Brooklyn Comedy Festival
Various Venues; through 8/24; Williamsburg, Brooklyn
We all know Brooklyn is a hub for comedy, but did you know we were in the midst of history being made? All week, the inaugural Brooklyn Comedy Festival has been doing due diligence showcasing folks you already know—Jon Friedman, Hari Kondabolu, Mike O’Brien—and folks you really should—Jermaine Fowler, Aparna Nancherla, Phoebe Robinson—for cheap or no money. Plus, there’s tons of booze and after-parties, and who doesn’t want to party with comedians?
The Jukebox
Union Hall; 8/21 at 8 p.m.; 702 Union St, at Fifth Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-638-4400
It’s a two-year celebration! And what better way to let loose than with comedy and, for the first time ever, live-band karaoke, which is what this little gem—hosted by Steve Heisler, Steve Jacobs, and Vulture’s Margaret Lyons—has in store for tonight. They’ll be taking a break after this show, which features Baratunde Thurston, Beth Stelling, Craig Rowin, and Jamie Lee, so best to get your comedyoke fix now.
Nikki Glaser
Carolines on Broadway; 8/22 at 7:30 p.m.; 1626 Broadway, nr. 50th St.; 212-757-4100
The enigmatic co-host of MTV’s weekly late-night lady romp Nikki & Sara Live, podcaster, and Last Comic Standing alum injects hilarity into Times Square. And sick fashion sense.
Arthur Meyer: Rock and Roll
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre; 8/22 at 9:30 p.m..; 307 W. 26th St., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-366-9176
You may have seen Meyer’s writing and acting credits on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, but this chucklehead has been around the comedy scene for some time. See his talents up close in this one-man sketch-comedy show.
Night Train
Littlefield; Mondays at 8 p.m.; 622 Degraw St., nr. Fourth Ave., Gowanus, Brooklyn; 718-855-3388
Have you been sleeping past this weekly comedy show in Gowanus? Well, wake up! Every week Wyatt Cenac (or a very capable comic in his stead) hosts a lineup that could easily go on tour and sell out rooms in the Midwest (maybe they do? Maybe that’s the “train” part?). Plus, when he’s there, it’s a chance to see Cenac regularly, since he’s not gracing our televisions on the Daily Show anymore. We miss his face.
Kurt Braunohler
The Bell House; 8/27 at 8 p.m.; 149 7th St., nr. Second Ave., Gowanus, Brooklyn; 718-643-6510
Former New Yorker turned Angelino Braunohler (of IFC’s Bunk) returns to the city that nurtured him and watched him grow. Has he brought us back riches? Kind of! He’s celebrating the release of his debut comedy album How Do I Land? with a host of special friends, like Eugene Mirman, Todd Barry, Hannibal Buress, Nick Turner, and musical guest Ted Leo. Who all still live in the area, might we add.
Funny or Die Oddball Fest
PNC Banks Arts Center; 9/7; Exit 116, Garden State Pkwy., Holmdel, N.J.; 732-203-2500
It’s still a little bit far out on the horizon, but if you haven’t bought your tickets you should probably do so now for the insane lineup of Dave Chappelle, Dave Chappelle’s arm muscles, Flight of the Conchords, Demetri Martin, John Mulaney, and so much more. It comes to a town near us, kinda.