“Laughfest”, the official Athfest Comedy Showcase continues in 2011 with a new venue and a heavier hitting lineup. This year’s showcase will take place at the 40 Watt Club on June 22 nd, 2011 at 8 PM, and will feature nationally touring headliner Dan Telfer. Starting as an improviser at Chicago’s IO Theater when he was 18, Dan spent the next several years doing long-form improv, writing high-concept political-mythology plays with Theater Oobleck, and doing solo performance at the Live Bait Theater. Eventually throwing these hats all into the stand-up ring, Dan spins whimsical flights of fancy with stories from his quirky life. He became a fixture of Chicago’s Lakeshore Theater, where he opened for Paul F. Tompkins, Patton Oswalt, Janeane Garofalo, and many more until he was booked as a headliner himself. Maria Bamford and Brian Posehn went on to take Dan on the road as their featured opener.
Paste Magazine dubbed him the “Best of What’s Next” and went on to also list him as one of the 10 Best Comedians of 2010. In April of 2010 Dan was featured on the front page of The Onion, who said Dan was “hitting Chicago’s comedy glass ceiling. Dan is currently touring to promote a new podcast for the Onion AV Club. Dan featured at both of the Patton Oswalt shows at the 40 Watt Club on March 29th and 30th, 2011.
This show will also feature TJ Young, a member of The Beards of Comedy Tour and creator of Mundanish Comedy. TJ is a 2008 Aspen Rooftop Comedy Awards winner. TJ has shared the stage with such notable acts as Aziz Ansari, Doug Benson, Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, Greg Giraldo, and Maria Bamford.
Chris Patton, Natalie Glaser, Matt Gilbert, Luke Fields, and Drew Dickerson will also perform.
Chris is the creator of Merj, and has opened for Brian Posehn and Patton Oswalt. Other notable credits include Laughfest 2010, and hosting the Flagpole Music awards in 2010.
Natalie is a former public defender and has performed with such notable acts as Maria Bamford and Bobcat Goldthwait.
Matt Gilbert is a local comedian and creator of “Drafts and Laughs” a monthly show at Gameday Pub. Matt has opened for Doug Stanhope and Dave Waite.
Luke Fields is the creator of “Hacks”, a monthly comedy show that runs at Caledonia Lounge. Luke has opened for Doug Stanhope, Adam Newman and Kyle Kinane.
Drew Dickerson is a local comic, and a student at the University of Georgia.
Laughfest 2011 will cost $10 at the door, or $5 with an Athfest wristband.
