Traditionally, on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Zanies puts together an all-star lineup of comedians from Nashville who are off the road and back in town to spend the holiday with friends and family. “Comics Come Home” is a showcase style line-up of the guys (and ladies) who came up through the open mics, starting getting work.. and at some point hit the road to do comedy full time. It’s always fun. If you’re looking for an excuse to ditch your family and go have a few drinks / laughs.. this is the perfect show for you.

This year, our own Keith Alberstadt (“Late Show with David Letterman”, CMT, etc) will host AND headline the event which also features Dan Whitehurst, Dawna Kinne, TC Cope, Chad Riden, Brian Bates and Rick Wey.

Keith Alberstadt grew up the son of a Vanderbilt professor and a craft artist. The result . . . a very clever comic with sharp perception, unmatched creativity, and a treasure trove of unique material. His likable personality and down-to-earth charm invite people into his brand of humor—one that is smart but not brainy and relatable but not hacky.

While performing, Keith takes pride in laughing at himself and his “inner dork”, which he attempts to prove is something in all of us. Current events, popular trends, personal details… Keith shares his witty insight on everything, all the while doing it with a mischievous smile that quickly becomes infectious.

A regular performer for the U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Keith has been described as “absolutely hilarious” by Armed Forces Entertainment and “a hidden gem” by the Boston Globe. He’s also a contributing writer for Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, National Lampoon and various online magazines.

Here’s a video of Keith’s Letterman appearance:

“Comics Come Home”
Wed. Nov. 23, 2011, 7:30pm
(facebook event)

Zanies Comedy Showplace
2025 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204

Tickets are available online or by calling 615-269-0221.

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase @ Zanies Comedy Showplace – a showcase of the funniest comedians based in the Nashville area, plus guest sets from traveling comics, and Chad Riden’s IRON COMIC comedy competition with jokes written on the spot based on audience suggestions.

Follow and reply to @IronComic to play along at home.

The April 19th show lineup includes: Nashville’s John Thornton Jr., Matt Buechele, Sean Parrott, Sean Staggs, Brian Bates, and Gary Fletcher; plus Knoxville’s Sandy Goddard; and Chicago’s Drew Michael.

Here’s a sketch from Gary Fletcher, John Thornton Jr. & Brad Edwards:

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase featuring Iron Comic
Tues., April 19, 2011
doors open: 6:30pm
showtime: 7:30 pm

Zanies Comedy Showplace
2025 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204

tickets:
$5. available at the door, online, or at the Zanies box office at: 615-269-0221

Facebook event:
Tues., April 19, 2011 – 7:30 pm

More info about the N’Sup Showcase @ Zanies is available at: http://NashvilleStandUp.com/showcase/

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase @ Zanies Comedy Showplace – a showcase of the funniest comedians based in the Nashville area, plus guest sets from traveling comics, and Chad Riden’s IRON COMIC comedy competition with jokes written on the spot based on audience suggestions. Follow and reply to @IronComic to play along at home.

The February 8th show lineup includes: Nashville’s Mark Anundson, Lee Quick, Rob Haynes, Gary Fletcher and Monty Mitchell. Nashville’s Brian Bates will be headlining the event.

Here’s a clip of Brian Bates:

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase featuring Iron Comic
Tues., Feb. 8, 2011
doors open: 6:30pm
showtime: 7:30 pm

Zanies Comedy Showplace
2025 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204

tickets:
$5. available at the door, online, or at the Zanies box office at: 615-269-0221

Facebook event:
Tues., Feb. 8, 2011 – 7:30 pm

More info about the N’Sup Showcase @ Zanies is available at: http://NashvilleStandUp.com/showcase/

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase @ Zanies Comedy Showplace – a showcase of the funniest comedians based in the Nashville area, plus guest sets from traveling comics, and Chad Riden’s IRON COMIC comedy competition with jokes written on the spot based on audience suggestions. Follow and reply to @IronComic to play along at home.

The show is hosted and produced by NashvilleStandUp.com’s Chad Riden. The November 23rd show lineup includes: Atlanta’s Andy Sandford, Cris Gray, and Mia Jackson; Kentucky’s Dave Webster, Josh Branham, and Nathan Wallace; PLUS Nashville’s Brian Bates, Sean Parrott, Ashley Brooke, Donnie Pollard, Johnny Q. Amish, and “Happy Birthday Gary“‘s Brad Edwards will be headlining the event.

Here’s Brad in action:

The NashvilleStandUp.com Showcase featuring Iron Comic
Tues., Nov. 23, 2010
doors open: 6:30pm
showtime: 7:30 pm

Zanies Comedy Showplace
2025 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204

tickets:
$5. available at the door, online, or at the Zanies box office at: 615-269-0221

Facebook event:
Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010 – 7:30 pm

More info about the N’Sup Showcase @ Zanies is available at: http://NashvilleStandUp.com/showcase/

EL COMEDY SHOW is a comedic spectacle, taking place in Nashville on April 12 at 9pm at The End (2219 Elliston Place). The show is going to get kicked off with this month’s amazing musical guest, Cheer Up Charlie Daniels. After that, comedy will befall you, with veracity. Tickets are just $5. That is a value for the ages, my friends. Prepare yourselves, for EL COMEDY SHOW is upon you.
Corey Reppond is going to host the crap out of this show. The rest of the lineup is an extravaganza of hilarity, including Emily Fleming, Brad Edwards, Brian Bates, Katrina Murrell, Sean Parrott, and Chad Riden.

For more info, visit elcomedyshow.com and twitter.com/elcomedyshow.

This week doesn’t look too bad for stand-up comedy in Nashville. We’re lucky enough to have several heavy hitters in town and one of these great shows is even a breast cancer benefit.. so there’s no guilt in going out and having a good time:

Tuesday, September 15
8am Get Up, Stand Up (91.1 WRVU-FM)
8:30pm OPEN MIC Contest (Spanky’s Sportsbar & Grill)

Wednesday, September 16
7:30pm Jeff Allen / “Best Of Nashville” (Zanies)

Thursday, September 17
7:30pm Mike Birbiglia: I’m In The Future Also (TPAC: James K Polk Theater)
7:30pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)

Friday, September 18
7:30pm Tickled Pink – Comedy For The Cure – Tom Rhodes, Beth Donahue, Brian Bates, Shawn Tidwell, Matt Holt (Belcourt Theater)
7:30pm, 9:45pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)

Saturday, September 19
7pm, 9pm, 11:15pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)

Sunday, September 20
7:30pm Sugar Sammy (Zanies)
8pm Laugh At Joe’s OPEN MIC (Joe’s Place)

Breast cancer is no laughing matter, but the International Man of Comedy Tom Rhodes along with Beth Donahue, Brian Bates and Shawn Tidwell invite you to get “Tickled Pink” about attending an evening of laughs and entertainment while supporting a worthy cause. This “Tickled Pink” fundraising affair for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Nashville Affiliate will take place on Friday, September 18th at the historic Belcourt Theater.

In a raucous stand up career spanning 25 years and 7 continents, Tom Rhodes has been on HBO, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and filmed two half hour specials for Comedy Central. Tom was also the host of his own late night talk show in Amsterdam for Dutch television. Tom is one of those rare exotic creatures who has dedicated his life to stand-up comedy. Nashville-based comics Beth “Damn” Donahue (CMT’s “Southern Fried Chicks” Tour), Shawn Tidwell and Brian Bates will also perform.

Tickets are $25 and are available now at the Belcourt’s website. The Facebook event is here.

Belcourt Theater
2102 Belcourt Ave
Nashville, TN 37212-3543

Sunday, May 17
7:30pm Walt Willey (Zanies)
8pm OPEN MIC (Music Row Bar & Grill)

Monday, May 18
7:30pm Mary Mack, Chad Riden (Zanies)
8pm OPEN MIC (Lonnie’s on West End)

Tuesday, May 19
8am – 9am Get Up, Stand Up (91.1 WRVU-FM)
8pm OPEN MIC Contest (Spanky’s Sportsbar & Grill)

Wednesday, May 20
7:30pm Jamie Kennedy, Chad Riden (Zanies)

Thursday, May 21
7:30pm James Gregory (Zanies)
9pm Church Street Comedy (Jesse Zane’s Nashville Nights)

Friday, May 22
7:30pm, 9:45pm James Gregory (Zanies)
9:30pm Chris Loyd & Friends Comedy Show – Andie Lynne, Christy Eidson, Chris Loyd, Holly Amber Swiat Anderson, Brian Bates, Leslie Nash (Music City Bar & Grill)

Saturday, May 23
7pm, 9pm James Gregory (Zanies)

More details can be found in the NashvilleStandUp show calendar in the sidebar.

Breaking news!

Before launching their sold out tour in Florida next week, Flight Of The Conchords showed up at Zanies in Nashville to put on a surprise show. More information as it becomes available.

UPDATE:
“They went on around 10:45 after Mitch Fatel finished up his show,” says Nashville-based comic Brian Bates. “After Mitch was done, the emcee said ‘folks stick around, the show is not over. We’ve got a surprise guest that has dropped in. If any of you need to go, the wait staff will bring your checks. But if not, stick around.’ While they were setting up the equipment for Flight of the Conchords, the emcee drew names out of a milk crate to see who wins Mitch Fatel CDs. Then he said ‘you’ve probably seen them on the HBO hit show Flight of the Conchords, give it up for Flight of the Conchords!’

They played four songs. All together they were probably on stage for about 15-20 minutes. I love Flight of the Conchords and have seen all their shows but I question how many of the audience members even knew who they were. They seemed to get a mixed response from the crowd.”

The Conchords will return to Nashville Friday, April 10th to play to a sold out show at The Ryman Auditorium.

6pm every Sunday night
“America’s Favorite Comedian Of All Time,” Chad Riden, hosts a showcase of touring, professional stand-up comedians plus random guest sets from Nashville-based comics and surprise, impromptu sets potentially available for anybody who brings fresh Funny with ‘em.
The show starts at 6pm and ends at 7:30pm – so if you have stuff to do Monday morning, this shouldn’t interfere at all!
Mar. 1: Chris Peterson, Gary Dull;
Mar. 15: Brian Bates, David Ridings;
Mar. 22: Mark Anundson;
(more TBA)

$5
Tickets available at the door, or in advance online at Brown Paper Tickets:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/49595
The Improv Nashville Comedy Theater
2907 12th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 915-3382
http://www.improvnashville.com/
If you’re on Facebook, here’s the event.
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