Comic’s Weekly Roundup: From the Trailer Park to the Highland Inn

Comedian Olivia Cathcart picks out this week’s top comedy events including Schlitz and Giggles, Holy Sh!t, and Randy and Mr. Lahey Live.

Spotlight on - Highland Inn Ballroom

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>> A thriving comedy scene needs its share of killer independent venues to open their arms to stand-up. One of those in Atlanta is the Highland Inn Ballroom. What was once a rarity for the hotel lounge, hosting variety shows such as pop culture themed-Scene Missing once a month, comedy has now become almost a weekly occurrence. Thanks to the great location, bar staff, and ample seating, it’s become comedian’s new go-to venue for specialty shows such as The Roast of Donald Trump and the national showcase 50 First Jokes. One of the catalysts for this humor boom was the very punny Schlitz & Giggles, the ballroom’s first all stand-up showcase. Since debuting last summer, the bi-weekly showcase features local up-and-coming comedians as well as an impressive track record of special guests — last month’s show featured a surprise set from the angry buddha himself, Eddie Pepitone. The streak continues this week as Los Angeles’ Ahamed Weinberg hits the Schlitz stage. Weinberg is a producer on IFC’s “Comedy Bang! Bang!” and Netflix’s “With Bob and David.”

Schlitz & Giggles at Highland Inn Ballroom. Thur., Feb. 11. Doors at 8 p.m.; show at 8:30 p.m. $10.

Mon., Feb. 8
======Ride the post-Super Bowl blues (or high) at the longest-running comedy show in Atlanta. For over a decade, Rodney Leete has hosted this free show every Monday in Little Five Points’ Star Bar that boasts a stacked line-up of local jokesmiths along with the occasional out-of-town guests, such as Kyle Kinane, Billy Wayne Davis, and oh so many more. What else on you going to do on a Monday night? Watch “Kids Baking Championship?” No (DVR it. Team Rebecca). Doors open at 8 p.m.; show starts at 9:30 p.m.


Tues., Feb. 9
======Comedy and religion are a match made in heaven … well, not normally, but at Holy Sh!t they sure seems chummy. Held monthly at the cozy, dive-y 529 Bar in EAV, Holy Sh!t invites comics to perform stand-up and character sets based around religion. Despite what you may think, the show is not just a bunch of atheists patting themselves on the back for their killer anti-God memes, but rather the performances range from earnest anecdotes to silly act-outs. Doors open at 9:30 p.m.; show’s at 10 p.m. The show is free but donations are welcome.


Thurs., Feb. 11
Fans of the Canadian mockumentary TV and movie series, “Trailer Park Boys,” will want to check out the two-man show Randy & Mr. Lahey Live at Variety Playhouse. This drunken night of hilarity features songs, skits, audience participation, and plenty of profanity from ex-cop turned trailer park supervisor Mr. Lahey (John Dunsworth) and ex-prostitute turned weekend trailer park supervisor Randy (Patrick Roach). The live element won’t take away from the level of black comedy mayhem you’d find on Netflix; you can expect the same amount of lovable trash. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show’s at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of the show.


The Weekend
======Over the weekend you can see a true comedy veteran when Emo Philips headlines the Laughing Skull. Philips has being doing stand-up for nearly 40 years, producing three comedy albums and an HBO special, and was heralded as “the best joke writer in America” by Jay Leno. If you haven’t seen Philips before, there’s a good chance you may have heard his distinct voice on such shows as Cartoon Network’s “Adventure Time,” Loren Bouchard’s “Home Movies,” and “Dr.Katz” (among many more). Philips headlines six shows, Thursday through Sunday.


ALSO THIS WEEK
======Mag Jackson at The Punchline (Feb. 10, at 8 p.m.)
Drew Thomas at The Punchline (Feb. 11-14)
Sherman Golden at Uptown Comedy Corner (Feb. 12-14)
Locally Brewed at Big House on Ponce (Feb. 12, at 8:30 p.m.)
1AM Secret Show at Smith’s Olde Bar (Feb. 13, at 1 a.m.)