Where you left your keys ...Rick's Cafe Americain

For all comics
At 2:30 I am attending my first meeting with the New York Comedians Coalition. I’ve discussed the coalition before; I think it is important to my future that comics be able to earn a living wage on local performances alone and I want to play a part in making that happen. If I were to go on strike today nobody in the comedy world would notice—but I like to think that is a temporary situation. I think the contacts I make will increase my exposure to people who can, well, get me more exposure so I think of this as a chance to do well by doing good.

For me
Some clubs use bringer shows or tape submissions to look for new talent. Comic Strip Live on the Upper East Side is different. The Comic Strip holds a lottery twice a year. Comics line up to draw a date to audition for Starla Muraz on the Monday night show. This was—for the last few years, anyway—the first stage of the audition process. It will be interesting to see how the audition process works this year. If Starla “passed” you (gave you a call-back) your second audition was for club owner Lucien Hold (I’m not trying to be overly familiar; everyone referred to Starla and Lucien by their first names). Unfortunately, Lucien passed away last November. After your audition Starla gives each auditioner a personal critique. She is notoriously harsh but I can’t believe that she is a tougher crowd than Zinester. Getting passed on your first attempt is apparently unheard of, so I’m not expecting much. And I’m looking forward to the feedback - I’ll act strong even if she cuts me down.

I’ll obviously keep you posted on my audition date.

For humanity
I don’t want this blog to become a de facto listing service (except to the extent that it is a “my listings” service), but I have to plug this event. The effects of the tsunami are obviously still being felt and will be for years. Liam McEneaney, a comedian with whom I’ve performed at R Bar and a friend has put together a benefit for AmeriCares. The comics are top notch (including some more colleagues from R Bar), the venue is a great one and at $25 it is a great deal. PS 122 is donating its space and staff, and the comics are all donating their time: 100% of the moneys raised will go to AmeriCares. Brother of Ugarte, Zinester and I are taking Mother of Ugarte to the show for her birthday.

NYC ComediCares Benefit at PS 122
150 First Ave. at E. 9th St.
8:00pm - $25.00
RESERVATIONS: 212-477-5288

Produced by: Karen Sneider & Liam McEneaney
Hosted by: Liam McEneaney (VH1’s Best Week Ever, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend)

With:
* Christian Finnegan (Comedy Central Presents 1/2 Hour Special, Best Week Ever; writer, Tough Crowd w/ Colin Quinn)
* Jim Gaffigan (Comedy Central Presents, Late Show w/ David Letterman, That ‘70s Show)
* Demetri Martin (Comedy Central Presents, Late Show w/ David Letterman; writer, Late Night w/ Conan O’Brien)
* Jen Nails (The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The People’s Improv Theatre)
* Chris Regan (3x Emmy-winning writer, The Daily Show w/ Jon Stewart)
* Jason Trachtenburg (of the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players)
* Victor Varnado (Premium Blend, the Montreal Comedy Festival, and the movies End of Days & Pluto Nash)
* and rock band The Domestics

FEATURING THE WORLD’S MOST KICKASS RAFFLE:
Prizes include:
* An iPod donated by TekServe
*A copy of “America (the book)” autographed by Jon Stewart and the Daily Show correspondants and writing staff
* Comedy Central CD/DVDs from Jim Gaffigan, Todd Barry, Dave Attell and Dane Cook
* Other very cool Comedy Central stuff
* Limited edition Jimmy Kimmel Live! autographed baseball caps/photos
* From VH1 - 20 ‘90s long sleeve t-shirts, a couple of Big in ‘04 t-shirt sets and 1 hip hop sweatshirt
* A pair of tickets to Saturday Night Live
* and more...