Chad Riden with Erin & MeLissa, Brett Cantrell, Carter Glascock, Sean Parrott & Michael Hampton PLUS maybe a BUCKET SPOT available for a random comic who shows up. $10 at the door or $5 now at this special link: http://torch.ly/vA2G4lLvF7
CHAD RIDEN’s comedy is about his chaotic reality. His last few years have featured bankruptcy, divorce, foreclosure and the best shows of his life. Riden tells self-incriminating stories of being a “recidivist vigilante instrument of karma” that embarrass his daughter and make everybody else shake their heads and laugh and/or contact the authorities.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
doors open at 6:30
showtime: 7:30
Sam Tallent is a comedian from Denver, Colorado. Sam has performed with Dana Carvey, Dave Chappelle, Reggie Watts, Doug Stanhope and TJ Miller and was an official selection of the The New York Film and Television Festival, the San Francisco Comedy and Burrito Festival and the Humboldt Comedy Festival. Sam is the new humble host of Film on the Rocks, a true Colorado institution. He was a guest on the ‘Chris Gethard Show’ and is the current Denver County bratwurst eating champion (16 in five minutes). The Denver Post called Sam ‘the surreal voice of an absurd generation’ and he had the best comedy moment of 2012 according to the Westword. Sam is proud to call the Denver Comedy Works his home club. Sam is part of the Fine Gentlemans Club, a comedy collective that produces the weekly hit showcase Too Much Fun! as well as Denver’s annual Too Much Funstival! every August. Sam’s interests include short haired women and writing in the third person. Twitter.com/Sam_Tallent Facebook.com/sam.danger.tallent samtallent.bandcamp.com
Here’s a video sample of Sam’s standup:
Stream a preview of Sam’s 2012 album “JOKELIFE: VOL I”:
SPiFFY SQUiRREL is Nashville’s only truly independent, underground professional weekly alt comedy show. Featuring touring comedians from all corners of the earth, plus outstanding local regulars who are worth paying attention to. Sundays at 7:30pm at The East Room for just $5 cover. Produced and hosted by NashvilleStandUp.com’s Chad Riden.
The Best Buds of Comedy show features stand-up comedy and other hijinx from five of the fastest rising comedians working today (who also happen to be best friends). Born out of the acclaimed Cincinnati, Ohio comedy scene and now spread across the country, Alex Stone (“Last Comic Standing”), Sally Brooks (The Bob & Tom Show), Mike Cronin (Limestone Comedy Festival), Sam Evans (Just For Laughs), and Cam O’Connor (Founder, Rocketship Comedy) have come together to offer a raucous show full of fun, laughs and friendship that you don’t want to miss. Come meet your new best buds! bestbudsofcomedy.com
Alex Stone alexstonecomedy.com @alexstonecomedy
Alex Stone is a comedian from Cincinnati, Ohio who now makes his home in Chicago, Illinois. His hard work and determination have led him from his early days as an absurdist joke writer to his current role as one of the most impressive young storytellers in comedy. In addition to the deeply personal material that has become the cornerstone of his act, Alex has written jokes for nationally touring comedians and was recently selected to participate in the Best of the Midwest competition at the 2013 Gilda’s LaughFest. In June Alex made his TV debut on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and in July was chosen as a New Faces Unrepped for the Just For Laughs Festival. His prolific nature and originality have also made him a regular at the Chicago Laugh Factory and earned him an appearance on the Independent Film Channel. Alex was also recently featured in both the Chicago Tribune and the Huffington Post.
Sally Brooks sallybrookscomedy.com @thesallybrooks
Sally Brooks is a nationally touring stand-up comedian and writer whose personal stories of misadventure and fun-loving, smart-assed nature make her an audience favorite everywhere she performs. Sally has been heard on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom radio show, was chosen for Comedy Central’s UP NEXT talent search and has performed at the Boston, Limestone, SLO, Women in Comedy, Cape Fear and Brew Ha Ha Comedy festivals. She regularly performs at the top clubs across the country and has shared the stage with comedians such as Bobcat Goldthwait, Kevin Nealon, Kyle Kinane and Fortune Feimster. Catch her stand-up on SiriusXM and Pandora, or check out her popular Suburban Housewife web series (with over 1.5 million views), which served as an inspiration for the HULU show “Mother UP!”
Mike Cronin @bonesnake3
When it comes to comedy, Mike Cronin does it all: stand up, writing, improv, film, and sketches. Even some of his characters do stand up. In fact, recently he made it to the finals of the Funniest Person In Cincinnati Contest as himself and also a character. In the stand up world, he appeared in the first ever Limestone Comedy Festival and was featured on the Todd Glass Show. In the sketch/improv world he was a cast member of the show Underbelly which was named Cincinnati’s Best Comedy Show of 2009 and spawned shows in New York and LA. Mike’s film work includes three award-winning 48 Hour Film Festival projects and co-writing/directing /starring in a music video for “The Hipster Song,” which has over 800,000 views on YouTube. No matter which way you see Mike Cronin, you will leave laughing.
Sam Evans @samevans05
Extremely funny and slightly off-kilter, Sam Evans is one of the best young comedians working today. At home in both comedy clubs and non-traditional stand-up environments, Sam began his comedy career in Cincinnati, Ohio where, in 2012, he was named the Funniest Person in Cincinnati and has been a featured performer at Cincinnati’s Brew HaHa festival. In 2014, Sam was chosen as a New Faces Unrepped for the Just For Laughs Festival. Now making his home in Brooklyn, New York, when he’s not touring, Sam performs nightly around the city and co-hosts the show “Bush League” at the Creek and the Cave.
Cam O’Connor @chezdecko
Charismatic, relatable and honest to a fault, Cam O’Connor is one of the hardest working young comedians in the Midwest. In a relatively short period of time, he has opened for Kyle Kinane, Stewart Huff and Doug Stanhope, and was the touring opener for Ryan Singer and Jarrod Harris on their “Organic Comedy Tour.” The twelve-state “Organic” tour, which celebrated underground comedy scenes across the country, was filmed for a documentary that is scheduled to be released in 2014. Cam was recently a finalist in both the 2012 Funniest Person in Cincinnati competition and the Bob & Tom All-Star Contest. A native of Indianapolis, IN, Cam is the creator of Rocketship Comedy, a series of stand-up showcases that are quickly becoming a preferred destination for many of the most respected names in comedy.
SPiFFY SQUiRREL is Nashville’s only truly independent, underground professional weekly alt comedy show. Featuring touring comedians from all corners of the earth, plus outstanding local regulars who are worth paying attention to. Sundays at 7:30pm at The East Room for just $5 cover. Produced and hosted by NashvilleStandUp.com’s Chad Riden.
Since getting his start in his hometown of Nashville, TN, Billy Wayne Davis has performed in virtually every corner of the United States. He has appeared on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, WTF with Marc Maron, Tru TV, and written for NFL on FOX. His festival credits include the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Bumbershoot, and Sketchfest in San Francisco. His Rooftop Records release, “Billy Wayne Davis” was featured on Sirius XM and named one of Paste Magazine’s Top Ten comedy albums of 2012.
Billy Wayne was featured as one of “10 COMEDIANS EVERY FAN OF COMEDY SHOULD KNOW” on Playboy.com today! (it’s safe for work). They say, “Don’t let the name or thick southern accent fool you, Billy Wayne Davis ain’t your run-of-the-mill good ole boy. Having toured the country for the better part of the last decade, Davis has become one of the funniest observers of humankind in the country and has perfected his entertaining blend of the clever, the cutting and the absurd.”
Come see him live tonight.
Billy Wayne Davis
Oct. 6, 2014 – 8:30pm
The Basement
1604 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
The next round of Rik Roberts’ School of Laughs Stand-Up Comedy Writing class at Zanies starts Monday, October 6th. We’re told there are just four spots left, so register now!
Here’s more info from Rik:
Stand-Up Comedy Writing
Mondays October 6, 13 & 20
Time: 6:00-7:30 PM @ Zanies in Nashville
Investment: $200 total
To Register: E-mail me at SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com with your name, cell phone and the words “Zanies Writing Register” in the subject heading.
There is no previous experience required for this course.The Stand-Up Comedy Level One: Writing class is the foundation for beginners and intermediate comics (open mic performers).
In this class you will discover:
* How to turn a story into a comedy routine
* Why some things are funny and others aren’t
* How to put your personality into your jokes
* How many laughs per minute comedians aim for
* How to edit like a ninja!
* Why some comics never succeed
* How the best comics prepare their material
* Where inspiration comes from
* How to destroy writer’s block
* Why it is important to vary your jokes
* A secret comedy trick that leads to bigger laughs
* How to avoid common mistakes beginners make
* More than a dozen techniques comics use to make material solid and consistent.
These tips will be revealed through various examples, including:
* Watching comics on Letterman and breaking down why they make certain choices.
* Writing jokes and have an opportunity to share in class
* Homework challenges to get your brain and pen in high gear
and several other interactive approaches.
We don’t get onstage, however. So it’s a pressure-free environment where you can speak up as much (or as little) as you like.
As an added bonus, this class comes with a “Lifetime Warranty.” Once you’ve paid for the class, you can attend any and all following writing class sessions at no extra charge. So you can apply the knowledge as you progress through the ranks of comedy to make it a custom fit every time!
To Register: E-mail me at SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com with your name, cell phone number and the words “Zanies Writing Register” in the subject heading.
I will follow up with an email explaining what to expect, how to pay, etc., Hurry and send that email if you want to make it into the class, only 4 spots left.
=== OTHER CLASSES ===
Stand-Up Comedy Level Two: Performance
Mondays in November (TBA) @ Zanies in Nashville
Group One 5:30-7:30,
Group Two 8:00-9:30 PM
$200 total
Online Class
The Level One: Writing Class is now on line and available in three different editions based on your experience. Click the link below to learn more!
This class will be offered in October or November and may be offered to a limited group (8 students) on a Saturday. Please reply if you are interested. Full description amiable at:
