Seven acts to catch at Skull Fest
Don't miss these seven stellar acts - who just might take home this year's prize.
The Laughing Skull has invited hundreds of comedians from all over the country to the land of biscuits for a week comedy shenanigans. The fest debuted in 2010 as a competition-style festival. ATL is still beaming with hometown pride after Rob Haze became the first local comedian to take home the first prize. Haze, alongside 2015’s runner-up Dulcé Sloan, jumps back in the mix this year as judges to see who will be the newest Skull Fest champ.
Skull Fest is expanding bigger and bolder this year, kicking off celebration Tues., June 7. This year, too, the soiree spans six nights with over 40 shows across the city. Venues such as Terminal West, Relapse Theatre, Red Brick Brewery, Eddie’s Attic, and more will host over 70 comedians. There’s no way you can see them all, but here’s the ones we’re most excited to catch this week.
Ismael Loutfi, Atlanta
A-town is riding a three-year streak of having locals make the Top 4, and Ismael Loutfi could easily extend it to four. While it’s far from the only topic in his act, Loutfi shines when tackling Islamaphobia in America. Bold, but never preachy, Loutfi’s delivers social commentary with a smile. Just 23 years old, Loutfi is already slinging the smartest material you’ll hear from a fresh perspective that’s seldom seen. Cocky bros and ignorant airplane passengers alike can’t escape Loutfi’s sharp tongue.
Shows: $15. 8:30 p.m. Wed., June 8. Eddie's Attic, 515-B North McDonough St.; $15. 8 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Hard Rock Cafe, 215 Peachtree St. N.E.; $15. 10:30 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Highland Ballroom, 644 N. Highland Ave.; $25-45. 8 p.m. Fri., June 10. Terminal West, 887 West Marietta St. Studio C; $25-30. 8 p.m. Sat., June 11. Laughing Skull, 878 Peachtree St. N.E.
Will Copeland, Atlanta
After getting his feet wet in Nashville, Copeland moved to Atlanta in 2014 where he’s become a beloved fixture. Alongside Loutfi, Copeland co-hosts Overchill, a Wednesday open mic at Java Vino. Calm and quiet on stage, he offers a mix of observational jokes and wild anecdotes. From breaking down makeup to regaling tales of finding anti-depressions in a graveyard trashcan, Copeland is one of the most original comics in the Southeast in both delivery and material.
Shows: $10. 8 p.m. Tues., June 7. Smith’s Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave. N.E.; $20-25. 10:30 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Laughing Skull, 878 Peachtree St. N.E.; $20. 9:30 p.m. Fri., June 10. Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E.; $20. 8 p.m. Sat., June 11. Hard Rock Cafe, 215 Peachtree St. N.E.
Lace Larrabee, Atlanta
A recovering pageant girl, Lace Larrabee was born to be a winner. Ever nonchalant on stage, Larrabee can kill using honey or vinegar. She’ll rip apart your stupid baby shower with a smile or stare down the patriarchy with a confident blow. Ever versatile, she fits right in performing at a smoky dive bar in Little Five Points or a speakeasy in Buckhead.
Shows: $18-23. 8 p.m. Wed., June 8. Laughing Skull, 878 Peachtree St. N.E.; $15. 10:30 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Eddie's Attic, 515-B North McDonough St.; $10-15. 8 p.m. Fri., June 10. The Blind Pig, 128 E Andrews Dr. N.W.; $20. 8 p.m. Sat., June 11. Smith's Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave. N.E.
Dan Weeks, Atlanta
Dan Weeks is a goddamn party on two feet. A comedian at night and a DJ on ... other nights, Weeks is an wildfire on stage. He has an innate ability to win over any crowd. Time and time again, I’ve seen him flip the script and turn a cold room into a hot crowd. With his jokes as silly as he is, he’ll show you how to win a fight and how to please your significant other in delightfully absurd ways.
Shows: $15. 8:30 p.m. Wed., June 8. Eddie's Attic, 515-B North McDonough St.; $15. 9:30 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Red Brick Brewing, 2323 Defoor Hills; $15. 10:30 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Highland Ballroom, 644 N. Highland Ave.; $20. 9:30 p.m. Fri., June 10. Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E.; $23. 8 p.m. Sat., June 11. Eddie's Attic, 515-B North McDonough St.
Trae Crowder, Knoxville, Tennessee
Southern comics are leading the pack this year at SkullFest and Knoxville’s Trae Crowder is as Southern as it gets. The self-identifying liberal redneck has become a viral sensation with his epic Youtube rants on hot topics such as bathroom laws and Donald Trump. Crowder doesn’t shy away from his redneck background, nor is he one to champion redneck clichés. Packing a deep twang, Crowder’s act is smart as all hell.
Shows: $23-28. 8 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Laughing Skull, 878 Peachtree St. N.E.; $15. 10:30 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Relapse Theatre, 380 14th St. N.W.; $23-28. 8 p.m. Fri., June 10. Laughing Skull, 878 Peachtree St. N.E.; $20. 8 p.m. Sat., June 11. Hard Rock Cafe, 215 Peachtree St. N.E.
Abby Rosenquist, Austin, Texas
Of the out-of-town bunch, Austin’s Abby Rosenquist especially stands apart. Like Haze and Sloan, Rosenquist was a New Face of Comedy at last year's Montreal Just For Laughs Fest. Her laidback presence juxtapose well with dark one-liners. Everyday issues can take wild left turns that leaves you feeling guilty for laughing.
Shows: $18-23. 10:30 p.m. Wed., June 8. Laughing Skull, 878 Peachtree St. N.E.; $15. 8 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Smith's Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave. N.E.; $20. 8 p.m. Fri., June 10. Eddie's Attic at, 515-B North McDonough St.; $20. 8 p.m. Sat., June 11. Relapse Theatre, 380 14th St. N.W.
Josh Johnson, New York
It’s never easy to change cities. In many ways, comedians are essentially starting over when they move to a different scene. Chicago ex-pat Josh Johnson, however, makes everything look easy. In a few short months after re-locating to the Big Apple, Johnson started turning heads with his charming delivery. Last year he was named one of Comedy Central’s “Comics to Watch,” and placed first in the Devil Cup Comedy Festival. Another young comic, Johnson is jokes are so finely-tuned, you’d think he’d been performing for over a decade. Whether it’s a 1-minute joke or a 15-minute story, Johnson is one you can’t take your eyes or ears off. Johnson moves so fluidly through every bit which is jam-packed with jokes, there’s never a lull.
Shows: $15. 9:30 p.m. Wed., June 8. Red Brick Brewing, 2323 Defoor Hills; $15. 8 p.m. Thurs., June 9. Eddie's Attic, 515-B North McDonough St.; $5. 8 p.m. Fri., June 10. The Hangar, 151 Sampson St. N.E.; $23-28. 10:30 p.m. Fri., June 10. Laughing Skull, 878 Peachtree St. N.E.; $20. 10:30 p.m. Sat., June 11. Relapse Theatre, 380 14th St. N.W.