Comic’s Weekly Roundup: Celebrate 420 with Shalewa Sharpe
Plus, more from this week in ATL’s comedy scene
Mon., April 20
Monday Nights at Star Bar is Atlanta’s greatest comedy tradition. After a decade of producing weekly shows, Rodney Leete decided to celebrate this city’s finest comedic talents by starting a record label, Rotknee Presents Records. Having recorded local artists Clayton English, Keenan Burton, and Denver’s Sam Tallent in the past year, tonight the L5P bar will host its first recording of 2015. Local favorite Shalewa Sharpe will be back in town to record her debut album. Having started her comedy career in Atlanta, Sharpe relocated to New York City in 2013. Sharpe is a smart, stellar comic with a unique point-of-view. She will be joined on stage tonight with a special handpicked line-up of local greats. Every album recording has been a riot, and this one will be no different. 9 p.m.
Tues., April 21
The Hangar has become a favorite venue of mine. This DIY space in Old Fourth Ward has opened its door to some of amazing experimental shows as well as some touring comedians. This week, The Hangar will host two special shows for some amazing out-of-town talent. Tuesday, Seattle comedian Derek Sheen headlines a show as part of his Southpacolypse Tour. Sheen has been a featured performer at the Bridgetown, Cape Fear, and S.F. Sketchfest Comedy Festivals,and has toured with Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Janeane Garofolo and Rory Scovel. Sheen will be joined by Justin Thompson, John-Michael Bond, Camilo Potes, Samm Severin, and Joe Karg. Show starts at 9:30 p.m. and it’s free, but with a suggested donation of $5 (which you should totally do). That’s a steal for any comedy show.
Weds., April 22
If you’re looking for something different, Wednesday night at the Highland Ballroom has a show for you. Scene Missing comes back for another month, this time featuring comedy, music, and other performances based on the films of Quentin Tarantino. Scene Missing Presents ATLANTARANTINO welcomes Jeffrey Stephenson, Paul Gallois, Travis Jones, Jesse Price, Tony Jenkins, Nilah Monet, Noel Stephen, and Eliot Bronson to the stage this week, hosted by Jason Pierce Mallory. These shows are wonderfully fun and creative, so come celebrate Mr. Blonde, Mr. Blue, Mr. Brown, Mr. Orange, Mr. Pink, Mr. White, the Bride, the Gimp, Jules Winnfield, Vincent Vega, and all your other favorite Quentin Tarantino characters on Wed., April 22, at 9 p.m. Just $10. It’s the live show equivalent of a Royale with cheese!
Thurs., April 23
On Thursday, the Hangar will host it’s second touring comic, Ahmed Bharoocha. LA-based Bharoocha has been featured on Comedy Central’s stand-up show,” Adam Devine’s House Party.” His sketch group Dead Kevin was featured on “Tosh.0,” ComedyCentral.com, and named by LA Weekly as one of the top comedy acts to watch, and in 2012 he was selected for New Faces in the Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival. He will be joined by local favorites Chris Ledford, Cherith Fuller, and John-Michael Bond. 8:30 p.m., $5. Bharoocha is a fantastic rising talent, you’d be silly to miss this one ... and all the other ones on this list.
The Weekend
>> You can see more nationally touring acts around town this weekend, starting with the Laughing Skull Lounge. Head on over to Midtown this weekend to see Dave Waite headline six shows, Thursday through Sunday. You might know Waite for winning first place at the 2012 Laughing Skull Comedy Festival. Since then, he has appeared on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and “Last Comic Standing.”
>> Friday, the Village Theatre hosts a special show that’s a little NFSW. 1UP Comedy’s popular monthly show, http://villagecomedy.com/event/underwear-comedy-party-3-4/http://villagecomedy.com/event/underwear-comedy-party-3-4/Underwear Comedy Party returns. A handful of local comics will take the stage in nothing but their undies. 11 p.m. $10.
>> On Saturday, the Variety Playhouse host two shows for the Nerdist himself, Chris Hardwick. The comedian with an endless resume hosts the popular Comedy Central game show, “@Midnight,” “All-Star Celebrity Bowling,” “Talking Dead” on AMC, and more. Head of the Nerdist empire, his company produces a number of popular podcasts including the flagship “Nerdist Podcast” that averages five million monthly downloads. Shows start at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., respectively.
ALSO THIS WEEK
The Virgins of Comedy at the Hangar (April 21, at 8 p.m.)
Lester Bibbs at Uptown Comedy Corner (April 23-26)
Jeff Garlin at the Improv (April 23-25)
Rodney Carrington at Cobb Energy Centre (April 25, at 7 p.m.)
1AM Secret Show at Smith’s Olde Bar (April 25, at 1 a.m.)
Fresh Comedy at Highwire Comedy Co. (April 26, at 8 p.m)