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.

Made of BEES improv (photo by Kevin Thom)

I’m back from some of the best five days… ever. The North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival rocked. Groups from all over North America came to showcase their talent. Richmond, VA was proud to have three troupes and a ComedySportz team representin’. Check out the professional photos from photographer Kevin Thom.

A lot of awesome and hilarious things coming up in the next few weeks, so keep checking back.

Here are some things you should check out in the meantime:

http://www.madeofbeesimprov.com
http://youtube.com/forgetthafacts
http://www.misterdiplomat.com

All for now.

Alright. So I won’t be getting “nakie” next week, but I will be making people laugh. A lot. That’s right folks, on Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 my two thumbs and I will be hopping in my Volkswagon Rabbit and driving approximately 2.15 hours to Carrboro, North Carolina for the 9th Annual North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival (NCCAF, formerly known as the Dirty South Improv Festival).

And now, with more PINK!

This is a huge honor for me and I couldn’t be more excited. I was totally pumped to have a, what I like to call, warm-up, performing in the Richmond Improv Festival in both May and November of 2008, but performing at NCCAF is something I have dreamed of for a long time.

So, if you are within, oh let’s say, a two hour radius of Carrboro/Chapel Hill, NC, you should make the trek down/up/sideways to see me and over 500 other amaaaaazing improvisers from all across the country, AND CANADA!, perform. Some of these improvisers I have looked up to for a long time, and to have the opportunity to share the stage with some of them is truly going to be the experience of a lifetime for me.

These are the times that I will be performing:

Thursday, February 19th @ 10pm w/ MADE of BEES: Made of Bees performs fast paced, aggressive improvisation. With just one suggestion, these improvisers thrust you into a world of bold characters that are guaranteed to give you a comedy buzz. Made of Bees: improv that stings.

Friday, February 20th @ 11:30pm w/ iProv: iProv: the completely musical improv experience, is a show dedicated to all things melodic! Join our talented troupe of musically-inclined improvisers as they explore a wide variety of games and jams where the music, scenes, and especially songs are all based on your suggestions! You’ll go home humming a tune that didn’t even exist only moments earlier!

**Both performances will be held at the DSI Comedy Theater. I hear the theater has a pretty hunky owner, too.

I will also be performing with ComedySportz — the interactive improv comedy experience! Check out the times & locations here.

Here are some other amazing shows you should check out while your down there: Jill Bernard‘s Drum Machine, The Beatbox, MISTER DIPLOMAT, The Josh & Tamra Show, MC Chris, SNL’s Bryan Tucker (who hails from Richmond, VA!), and of COURSE fellow Richmond team FULL CONTACT IMPROV! 

It is guaranteed to be an awesome week full of hilarity. So, I better see you there. 

Check out NCCAF on the web: http://www.nccomedyarts.com
Check out the DSI Comedy theatre: http://www.dsicomedy.com
NCCAF on TWITTER!: http://twitter.com/nccomedyarts
NCCAF Tumblr blog: http://nccomedyarts.tumblr.com
News coverage here.

See you then!

All for now.