Tag Archives: jessica kirson

THE CHOSEN COMEDY FESTIVAL: A BENEFIT FOR THE UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY PERFORMING ARTS FUND

Who: Jeff Ross, Jessica Kirson, Alex Edelman, Jared Fried, Leah Forster, Gary Guz, T. J. Miller, Eric Tabach, Zarna Garg, Yohay Sponder, Ofer Shechter, Nissim Black, Kosha Dillz, Moshe Reuven, Laivy, Elon Gold, Modi
What: The Chosen Comedy Festival
Where: Coney Island Amphitheater, boardwalk at West Twenty-First St.
When: Tuesday, August 16, $36-$500, doors at 6:30 (festival begins August 12)
Why: So a bunch of Jews walk onto a beach . . . There are a lot of directions for that joke to take, but in fact it’s the setup for a special show at the Coney Island Amphitheater on August 16 as part of Stand Up NY’s inaugural Chosen Comedy Festival. The festival began August 12 at Stand Up NY on the Upper West Side and continues August 13 at 8:00 ($25) with Lauren Hope Krass, Raanan Hershberg, Tom Thakkar, Nicky Paris, Kosha Dillz, and Gianmarco Soresi, followed by a 10:00 showcase ($15) with Jonathan Randall, Nathan MacIntosh, Kosha Dillz, Pat Brown, Danny Polishchuk, and Dante Nero. On Monday night, August 15, at 8:00 ($25), Elon Gold and friends will celebrate with a “Kick Off Party” at Stand Up NY.

The main event, however, is in Coney Island on Tuesday night, a benefit for the Ukrainian Emergency Performing Arts Fund, an organization that “supports independent scene performing artists staying in Ukraine during the time of war.” Hosted by Gold and Modi, the show boasts comedy and music by an all-star lineup that includes Jeff Ross, Jessica Kirson, Alex Edelman, Jared Fried, Leah Forster, Gary Guz, T. J. Miller, Eric Tabach, Zarna Garg, Yohay Sponder, Ofer Shechter, Nissim Black, Kosha Dillz, Moshe Reuven, and Laivy. During the pandemic lockdown, Stand Up NY put on more than five hundred comedy shows in city parks; now they’re heading for the sun and sand to raise money for an important cause that is not very funny.

HOLIDAY MUSIC AND COMEDY 2017

It’s not Christmas in New York until Darlene Love comes to town

Hanukkah is under way and Christmas is right around the corner, so the city is filled with holiday-themed comedy shows and concerts. They range from classical performances at the Met and Carnegie Hall to hip-hop, soul, and rock extravaganzas at smaller clubs to Jewish takes on the season. Below is a sampling of some of the cooler events; keep watching this space for more additions.

Thursday, December 14
Ingrid Michaelson’s Eleventh Annual Holiday Hop, with Ingrid Michaelson and a Great Big World, Terminal 5, $40, 8:00

The Fire & Ice Hanukkah Celebration!, with fire dancers, fire breathers, poi juggling, live musical performances, Israeli music with DJ Adidor, glow in the dark madness, Hanukkah video art installations, Hanukkah drink specials, chocolate dessert bar, sufganiyot, and more, Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St., 212-414-5994, $40, 8:00

Thursday, December 14
through
Saturday, December 16
The 38th Annual Winter Solstice Celebration, with the Paul Winter Consort and Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave., $40-$150

Thursday, December 14
through
Tuesday, December 19
The Eight Nights of Hanukkah with Yo La Tengo, with Yo La Tengo and special guests, Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St., $40, 8:30

Friday, December 15
Christmas with Aaron Neville, B. B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42nd St., 212-997-4144, $69.50-$75, 8:00

An Acoustic Christmas w/ Over the Rhine, Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St., 212-414-5994, $29.50-$55, 8:00

Sunday, December 17
Natasha’s Christmas Spirit Brunch Show, with Matt Koplik, Danny Caraballo, Brian Klimowski, Hallie Brevetti, Sophie Bell, Abby Goldfarb, and Alexandria Grace Williams, hosted by Natasha Edwards, benefiting the HAVE Foundation (Honduras Agalta Valley Education), Stand Up NY, 236 West 78th St., $20, 2:00

Unsilent Night, participatory boombox concert with Phil Kline, Washington Square Park, free, 6:00

Monday, December 18
Oratorio Society of New York: HANDEL Messiah, conducted by Kent Tritle, Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, $28-$100, 8:00

Wednesday, December 20
Holidelic feat. Everett Bradley, with special guest Dr. Elmo, Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St., 212-414-5994, $30-$60, 8:00

SING! An Irish Christmas with Keith & Kristyn Getty and Friends, Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, $15-$130, 8:00

New York Baroque Incorporated: Baroque Holiday Music and Dance, led by Robert Mealy, with dancers Caroline Copeland and Carlos Fittante, featuring suites by Rameau, Lully, Purcell, and Handel, the Met Fifth Avenue, 1000 Fifth Ave., $65 (includes same-day museum admission), 7:00

Ronnie Spector will celebrate the best Christmas ever at City Winery

Ronnie Spector will celebrate the annual best Christmas ever at City Winery

Wednesday, December 20
and
Thursday, December 21
Ronnie Spector’s Best Christmas Party Ever! with Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes, City Winery, 155 Varick St., 212-608-0555, $35-$75, 8:00

Thursday, December 21
through
Saturday, December 23
A Darlene Love Christmas: Love for the Holidays, B. B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42nd St., 212-997-4144, $45, 8:00

cirque saturdays

Friday, December 22
Raheem DeVaughn & Friends Annual Holiday Concert 2017, feat. Doug E Fresh, Lil Mo, Ro James, Beanie Sigel, MC Lyte, Raheem DeVaughn, and the CrossRhodes, Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St., 212-414-5994, $35-$69.50, 8:00

Saturday, December 23
Rhett Miller’s Fifth Annual Holiday Extravaganza feat. Jen Kirkman, Janeane Garofalo, and other special guests, City Winery, 155 Varick St., 212-608-0555, $25-$35, 8:00

Cirque Saturdays Presents: The Naughty List — A Christmas Spectacular, Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St., 212-414-5994, $20, 11:00

Yo B, It’s Xmas feat. Nyck Caution, Lauriana Mae, with Michael Medium, LiveLikeDavis, DJ Shawn G, and DJ Surge, Mercury Lounge, 217 East Houston St., $12, 11:59 pm

Sunday, December 24
A Very Jewish Christmas, with Brad Trackman, Ophira Eisenberg, Jared Freid, Jon Fisch and others, Gotham Comedy Club, 208 West 23rd St., 212-367-9000, $25, 7:00 & 9:00

The Jew(ish) Show, with Jared Freid, Marion Grodin, Myq Kaplan, and Talia Reese, Stand Up NY, 236 West 78th St., $20, 8:00

City Winery & Joel Chasnoff Present: Christmas Eve for the Jews, with Jessica Kirson, Phil Hanley, and more, City Winery, 155 Varick St., 212-608-0555, $25-$60, 8:00

Monday, December 25
Oy Vey Festival w/ Soulfarm, featuring Kosha Dillz, Zalman Krause, Meir Kay, and Chillent, Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th St., 212-414-5994, $20-$49.99, 8:00

A VERY JEWISH CHRISTMAS

Jessica Kirson will headline Jewish Christmas show at Gotham Comedy Club on Christmas Eve

Gotham Comedy Club
208 West 23rd St. between Seventh & Eighth Aves.
Friday, December 24, $25 (plus two-drink minimum), 7:30 & 9:30
212-367-9000
www.gothamcomedyclub.com

While the goyim are celebrating Christmas Eve at home with their families, Jews hit the town, taking advantage of bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and other venues that are a lot easier to get into than usual. Among the special events planned for that night is “A Very Jewish Christmas,” as a roster of Jewish comedians join together at the Gotham Comedy Club. The lineup features headliner Jessica Kirson along with Barry Weintraub, Lenny Marcus, and Gregg Rogell.