Oh, the Places You'll Go!

How Parallelogramophonograph survived Scotland and became a better improv troupe

"...quartet of Kareem Badr, Kaci Beeler, Roy Janik, and Valerie Ward, who have spent the past six years performing..."

Dec. 30, 2011 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Ladies Are Funny Festival

More East Coast comics and a full night of stand-up add more laughs to LAFF

"...one of the trio – the other two are Valerie Ward of Parallelogramophonograph and Merlin Works' Shana Merlin –..."

April 30, 2010 Arts Feature by Wayne Alan Brenner

Party Out of Bounds

Talking reunions with members of Fatbuckle, Squirrel Buddies, and the Amazon and the Milksop

"...Festival this weekend. She adores playing with Kareem Badr, Valerie Ward, and her husband, Roy Janik, and they with..."

Sept. 4, 2015 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

The Good Eye: She of Many Hats (and Antlers)

Learn a little more about the woman who parties like it's 1929

"...the vegan ice cream parlor she opened with co-owner Valerie Ward in late 2011...."

Aug. 15, 2014 Column by Amy Gentry

A Bedtime Gorey

This view of an upper-crust world both morbid and lively should please die-hard and casual Gorey fans alike

"...frequently delighted, as these veteran improvisers, directed by Parallelogramophonograph's Valerie Ward, are not only clever but also skilled in..."

Dec. 6, 2013 Arts Review by Wayne Alan Brenner

Manhattan Stories

An ensemble of improvisers expertly captures the essence of Woody Allen's comedy

"...to the stage. And here directors Jon Bolden and Valerie Ward transform the Hideout's bitty upstairs theatre into a..."

Aug. 17, 2012 Arts Review by Jillian Owens

Charles Dickens Unleashed

Schmaltzy Victorian costume-drama improv, gamely and rather adroitly rendered

"...and sparking scenes with lunatic gambits, moving the action toward wherever his and the players' choices would finally take..."

Jan. 1, 2010 Arts Review by Wayne Alan Brenner

Parallelogramophonograph: Supercalifragilisticexpiali motherfuckingdocious

When Parallelogramophonograph does improv, it's like watching hyperintelligent, human-shaped, joyously goofy otters at play

"...performers -- Roy Janik, Kaci Beeler, Kareem Badr, and Valerie Ward -- can likewise overflow the biggest stage with..."

Aug. 17, 2007 Arts Feature by Wayne Alan Brenner

Funniest People

The merry month of May was a big month for Austin's mirthmasters, with three contests determining who among us can provoke the biggest laughs

"...home since Katrina hit their hometown. Second prize was awarded to San Marcos resident Steve Uzzell, a veteran of..."

June 2, 2006 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Sweet Ritual Ice Cream: Movin’ On Up and Out

Local vegan nom purveyors bring their cold sweetness to Airport Blvd

"...so excited to have our very own spot!” says Valerie Ward, co-owner (with the ever-stylish Amelia Raley) of Sweet..."

Feb. 24, 2016 Food Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

The Good Eye: Of Russians and Ruffles

From Chekhov to Gunne Sax

"...the same night, there are bound to be some awkward moments. But when it succeeds, it's like seeing a..."

Dec. 19, 2014 Column by Amy Gentry

The Good Eye: In Praise of Eyebrows

January 16, 2014. 9 photos.

"...Improvisor Valerie Ward of Parallelogramophonograph has gone through pluckier phases in..."

Jan. 16, 2014 Photo Gallery

Prohibition Creamery Closes, Sweet Ritual Ramps Up, and You Want Even More, What, Pizza?

All the news that's fit to get your taste buds quivering

"...us, Aidan is only temporarily daunted: “We are looking forward,” she says, “to creating new memories when we reopen..."

Jan. 5, 2021 Food Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

Parallelogramophonograph Goes Virtual

Local improv troupe storms the internet with live yes-and comic relief

"...improv troupe Parallelogramophonograph knows the answer. Because they — Valerie Ward, Roy Janik, Kareem Badr, and Kaci Beeler –..."

March 17, 2020 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

Honolulu’s Oil in the Alley to Rock the Hideout

Hawaiian trio takes the Downtown stage for an improv-fueled joyride

"...out to Roy Janik, Kaci Beeler, Kareem Badr, and Valerie Ward) have brought several fabulous shows to Honolulu’s Improvaganza..."

Nov. 14, 2019 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

Sweet Ritual Expands Its Thriving Vegan Ice Cream Location on Airport

Bigger and better from the ground up

"...Raley and her business partner Valerie Ward opened their current location in June of 2016,..."

Jan. 18, 2019 Food Feature by Wayne Alan Brenner

Toy Joy Celebrates 30 Years With a Candy Shop Expansion

Yummi Joy will start serving sweets in late August

"...Both Raley and Sweet Ritual partner Valerie Ward, formerly of Amy’s, will continue to operate their..."

Aug. 2, 2017 Food Post by Kali Venable

The Q&A Hole Returns!

Because everyone’s got one, right? An opinion, we mean.

"...Largely self-imposed, largely necessarily so. But Moderation isn't a reward in itself, right? It's just an avoidance of things..."

Sept. 6, 2016 Chronolog Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

Guide to Austin Improv

The venues, events, troupes, and individuals who have transformed Austin into a "Yes, and" boomtown

"...of improv (as heralded by house troupe Parallelogramophonograph) tends toward genre-based long-form narrative work in limited-run shows such as..."

Aug. 26, 2016 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

Five New Things In Austin's Comedy Scene

A quintuple shot of Lakkalikööri for all my friends

"...a fourth, along with Kaci Beeler, Kareem Badr, and Valerie Ward) and Foreign & Domestic's equally adored pastry chef..."

March 22, 2013 Arts Post by Wayne Alan Brenner

Who's WhOOB

"...and zero content! Jeffrey Amos, Bill Stern, Lisa Jackson, Valerie Ward, Hannah Kuhlmann, Curtis Luciani, and the Chronicle's own..."

Aug. 31, 2012 Arts Feature by Robert Faires

OoBer Alles

A guide to the troupes of the 2006 Out of Bounds Improv Festival (aka OoB V)

"...24), David Modigliani, and Mike Dolan with a slant toward unpredictability..."

Aug. 25, 2006 Arts Feature by Wayne Alan Brenner

SXSW Music 2017: Thursday

"...M. Ward..."

March 17, 2017 Photo Gallery

Terrence Malick's A Hidden Life Revealed at Austin Film Festival

Kasi Lemmons' Harriet Tubman biopic also joins lineup

"...children that keeps his spirit alive. (Starring August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Maria Simon, Tobias Moretti, Bruno Ganz, Matthias Schoenaerts,..."

Aug. 23, 2019 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

SXSW Adds 102 Movies to 2019 Film Festival Lineup

After Us, what else does the film fest have in store?

"...that will reignite his fame. Cast: Maeve Higgins, Barry Ward, Will Forte, Claudia Doherty (World Premiere)..."

Jan. 16, 2019 SXSW Post by Richard Whittaker

SXSW Music: Luck Reunion

Anything can happen in Willie World!

"...Valerie June, who stunned the chapel as an unknown songwriter..."

March 17, 2017 SXSW Post by Doug Freeman

SXSW 2012 Film Lineup Announced

'21 Jump Street' selected as Centerpiece Film

"...train ride unlike any other with Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros and Old Crow Medicine..."

Feb. 1, 2012 Screens Post by Kimberley Jones

Naked City

News briefs from Austin, the region, and elsewhere

"...Cornelius will be reinstated with back pay. – Justin Ward..."

Aug. 8, 2008 News Feature

Naked City

"...Senate water bill will raise pumping caps for the Edwards Aquifer by more than 25%, spurring fears among environmental..."

June 8, 2007 News Feature

2007 Texas Biennial, Bolm Studios

"...form, concept, and execution. I found this act especially rewarding from the Bellini, Hundley, and Kelly O'Connor pieces. Not..."

April 13, 2007 Arts Review

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