COMEDY AT MELTDOWN COMICS.

Attention all geniuses NOT going to COACHELLA. This show is a far better substitute than standing in the heat around a bunch of assholes. Come and hang out, should be a lot of fun.

We got pick of the week in the LA WEEKLY: http://www.laweekly.com/events/jonah-rays-meltdown-905773/

Here’s the line up:

HUGH MOORE: Hugh Moore is one of the hardest working comics around right now. You would never think by watching him though. His laid back style is juxtaposed against an onslaught of great joke after great joke. A writer for the short lived CHOCOLATE NEWS is a comics comic. Always generating new material that seems as honed and perfected as anything he’s been doing for years. You will see him and be blown away, I guarantee.

MARY LYNN RAJSKUB: Mary Lynn is best known for her role in FOX’S show “24” starring Kiefer Sutherland. But she’s been a personal favorite of mine as a comic ever since her days on HBO’s MR. SHOW with Bob and David. Never one to say a joke and mean it, Mary Lynn takes you on a weird path down a street yer not quite sure exists. You go along with her, you think to yerself “fuck it, wherever she takes me I’m sure it’ll be awesome.” And it’s true.

LAURA KIGHTLINGER: A legendary stand up comic. A former SNL cast member and the Creator/Star of her own show on IFC (The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman.) Laura Kightlinger is a mainstay. I’d say that I’ve been a fan since I was a kid but that would just upset her. Taking self deprecation and self medication to a heightened level of art, Laura has a timeless sensibility that doesn’t age…just like her.

STEVE AGEE: Part of one of the best comedic ensembles on TV (the Sarah Silverman Programme) Steve has a lot going for him these days. But don’t tell him that. You see, Steve is one of the happiest curmudgeons you’ll ever meet. And that’s what makes me such a huge fan of his. More than anybody I know, Steve is constantly convinced he is about to die. So, he will come onto stage in his monthly conversation with me about his hobbies that include: Death Notes, Self Help Tapes, Constantly Getting Sick, and Being single at 40 years old.

DANA GOULD: Mother Fucking DANA GOULD. I would use the term “powerhouse” if I was the type to use such a term. But it’s the only thing I can think of to describe seeing this former writer/producer of the SIMPSONS perform. No matter how long he performs it never seems like enough. If you’ve never seen him perform then stop missing out and do your self a favor by watching him.

If that wasn’t enough, there will be other surprises throughout the show. Including a performance from comedic musician ELI BRADEN. And a sketch by Marley Halpern-Glaser and Elisha Yaffe.

And to top it off: Free beer, The Crepe’in Around (crepe truck), and comic books.

jonah ray is UNFUCKWITHABLE.

COMEDY MELTDOWN 23 – THE END?

EXIT INTERVIEW

Marz Richards (www.renfield.com) interviews Linda Pine!

Linda Pine is the impresario behind Comedy Meltdown, the super-successful comedy revue that took place at the Melt Gallery at Meltdown over the past two years. As Comedy Meltdown comes to a close and a new chapter for the Melt Gallery begins, the ever-inquisitive Marz Richards bothered Linda over a period of hours via electronic communiqué to establish this informative dialogue which we now present to you.

thesnakend Q. Aggggggh! It’s over? It’s really over? This is the last Comedy Meltdown? What are we to do with ourselves?

A. Cry into your respective pillows.

Q. Booking anything in Los Angeles is a whirlwind gig, crushing your email and phone lines and consuming your focus. What was the toughest evening you produced during the run?

A. Andy Kindler & Ron Lynch were sick one night and I had to replace both of them on SHORT notice. Of course about 100 people came to the show expecting Lynch and Kindler… I prevented a riot by plying them with Asahi.

This_is_the_end Q. Comedy Meltdown introduced quite a few comedians to myself and the nerderati that enter the store. Were there any breakout performers from the show?

A. Howard Kremer hands down wins that award. www.myspace.com/dragonboysuede

Q. The quality of performance at CM was, to my mind, astonishing. Was there something about the room or the booking that contributed to consistent success, or are we just blessed with a lot of kick-ass comedians at this moment?

A. Thank you, to me too. I was lucky to have amazing headliners before the show really had legs, Dana Gould was on our second show for example… If good headliners build it, they will come. www.danagould.com

Q. Do you have secret plans for the future? Divulge them now and ruin the surprise! We won’t tell anyone!

A. Comedy Meltdown World Tour is looking for sponsors. I am also pitching CM as a show for the TV.

Q. I’m big on learning. What is the primary lesson to be learned from your experiences producing this show?

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A. Comedians work their asses off.

Q. Could you expand on that a little bit? Are they better promoters? Do they always do more than expected as entertainers?

A. I just mean they go up every night, and sometimes more than once a night. Matt Braunger is a good example, many of the shows he’s done at CM were his second set of the night, but he always has the energy and just kills. www.mattbraunger.com

Q. You’re an actor, but you’ve been quite busy with Comedy Meltdown. Are you going to get back into the great game?

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A. Yes, watching these guys and gals instantly produce once they get in front of the mike was inspirational to me.

I need to use that skill at every audition, and remember to roll with the punches.

Q. What did booking this many shows teach you about Los Angeles?

A. That there is always something great going on… and if people show up to CM it means that they passed on any number of awesome screenings, gallery openings, comedy shows, you name it! It’s been very humbling and I am truly grateful that CM found an audience.

Q. This drama may be over, but it’s really not the end. You are curating more than a few art shows at the Melt Gallery at Meltdown through 2010. Tell me about your current installation and what’s next on the agenda?

A. My current show is called An Aurora of Polar Bears: A Children’s Primer. and it’s 26 original works based on terms of venery. My dad, a zoologist, wrote the introduction. I am hoping to make a children’s book (for smart children) out of it. February 27th will be Night of the Knick-Knacks or Return to Oz, all works inspired by the film. http://gallerymeltdown.wordpress.com