The sixth annual Twin Cities Jewish Humor Festival will run Jan. 17-31 at the Sabes JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd. S., St. Louis Park (one event takes place at the St. Paul JCC).
This two-week Fringe-like festival combines one-act plays, one-person shows, music performance, stand-up and improvisational comedy, storytelling, film, visual art, workshops and more — all in celebration of the Jewish contribution to the world of humor.
An eclectic group of presenters and performers features both local and national talent, including Cory Kahaney, Dan Kamin, Hanoch Piven, Samson Koletkar, Aaron Friedman and more.
Opening Night will feature comedian Cory Kahaney with special guest Jan Slavin 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17. Kahaney is every woman: mother, daughter, wife, ex-wife. This year, she appeared on a new TV special for Nick Mom and The Late Show with David Letterman, and made her fifth appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. She was featured on the first season of NBC’s Last Comic Standing and made it to the finale, where host Jay Mohr called her performance “flawless.” Other television credits include Comedy Central Presents: Cory Kahaney, The View and many episodes of Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher.
Chicago-based comedian and singer Slavin recently played to 23 sold-out houses in Funny Old Broads, and has received critical acclaim for the many variety shows and cabarets that she hosts around the Windy City.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 same day, which includes the Opening Night Pre-Show Celebration with food and drinks at 6:30 p.m. in the JCC Lobby.
The rest of the festival schedule is as follows:
- Drawing with Objects Workshop, 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 (all ages). Israeli illustrator Hanoch Piven teaches children and adults to experience the world visually in a new and exciting way, without judgment or fear of “doing it right.” Families are encouraged to take this workshop together. $10 per participant.
- Seeing Faces: A Lecture with Hanoch Piven, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 (ages 18+). Piven will demonstrate how intuition, right brain thinking, serendipity, trial and error, and, above all, fun and humor can trigger creativity. Presented in partnership with the Israel Center of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation. Tickets are $12 in advance or $14 same day, which includes light refreshments.
- An Evening with Annabelle Gurwitch, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 at the St. Paul JCC, 1375 St. Paul Ave., as part of the Twin Cities Jewish Book Series (ages 16+). Gurwitch is a Jewish mother, environmentalist, New York Times bestselling author and “reluctant atheist.” She gained a loyal comedic following during her years co-hosting Dinner and a Movie on TBS and as a regular commentator on NPR. Her most recent book is I See You Made An Effort: Compliments, Indignities and Survival Stories from the Edge of 50. Followed by a book sale, signing and dessert reception. $12 in advance or $14 same day.
- Ladies Night with Lisa Geduldig and Dana Eagle, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 (ages 18+). Geduldig is a New York-bred, San Francisco-based Jewish lesbian comedian and the creator, producer and emcee of Kung Pao Kosher Comedy, Jewish comedy on Christmas in a chinese restaurant, now in its 23rd year. She is also a bilingual publicist and budding filmmaker; her first film, Esther & Me, was the story of her friendship with Esther Weintraub. LA-based, Jewish lesbian comedian Eagle has appeared on Last Comic Standing, The Late, Late Show With Craig Ferguson, Comedy Central, and Comics Unleashed. Her one-woman show, Stones From Glass Houses, was featured at the HBO U.S. Comedy Art Festival and its sequel, Mood Disorders: A Light-Hearted Romp Through Crippling Depression, premiered at the Los Angeles Theater Festival. Hosted by Shana Cohen from J-PRIDE Tickets are $12 in advance or $14 same day, which includes pre-show celebration with food and drinks at 6:30 p.m. in the JCC lobby.
- Laughter Yoga Workshop with Esther Ouray, 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25. Started in India, laughter yoga is now practiced in 53 countries, including the United States, and anyone can do the simple exercises (stretching, breathing and laughing). No need to be flexible or wear special clothing. $12 in advance or $14 same day, which includes light refreshments.
- Funny Bones: The Comedy of Charlie Chaplin, created and performed by Dan Kamin, 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 (all ages). This one-of-a-kind event takes audiences into Chaplin’s enchanted comic world through film clips, live performance and the screening of a newly restored version of Chaplin’s short 1916 masterpiece, The Pawnshop, which will be accompanied by Minnesota musician Zachary Scot Johnson. Tickets are free for children 12 and younger, $10 in advance or $12 same day.
- Comedian Aaron Friedman with special guests The Chosen Few, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 (teens and adults). Friedman is an award-winning stand-up comedian and half of the Torah Comedy duo “The Bible Players.” He is the winner of the Jewish Week’s “Funniest Jew in NY” contest, is a graduate of JTS/Columbia and has entertained Jewish crowds of all ages. Kicking off the night will be returning favorites and local Jew-ish improv troupe, The Chosen Few. Presented in partnership with the North Star Region BBYO. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 same day.
- Film screening: Quality Balls: The David Steinberg Story, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 (teens and adults). The film features priceless archival footage of Steinberg’s performances, including The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and the standup shows that put him in the ranks of George Carlin and Richard Pryor. At times too controversial for U.S. television networks, his religious sermonettes generated more hate mail for CBS than any network had ever received, resulting in the cancellation of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 same day.
- Closing Night: Comedian Samson Koletkar with special guest Rabbi Sim Glaser, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 (teens and adults). Koletkar was born in Mumbai and raised Jewish. As a first generation immigrant in America, he brings a new approach to cerebral, witty, thought-provoking, clean humor with a global perspective. His subtle satire addresses religious and political hypocrisies, social issues and day-to-day absurdities of human nature. Rabbi Glaser will kick off closing night and share more of his wicked sense of humor. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 same day, which includes pre-show Closing Night Celebration with food and drinks at 6:30 p.m. in the JCC lobby.
For tickets and information, call 952-381-3499 or visit: www.sabesjcc.org.
