Moving House

For those of you who don't know, I got engaged a couple of months ago. Yes, I looked at all the happiness in my life and I thought screw it, I want none of that. So off I went and got engaged to my girlfriend thus turning her, into my Fiancee. A random lights flashed as she leveled up.

Like this, but with diamonds

Shortly after that we decided to move in together and that happens tomorrow. Now I am not really nervous or scared about this. It is definitely a new chapter in the life of me. But it will be a fun chapter. People often ask me (no one ever asks me anything) if I am not worried that it will be too much to handle. I mean living with the same person day in and day out. Listening to all their problems and hear how the bitch and moan about work all the time. Don't get me started on the farting, which is mostly from my side. To these people I say, "Hey listen voice in my head. Shut up." No, I am not worried about any of that. My lady is pure win.

The point, I am trying to make here is that for the next few days I will be in limbo so to speak. That period of time where you aren't living at your old place, but you are not fully settled in your new place. I won't have internet nor will I have time to think up or find funny things for you to read/watch. So please stay strong during this short intermission. Drinks will be served in the main hall and there is a poker game in the back room.

If you can stand the smell...

But before I go...

I heard about this video after my last post went live. It is a trailer for Hellpants and the FBPK. A trailer for a stand up show you ask? Rather, don't ask. Just watch.



Stay strong People!

Three, One man acts to go see

Ten years ago, had you asked if I would like to go to the National Arts Festival, I would probably have punched you in the face, just to point out how manly I am. Today, I am still not a big fan of ‘arty farty’ festivals, however, this year’s National Arts Festival in Grahamstown seems to be the place to be for any fan of comedy. Who knew it was an art? 

The festival starts on the 30^th of June and if you find yourself lucky enough to be in Grahamstown due to that wrong turn you took in Port Elizabeth and having run out of petrol, here are three shows that I think you should definitely make time for while you wait for the petrol price to drop.

Rob van Vuuren – Live!

St. Andrew’s Hall:

30 June 21:00;

1 July 13:30; 3 July 15:30; 4 July 22:00; 5 July 16:00; 6 July 10:00; 7 July 17:30; 8 July 18:00; 9 July 14:30

Tickets: R40 – R70

Special discount:

30 June 21:00 – only R50

“Winner of the 2011 Comic Choice Award” What does that mean? It means the other comedians in South Africa came together and chose one comic who is funnier than all of them, and Rob van Vuuren is the guy  they chose. What a wise choice indeed. Following on his last show, Rob van Vuuren is Rob van Vuuren, Rob comes with a brand new show and is ready to blow you away, with golden showers of nothingness. 

In your face! 

I have seen parts of the show while Rob was still working on it and doing sessions at Kalk Bay Theatre earlier this year and I can honestly say you will be in for a treat. Even though Rob is a newcomer to stand up, he is a black belt in comedy. This guy will be able to make you laugh while you are falling to your death after your parachute didn’t open. I, personally cannot wait until he brings this show to Cape Town, to see it in its completed form. Also, be sure to look out for Rob and Louw Venter in The Most Amazing Show also at the National Arts Festival. They don’t call it “The Most Amazing show” for nothing.

Martin Evans – Hellpants and the FBPK

Directed – Keri Miller

OB’s Scout Hall:

30 June 16:00; 1 July 18:00; 2 July 20:00; 3 July 22:00; 4 July 12:00; 6 July 14:00; 7 July 18:00; 8 July 14:00;9 July 16:00 & 20:00

Tickets: R40 – R53

Special discount:

30 June 16:00 – only R35

"Full Body Poes Klap", I asked so that you don't have too. 

Martin Evans had one kak year. He was a man with a dream. Then he broke his leg in a scooter accident. He didn’t just break his leg though, He proper broke his leg. He was in and out of hospital for the better part of the year, but he didn’t let a broken leg get him down. He used that time to work on his new one man show. He also chatted up Keri Miller from 94.5 KFM radio fame. What made her decide to get engaged to a man who walked funny and whose professional job is to stand in front of people and make them laugh? No one knows. I like to believe it is his incredible charisma. When Martin starts his act there is no stopping him. Oh you can try and interrupt him but you do this at your own risk. Martin handles hecklers better than most of us handle flies. He isn’t afraid to make any joke and, you can believe me, he will cross that line if he feels it necessary. I have yet to see Martin in a one man show, but he is the main reason I became a fan of the local comedy scene after moving to Cape Town in 2007. I have also seen enough of his work to know that this is going to be great. Tickets are almost sold out and he has already received a few five star reviews. This show cannot be missed!

Mark Palmer – Best Medicine

Drill Hall:

30 June 17:30; 1 July 21:30; 2 July 15:00; 3 July 10:00; 4 July 16:30; 5 July 15:00; 6 July 19:00; 7 July 17:30; 8 July 10:00; 9 July 19:00

Tickets: R45 - R50

Special Discount:

30 June 17:30 – only R40

Plamer, Mark Palmer

Now the previous two acts will probably leave your 8 year old son asking you what sperm is, or your 7 year old daughter asking you what a “poes klap” is. Best Medicine however is good clean fun for the whole family. Even Granny will laugh as Mark paints a picture of how he defends his home from things that go bump in the night. Mark will cure any ailment with his slice of life style of comedy. With some jaw dropping moments when Mark shows you what a wordsmith he is. Let Mark take you on the adventure that is his life and the funny he sees in it.

The festival runs from June 30^th to July 10^th 2011. Follow the link below for the complete program. 

National Arts Festival

Heckler gets served

Jamie Kennedy... yes, that Jamie Kennedy... yes, I know his show sucked, just stay with me here.

Where was I? Oh right. Jamie Kennedy, like most comedians, hates hecklers. Hecklers, not only ruin the show for the comedian, but can also ruin it for the crowd. A comedian's main job is to entertain a room fulled with people. The last thing they need is someone shouting out corrections to their jokes in the middle of a show. Hell, that is the last thing most people who go stand up shows want. So after watching this clip, you might think twice about heckling a comedian the next time you are at a comedy club. Remember, they are the one with the mic, and will always be louder than you.



And just like that it is weekend! Keep it legal. I don't know what that means...

Tracy and her Klass Struggle

Tracy Klass’s comedy comes from all aspects of her own life in a wild and proud manner. It can’t be easy being a single mom with teenagers and then at the same time resemble Hellen Zille. What it is though, is hilarious. I can honestly say that the only exposure I have had to the “Kugel from Sea point” comedy, was Nik Rabinowitz in drag. So it was refreshing to see that style of comedy coming from a woman.

From the moment Tracy Klass takes to the stage with her little dance, you know that you will be in for a good time.  She has an energy about her that will bring you back to life after a full day at the office, faster than any drug could. There is seldom a moment where she stands still and the only time she isn’t talking is when she is drinking some water to prepare her for the next joke. Her jokes jump from raising her children on her own, and dealing the struggles of school projects, to teaching Joburg dads that it is probably not a good idea to shout at the soccer referee from Kensington.  She is also not afraid to speak about women problems and luckily she does this in a way that doesn’t cause your average man to huddle in the fetal position and repeatedly ask “why”.  

Why not?

Tracy would at times fumble her jokes, but she recovers with such grace that you can forgive her for this easily. Being one of the few female stand up’s in this country means that her jokes are new and not done to death, which could be the case for most of her male counterparts. I did find it hard to understand her sometimes when she shouted, but when I told this to my one Jewish friend he just laughed and said I had a lot to learn about Jewish women shouting. I also found it hard sometimes to relate to the comedy but this was mostly because I am not a Jewish single mom. For the most part Tracy takes the time to explain to the younger crowd with no children exactly what she means in a way that will have you in stitches quickly.

In the end, Klass Struggle is well worth the bucks and On Broadway makes it easy for the comedian to interact with the crowd and make them feel part of the show. Whether that is a good thing is completely up to the individual however. I personally enjoy being right in the front and Tracy Klass’s nails don’t scratch too deep.

Oh, by the way, Tracy, if you are reading this, just remember, I voted for you!

Klass Struggle runs at On Broadway until the 2nd of June. Tickets are R85 and can be booked through Computicket.

Computicket - Klass Struggle

Why?

Someone once said that laughter is the best medicine. This is true for so many things. Laughter can make you forget about your day’s trouble. Lift you spirits when you find your moods in a downward spiral and is all around harmless fun. For the most part at least. Comedy can also be serious business. Here my aim is to explore all avenues of comedy. Why you ask? Because I enjoy comedy. I enjoy making others laugh. I enjoy laughing. So let’s have a chuckle together and see what happens?