Comic’s Weekly Roundup: A weekend with Kenny DeForest

Comedian Olivia Catchart lays out the week’s top picks for comedy including Kenny DeForest at Relapse, Jermaine Fowler, video showcase Ladie’s Night and more.

Spotlight on: Kenny DeForest
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While there is no clear path to success, starting a comedy career in one of the nation’s smaller scenes is a strong recommendation. While not as busy as Los Angeles or New York, what these “minor league” scenes (such as Atlanta or Denver) lack in quantity they make up for in spades in quality — fewer but better open mics, longer showcase sets, and smaller “rosters” can groom you into a stand-up stand-out. New York-based comedian Kenny DeForest started out in arguably the biggest, and toughest, minor league scene, Chicago. Cutting his teeth in the windy city, DeForest rose the ranks to become the house emcee at The Laugh Factory comedy club. After five years, DeForest was set up to become one of NY’s newest batch of comics on the rise. Shortly after his arrival in the Big Apple, Hannibal Buress handed over the reigns of his popular weekly showcase, Comedy at the Knitting Factory, to DeForest and fellow jokesmiths Will Miles and Clark Jones.


While Atlanta’s Relapse Relapse isn’t a traditional comedy club, they pride themselves on bringing in club-level talent, both the famous and the under the radar. DeForest is the latter — but should’t be. He is a headliner through and through and one of my favorite comics I saw last year. His jokes are tight, brilliant, and form a unique, tongue-in-cheek perspective that separates him from the herd of young male comics. DeForest performed at a slew of comedy festivals like the Brooklyn Comedy Festival, New York Comedy Festival, Cleveland’s Accidental Comedy Festival, and Atlanta’s own Red Clay Comedy Festival in the past. Last year, Comedy Central stamped their seal of approval, putting DeForest on its annual “Comics to Watch” list.  So, watch you should. DeForest headlines two shows at Relapse Theatre Friday and Saturday, both at 8 p.m. Talented as hell, I don’t expect tickets to see DeForest to stay this low for very long.

Kenny DeForest at Relapse Theatre. Apr. 8-9. $10

Mon., Apr. 4
======Mondays are never boring in Atlanta, especially this week when The Earl hosts DJ Douggpound and Brent Weinbach. DJ Douggpound (Doug Lussenhop) is a comedian and musician who routinely appears on Adult Swim on such shows as “The Eric Andre Show,” and “Tim & Eric’s Awesome Show.” Currently, the comedian produces web series “Pound House” and a weekly podcast, “The Poundcast.” Joining him is musical guest Breathers and the hilarious Brent Weinbach, who’s been featured on the new Viceland series “Flophouse,” as well as “Conan,” “Comedy Bang Bang,” and more. Show’s at 9 p.m. $20.

Tue., Apr. 5
======Two of Atlanta’s biggest homegrown comedy stars come together Tuesday night at Eddie’s Attic. In December, Creative Loafing named Mia Jackson one of our “People to Watch,” and for good reason. Last year the comedian was a semi-finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” and filmed a role in Gary Marshall’s new film Mother’s Day. Jackson is one of just a handful of local full-time comics along with her co-headliner Jarrod Harris. Between touring the country, Harris released his debut album “Present & Talkative” last year via Rooftop Records. Alongside TV credits that include Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham” and TBS’ “Lopez Tonight,” Harris helms the popular and rowdy web series “Ricky Erlando Show” and “Survivalist Comedian.” Doors open at 9:30 p.m.; show’s at 9:45 p.m. $15-20.

>> The Village Theatre hosts a special late night treat Tuesday night as they welcome the RPG-inspired variety show Dungeon. The show combines live one-on-one roleplaying games with stand-up comedy. Scanning the full spectrum of nerd culture, this month’s theme is all about comic book heroes and features such local gems as David Perdue and Wellington Juku. You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer, you’ll cry (eh, maybe not) — you’ll have a grand ole time at Dungeon. Doors open at 9:30 p.m.; show’s at 10 p.m. $5.

Wed., Apr. 6
======Praise Yeezus because the best music-inspired variety song of all time is celebrating the one and only Kanye West. Musicians, comedians, writers, and more are billed to perform original sets inspired by the music (and surely the tweets) of ‘Ye at Song Missing Presents: KANYE-T-L. Master MC Chris Ledford hosts the likes of Mark Kendall, Dedrick Flynn, and more while band leader/rapper Tribe One leads us in song under the flashing lights Wednesday night at the Village Theatre. Grab a drink, grab a glass, buy a spaceship and fly past the sky, and come out to see this incredible show. Doors open at 8 p.m.; show’s at 9 p.m. $10

Thurs., Apr. 7 The Village Theatre is the place to be this week. Thursday night, we’re heading back to the Old Fourth Ward comedy hub for one of the best late-night parties in town, Ladie’s Night. We don’t know who Ladie is, but we know the sketch group helmed by Zach Lamplugh, Joel Ruiz, and Brian Emond reinvigorated the Atlanta film community with this hybrid showcase. In addition to tasking themselves with writing and filming three new sketches every month, the trio encourages fellow filmmakers to create their own comedy sketches. Each show features four to five submitted sketches for the audience and a panel of special guest judges to vote on for their favorite with the winner earning an automatic spot for the following show. All stand-ups themselves, the trio also invite industry friends to perform between screenings for what’s become one of the most popular shows in town. Due to regularly hitting capacity show after show, you can now buy your ticket in advance (and you should). Show’s at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 online, $8 at the door.

The Weekend
======This weekend the Laughing Skull welcomes last year’s breakout star, Jermaine Fowler. The 20-something comedian has been busy making waves as a writer, cast member, and executive producer on the TruTV sketch show “Friends of the People.” Fowler is also a regular face on MTV’s “Guy Code” and “Guy Court,” “CollegeHumor Originals,” and performed on Comedy Central’s “Comedy Underground with Dave Attell,” and “The Late Late Show with James Corden.” Last year Fowler released his first stand-up special Give Em Hell Kid on Showtime. He headlines five shows Thursday through Saturday.

>> Speaking of late night, check out the post-midnight comedy explosion that is the 1AM Secret Show. An Atlanta comedy institution, the 1AM throws down every Saturday night, or Sunday morning if you’re pedantic (don’t be), at Smith’s Olde Bar. The line-up regularly features the city’s top comedy killers as well as special, secret guests. Past performers include Kyle Kinane, Craig Robinson, James Adomian and so many more. You, nor I, will know who is hitting the stage until it happens, so go check it out. Show is always free and always starts at … 1am.

ALSO THIS WEEK
======Monday Night Comedy at Star Bar (Apr. 4, at 9:30 p.m.)
8-Bit Comedy at Joystick Gamebar (Apr. 6, at 8 p.m.)
Safe Place at Orpheus Brewing (Apr. 6, at 8 p.m.)
Andi Smith at The Punchline (Apr. 7-10)
Joel McHale at The Tabernacle (Apr. 7, at 8 p.m.)
Sean Larkins at Uptown Comedy Corner (Apr. 8-10)
Gabriel Iglesias at Philips Arena (Apr. 8, at 8 p.m.)
Best of ATL Comedy at Laughing Skull (Apr. 10, at 7 p.m.)