by The Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival kicks off its 2011 edition tonight in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and as it has become an annual institution, it has remained steadfastly unique among comedy festivals in celebrating the fact that it’s festive, but not in an industry-focused, star-making, pressure-packed way.
Each year’s fest has offered fun plays on the festival theme such as fake VIP credentials, or one year, rocks available for purchase engraved with the names of comedy industry executives.
What can you look forward to this week and weekend only at the 2011 Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival?
For starters, science!
Yes. The festival kicks off tonight at 8 p.m. at The Bell House with An Evening Of Science featuring StarTalk Live, a live version of Neil deGrasse Tyson’s radio show, “StarTalk,” featuring Mirman, Kristen Schaal, John Oliver and special guests.
Also: An Awkward Party Bus. (Actual bus not pictured)
Mirman tells The Comic’s Comic it’ll be parked outside the Bell House from Friday to Sunday.
“Saturday we’ll have a petting zoo,” Mirman tells me. Did somebody say llamas? What? No llamas? Mirman says “there will be a goat and a lamb and more.” Good enough for ya!
A Saturday night show transported straight from Harvard Square in Cambridge, Mass. — The Rick Jenkins Comedy Studio Showcase — as Jenkins brings his showcase format and some Boston-based comedians down to Brooklyn. Mirman held court weekly at The Comedy Studio before moving to NYC.
And as in past Eugene Mirman Comedy Festivals, fans will be treated to a feast.
In fact, Sunday night’s A Special Food-Themed Comedy Show For You — hosted by Eugene Mirman with Sarah Vowell, Larry Murphy, Ron Funches and special guests — will feature a caviar eating contest.
Several shows already are sold out, but a few tickets remain, even to functions such as the Archer Variety Hour and Panel, featuring Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Matt Thompson, Adam Reed, Jessica Walter, Lucky Yates, Amber Nash.
Check with The Bell House for updated ticket information. Or with Union Hall, which also will offer comedy shows for the fest from Friday through Sunday.
