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Show Review: NERDZ! A Seattle-based Nerd-themed Burlqesque Show
07 months ago
Violet Deville
Burlesque as we know it now has been around since the mid-1800s but in the past several years has been making a roaring comeback across the board. Over time multiple demographics have flocked to try their hand at adding their own style and flare to the art form. Maybe it’s because we live in Seattle, maybe it’s the rising public face of Nerd culture, but regardless the reason, this city has been the home of multiple nerdy burlesque shows.
NERDZ, aptly named and hosted by the lovely Violet Deville (@VioletDeVille ) at the Rendezvous’ Jewel Box Theatre, was one of these selfsame shows.
The Rendezvous is a familiar place, even if you’ve never been there. It has that glorious divey feel without making you worry about needing to sanitize your hands every time you touch anything. While perhaps not a ‘well-lighted place’, it’s clean and friendly and even Hemmingway would easily make himself comfortable.
Stella Vaughn
Just past the bar and to the right you’ll find the entrance to the Jewel Box Theatre. It’s a cozy space with a stage perfect for small cast performances. From the moment I gave my name at will-call, it was clear this was not your average show as I was asked to produce an appendage and ‘roll for stamp damage’ when my wrist was marked.
Violet Wilde (or @lilyorit as I know her), was not only the reason I found myself at that particular location that night, but was also our fantastic Mistress of Ceremonies. With a bubbly and endearing charm, she along with her two stage assistants, D and D, both provided entertaining introductions and ran a raffle to The performances were all tributes to various fandoms celebrated in nerd culture and spanned across multiple ranges of skill level and styles.
The audience fell into laughter at the delightfully campy rendition of Indiana Jones featuring the talented Scandal from Bohemia.
We were awed into silence at Stella Vaughn’s haunting depiction of Leeloo from the cult classic The Fifth Element when she performed an erotic ballet to the opera featured in the film.
We witnessed Morgue Anne’s slow motion take on Super Girl’s quick change inside the phone booth.
Tempest
We had our childhood memories both resurface and oddly violated with Violet Deville’s performance set to the Muppet Show theme which ended in a quite the grand finale that showcased a replica of Gonzo’s nose right between… well you get the idea.
Some of my favorite moments included two performances by Tempest who showed a wide range of skill in dance, from a completely improvised piece which featured staccato movement and snake-like undulations to an elegant and articulate belly dance set perfectly to music.
Sailor St. Claire
Two other highlights for me included a breathtaking Firefly themed feather fan dance from Sailor St. Claire and a hilarious chipt-tunes rap tribute to 8-bit games by Bolt Action where every detail seemed covered in dedication to his theme–right down to the 8-bit “diamond” pasties glued to his nipples. Hands down the only man I’ve ever seen able to walk off the stage with that much dignity in only his converse, sunglasses and underoos.
However my favorite performance of the night was hands down the last. While they were all lovely and fabulous and worthy of an individual review themselves, Scarlet O’Hairdye’s Dr. Who themed performance won me over completely. From the skit that preceded her burlesque performance where she wandered in dressed remarkably like a female Tom Baker to how closely she kept to this theme not just by costume, but song, routine and props. There was never a moment where you could have not understood what she was parodying and I have to admit, using the 4th Doctor’s obscenely long scarf as a regular burlesque show might use a feather boa was charmingly clever.
Scarlet O’Hairdye and Violet Wilde
All in all, while every live show has its technical difficulties, or the performers nerves show through, I would highly recommend a nerdy burlesque show if you have the chance. Support these Confident nerdy women expressing their love for fandoms through the art of comedy, dance and erotica.
In short: I had a frakkin good time and would highly recommend it.
For more information about upcoming shows run by Violet Deville, visit her website http://violetdeville.com.
Los Angeles Nerds – This Week at NerdMelt, 8/15-20!
09 months ago
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Wednesday, August 15th at 8:30pm – The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail
Our weekly popular standup show, hosted by Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani, hosts the best standups in the country as well as the amazing acts you haven’t heard of quite yet but should! Plus there’s original art each week, surprise drop-ins, and sometimes a puppy!
Susan Burke, Jamie Lee, Nick Turner, Tony Sam, from NYC, Max Silvestri & Maria Bamford!
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Thursday, August 16th at 8pm – Incubator
Sean Conroy and Kyle Kinane present THE INCUBATOR, a comedy showcase where seasoned comedians try out brand new material for the very first time. Kind of like an open mic but without all the uncomfortable silence, crickets and yawning.
Featuring Chris Hardwick, Jen Kirkman, Andy Blitz, Leo Allen, Joe Wengert and more, hosted by Sean Conroy!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Friday, August 17th at 9pm – Harmontown
People always ask us “What is Harmontown?”, and that’s a tough question to answer, but here’s the closest thing we’ve got: we gave the creator of Community a night to do whatever he wanted, and what we got was Harmontown.
Attend a town meeting in a land free of brevity, where Mayor Dan Harmon and Comptroller Jeff B. Davis (Whose Line is it Anyway) take another small, vodka-soaked step toward colonizing the moon. Evening may include ineffectual rants, songs, shameful stories, special guests (Allison Brie, Donald Glover, and Gillian Jacobs have all stopped in), forehead sweat and repeated exposure to the phrases “like” , “uh”, “sort of” and “you know.”
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Sunday, August 19th at 5pm – Nerdist Writer’s Panel
THE NERDIST WRITERS PANEL series is an informal chat moderated by BEN BLACKER (co-creator of “The Thrilling Adventure Hour”; writer for Supah Ninjas, Supernatural, among others) with professional writers about the process and business of writing. Covering TV, film, comic books, music, novels, and any other kind of writing about which you care to hear.
On the afternoon of Sunday, August 19th, come down to The Nerdist Theatre at Meltdown Comics to catch the writers of KEY & PEELE discuss the process of making Comedy Central’s new hit sketch show.
The writers scheduled to appear are:
Rebecca Drysdale
Colton Dunn
Keegan-Michael Key
Jay Martel
Jordan Peele
Ian Roberts
Alex Rubens
Charlie Sanders
Rich Talarico
The line-up is subject to change. And as always, proceeds from the live panels benefit 826LA, the national non-profit tutoring program.
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Sunday, August 19th at 7pm – Matt Mira’s Day Off
Matt Mira of the Nerdist Podcast needs a Day Off, so we decided to give him Sundays at Nerdist Theater. Come watch Mira and Paul Cibis host this comedy free-for-all. You’ll see brand new comics, comics you know and love trying out new material (Chris Hardwick and Kumail Nanjiani are frequent drop ins), and the magic that is live comedy.
FREE
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Monday, August 20th at 8pm – Harmontown
Yup, that’s right, it’s weekly! Attend a town meeting in a land free of brevity, where Mayor Dan Harmon (creator of Community) and Comptroller Jeff B. Davis (Whose Line is it Anyway) take another small, vodka-soaked step toward colonizing the moon. Evening may include ineffectual rants, songs, shameful stories, special guests (Allison Brie, Donald Glover, and Gillian Jacobs have all stopped in), forehead sweat and repeated exposure to the phrases “like” , “uh”, “sort of” and “you know.”
Los Angeles Nerds! NerdMelt Awesomesauce This Week, 8/8-8/14
09 months ago
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Wednesday, August 8th at 8:30pm – The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail
Our weekly popular standup show, hosted by Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani, hosts the best standups in the country as well as the amazing acts you haven’t heard of quite yet but should! Plus there’s original art each week, surprise drop-ins, and sometimes a puppy!
Featuring Julian McCullough, Justin Ian Daniels, Tom Segura, Jen Kirkman, Nate Craig & Chelsea Peretti!
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Thursday, August 9th at 9pm – Alison Rosen Is Your New Best Friend LIVE
Alison Rosen (The Adam Carolla Show) won’t help you move but she will perform her super popular new podcast, Alison Rosen Is Your New Best Friend, live. Featuring a very special guest or two, embarrassing confessions, probing discussion and a sombrero.
Featuring special guest Pete Holmes
$8 in advance, $10 at door
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Friday, August 10th at 8pm – 4 Points with Alex Albrecht
The popular quick-witted weekly commentary show on the Nerdist Channel comes to you LIVE at the NerdMelt Theater. Join ALEX ALBRECHT (Diggnation) and his co-host ALISON HAISLIP (G4′s Attack of the Show) for a special extended live taping as they are joined by celebrity guests to discuss four weekly topics in the realms of technology, pop culture, current events and other genres.
Previous guests have included: Andy Richter, Wil Wheaton, James Gunn, Ted Raimi, Matt Braunger and Zac Levi.
LINK to “4 POINTS” episodes: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL81B749732BE15F7E
$8 in advance, $10 at door
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Saturday, August 11th at 8pm – Keith and The Girl Live
Keith and The Girl, one of the most popular podcasts since 2005, bring their caustic wit and fun attitude to L.A. for a rare live-audience show at the Nerdist Theater. Join Keith, Chemda, their favorite guests and some special surprises for what is guaranteed to be an exciting night out.
Featuring Dave Holmes, Myq Kaplan, Chris Gore, Jesse Joyce, Claudia Cogan & MC Mr. Napkins!
Tickets available here.
$20 in advance. $25 at the door
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Sunday, August 12th at Matt Mira’s Day Off
Matt Mira of the Nerdist Podcast needs a Day Off, so we decided to give him Sundays at Nerdist Theater. Come watch Mira and Paul Cibis host this comedy free-for-all. You’ll see brand new comics, comics you know and love trying out new material (Chris Hardwick and Kumail Nanjiani are frequent drop ins), and the magic that is live comedy.
FREE
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Monday, August 13th at 9pm – Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction
Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction is a comedy show (and soon-to-be podcast) founded in Seattle, created & hosted by Bryan Cook. Each event features 10 comics, writing and performing Erotic Fan Fiction pieces, based on their whims or audience suggestions. It’s really stupid.
Come see what Laughspin.Com said CEFF “might be one of my favorite comedy shows I’ve ever taken in. Period.”
The start-studded lineup features:
Kyle Kinane! Baron Vaughn! Ali Wong! Dave Ross! Ian Karmel! Andy Haynes! Lisa Beth Johnson! Adam Cayton-Holland! Brandon Johnson! Andy Wood!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Tuesday, August 14th at 8pm – This Is Your Show With Matt Bennett
This show is more than a show. It’s your show. Join Matt Bennett (“Victorious”, “The Virginity Hit”) and friends, and even some special guests, for an hour of music, comedy, interviews, and general Matt Bennett-ness.
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
Los Angeles Nerds – This Week at NerdMelt, 8/1-8/7
09 months ago
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Wednesday, August 1st at 8:30pm – The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail
Our weekly popular standup show, hosted by Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani, hosts the best standups in the country as well as the amazing acts you haven’t heard of quite yet but should! Plus there’s original art each week, surprise drop-ins, and sometimes a puppy!
This week features Barry Rothbart, David Angelo, Eliza Skinner, Joe Mande, Fahim Anwar & Pete Holmes!
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Thursday, August 2nd at 8pm – Horrible Movie Night
Do you love to make fun of bad movies, but are shunned by friends & family because of it? Then come home to Horrible Movie Night! We invite YOU to riff the worst movies you’ve never seen, and you could win a prize!
Your hosts John Mathot (Disney’s “Phineas & Ferb”), Susan Wright (The Because Show podcast), and improv troupe The Omelettes will present 1983′s Hercules, starring Lou Ferrigno, Sybil Danning, and a lot of hilarious stop-motion animation. If you like MST3K and RiffTrax, this is your thang!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Friday, August 3rd at 9pm – The Business
Four comedians from San Francisco (Alex Koll, Chris Garcia, Bucky Sinister and Sean Keane) bring their popular variety show to LA for a night! See standup, sketch, and weird songs galore! With Guy Branum and Bobcat Goldthwait!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Saturday, August 4th at 9pm – Joke Machine
Three comics battle in the LA’s original roast-meets-gameshow juggernaut Joke Machine. Comics perform new material on an assigned topic, enter a wildcard challenge to do anything from crowd work to reviewing a movie, and gain bonus points for relentless slamming– all in under a minute! The show features a changing cast of LA’s best and brightest.
This epic battle pins Brody Stevens vs Howard Kremer vs Chris Fairbanks with your host Bil Dwyer and announcer Tom Sharpe. Who will survive the comedy blitzkreig?
$8 in advance, $10 at door
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Sunday, August 5th at 7pm – Matt Mira’s Day Off
Matt Mira of the Nerdist Podcast needs a Day Off, so we decided to give him Sundays at Nerdist Theater. Come watch Mira and Paul Cibis host this comedy free-for-all. You’ll see brand new comics, comics you know and love trying out new material (Chris Hardwick and Kumail Nanjiani are frequent drop ins), and the magic that is live comedy.
FREE
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Monday, August 6th at 9pm – Harmontown
People always ask us “What is Harmontown?”, and that’s a tough question to answer, but here’s the closest thing we’ve got: we gave the creator of Community a night to do whatever he wanted, and what we got was Harmontown.
Attend a town meeting in a land free of brevity, where Mayor Dan Harmon and Comptroller Jeff B. Davis (Whose Line is it Anyway) take another small, vodka-soaked step toward colonizing the moon. Evening may include ineffectual rants, songs, shameful stories, special guests (Allison Brie, Donald Glover, and Gillian Jacobs have all stopped in), forehead sweat and repeated exposure to the phrases “like” , “uh”, “sort of” and “you know.”
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Tuesday, August 7th at 6pm – The Mutant Season With Gil: The Awesome 10th Birthday Extravaganza Show!
THE MUTANT SEASON is a Nerdist Industries podcast where grade-schooler Gil Dominguez-Letelier talks to adults who have cool jobs and shares the awesome things he likes with you, the listeners at home! (Like, did you know that the raddest animal ever is a Cat-zilla? That’s a fact!) It’s Gil’s 10th birthday, so there will be cake!
Featuring special guests Pete Holmes, Geoff Johns, Jonah Ray, Matt Bennett and Justin Willman!
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Tuesday, August 7th at 8pm – Justin Willman’s Magic Meltdown
Join JUSTIN WILLMAN (Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars”, The Nerdist Channel) as he and his friends present a cataclysmic evening of prestidigitation, make-believe, and excessive sleight-of-mouth. You’ll spend the entire time wondering “how’d they do that?” and gasping at the wonders of…. MAGIC!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
Los Angeles Nerds! This Week at NerdMelt, 6/27-7/3
010 months ago
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Wednesday, June 27th at 8:30pm – The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail
Our weekly popular standup show, hosted by Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani, hosts the best standups in the country as well as the amazing acts you haven’t heard of quite yet but should! Plus there’s original art each week, surprise drop-ins, and sometimes a puppy!
With guests Matt Kirshen, Ali Wong, Brendon Walsh and more!
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Thursday, June 28th at 8pm – RISK!
RISK! is the show where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share in public– stories they’d normally only tell to close friends. At the RISK! Live shows, the brightest stars of TV, film and literature drop their usual act and show a side of themselves you’ve never seen before.
RISK! Live in LA is hosted by comedians Kumail Nanjiani and Pete Holmes.
June’s topic, “Vindication,” will be touched upon these great storytellers:
Sarah Walker (“McSweeney’s”/”Drunk Girl/High Guy”)
Carlos Kotkin (author “Please God Let It Be Herpes”)
Kevin Broberg (“Quote Unquote”)
Beowulf Jones (“Risk!” producer, MyDamnChannel.com)
$8 in advance, $10 at door
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Friday, June 29th at 9pm – DOMINIC DIERKES & DC PIERSON: Stand-up Half Hours
Live from The Nerdist Theatre at Meltdown Comics, it’s Dominic Dierkes and DC Pierson! Come spend a hot Summer night with two-thirds of DERRICK Comedy and stars of the cult classic “Mystery Team” as they each do a half-hour of stand up.
$8 in advance, $10 at door
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Saturday, June 30th at 8pm – Joke Machine
Back by popular demand, LA’s original roast-meets-gameshow juggernaut returns to Meltdown Comics. Three comics battle in the Joke Machine performing new material on an assigned topic, entering a wildcard challenge to do anything from crowd work to reviewing a movie, and gaining bonus points for relentless slamming– all in under a minute!
Hosted by the dangerously unbalanced Bil Dwyer, featuring a changing cast of LA’s best and brightest.
$8 in advance, $10 at door
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Sunday, July 1st at 7pm – Matt Mira’s Day Off
Matt Mira of the Nerdist Podcast needs a Day Off, so we decided to give him Sundays at Nerdist Theater. Come watch Mira and Paul Cibis host this comedy free-for-all. You’ll see brand new comics, comics you know and love trying out new material (Chris Hardwick and Kumail Nanjiani are frequent drop ins), and the magic that is live comedy.
FREE
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Monday, July 2nd at 8pm – Horrible Movie Night
It’s movie riffing DIY-style! We scour the bottom of the VHS barrel to find the worst movies you’ve never seen, and invite YOU to help us make fun of them. Come up with the best one-liners of the night, and you could win a prize! Your hosts, John Mathot (Disney’s Phineas & Ferb), Susan Wright (The Because Show podcast), and improv troupe The Omelettes will present a disastrously bad Bo Derek movie (is that redundant?) called Ghosts Can’t Do It. If you dig MST3K and RiffTrax, HMN is for you!
$8 in advance, $10 at door
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Tuesday, July 3rd at 8pm – Justin Willman’s Magic Meltdown
Join us for our favorite variety show, hosted and curated by Magician Justin Willman, and featuring magicians, comedians, bizarre guests, and more fun than you ever had at a kid’s birthday party.
$8 in advance, $10 at door
Los Angeles Nerds! NerdMelt Line-Up This Week, 6/13-19
011 months ago
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Wednesday June 13th at 8:30pm – The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail
Our weekly popular standup show, hosted by Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani, hosts the best standups in the country as well as the amazing acts you haven’t heard of quite yet but should! Plus there’s original art each week, surprise drop-ins, and sometimes a puppy!
This week: Baron Vaughn, Greg Behrendt, Justin Willman, plus the continuation of Anthony Jeselnik’s Summer Fling!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Thursday, June 14th at 8pm – Straight, White and Lovin’ It!
Charlie Sanders has faced many struggles living as a straight white male. He tells comedic stories about overcoming the odds – and tries to get you to upgrade your AAA membership in the process.
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Thursday, June 14th at 9pm – The Benson Interruption
Join Doug Benson (Doug Loves Movies, Last Comic Standing) and some special surprise guests who don’t mind being interrupted while trying to tell their jokes. Fun + awkward = fawkward!
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Friday, June 15th at 7:30pm – Sex Nerd Sandra LIVE!
Sex Nerd Sandra is the awesomely frank podcast where the endlessly curious sexeducator Sandra Daugherty and her comedian co-host Dave Ross explore the fascinating world of human sexuality. With tell-all interviews, juicy topics, tips and more, Sandra and Dave keep it fun, keep it sex-positive and keep it real.
June’s topic: “Does Size Matter?” Sandra and Dave will focus on various aspects of the human body. (Gee, can you think of what they might cover?) Girth vs length, pumps & pills, size queens, condom fit and female body stuff, too, like truths about tightness and cup size. Fun stories abound!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Friday, June 15th at 9pm – The Friday Forty
The Friday Forty is a current-affairs sketch-comedy drinking-game quiz show. 40 questions about the events of the last 7 days, while we all drink 40s of domestic beer. Nourishing!
Lineup: TBA
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Saturday, June 16th at 8pm – Harmontown
Attend a town meeting in a land free of brevity, where Mayor Dan Harmon and Comptroller Jeff B. Davis (Whose Line is it Anyway) take another small, vodka-soaked step toward colonizing the moon. Evening may include ineffectual rants, songs, shameful stories, special guests (Allison Brie, Donald Glover, and Gillian Jacobs have all stopped in), forehead sweat and repeated exposure to the phrases “like” , “uh”, “sort of” and “you know.”
SOLD OUT!
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Sunday, June 17th at 7pm – Matt Mira’s Day Off
Matt Mira of the Nerdist Podcast needs a Day Off, so we decided to give him Sundays at Nerdist Theater. Come watch Mira and Paul Cibis host this comedy free-for-all. You’ll see brand new comics, comics you know and love trying out new material (Chris Hardwick and Kumail Nanjiani are frequent drop ins), and the magic that is live comedy.
FREE
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Monday, June 18th at 8pm – Comedy Film Nerds 100ish Episode and Book Signing
Join Chris Mancini and Graham Elwood along with your favorite Comedy Film Nerds for a special live podcast taping and book signing. (There may even be cake!)
Featuring special guests Dean Haglund, Jackie Kashian, Laura House, Matt Weinhold, Allan Havey, Neil T. Weakley, Suzy Nakamura and Dave Anthony plus surprise guests!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Tuesday, June 19th at 8pm – F@#ked-Up Futures
Entertainers and writers share their hilariously twisted visions of what could be, but probably shouldn’t.
Brian Posehn (“The Sarah Silverman Program”) shares his post-apocalyptic comic book, “The Last Christmas”
Jane Espenson (writer – Buffy, Battlestar, Game of Thrones) unveils the document that created the world of Caprica
Chris Gore (Attack of the Show) selects the Five Most F@#ked-Up Futures on Film
Phil Lamarr (Futurama‘s Hermes Conrad, Justice League‘s Green Lantern) reads his favorite F@#ked-Up Future Fiction
Mike Upchurch (writer – Mr. Show) presents the De-Restored version of Metropolis
Joel Levinson performs the Top 3 Billboard Hits of 2084
and SPECIAL GUESTS TBA!
Presented by CONAN writer Rob Kutner, author of “Apocalypse How” and “The Future According to Me”
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
This Weekend at NerdMelt Theatre, 6/1-6/5!
011 months ago
Image Courtesy of NerdMeltLA.com
Saturday, June 2nd at 8pm- Horrible Movie Night
It’s movie riffing DIY-style! We scour the bottom of the VHS barrel to find the worst movies you’ve never seen, and invite YOU to help us make fun of them. Come up with the best one-liners of the night, and you could win a prize! Your hosts, John Mathot (Disney’s Phineas & Ferb), Susan Wright (The Because Show podcast), and improv troupe The Omelettes will present 1988′s horrifying wonderful “Demonwarp”, featuring Bigfoots, zombies, and aliens (oh my!). If you dig MST3K and RiffTrax, HMN is for you!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
Image Courtesy of Meltcomics.com
Sunday, June 3rd at 7pm- Matt Mira’s Day Off
Matt Mira of the Nerdist Podcast needs a Day Off, so we decided to give him Sundays at Nerdist Theater. Come watch Mira and Paul Cibis host this comedy free-for-all. You’ll see brand new comics, comics you know and love trying out new material (Chris Hardwick and Kumail Nanjiani are frequent drop ins), and the magic that is live comedy.
FREE
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Monday, June 4th at 8pm- Grawlix
The Grawlix is the comedy collective of Ben Roy, Adam Cayton-Holland, and Andrew Orvedahl. Their monthly show, which consists of stand-up, live sketches and videos, has been lauded by the Denver Post as “Easily the best, most inventive stand-up night in a town brimming with them.” Recently the trio launched The Grawlix web series, which chronicles the fictional behind-the-scenes of the live show. The Grawlix is taking their show on the road in 2012; catch them if you can!
With guests T.J. Miller, Rory Scovel, and Troy Walker
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Tuesday, June 5th at 8pm- Magic Meltdown
Join Justin Willman (Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars”) as he and his friends present a cataclysmic evening of prestidigitation, make-believe, and excessive sleight-of-mouth. You’ll spend the entire time wondering “how’d they do that?” and gasping at the wonders of…. MAGIC!
And, as always, the show is hosted by Magician Justin Willman!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
Gremlins 1 & 2: Review and GIVEAWAY!
101 year ago
Most of us grew up with these movies, and I’ll bet you probably feel like you have a good idea of what happened in these movies, and that you’re an expert on Gremlins. I can promise you.. you’re not. Unless these are your traditional Christmas movies (aside from Die Hard), I can pretty much guarantee that you should double, if not triple the level of entertainment you remembered getting from these films. Don’t worry, if you haven’t seen them in a while, we’re going to give you the chance to win them on Blu-Ray.
While the original Gremlins starts out as a cute story about an evil real estate lady talking smack about some kid’s dog, it evolves into so much more. Sure, you remember how adorable Gizmo was, and how cute it was to see him whistle along with a keyboard. Let me remind you what goes on in this film. A self-proclaimed inventor goes to Chinatown in NYC to sell some of his home-made wares, and comes across a cheeky little kid inviting him to his grandfather’s shop. The man goes to the shop to try to sell something to the old Chinese fellow, and ends up trying to bribe the old Chinese fellow into giving him a small creature from his store. Of course, the Chinese fellow refuses, and asks the man to leave. A couple minutes later, the cheeky little kid comes running out with a box, explaining the creature is a Mogwai, and asking the stranger to abide by three simple rules: 1 – Keep him away from bright lights. Sunlight could kill him, 2 – Don’t get him wet, and 3 – Don’t feed him after midnight. The stranger thanks the kid, and brings the creature home to his son, Billy, as a Christmas present. Billy adores the cute little creature, nicknamed Gizmo, and introduces him to a neighborhood kid. As is the case with most 80s films, this neighborhood kid is played by Cory Feldman, and does exactly the wrong thing which gets the story in motion: he spills a big cup of water on Gizmo. The water causes him to multiply, and several other little Mogwai spawn from him. Gizmo doesn’t seem to like this. In fact, he seems very worried about all his new little friends. Probably because they’re jerks. They make a mess, they’re loud, they’re obnoxious, and they trick their master into feeding them after midnight. This changes the cute, furry, playful beings into big, creepy, green, reptilian imps that just love going around causing mischief. This is what everyone remembers from this 1984 classic: a fun, slightly scary time with incredibly imaginative creatures.
Now let’s talk about what I recently had the pleasure of rediscovering while watching these gems. First of all, this is a horror movie. Sure, it has cute little creatures, a campy tone, and some morality in there, but for all intents and purposes, this is absolutely a horror story. When the obnoxious Mogwais hatch into Gremlins, they instantly start terrorizing a town. They start by killing a high school Science teacher, while another batch goes to mess with Billy’s mother. I should mention she just made some fabulous-looking gingerbread men. The mother goes to investigate a noise caused by the Gremlins upstairs, and comes back to her kitchen to see these little jerks just causing all kinds of problems with her cooking utensils and – this takes the cake – eating her fresh cookies. I’d be all in a huff over this too, but this woman goes for the biggest kitchen knife she can find. She then proceeds to fling one Gremlin into a microwave, making it explode, shove another in a blender, and then plunges that big ol’ knife right into a third. She meant business. Beyond the antics of a mother defending her fresh-baked cookies, we also get to see these little green imps crowd into a bar (where the main character’s love interest is hard at work), and start drinking, smoking, fighting, and pulling guns on one another. This was after the last lone Gremlin decided he wanted more company, and jumped in a pool of water to reproduce and take over the town. So now this sleepy little town has to fight off all these little monsters. They do, in case you were wondering, and live to make a sequel.
The second one is even better. The best way to describe Gremlins 2 is pretty much to say it’s the Airplane of horror movies. This sequel takes place in New York City where Billy, our protagonist from the first movie, has moved with his girlfriend, Kate. Billy and Kate both work for an eccentric developer whose entire empire circles around being technologically advanced. To the point that tours are given for the building this company is based in, the Clamp Building, so that people can see such novelties as the voice-activated elevator. The Clamp Corporation, has many ambitious projects going, such as destroying a few buildings in Chinatown to make way for a revolutionary new structure, filming several television shows within the building, and even a genetic research lab. Going into this sequel, the campy humor just oozes from every single possible angle. After an introduction into Billy’s new job, we meet a workplace friend of his named Fred, a man dressed as a vampire that hosts a daytime horror review show. Fred alerts his buddy to the new genetics research lab in the building, and one thing leads to another until Billy goes snooping. There he finds Gizmo, who he previously had to give back to the creature’s elderly Chinese owner. Gizmo had barely escaped building demolition after his master dies, and the Clamp Corporation destroys his old shop building. Some of the boys from the lab find Gizmo on the street, and bring him back to get a closer look at him. Billy makes his way into the lab, cleverly named A Splice of Life, and rescues Gizmo, hiding him in his desk at work. After being called to an immediate dinner meeting with his boss, Billy asks his girlfriend and coworker, Kate, to bring Gizmo home. Kate is less than enthusiastic about this request, being that her only previous experience with the Mogwai was the hellish adventure of ridding her home town of Gremlins. While she procrastinates getting up to Billy’s desk to retrieve Gizmo, a clumsy janitor inadvertently manages to squirt water on Gizmo forcing him to reproduce. Antics ensue, and instead of taking home Gizmo, Kate takes home a very dim-witted, hyper Mogwai by accident.
At this point, there are various Mogwais running about the building, eating things, getting near water, and just generally making a mess. Once Billy comes home to see the wrong Mogwai, he quickly puts together the pieces, and goes down to the Clamp building. From here, things get ridiculous. We quickly get Gremlins running all over the place, affording many opportunities for added hilarity. In one of the taping rooms, we see a fellow reviewing the original Gremlins movie, mentioning how horrible he thinks it is, and how he can’t believe we’re now being subjected to a second one. He’s interrupted by two Gremlins popping up behind him, strangling him with a film strip. We also see another stab at the series when the movie seems to stop, and we’re cut to a theater full of people complaining that “they won’t let us watch the movie.” One lady states “the first one was bad enough!” to a theater manager who goes in to find none other than Hulk Hogan. The theater managers asks the Hulk to please get the Gremlins to let them resume the movie, mentioning that all they want to do is watch Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (a reference to their behavior in the first movie). Hulk Hogan verbally intimidates the Gremlins, and the movie magically keeps going. This kind of absolutely random, and wonderful humor is prevalent throughout the entire film.
One of the more fun parts of this follow-up is when the Gremlins get into the genetic research lab, and start drinking random formulas. One Gremlin gets his hands on a flask that just has a bat silhouette, and drinks the whole thing, turning himself into a Bat-Gremlin. This sets him up for several Batman jokes while the Bat-Gremlin bursts through a wall and into the skies of New York City. He manages to attack a man in the street who drags him down into a pit of wet concrete. The Bat-Gremlin is just barely able to fly away, covered in wet cement, and lands on an iconic church in downtown New York, hardening into a gargoyle. Another Gremlin drinks from a flask with a brain on it, becoming the only intelligent Gremlin, able to speak articulately. Yet another Gremlin grabs a flask with male and female signs on it, becoming the only female Gremlin. During all of this, an entire army of Gremlins has descended on the Clamp building taking down various areas of the structure. Each little antic of theirs helps Billy convince the security crew in the building that there is, in fact, a very big problem, and they need to evacuate the area. Eventually the only people we assume are left in the building are Billy, Kate, an old man from their hometown, the eccentric developer, Mr. Clamp, and Billy’s immediate boss. We soon come to find that there are two more people there: Vampire Fred and an Asian tourist with a video camera, who are broadcasting the madness to the outside world the entire time. Through a few tricks, the crew gets the enti
re Gremlin population in the lobby of the building which can only end one way. A musical number. Here we get to see thousands of Gremlins break into “New York, New York” with the only articulate Gremlin singing like Frank Sinatra.
All in all, Gremlins 2 absolutely personifies the level of quality we’ve come to miss from movies of its time. The writing is hilarious and unexpected. The cast is wonderful, and the effects were top-notch for their day. And as of May 8th, you can even own both movies on Blu-Ray. Gotta love the future.
In fact.. let’s get back to that chance to win a Blu-Ray copy of these movies. We’ll be giving away one of each movies, Gremlins and Gremlins 2. So you have a chance to win one or the other here. All you have to do is tell me who your favorite Gremlin is. I’ll get you started – mine was the one playing with the hand puppets in the first movie.
Leave a comment with your pick, and we will randomly draw two winners on Monday, May 21st!
Los Angeles Nerds! NerdMelt Awesomesauce for the week, 5/16-22
11 year ago
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Wednesday, May 16th at 8:30pm- The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail
Our weekly popular standup show, hosted by Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani, hosts the best standups in the country as well as the amazing acts you haven’t heard of quite yet but should! Plus there’s original art each week, surprise drop-ins, and sometimes a puppy! This week: Brent Weinbach, Jay Larson, Anthony Jeselnik, and more!
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Thursday, May 17th at 8pm- Paul and Storm Talk about Some Stuff for Five to Ten Minutes (On Average)
Join nerd comedy/music duo Paul and Storm as they host a live recording of their long-running and longer-betitled podcast, “Paul and Storm Talk About Some Stuff for Five to Ten Minutes (On Average)”. Will there be music? Yes! Will there be lengthy discussions of minimally-relevant topics and personal grudges? You bet! Will there be SPECIAL GUESTS? Maybe/hopefully/probably!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Friday, May 18th at 7:30pm- Sex Nerd Sandra
This month’s topic: Effective Dating Etiquette with Sex Nerd Sandra
Join Sandra & Dave as they grill The Dating Advice Girl, Erin Tillman, on the do’s, don’ts and how’s of dating. Protocols included: Getting a First Date, Romance 101, Follow-up Procedures & Chivalry for Everyone!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Friday, May 18th at 9pm- The Indoor Kids LIVE
Join Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon as they host some of their favorite video game fans for another live Indoor Kids podcast! We’ll have fun stories, new game talk, weirdo competitions, old game talk, chances to weigh in on the discussion, and more! If you’ve ever yelled at your computer/IPod while listening to the show, wishing you could contribute, now’s your chance! We’ll discuss our favorite video game themes, dreamcast movie adaptations of video games, and more more more! With special guest Jordan Morris and Jonah Ray!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Saturday, May 19th at 8pm- Cosplay Karaoke
What would Harley Quinn sing if she had a chance? What would Peter Parker belt out? You have a chance to find out! Scott Lobdell (DC writer extraordinaire) brings you a night of karaoke like you’ve never seen it: in costume! Come and enjoy the fun in your normal everyday clothes, or come and dress up for your chance to sing like a superhero! Hosted by cosplay queen Nicki Hunter!
FREE
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Sunday, May 20th at 5pm- The Nerdist Writers Panel
Spend your Sunday afternoons learning from the best at the Nerdist Writers Panel! Join moderator Ben Blacker as he hosts esteemed panelists discussing topics like different types of writing, how they got started, what inspires them, the business side of writing, and more. This series is a must for any hopeful writer in LA, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit 826LA.
Scheduled to appear:
Neil Goldman (Community; Scrubs; Family Guy)
Dailyn Rodriguez (90210; In Plain Sight)
Aisha Muharrar (Parks and Recreation)
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Sunday, May 20th at 7pm- Matt Mira’s Day Off
Matt Mira of the Nerdist Podcast needs a Day Off, so we decided to give him Sundays at Nerdist Theater. Come watch Mira and Paul Cibis host this comedy free-for-all. You’ll see brand new comics, comics you know and love trying out new material (Chris Hardwick and Kumail Nanjiani are frequent drop ins), and the magic that is live comedy.
FREE
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Tuesday, May 22nd at 8pm- This Show is Your Show with Matt Bennett!
This show is more than a show. It’s your show. Join Matt Bennett (“Victorious”, “The Virginity Hit”), Matt Bennett’s friends, and even some special guests, for an hour of music, comedy, interviews, and general Matt Bennett-ness.
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
Los Angeles Nerds! NerdMelt Theater This Week, May 2-8
01 year ago
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Wednesday, May 2nd at 8:30pm- The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail Birthday Show
It’s Kumail and show producer Emily’s birthday, so to celebrate, Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani are gathering some of their favorite comedians for a comedy celebration! There may be cake, there will be laughter. With Jay Chandrasekhar, Sean O’Connor, TJ Miller and more!
$8
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Thursday, May 3rd at 8pm- Justin Willman’s Magic Meltdown
Join us for our favorite variety show, hosted and curated by Magician (and Cupcake Wars host) Justin Willman, and featuring magicians, comedians, bizarre guests, and more fun than you ever had at a kid’s birthday party. With comedian Dan Levy, magician David Kwong, and magician Shawn McMaster.
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Friday, May 4th at 8pm- Telethon!
Feeling nostalgic for the ’80s? Join us for TELETHON!, a comedy variety show set in the 1980s featuring live sketch, video commercials, stand-up and musical acts. Produced and written by NerdMelt crew with members of Family Sandwich. This month’s charity: “Save Harperton’s Recreation Center”.
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Saturday, May 5th at 8pm- Loud Noises!
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo just like they do down in Mexico… by coming to LOUD NOISES (Or in this months case, GIRL NOISES)!
Comedians April Richardson (Chelsea Lately), Grant Pardee (Hamclown) and Eli Braden (The Howard Stern Show) and host, Brandon Vaughn will be there to make you laugh so hard you’ll chip your teeth! Then we’re proud to present music by The Girls featuring Alison Brie (of Community!), Cyrina Fiallo and Julianna Gull! Loud Noises! is a crispy crunchy chimichanga filled with laughter and music and we are now best friends.
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
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Sunday, May 6th at 5pm- The Nerdist Writers Panel
Spend your Sunday afternoons learning from the best at the Nerdist Writers Panel! Join moderator Ben Blacker as he hosts esteemed panelists discussing topics like different types of writing, how they got started, what inspires them, the business side of writing, and more. This series is a must for any hopeful writer in LA, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit 826LA.
Scheduled to appear:
Swampy Marsh & Dan Povenmire (creators, Phineas & Ferb)
Meghan McCarthy (head writer, My Little Pony; Class of 3000)
Tim McKeon (Adventuretime; Fish Hooks)
$15
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Sunday, May 6th at 7pm- Matt Mira’s Day Off
Matt Mira of the Nerdist Podcast needs a Day Off, so we decided to give him Sundays at Nerdist Theater. Come watch Mira and Paul Cibis host this comedy free-for-all. You’ll see brand new comics, comics you know and love trying out new material (Chris Hardwick and Kumail Nanjiani are frequent drop ins), and the magic that is live comedy.
FREE
Image Courtesy of NerdMeltLA.com
Tuesday, May 8th at 8pm- FitzDog Radio LIVE!
Comedian Greg Fitzsimmons will be doing a LIVE RECORDING of his popular podcast, FItzdog Radio, from the stage of The Nerdist Theatre! There will be games with the audience members and witty banter With special guest TJ Miller!
$8 in advance, $10 at the door
