NEGIN
FARSAD - Fusion, double consciousness, and
mixed identities are writ large in Negin's
work. Her last solo show, Bootleg Islam was
performed to sold-out houses all over the
country where she was called 'smart, funny
and fascinating' by the Wall Street Journal,
a Critic's Pick by the Chicago Tribune, and
'a shining exception' by the Dallas Morning
News. She has contributed comedy content to
Pacifica and Sirius Radios. She was also
nominated for an Emerging Comics of New York
Award. Negin has done a bajillion voiceovers
for commercials, not to mention other acting
roles, and a featured comic spots for the Q
Television Network. She's performed all over
the United States, including the Comedy
Store (LA), the Laugh Factory (NY), the
Chicago Sketch Festival, the Los Angeles
Improv Festival, and the DC Comedy Festival,
among others. Plus she's about the only
Iranian-American female comedian this side
of the Atlantic... and... um... the Pacific.
BARATUNDE
THURSTON - When so many Americans get their news from Fox, when the
presidential campaign of 2004 was about a war fought in the 1960s, and when a
black man with an afro still can't walk down the street without white people
touching it, it's time to call on 28-year-old comedian, author and
self-described "vigilante pundit", Baratunde Thurston.
Rather than focus on least common denominator humor,
Baratunde plays to his audience's intelligence. He takes the absurdities of the
media and popular culture and twists them in clever, provocative ways. His
standup has earned him honors and stage time across the country. His writing has
found a home in his debut book, "Better Than Crying." His skin color has earned
him interesting glances at Nascar events. If you are a fan of Al Franken, Jon
Stewart or the Bill of Rights, you will love Baratunde. He is not just an
alternative to mainstream media. He's an antidote. (www.baratunde.com)
BENARI
POULTEN - Benari Poulten is a stand-up comic living in New York. He is a
former Congressional Aide, a former almost-child-star, and a former field
coordinator for the Kerry campaign, and sometimes, he's a Staff Sgt. in the US
Army Reserve. Currently, he's a poor grad student at NYU. Benari knows
propaganda when he sees it.
ELKABONG!
Featuring Jim Kvoriak and Carrie Cantor on vocals, Mike Trullinger on
drums and Rob Halper on bass.
