Minneapolis Jewish Humor Festival begins Jan. 14

The Sabes JCC will present the third annual Minneapolis Jewish Humor Festival Jan. 14-28. The two-week Fringe-like festival of one-person shows, stand-up comedy, improv, workshops, storytelling, film and special events — featuring local and national talent — will celebrate the Jewish contribution to the world of humor.
Opening night will feature award-winning comedian Julie Goldman with special guest Laura Thorne 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at the JCC, 4330 Cedar Lake Rd. S., St. Louis Park.
Goldman, star of three seasons of LOGO’s Big Gay Sketch Show, “glides effortlessly between hilarious folk singer and stand-up comedienne extraordinaire.” She recently launched a live monthly all-female comedy line-up titled Julie Goldman’s Offensive Women in Los Angeles, where she has enlisted the best and most outrageous female comics in the world.

Thorne is a rising star on the Minneapolis comedy scene and regularly performs stand-up and improvisational comedy for corporate events, charities and comedy clubs.
The show is recommended for ages 18 and older due to language and content. Tickets are $18 for general admission, and $15 for JCC premium/community members and students (tickets include entry to the private opening night party with the comedians at Cooper Irish Pub at the Shops at West End following the performance).
Click “Keep Reading” for the rest of the festival’s schedule. All events will take place at the Sabes JCC.
• “Telling Tales out of Shul: An Evening of Laughter, Music and Observations from an Inappropriate Rabbi,” featuring Rabbi Sim Glaser, of Temple Israel, with special guest Gloria Fredkove, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Recommended for ages 18 and older; tickets are $12 for general admission, and $10 for JCC premium/community members and students.

• Film screening of Making Trouble 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19; and 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20. The documentary tells the story of six of the greatest female comic performers of the last century: Molly Picon, Fanny Brice, Sophie Tucker, Joan Rivers, Gilda Radner and Wendy Wasserstein. The film is hosted by four of today’s funniest women: Judy Gold, Jackie Hoffman, Cory Kahaney and Jessica Kirson. Recommended for ages 18 and older. Tickets are $10 for general admission, and $8 for JCC premium/community members and students.

• Comedian Dave Goldstein with special guest Dylan Fresco 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21. Recommended for ages 18 and older. Tickets are $12 for general admission, and $10 for JCC premium/community members and students.

• Laughter Yoga Workshop with Sarah Routman, executive director of Hillel at the University of Minnesota, 12 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22. Anyone can do the simple exercises (stretching, breathing and laughing), and there is no need to be flexible or wear special clothing. The cost is $18 for general admission, and $15 for JCC premium/community members and students (includes healthy, post-workshop refreshments).

• Awkward Moment Productions presents Circumference, written and performed by Amy Salloway, 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22 and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23. The show jumps back and forth between memories of the junior high Presidential Physical Fitness Test and the realities of life in a weight-hating world two decades later. Recommended for ages 18 and older. Tickets are $12 for general admission, and $10 for JCC premium/community members and students.

• The David Harris & David Harris Comedy and Variety Show with special guests the Chosen Few 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25. The show will feature comedian and magician David J. Harris and comic/stunt artist David M. Harris, along with “Jew-ish improv-comedy troupe” the Chosen Few. Recommended for ages 16 and older. Tickets are $12 for general admission, and $10 for JCC premium/community members and students.

• Comedian Jeff Applebaum with special guest Neal Karlen 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26. Recommended for ages 16 and older. Tickets are $12 for general admission, and $10 for JCC premium/community members and students.

• An Evening with Rachel Feinstein with special guest Phoebe Bottoms 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28. Feinstein was a finalist on Season 7 of Last Comic Standing, and Bottoms is based in Los Angeles. Recommended for ages 18 and older. Tickets are $15 for general admission, and $12 for JCC premium/community members and students (includes closing night reception after the show).

For tickets and information, call 952-381-3499 or visit: www.sabesjcc.org.

(American Jewish World, 1.6.12)