It’s been said that you should never meet your heroes. However, as a workaholic Asian-American trying to make her way in the comedy world from the heart of Iowa, I’ve never been one for listening to the word “should.” So, when I had an opportunity to have a conversation with comedy icon Margaret Cho, I had to go for it.
Stand-up Comedy
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Dante Powell hosts one of Iowa’s hottest comedy shows: ‘I’m not bootlicking, I’m not tip-toeing. I am who I am’
Dante Powell is on a roll. The Louisiana-born comic has clocked thousands of miles as both a truck driver and a comedian. Powell has called Des Moines his home for over a decade, headlining shows in the capital while hitting the road in major cities with Gary Gulman, Janelle James, Rory Scovel and other gods […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Tom Arnold on Trump tapes, his favorite Iowa stuff and the time he challenged his father to a fight
Tom Arnold is among the rarest of Iowans, having survived both the Razzie Awards and the kill floor at Hormel. There’s a generation of us who may have first met him via Roseanne, but the man has spent decades showing up in wonderful places: Austin Powers, True Lies, The Simpsons, The Best Damn Sports Show […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Comedian and character actor Josh Fadem is looking forward to a ‘free and sloppy’ show in Des Moines
If you’ve watched TV in the past decade, it’s likely you’ve seen or heard comedian Josh Fadem in action. His IMDb is a veritable who’s-who of comedy juggernauts and deep cuts — 30 Rock, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Superstore, The Powerpuff Girls, American Dad!, Twin Peaks, Better Call Saul, the 2018 TV adaptation of Heathers, the […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Thew Brewing Rebrands as Lucky Cat Comedy and Events
Cedar Rapids bar and former brewery Thew Brewing has rebranded as Lucky Cat Comedy and Events. Thew closed on May 14; the new venue will have its first public open mic on Tuesday, May 31. “We took a look at what was working and what wasn’t working that well for us,” said Haley Flenker, who […]
Posted inCentral Iowa
‘The bestselling show happens to be female-produced’: Comedian Coral Thede brings a kick-ass time to Teehee’s every month
Coral Thede’s house is as bright and welcoming as she is. The walls of her office space are a galaxy of pink, gold and blue. They provide a gentle background for the instruments, costumes and books strewn about in the signature chaos of a creative person. Her kitchen, familiar to those who tune into her […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Watch: Sitting down with stand-ups at Floodwater Comedy Festival
Before taking the stage during Floodwater Comedy Festival on Friday night, Little Village sat down with comedians Kristen Toomey, Keonna Scott and Donny Townsend at The Mill in downtown Iowa City to discuss their craft. Presented by the Iowa City Downtown District
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Alyssa Limperis, mom impersonator and mental-health podcaster, to perform at Floodwater Comedy Festival
Alyssa Limperis frequently uses the word “joy” when she speaks of performing. That coincides, for her, with focus, presence and aliveness. “[It’s a] runner’s high, a feeling of no doubt, no pain, doing something that feels right, good and not doing anything else. That’s a rare feeling, with phones and everything else: to know I’m […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Brock About Town: Comedy etiquette
Welcome to the comedy issue of Little Village! This is my favorite issue we’ve put out because, well, I love comedy (thank God for that, because I’m in a little deep to back out now) and I’m excited to share it with all of you. I’m hoping this issue will inspire you to come out to shows, open mics and other comedy events as audience members
Posted inArts & Entertainment
‘Bob’s Burgers’ comedians are coming to Iowa City
The University of Iowa Campus Activities Board (CAB) are hosting a stand-up comedy show with three of the stars behind your favorite ‘Bob’s Burgers’ characters. H. Jon Benjamin, the voice of Bob Belcher himself, will take the stage with co-stars Eugene Mirman (son Gene Belcher) and Dan Mintz (daughter Tina Belcher). A Q&A session will follow their stand-up routine.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
UI students compete in stand-up comedy contest
University of Iowa students compete tonight at the Iowa Memorial Union for the biggest laughs in “Last Comic Standing,” a student competition…
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Comedian Joey Ficken performs stand-up show for new album on Ames’s Nova Labs label
Joey Ficken, a comedian at the center of the growing Ames comedy scene, celebrates the release of his comedy album, That Wind Has Been Blowing For Years…
