megaphone – The Comedy Bureau

Really, You Should Try Jokes Out on a Megaphone Under a Floodlamp

September 8, 2011 by jakkro_6rz8x4

burbank, comedy, comedy news, los angeles, megaphone, open meg, open mics, verdugo park

If you are a comedian in LA (or even if you’re not and you just wanted to say things amplified and people have to listen) at an outdoor public arena on a megaphone, now you can.

Thanks to Jason Van Glass and Rob Schultz and the Verdugo Park in Burbank, the Floodlamp Open “Meg” is one of the newest open mics in LA for comedians to try out their material. According to the Todd Glass parameters of comedy venues (see: I Am Comic), “the Floodlamp” breaks nearly every rule, which understandably worries anyone thinking about trying their material at an “Open Meg”.

Photo by Megan Baker

There are no ceilings or walls. There is no stage. There is no mic or mic stand. There are passing pedestrians that sometimes have strollers with babies in them. There is passing traffic as well as kids that ride by on their BMX bikes. Also, it’s completely outside (in case you haven’t figured that out by now). The single floodlamp does, however, provide a pretty decent light for the performer.

Still, Jason and Rob have managed to put together an open mic that’s both more attentive and supportive than most. In fact, some of those kids stop riding their bikes and quietly listen to the person on the “meg”.

There is no cover, minimum, and the peaceful element of the park brings sort of a calm that isn’t often found in dive bars, coffee shops, laundry mats, or any other unconventional place where there’s a comedy open mic. Sure, a tent and a stage and more would be nice, but an attentive crowd watching the performer are the basis for a good comedy open mic.

The Floodlamp’s 5th show is at sundown this Friday around 7PM at 3201 W. Verdugo Ave., Burbank, CA. Sign-up is by lottery. Alloted time is determined by how many people sign-up. If you’re really making a go at comedy, “welcoming” shouldn’t be a word that you should always looking for, but the Floodlamp Open Meg is indeed a welcoming and safe place for comedians to expand themselves artistically.

Also, it’s really nice to be outside in LA at night, or in our case, outside in general.

Morning Debriefing 7/25/11

1) What, no monsters? How is this a horror movie? Oh wait, that’s hilarious. Please watch the Red Band trailer for Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

More Tucker & Dale vs. Evil Videos

2) Futurama doesn’t have to be raised from the dead for at least 2 more seasons.

3) Tonight in late night TV comedy appearances: Jon Benjamin (yes, the one from Jon Benjamin Has a Van) is on Conan (TBS 11PM) and Don Rickles will hopefully tell a better story on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS 12:35AM) than he did on Leno.

4) Matt Kirshen on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

5) You almost have to forgive Pete Holmes as a doctor if you’re diagnosis is given like this…

6) Check out Rob O’Reilly and Barry Rothbart give Superman Brandon Routh his other kryptonite: annoying Domino’s surprise delivery people begging to try Domino’s new pizza.

The Last Pizza Commercial from Brandon Routh

7) So there’s is going to be an open mic this Friday under a floodlight in a park… Also, they’re going to use a megaphone instead of a mic, which is why it’s an “open meg”.

8) ON THE HORIZON
The 5 Year Anniversary of Ed Galvez’s Punk House @ Westside Comedy Theater Wed. July 27th 9PM $5

9) COMEDY CRAWL
What’s Up Tiger Lily? @ Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill 8PM FREE
Harmontown @ Nerdist Theater 8PM $10
The 4 Year Anniversary of Cartoon Dump @ Steve Allen Theater 8PM $10
Names Night @ The Comedy Store 8PM FREE/2 item min.
Brunch @ The Park Restaurant 9PM FREE
Melgard Mondays @ Melgard Public House 9PM FREE
Keep It Clean @ 1739 Public House 10PM FREE
Crash Test @ UCB Theatre 11PM $5

10) OPEN MIC RUN
SAL’S COMEDY HOLE 7356 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, CA/Starts 6PM/$4 min./first come, first served
CLUB 705 705 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA/Starts 7PM-ish/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
RED ROCK 8782 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA/Starts 7PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/first come, first served
TRIBAL CAFE 1651 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA/Starts 8PM/no purchase necessary/first come, first served
JAKE’S 38 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA/Starts 8PM/Sign-up is lottery/no purchase necessary
MARTY’S/THE OPEN MIC 7351 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA (walk up Martel past Big Mama’s and Papa’s)/5PM to 11PM/$5 min./multiple sets allowed/bottled water and coffee provided

11) Any comics planning to perform at a bar over the next several months that were rooting for the return of football just realize what exactly you were rooting for when people are shouting over your set during “the game”.

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