megan koester – The Comedy Bureau

Pick of the Day: Loose [Returns Again] (in LA) 5/8

May 2, 2023

alison stevenson, anna seregina, loose, los angeles comedy, megan koester, stand up comedy

The meeting of the comedic minds of Megan Koester, Alison Stevenson, and Anna Seregina as Loose was a favorite Monday night staple of ours. The contrast of Koester and Stevenson’s spicy, sarcastic banter and Seregina’s unfiltered silliness was a true panacea to Mondays being Mondays. Unfortunately, the desire to be a chic sports bar in Echo Park was too much for Little Joy, their original home, was too much for them to resist and, consequently, Loose @ Little Joy had come to an end.

Thankfully, after months of wandering around the scene and occasionally popping up together at a fun underground show, Megan, Alison, and Anna are returning to their Monday night comedy duty to be Loose at their new home of Eagle Rock’s Western Station Beer & Wine (just a couple blocks West of Eagle Rock Blvd. x Colorado Blvd.). They’re starting it back up on Mondays at 8PM next week on 5/8. Per usual, admission is free, but donations are happily accepted.

The first line-up is unsurprisingly a doozy with Jon Daly, Rachel Kaly, Jordan Temple, Clare O’Kane, and Tamara Shevon. Keep up with all things Loose @loosecomedyla on IG.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 144: Megan Koester & Doing One of Those 2022 Round-Ups, But Much More Fun

December 28, 2022

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

2022 wrap up, megan koester, state of comedy

We’re at the doorstep of 2023 and it’s only natural that we take a look back at what 2022 hath wrought in comedy. With such a task at hand, we are thrilled to have the one and only Megan Koester, both a treasured comic’s comic and a crucial voice in indie comedy, to do one of these annual wrap-up things that everyone does. Take a listen as TCB’s Jake Kroeger and Megan riff through 2022 with sarcastic abandon (and tinges of sincerity)

Follow Megan @bornferal on Twitter and IG

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).

Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and KT

Pick of the Day: Hugo Let the Dogs Out! (in LA) 10/6

October 5, 2022

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amber rollo, andrew michaan, demetri martin, el cid, fundraiser, gareth reynolds, hugo soto martinez, joe mande, josh androsky, los angeles comedy, matt christman, megan koester, will menaker

The midterm elections are just a month away and it’s crucial to be aware of what is at stake (and that you should really vote, maybe even do so early).

With that in mind, one thing you could do leading up to Election Day, Tues. Nov. 8th, 2022 is go to a comedy show fundraiser Hugo Let the Dogs Out! for a choice progressive candidate for LA’s CD13, Hugo Soto-Martinez, at El Cid on Thurs. Oct. 6th with doors opening at 7PM featuring the comedy stylings of some folks you might have heard of including Joe Mande, Demetri Martin, Gareth Reynolds, Will Menaker, Matt Christman, Andrew Michaan, Megan Koester, and Derek & Dril along with hosts Amber Rollo and Josh Androsky.

You don’t have to pay to enjoy such a spoil of comedy riches (note that El Cid has a 2 item min.), but they’ll obviously be taking donations for Hugo’s campaign. If you can’t make the show, you can donate to Hugo at hugo2022.com.

Pick of the Day: LAMusArt’s Summer Comedy Series (in LA)

May 3, 2022

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alison stevenson, babe motel, bye felipe, la music and art school, megan koester, raiza licea

When it comes to going to the Eastside in LA, most Angelenos think about Highland Park or Eagle Rock or Frogtown, but often overlook the actual, O.G. Eastside, East LA. Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles have their own rich tapestry and culture that stretches much further back than whatever artisanal, small batch place you’re obsessed with on Figueroa or Colorado Blvd. (they are probably pretty great, though).

With that in mind, you’ll have more reasons this Summer to kick it in Boyle Heights as the LA Music and Art School is putting on a Summer Comedy Series on their newly built stage that will feature so much of the great comedy that folks West of the 5 usually get to enjoy.

That’ll include stand-up from Megan Koester & Alison Stevenson, improv and characters from Raiza Licea, sketches from Babe Motel, a live edition of the beloved podcast Bye, Felipe and a weekly comedy showcase to boot. This Summer Comedy Series is running from Jun. 23rd through Sept. 15th and tickets are $25 a pop.

Get dates/line-ups and more at lamusart.org/comedy and make sure you actually get some of the best tacos around (so many of them are in that neighborhood).

Pick of the Day: LOOSE (on Mondays) (in LA) Starting 10/11

September 30, 2021

News

alison stevenson, anna seregina, chris estrada, chris garcia, little joy, lizzy cooperman, los angeles comedy, megan koester

As live, in-person, indoors comedy has slowly come back in LA, one might notice that the amount of shows on Mondays is a little on the lighter side. The rest of the week has filled up pretty nicely with more and more options between not only stand-up, but all sorts of comedy. That dynamic is going to change in the coming weeks, thank goodness.

The weekly Monday comedy show at Little Joy in Echo Park is coming back! Once, it was called The Business and it was at 9PM, but now, it’ll be called LOOSE (and stay true to the title for having performers get really, really, truly, deeply loose with what they want to do) and start an hour earlier at 8PM PT. The stewards of LOOSE will be a crew of LA favorites including Chris Garcia, Megan Koester, Anna Seregina, and Alison Stevenson.

Their first “reboot” show on Mon. Oct. 11th will have even more LA favorites including Lizzy Cooperman and Chris Estrada as well as the newly transplanted POSTMEN (Anthony Oberbeck + Matt Barats + Carmen Christopher). Like in the old times, the show will be FREE (donations encouraged though to pay comedians).

Proof of vaccination will be required and it will be 21+. Get more info on the inaugural LOOSE here.

The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 49: Megan Koester & Lettin’ Quarantine Ride

March 3, 2021

News, The Comedy Bureau Field Report

golden globes, late night, megan koester

One of TCB’s favorite LA comedy staples Megan Koester joins TCB’s Jake Kroeger for this week’s Field Report. Koester is beloved for her subversive, meta, rebellious rants and bits on stage and her extensive pieces of writing all over the Internet found anywhere from VICE to The Guardian.

Megan has been quarantining properly here in LA and walks us through how working eBay has kept her going during this time while stuck inside. Also, she is the perfect person for actually hot takes on The Golden Globes and Seth Meyers hosting Late Night through 2025 (as well as what she would do with her own late night show) and makes this one of the most fun, rollicking episodes in the tenure of the podcast.

Follow everything Megan at inoffensivecomedian.com/

The Comedy Bureau @thecomedybureau across platforms and please, please support TCB via GoFundMe, Patreon, or on Venmo (@jakekroeger).
Produced by Jake Kroeger
Music by Brian Granillo
Artwork by Andrew Delman and KT

Adult Swim Has an Open Call for Live LA Open Mic (That Will Happen When It’s Safe To Do So)

December 11, 2020

News

adult swim, megan koester, open call, open mic

It’s not often that some a network like Adult Swim has an open call for open mic, but, as you are more than well aware of at this point, 2020 is far from any sort of normal that any of us have known.

Performances at this mic will be taped as part of a special project with beloved LA comedy staple Megan Koester and will only do so with ALL NECESSARY COVID-safe protocol AND when it’s SAFE to do so (i.e. that date is TBD–but maybe, maybe sometime in January). Still, when that date comes, you can do a tight three minutes if you’re in the LA area and relive the former “glory” that is imbued in all comedy open mics.

If interested, you can fill out this form here.

Pick of the Day: In The Green Room

April 29, 2020

News

chris fairbanks, gareth reynolds, green room, greg barris, james fritz, maggie maye, matt mccarthy, megan koester, paul danke, phoebe bottoms, ryan singer

Often, the green room of a live comedy show is one of the best places to be, especially if you want that fly on the wall experience of comedians that are off-stage, but still sharp whilst riffing with their contemporaries.

Being stuck in quarantine, the idea of gathering is still a bit away from happening (even with just comedians). Yet, you can still get a bit of the green room experience this weekly starting this Thursday 4/30 with the In The Green Room live-stream.

Set to hang back in that proverbial/virtual green room is many of Avail Comedy‘s very best including

Comedians Include*
Chris Fairbanks
Gareth Reynolds
Greg Barris
James Fritz
Maggie Maye
Matt McCarthy
Megan Koester
Nick Flanagan
Paul Danke
Phoebe Bottoms
Ramin Nazer
Ryan Singer
Sara June

* based on quarantine availability

Rather than having the news on all day, it’d be much, much better to just hang with comedians hanging with other comedians. Tune in at youtube.com/availcomedy at 8PM PT/11PM

January 30, 2020

Uncategorized

australian wildfire, benefit show, bobcat goldthwait, comedy variety, dj douggpound, mark proksch, megan koester, neil hamburger, rob zabrecky, the satellite, zebulon

Neil Hamburger, America’s favorite lounge act character that mostly roasts music, is going really big this month. There will be a bigger line-up than his usual residency has slated (that will probably get bigger than this flyer), but all of this will be done in service of Australian Wildfire Relief.

As you can see, this night of true variety will be dazzling, hysterical, and, of course, go to a great cause.

Go get your tickets here (they’ll probably sell out fast)!

The Business is now set to mark an entire 10 years in the biz, hopping around the country (SF, LA, NYC) as a stalwart indie stand-up comedy show.

Come toast them and enjoy all their hosts and their absolute favorites in The Business current home, Little Joy in Echo Park.

Come join them, as always, for free this coming Monday. Get more info and updates @thebusinessla on Twitter and IG.

Megan Koester’s Debut Album “Tertium Non Datur” Is As Fearless It Could Be and We Love It All The More For That

January 19, 2019

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ast records, comedy album, megan koester, stand up

Megan Koester might have just raised the bar in fearlessness in comedy. This debut album Tertium Non Datur (translates from Latin to “Third Party”) puts everyone on notice, especially when it comes to comedy and the patriarchal non-sense that has pervaded throughout the art form’s entire existence, with Megan’s fiercely unapologetic, meta, layered bits and asides.

The spirit of this album truly speaks to the punk rock ethos that comedy is supposed to have, but without any victim blaming or shock-for-shocks-sake that some edgy comedians might make the mistake of doing. After enjoying the seemingly off-the-cuff ride Koester took us on, we were left with a certain thrilling feeling of what Koester might do or say next or even what might happen when certain people hear this album. It has been quite some time since we felt that way.

We also love that this might be the first comedy album that comes with a Thesaurus so that you aren’t lost on any of Megan references.

Tertium Non Datur is available now from AST Records and you can and very much should get it here.

June 12, 2018

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andrew dismukes, anna valenzuela, ca, chris fairbanks, daniel rugg webb, danielle perez, james franco, left coast, local elections, lyric hyperion, megan koester, roast, silverlake, state representatives

Just because Trump is a brat, doesn’t mean that he’s the only elected representative whose feet should be held to the fire by comedy.

So, the Left Coast podcast with Sara June is putting on a roast of reps at the state level here in good ol’ CA. The line-up with some of our favorites here in LA is more than up to task.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at door. Get them ahead of time here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, screenings, open mics, maps, and more can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Please Enjoy Dark Comedy Short About Finding Representation “Unmarketable” from Megan Koester and Steven Feinartz

May 25, 2018

Uncategorized

alison stevenson, allen strickland williams, eric dadourian, josh androsky, megan koester, satire, short film, unmarketable

One of the perpetual mysteries of the entertainment business from the creatives/entertainers/talents’ side is how to get decent representation.

So many factors involve an agency or management company taking you on as a client and two of them are how marketable you are and, unfortunately, how lucky you are.

From the minds of Megan Koester and Steven Feinartz, comes a darkly comedic tale of how attempting to get an agent goes horribly awry with NYTVF selection, Unmarketable.

Watch and enjoy it here.

Also, props to LA born-and-bred Eric Dadourian giving Ari from Entourage a run for his money.

January 4, 2018

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alison stevenson, anna seregina, ast records, bar lubitsch, clare o'kane, free comedy, free show, los angeles, megan koester, stand up, weho, west hollywood

Clare O’Kane is returning from NYC to record her debut album for AST Records and it’s definitely something you should back Bar Lubitsch’s back room wall to wall for.

Also, it’s FREE.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, open mics, maps, and more can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

December 19, 2017

Uncategorized

alison stevenson, anna seregina, benefit show, comedy show, downtown women's center, lars finberg, megan koester, neil hamburger, release show

Simply put, great new music will be celebrated, great comedy will be had, and a great cause (The Downtown Women’s Center) will be supported, all at the ultra hip Zebulon in Atwater Village/Silverlake.

Please get tickets here (they’re only $10 too).

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, open mics, maps, and more can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

October 6, 2017

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anniversary, brendon walsh, comedy show, gregg turkington, megan koester, mystiki, neil hamburger, silverlake, tim heidecker, variety show

Neil Hamburger, America’s Funnyman, has been greasing his hair, coughing, holding too many cocktails, and roasting music for 10 years at The Satellite.

Come celebrate the decade of Neil’s residency at the end of the month with a line-up that’s already stacked and will undoubtedly get more stacked.

Get your tickets ASAP as we’re sure this show will sell out rather quickly.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, open mics, maps, and more can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Please Enjoy “Mommy to Brayden”, a Short Film from Megan Koester and Joshua Turek

August 14, 2017

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alison stevenson, anna seregina, joshua turek, megan koester, mommy to brayden, short film, vimeo

Fresh from Megan Koester and Joshua Turek comes Mommy to Brayden, a sharply satirical short film that’s as “tapped into the Zeitgeist” as can be while also unapologetically poking at such a notion at the same time.

Please watch and enjoy it here.

June 10, 2017

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ahamed weinberg, comedy show, flula, frankie quinones, james acaster, jermaine fowler, josh fadem, los angeles, los feliz, megan koester, scott thompson, silverlake, stand up, steve feinartz, the virgil, variety show

The Super Serious Show, one of the classiest variety (stand-up, characters, short films, etc. etc.) shows in town, is back for their June edition with none other than the joy that is Josh Fadem hosting/headlining.

Also, from the UK, James Acaster will be a guest as well as Kids in the Hall’s Scott Thompson and Superior Donuts’ Jermaine Fowler.

Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door (cash only). Save a few bucks and get tickets in advance here.

Also, you can enter to win a pair of tickets via our friends at DoLA.

“Burn This Election” Will Be a 2016 Election Themed Comedy Album Supporting RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network)

October 27, 2016

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barbara gray, brandie posey, dave ross, erin lampart, jackie kashian, jenny yang, joe starr, john-michael bond, josh androsky, kate willett, megan koester, sean keane, todd masterson

There’s so much to love about this project called Burn This Election.

It’s a comedy album that will be recorded in a house featuring some of LA’s best comedians including Jackie Kashian, Dave Ross, Sean Keane, Kate Willett, and way more spitting fire, comedically, about this year’s election with all of the proceeds going to support the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the country, RAINN.

Yes, they did pick that group in response to the words and actions of Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump.

We’re guessing that you’ll rarely get to see comedy delivered with such urgency in the intimacy of a house. Also, the album is set to drop on Election Day, which should be a nice palate cleanser to this nightmare of an election cycle.

The taping of the album will be hosted by Brandie Posey and is set for next week in a house in Hollywood on Wednesday, November 2nd at 8:30PM. Admission is free, but they’ll also be taking donations for RAINN as well.

July 14, 2016

Uncategorized

a special thing, album taping, ast records, bar lubitsch, casey ley, comedy show, david gborie, james fritz, july 24th, los angeles, megan koester, stand up, weho, west hollywood, what to do

It’s free to attend, not that it should matter for going to a taping of James Fritz, but you definitely should go to this. More details here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows/events as well as open mics and maps are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Poster by Ivy McNally

June 17, 2016

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alison stevenson, allen strickland williams, bobcat goldthwait, cinefamily, clare o'kane, comedy show, eddie pepitone, eric dadourian, faifax, industry mixer, josh androsky, megan koester, screening, short film, stand up, steve feinartz, unmarketable

Tickets are $14. Get them and more details here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows/events as well as open mics and corresponding maps are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Poster by Carly Jean Andrews

May 26, 2016

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comedy show, denver, game show, hollywood, ian karmel, jonah ray, june 7, los angeles, megan koester, nerdmelt, paul brittain, sexpot comedy, sunset, uncalled four, what to do

More details and tickets here.

The rest of our listings comedy shows/events as well as open mics and corresponding maps are embedded at www.thecomedybureau.com.

“Coming To The Stage” Season 2 Coming This Summer with Dave Stone, Josh Fadem, Rhea Butcher, and More

June 25, 2015

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ashley barnhill, comedy dynamics, coming to the stage, dan st germain, dave stone, josh faem, megan koester, rhea butcher, stand up

Sometime later this Summer, Comedy Dynamics will premiere their second season of their stand-up showcase series, Coming To The Stage, featuring some comics that you should definitely take note of if you haven’t already.

The line-up for this season includes:
Dave Stone
Josh Fadem
Rhea Butcher
Dan St. Germain
J.R. De Guzman
Megan Koester
Ashley Barnhill
Finn Straley
Donnivin Jordan
Tom McCaffrey
Tony Hinchcliffe
Vinny Oshana

While you’re waiting for that second season, you can catch up on the first season on Hulu.