Acceptance. It’s something we’ve all longed for since our days as little kids dancing in front of the TV sets that our parents were attempting to watch. As an extension of that, stand-up comedy is really just another of the many forms of external validation used to attain acceptance. But is it healthy, and should we be encouraging this behavior? Enter comedian , who played the foil to ’s successful comedian in the documentary Comedian. In the film, Adams openly and unashamedly clamors for the sort of attention that would make him a household name. Though Adams may have changed …

Going to a movie on Christmas has become a tradition in America. This year, however, going to the movies on the 25th of December was more akin to seeing a fireworks display on 4th of July. Visiting theaters to watch “” was viewed by many as a show of patriotism and independence as well as an exercising of our rights as protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution. As anyone who hasn’t been under a rock for the last few weeks knows, the / comedy almost never hit the theater screens, or any other viewing medium for that matter. After it was revealed that a caricature of dictator  was to be ridiculed and targeted for assassination as …

If you’ve ever looked at your child’s box of crayons in an Ambien induced haze and wondered what the crayons would be like if they magically came to life, then The Hero of Color City may be the perfect movie for you to watch with your kids. Our story begins as young Ben is being put to bed by his mother after a night of drawing and coloring. When he finally falls asleep, his crayons begin to come to life and take on personalities that correspond to their respective colors and usage. Black is depressed and morose. White feels underappreciated …

The future’s looking bright for Jacksonville’s world-class symphony orchestra. For one thing, the financials are in the black for the first time in recent memory. For another, they’ve just brought on board an exciting new Music Director Designate,  (the main conductor, in laymen’s terms). Lewis is replacing the departed Fabio Mechetti, who held that position for fourteen years. While still maintaining a heavily classical sensibility, Lewis has brought a youthful spark and innovative programming to Jacoby Hall along with a rockstar appeal of sorts to the . With his dashing good looks and prestigious symphony pedigree, he’s one of those …

WHO: Lisa Lampanelli WHERE: Florida Theatre WHEN: November 7th at 8pm Tickets: $35/$45 INFO: 355-2787 or www.floridatheatre.com For someone known as The Queen of Mean,  is quite pleasant when talking to you one-on-one. Of course, this doesn’t really come as a surprise—at least not to me. I have a hypothesis that, for the most part, performers personalities are inversely proportional to their act. The way I see it, those who cathartically release all of their venom onstage really have no reason to be vile off-stage. Implementing this theory,  is a creepy, foul-mouthed curmudgeon in person and  is the perfect gentleman …

WHAT: Casket Factory Halloween Party when: Friday, October 24th 8pm-1am where: The Casket Factory, 314 Palmetto Street Tickets: $45 Info: www.jaxhistory.com, (904)665-0064, [email protected] Last year’s first annual  was the “it” All Hallows’ Eve soiree in . Fans of the inaugural event and those who regretfully missed it the last go-round will be excited to learn that executive director  and her macabre mates are up to their festively frightening tricks once again. The will stage the Second Annual Halloween Party at The Casket Factory on Friday, October 24th. Located at 314 Palmetto Street, the old, mysterious 15,000-square-foot vine-covered brick building on …

WHAT: Comedy Hypnotist Halloween Show WHERE: Comedy Zone WHEN: Oct 28th – Nov 1st, 8:30pm & 10:30pm Tickets: Tues, Wed, Thurs: $10-12 / Fri & Sat: $12-$14 INFO: www.comedyzone.com, (904) 292-4242 At first thought, a comedy club may seem like an odd place for someone to be performing hypnosis, a serious psychoanalytic tool that was often implemented by  and other respected psychiatrists in the ancient history of psychological therapy. However, if you really think about the relaxation it takes to achieve hypnosis, is there a better place to release your anxiety than while watching stand-up? “Yeah, exactly,” says , “I …

Event: Comedian  Venue:  Price: $41 Website: www.floridatheatre.com Box Office: (904) 355-5661 Nick Swardson may not be a household name, but he is certainly a household face. Swardson is the quintessential “Oh yeah, that guy,” turning up in a variety of comedy roles in cult TV classics like “Reno 911” and movies brought to you by industry titans such as Adam Sandler alike. Those familiar with the oddball musings of his everyman slacker stand-up style will most likely not be disappointed by Swardson’s latest “Taste It” tour. Though it is new material, it’s not as if he will suddenly be breaking …

On August 11th, 2014, the entertainment world was shocked by news of the suicide of comedy legend . The subsequent anecdotes from family, friends, and all-but-strangers alike seem to paint a picture of what would seem to be one of the most convivial and charitable human beings that ever lived. Despite the postmortem love fest, not all of us can honestly say that we have adored him–or at least his work–all along. Many in the younger generations tended to view Robin Williams as somewhat of a caricature. Someone whose persona was to be mowed down in quick, drive-by segments on …