After ‘Hurricane Santa Ana,’” says veteran comedian Bobbie Oliver, “people could use a good laugh for free.”
Oliver is going to make sure that the windstorm-ravaged residents of Northeast Los Angeles get that well-deserved laugh with the Second Annual Eagle Rock Comedy Fest, which will be taking place all over Eagle Rock this Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 7 and 8, from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
“Last year’s Comedy Festival was great, and this year it’s going to be even better,” assures Oliver who is producing the festival through her own company--StandUp Productions. “[There will be more than] 130 comedians doing 18 shows up and down the streets of Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards. And the whole thing is completely free.”
One of the participating comedians that Oliver is most excited about is Marc Maron--Highland Park resident, stand-up comedian and host of the critically acclaimed WTF podcast. Maron, who is known for his raw, intensely personal style of interviewing, has hosted guest comedians ranging from Robin Williams to Louis C.K. to Chris Rock to local Eagle Rock resident Maria Bamford.
“To have Marc Maron [in the Festival] is the biggest thrill for me,” says Oliver. “Marc is a comedian heavyweight. I’ve been a huge fan of his for years so having him participate is a thrill and an honor. I asked him if he’d be in the Comedy Festival and he said, ‘I’d be happy to help.’”
Maron will be performing Thursday at along with Oliver who says the full line-up of comedians can be found on the Comedy Fest website along with a list of venues that includes , 5 Line, , , , and
Comedy lovers can print out festival maps on the website and also find info on who’s performing where and which shows are “TV clean”, which Oliver defines as shows that could pass muster on late night TV. “In other words, PG 13,” says Oliver. “The other shows will be uncensored.”
Oliver notes that there will be a new feature at the festival this year. In addition to the two nights of regular shows at , "There will be two shows that are open mics on the Swork patio,” says Oliver. “Anyone in the Fest can do a spot and other comics can get up and do a spot. Comics will be able to mix and mingle.”
The festival is sponsored by the Ice House, the legendary comedy club in Pasadena where Oliver teaches what she calls the "Tao of Comedy" through her StandUp Academy. Oliver says that on Sunday night, December 11th at 9:00 p.m., the Ice House will host a “Best of the Fest” show and “a wrap party with comics such as Maria Bamford, Wendy Leibman, and Frazer Smith plus Fest participants like Theo Vonn and the potential winners…and it’s all free.” Oliver notes that the Ice House does observe a two drink minimum.
Oliver says the festival will be a “celebration of comedy and a celebration of Eagle Rock. I love Eagle Rock and so says the bumper sticker on my little green bug.”
