by Timothy Rutt
This Friday and Saturday marks the return of the Altadena Comedy Festival, and it will be a full two days of laughs in service to a good cause: remembering those who serve.
Producer John Heinsen (who co-founded the festival with Julie Sandoval, owner of the Coffee Gallery coffee house) says that the event will be in support of the Blue Star Families, an organization that supports families of servicemen and women serving overseas.
In that spirit, the festival will present the ECHO lifetime achievement award to Bob Hope, who entertained so many troops during World War II and the wars in Korea and Vietnam. And, the Saturday night show, "Frontline Comedy," features standup comedians who have been to Iraq and Afghanistan.
All events will be at the Coffee Gallery, 2029 N. Lake.
Friday night, Sept. 30, is Sketch and Improv Night, which will start off at 6 PM with an attempt to set a world record group hug with Fly, the Coffee Gallery barista (hugs are $1). Improv comedians Keilly & Roeters, http://www.keillyandroeters.com/ start the festival at 7:30,. The Cool Table sketch comedy grop http://www.funnyordie.com/thecooltable performs at 8:30. The 9:30 show is Tigerpants/Dr. God http://www.drgodcomedy.com/ All shows are $10 each.
At 10:30 PM, there'll be a free Improv Jam, with comedians leading the audience in comedy improvs.
Saturday's theme, "Stand Up Night," will start with an improv workshop from 1-3 PM, led by Neil Garguilo. Heinsen says that "Anybody can do it from teens on up." Garguilo's workshops normally cost $150, but this is $25, to benefit the festival The workshop is limited to 16 students: . email to confirm your spot: improvworkshop@altadenacomedy.com
Saturday's shows start with a panel of industry pros, management and talent, who will give advice to comedians on how to manage their careers, at 5:30 PM. Presentation of The ECHO award will start at 6:30. Starting at 7:30, "The Fatherhood," a stage show of theater and standup by three local comics who ruminate about fatherhood. This show has been performed at the Coffee Gallery Backstage several times before. At 8:45, "Frontline Comedy" re-creates a modern day USO show with comics who have been to the Middle East. All shows (except the ECHO award) are $10.
At 10 PM, the festival wraps up with a "Late Night Lock Box," which Hensen says is an all-encompassing variety show with standup and variety acts. It's free to get in, but you have to pay to leave, Heinsen says -- and it will go on until they run out of audience or performers,
And if that's not enough, The Great Martini sppears both nights in the Coffee Gallery Conference Room from 7-9 PM with an intimate magic show for all ages that starts every half hour. There are only ten seats per show, and suggested donation is $5.
Reservations for the Altadena Comedy Festival can be made via email at reservations@altadenacomedy.com. Include your name, a contact number, the show you want to attend, and the number of seats (limit 4 per reservation). Email confirmations will be sent to all reservations made before Thurs., Sept. 29, and only cash will be accepted at the door.
