At a loss as to how to make this weekend a fittingly fun farewell to summer? Just plug into the Out of Bounds Comedy Festival’s pre-planned jollity. As noted last week (“Improv-Educated,” Aug. 23), OOB offers more than a hundred improv and stand-up acts to lighten your Labor Day load. The shows are so consistently funny that it’s hard to go wrong choosing one, but in addition to our previous recos, we’ll note that those comedy kids today love the podcasting, and the fest has a fistful that’ll show you why. Except for Risk!, all are at the Hideout Coffee House (617 Congress), and are free!
Risk! Kevin Allison persuades guests to tell personal stories they never thought they would. Thursday, 8:30pm, Stateside at the Paramount, 719 Congress.
A.D.D. L.A. comedian Dave Razowsky (pictured) conducts an in-depth interview with a single guest – here, that’s actor/Second City alum Todd Stashwick. Friday, 7pm.
Tomefoolery Like a book club, but with weirder books and funnier discussions, hosted by Windy City comics Cody Melcher and Ranjit Souri. Friday, 8:15pm.
The Theft Forum From Austin’s own Scott Hearne, interviews with and performances by entertainers from our town and beyond. Friday, 9:15pm.
Beginnings With Andy Beckerman New Yorker Beckerman and comic Naomi Ekperigin interview guests about their early creative experiences and childhoods. Saturday, 6pm.
This Week in Despair Chicago comedian Peter-john Byrnes digs into the week’s news with special guests, sometimes for laughs and sometimes not. Saturday, 7pm.
The Out of Bounds Comedy Festival continues through Monday, Sept. 2, at various locations. For a schedule and more information, visit www.outofboundscomedy.com.
This article appears in August 30 • 2013.