“Ladies Are Funny Festival” Showcases Female Comedy Talent

It’s been a tough year for funny females in Texas, what with the loss of the irreplaceable Ann Richards and Molly Ivins. But there’s still no shortage of hilarious, whip-smart women in the state, and they’ll be out in full force at the first annual Ladies Are Funny Festival (LAFF) April 27 and 28 at the Hideout Theater in Austin.

A production of Austin musical improv powerhouse Girls Girls Girls, LAFF will bring together comic talent from across the state and beyond, as well as the cream of Austin’s rapidly-rising improv scene. Scheduled performances include improvised comedy from Soviet Bunnies (Houston, TX), SuperOVUM (Tulsa, OK), and Girls Girls Girls, as well as performances by some of the best female improvisers in Austin; an all-star, all-female Maestro competition; music from metarappers Cock Sound and glam rockers The Platforms; and Jessica Arjet as Penelope Foolish (voted Best Birthday Party Entertainer in the 2006 Austin Chronicle Reader’s Poll). Workshops and a panel discussion on women in comedy will also be open to the public, though seating is limited.

“We concentrated on improv, because that’s what and who we know best,” says GGG member and festival organizer Julie Lucas. “Ultimately we’d like to incorporate more different styles of comedy, like standup, film, and theater. But we think that anyone who comes this year will be blown away by the range and depth of improv talent we’ve got right in our own backyard.”

The Austin improv scene has achieved national prominence in a remarkably short time, as established performers flock here and new venues spring up to serve a rapidly-growing audience for improvised comedy. The city’s new prominence is underscored by the Ladies Are Funny Festival, which promises to become one of Austin comedy’s calling cards.

LAFF Mission Statement

Ladies are funny. That is why we created LAFF, a festival celebrating comedy written, produced, or performed by women. LAFF will serve the greater community by giving the public an opportunity to laugh themselves silly while at the same time creating new audiences and awareness of female comedy. LAFF will serve female comedians by creating community and opportunity for the diverse landscape of comedy by, for, and about women.

Girls Girls Girls (producer and host) were named Best Improv Troupe in the 2006 Austin Chronicle Readers Poll. Their specialty, which strikes terror into the hearts of even veteran improvisers, is creating full-length musicals – complete with snappy songs, compelling characters, and even high-energy dance routines – on the spot from an audience suggestion.

WHAT: Ladies Are Funny Festival
WHO: Female Improvisers from Texas and Beyond
WHERE: Hideout Theater, 617 Congress Avenue
More Info: http://ggg.austinimprov.com, http://laff.austinimprov.com
WHEN: Friday, April 27 - Saturday, April 28
HOW MUCH: $7.00-$10.00
Tickets can be purchased at the door

Schedule of Events:

FRIDAY APRIL 27

Friday April 27, 8:00 pm
Cocksound
One Too
You’re Fat
Bridgeport Women’s Correction Facility

Friday April 27, 10:00 pm
Penelope Foolish
Superovum (Tulsa, OK)
Girls Girls Girls

Friday April 27, 11:00 pm
Free after party featuring the all-female rock band, The Platforms

SATURDAY APRIL 28
Classes-Free to the public but seating is limited-contact 569-0562 for reservations.
Improv and Body Mechanics: 1:00-3:00 pm

Women in Comedy Panel Discussion 3:30-5:00 pm
Karly Strahl, Massive Improv, Houston
Erika May, The Frank Mills, Austin
Shannon Sedwick, Esther's Follies, Austin
Rasa Hollender, Punch Drunk Comedy, Austin/Dallas
Jessica Arjet, Penelope Foolish, Austin

Saturday April 28, 8:00 pm
Soviet Bunnies (Houston TX)
All Star Musical Armando

Friday April 28, 10:00 pm
All Ladies Maestro