where local awesome comics are going to be facing off in competition.  Ben Shields, Nick Pettigrew and Noel DeWitt are going tear the Comedy Spot a new one!  Assuming it has an old one to begin with...  Doors open at 7:30, tickets eight bucks.

CLUB EVOLUTION, Los Banos, 8:00 PM - Seriously, if I wasn't spoken for and I could afford the gas money right now?  I'd be in Los Banos Friday night.  The Los Banos Comedy Night (run by Delfino Reyna) is not only hooking you up with headliner Ngaio Bealum (seen on BET, Comics Unleashed, The Sarah Silverman Show...and by me at Luna's Cafe a while back), but some of my favorite guys in local comedy - Chazz Hawkins, Ray Molina and John Ross.  And not only all this, but the show's being opened by none other than my fellow Tommy T's finalist Joey Gonzalez!  I KNOW how many Joey G fans I have among my peeps.  So if you're going to be near Los Banos, check these brothers OUT!


SATURDAY, MAY 8

THE CREST THEATER, Sacramento, 8:00 PM - The New York Times has called Will Durst "The best political satirist working in the country today".  This legendary performer is hitting the Crest for what's sure to be a night to remember...and not only this, but opening for him is our own Keith Lowell Jensen!  Wotta deal!  Go, and you will thank me!

BAY TERRACE THEATER, Vallejo, 8:00 PM - My man Raj Dutta (of Tommy T's Finals fame) has been working his mojo all over NorCal.  Saturday night he's doing a feature set at the Bay Terrace Theater, along with Ryan McFadden, Emmanuel Baja, and headliner Kevin Munroe.  If you're down Vallejo way, don't miss the Raj!


So that's the scoop.  So get out there and enjoy some local comedy, folks!  If you don't think NorCal's got the goods in the funny department, you need to check out more of these shows.  Enjoy!

Michael O'Connell Headlining MDA Fundraiser Show at Tommy T's

Just got the official word today.  On Thursday, May 27th, Tommy T's Comedy & Dinner Theatre will be putting on a night of comedy to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association, featuring Sacramento's favorite Muscular Dystrophy comedian (and there were so many to choose from)...me...as the headliner.  This is like the easiest job I've ever had to apply for...

Start time and full details will follow, but want to get the word out as soon as possible so we can fill this place UP for a good cause!  Tickets will be $10.00 each, with 100% of the ticket proceeds going to the MDA, courtesy of the awesome folks at Tommy T's.  It'll be a great night of comedy, with delicious food and tasty beverages to choose from, and you'll be doing your part to help out the MDA, an organization that's been there for me the whole of my life.

So don't wait for the telethon to get your altruism on!  Come on down to Tommy T's and get a lot of laughs - and possibly an impressive hangover - for your buck!  Hope to see you there!

Stay tuned for more details...

The Michael O'Comedy Store is officially open!

Did somebody say "swag"?

For all of you who have been (I like to imagine) begging for it, your wish has come true.  There's now a whole store filled with merchandise that has my logo all over it!  The Michael O'Comedy Store is now open over at Zazzle.com.

Goodies within range from tee shits to hoodies to hats to magnets to buttons to mugs to mousepads to lots of other stuff!  If you like what I do and want to turn yourself or your fridge or your car into a billboard for me, I am, like, TOTALLY behind that idea.

Zazzle has been really good for me in previous times (in my Dr. O's House of "T" store I ran), and ordering is nice and easy and shipping is really fast.  A couple things I'd advise, though, if you're ordering tee shirts or hoodies - make sure you select the right size for you (I think I have XL on the default for dudes, L for the ladies), and be careful if you decide to start customizing and changing colors.  This stuff was made to work on white tee shirts.  The white you see within the logos is actually just transparent, showing the color of the shirt its printed on.  So if you decide you want a red tee shirt, you'll get it, but that little wheelchair guy will be all red, not white.  Just warning you so no one's disappointed.  Besides, it's almost summer!  White tees are cooler!  Woo hoo!

You can click that link in the text above to get there, or you can use the new link over on the right-hand side of the screen that will now always be there.  Hope you all enjoy!  Still time to get Mom that Michael O'Connell beer stein she's always wanted before Mother's Day if you hurry!

One Week in Comedy

Hit the stage five times in the last six nights.

MONDAY.  Po' Boyz Bar & Grille.  Good set, good crowd response.  All good.

TUESDAY.  Tommy T's, Open Mic Night.  Iffy set, just so-so, less of the "all good".

WEDNESDAY.  Luna's Cafe.  Killed it, great crowd, new fans converted, offer for possible future comedy job.  Awesome night.

THURSDAY.  Sapporo Grill.  BOMBED.  Horrible.  Not so much disliked as almost completely ignored.  Tanked badly.  Crickets brought their relatives.

SATURDAY.  Cafe Nostra.  OWNED the room.  Big win, huge response, management informed me at the end that I'm "the funniest guy we've ever had in here".

One night it's, "Man, how come you're not on TV?".  The next night it's, "Why did they even let you up on this stage?".  Yet each of those nights?  It's the same comic, and the same jokes.

Welcome to comedy, boys and girls.

Why would I want to be anywhere else?