mollybuckley.

I know, I know. It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. I’m sorry. I’ve missed you, too. As most of you know, I’ve been working a lot. But have no fear, I’m still here. (Oh, and I’m only working TWO jobs now!) But what many of you may NOT know, is that I am a proud staff member of the 2010 North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival (#NCCAF).

I was honored to perform at NCCAF (as a guest) last year in 2009. This year, I have the honor of performing again AND the privilege of serving on the volunteer staff. It’s been an amazing experience so far, and the festival hasn’t even started yet. I was charged with being the Sponsorship Coordinator. What does that mean? Well, basically, the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival (the largest comedy festival of its kind in the COUNTRY) takes A LOT of work to put on… and we can’t do it alone. So, I have been working with local media outlets, businesses, and individuals to coordinate sponsorships, coupons, and discounts for our over 500+ comedians that will be arriving throughout the ENTIRE month of February. This is one of those positions that is a lot harder than it sounds, especially when resources are tight… for everyone. It has definitely been a learning process, but I know that I’ve worked hard and represented the festival well.

What else am I excited about?

For those of you who aren’t familiar with NCCAF (formerly the Dirty South Improv Festival/DSIF) – this year is the 10th anniversary and it is bigger and better than ever. Executive Producer, Zach Ward has put more time, money, blood, sweat, and tears into this festival than you can imagine – all to make it what it is. A condensed timeline: (DSIF) Festival was started in 2001 showcasing ONLY improv comedy, went to TWO weeks in 2009 adding standup comedy, and in 2010 has added sketch comedy and film and video taking the festival to an entire month.

In addition to that, something that I had wanted to do for Zach and DSI for a long time also came to fruition this week. I spoke with both the Mayors of Carrboro and Chapel Hill and talked to them not only about how important the festival is for the arts culture in the community, but also the impact is has fiscally on local businesses. I wasn’t sure if they were going to be able to do anything, but I had high hopes. And then I got the good news. I take that back, AWESOME news. It’s OFFICIAL: both Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt of Chapel Hill and Mayor Mark Chilton of Carrboro have formally and officially proclaimed February 2010 DSI Comedy Arts Month in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. (And Mayor Mark Chilton will be at OPENING night this Thursday the 4th to read his proclamation before the start of the first show.)

Awesome.

Oh, and DSI won 2009 Small-Business of the Year last week. Pretty cool, huh?

We’re kind of a big deal.

Okay, okay. So why am I rambling and what is my point? My point is that this Thursday, February 4th marks the start of a HUGE month of comedy here in North Carolina.

Do you live in and around the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Greensboro, North Carolina, and parts of Virginia area? Do you love comedy? Do you want to laugh… a lot?

Then you should come see shows.

Seriously.

Support you local, national, AND international comedy this month. Support your local comedy festival. Support #NCCAF.

Oh, and did I mention I’m performing? …Twice.

• Friday, February 5th, 7:30PM at the DSI Comedy Theater with DSI Witness News: (Facebook Event)
• Saturday, February 20th, 10:00PM at the ArtsCenter Mainstage with Made of BEES: (Facebook Event)

Want to know the rest of the schedule?

• Sketch Comedy – February 4-6
• Standup Comedy – February 11-14
• Improv Comedy – February 16-21
• Film/Video – February 25-27

I just want to reiterate how excited and how proud I am to be a part of such an amazing theater, company, and festival.

Questions? Let me know. Want to see a show but don’t know which one to come to? Let me know. Want to donate swag to performers in town? Let me know. Want to help out another way? Let me know.

I’ll make it happen for you.

Word.

Some of you know that I write for a local news parody, Weekend Update style, show called DSI Witness News. In addition to writing for our own live shows at the DSI Comedy Theater, we write for a daily segment on a local station, WCHL 1360AM (every morning at 8:20AM and again at 5:55PM).

Well, some of you have probably seen these crazy Facebook phishing scams and viruses going around. “Test your IQ,” ‘I found pics of you,” and the newest, “Your friend’s booty looks GRRRREAT in the video.” Well, the booty virus hit local politicians and we were lucky enough to have THE Mayor of Carrboro himself, Mark Chilton, join us for a HILARIOUS episode on Tuesday.

(Click here if you can’t see the video. And click here if you want just the audio.)

Hilarious, right? Ahhh gotta love elected officials on Facebook. Thanks, Mayor Chilton for being awesome.

Question: Do YOU have a booty virus?

Word.

Considering this video has over 7.5 million views on YouTube, most of you have probably already seen it. However, I wanted to share it anyway because I think it’s incredible. It is really humbling to think how small we are in the scheme of things. It puts things in perspective.

DISCLAIMER: AND it was researched and remixed by a good friend of mine and hilarious improviser, Jeff Brenman of Apollo Ideas.

What do YOU think?

Word.

Made of BEES = my bffs.

The Richmond Improv Festival has been not just awesome, but incredible. I’ve had a blast hanging out with my best friends, meeting new people, taking workshops from incredible instructors, performing for a packed house, and watching some AWESOME comedy.

It’s been stressful balancing a sense of normalcy in my personal life while still trying to hustle and find a job that not only pays, but a job I love.

I refuse to settle for anything less than AWESOME.

Improv recharges me. It’s true. I love performing and taking classes at the DSI Comedy Theater where I live in Carrboro, but  really rekindles my love for the art, is coming to a festival like this and getting to watch, learn, and LAUGH. Sounds cliche, I know. But it’s true. Don’t be a hater. I’m ready to go home with a boost of confidence that I’m awesome. Woop!

Some of you may be wondering why I’m talking about this on my media blog. Well, I love comedy and comedy = social — and that’s the first part of social media. Because if you can’t make ‘em smile, then what else are you going to do? Anyway.

I’m pumped for ONE MORE NIGHT of incredible comedy. If you are near/in/around the Richmond, Virginia area, I’d LOVE to see you out at a show tonight. So, here’s the schedule for those of you who want to know:

4PM – CenterStage Rhythm Hall -

COMEDYSPORTZ BAILOUT SHOW. $10 for adults. $5 for students. Awesome? We think so.

7PM – CenterStage Rhythm Hall -

Cubed (Philadelphia)
Pound for Pound (Carrboro)
Einstein Meets Elvis (Atlanta)

9PM – CenterStage Rhythm Hall -

Superbest (Washington, DC)
iProv (Richmond)
Fritter Kings (Carrboro/Chicago)

Oh, and I will DEFINITELY be at the bonus MIDNIGHT IMPROV + KARAOKE JAM at Capital Ale House. My friends from the Richmond Comedy Coalition are hosting. And I have already started warming up my vocal chords to rock out on karaoke. Want to know my song-of-choice? Well, then I guess you’ll just have to come out and see for yourself.

But in all seriousness, this festival has been awesome. I really hope to see you tonight!

All for now.

I have decided to listen to my own advice and do a blog post with my Twitter #FollowFriday suggestions this week. YAY! And I’m even going to break it down into categories. Oh man, who’s excited?! I know I am.

COMEDIANS & ALL-AROUND FUNNY PEOPLE

• @BeauCribbs – I have known Beau for almost 3 years and his tweets make me laugh every single day. In fact, if he posts a tweet that isn’t funny, he immediately tweets after that apologizing for the unfunny tweet WITH a funny tweet. It’s ingenious. Oh, and he loves the Red Sox (boo) and The Office. What’s not to love? Well, the Red Sox for me…
• @CallMeKP – Kristen and I took an improv class together at the Second City Training Center in NYC a couple summers ago. She, like Beau, loves the Red Sox, The Office, and is incredibly witty. You won’t regret following this girl.
• @Pijornification – An awesome graphic designer. An incredible web developer. An even more incredible improviser, David Pijor is awesome. He’s so creative and always has something to offer.
• @zachward – He is the founder, executive producer, and director of the Dirty South Comedy Theater. He loves improv, he loves performing, and is the smartest, most business-savvy comedian I know. (I promise, I’m not biased on this one… )

SOCIAL MEDIA AWESOMENESS

• @WayneSutton – Wayne is a rockstar. No doubt about it. He’s a blogger, strategist, and social entrepreneur. He speaks all over the country, yet he calls Raleigh, NC home. How awesome is that? He offers great tips and always has great insight.
• @1918 – Not only is @1918 a Buckley (which makes him super awesome – no relation) Phil Buckley is funny, smart, and has a great sense for social media.
• @JeremySaid – Jeremy is the owner and CEO of Twine Interactive – and awesome media firm here in the Triangle. Jeremy is awesome. For reals. Trust me. Incredibly insightful, honest, and savvy.
• @DanSchawbel – Dan is THE personal branding guy. His tweets offer AWESOME resources and he offers GREAT advice. You’ll learn A LOT just by following him.

I JUST LOVE THEM

• @PunkRockHR & @lruettimann – Punk Rock HR IS Laurie Ruettimann. Laurie is my new BFF here in the Triangle, but that does not go without saying that Laurie is THE go-to woman for ANYTHING HR/job related/employment related. She speaks all over the country and writes an awesome blog called Punk Rock HR. I even had the honor of guest-posting on her blog last week. It was awesome! We enjoy getting drinks and eating olives. We’re fancy like that.
• @DSIWN – I would be lying if I didn’t say that I write for DSI Witness News, but DSI Witness News is awesome. Get hilarious updates and headlines – subscribe to the podcast. You love news? You love to laugh? You’ll love DSIWN.
• @GregLee – the marketing director for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA, Greg is an avid runner who has really inspired me to start running. He is going to help me as I start to train for a HALF-MARATHON. Holy crap, I can barely run 3 miles let alone 13.1… but Greg is awesome and is going to be a great source of inspiration for me.
• @colettewh –  Colette is my comedy-duo partner in our awesome improv team FEMMEBOIS. She is a funny lady and also a great inspiration. She just completed her first half-marathon this past weekend and also raised over $2,500 (on her own) for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Awesome. GO COLETTE!

PHEW! That was a lot. If I didn’t give props to you, don’t feel bad. I love you too! If I wrote about all the people I loved, well, that would take a long time. But I hope this helps.

You guys are awesome. Who are YOU #FollowFriday’ing?

All for now.