Thanks to Comedy Central, YouTube, the Huffington Post, BuzzFeed, et al., comedians are cool again.
Not that they weren’t before, but with social media, comedians are able to boost their underground, cult-celebrity status. This viral showcase for aspiring performers can generate some rather pitiful cases; however, it can also unveil some hidden gems. In a way, technology is taking us back to the frontier days of rogue performing, when artists performed for the love of their art.
Santa Rosa native Dominic Del Bene, now working at San Francisco’s Rooftop Comedy where he has produced over 40 standup albums and more than a dozen festivals and shows across the country, will be presenting his monthly comedy series, “Set ‘Em Up and Knock ‘Em Down,” Aug. 4 at the Druid Hall in Santa Rosa. The show will feature L.A. comedians, Dave Ross, host of the TERRIFIED podcast on the Nerdist Network, and Barbara Gray who has appeared on Ellen, SF Sketchfest and Deadspin. Matt Lieb, winner of the 2013 Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Competition, will also be performing.
If that isn’t enough, Petaluma’s HenHouse Brewing Co. and Benziger Family Wineries will be providing libations; all bar proceeds will benefit the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition.
Tickets are $20 with discounts available to members of SCBC and Benziger’s newsletter. Show will be at the Druid Hall, 1011 College Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.542.0908. For more info, visit setemupknockemdown.tumblr.com.
