It’s been a while since Comics In Action has performed LIVE for the general public. However, with the rebuilding of Czech Village, Comics In Action has the opportunity to help revitalize the formerly “8-feet under water” community with it’s first public performance in several years.

So, for this upcoming improv comedy event (June 26th), I have been slaving away at a poster that I like, but am not altogether confident that it…works.

So, check out the poster at the left and let me know what you think.

Critically panned by EVERY movie critic in the Western Spiral Arm of the Milkyway Galaxy, Riff Raff Theater skewers the movie that caused James Cameron to halt co-development with Ridley Scott on a 5th Alien movie…you guessed it: Alien vs. Predator!

The ONLY decent aspect of this movie is the continuity revolving around Lance Henriksen (you know…the cyborg in “Aliens”). Even if they could have convinced Sigourney Weaver and Bill Paxton to commit to this disastrous concept, they couldn’t save this horrible flick. Which begs the question: Why did it become one of the more successful films in the franchise? God only knows…and he ain’t tellin’.

Watch the mayhem and hilarity ensue this Friday, May 8th at the Englert in Iowa City at 8:00PM.

You know that I’ll be there. What are YOU doing this Friday? I thought so.

[Show as slideshow]

My fellow improv agent, Todd Gutnecht, called me up  this afternoon offering his condolences on my recent automobile accident. Wondering if I needed any help, I quickly responded with my need to meet with the Orthopedic personnel at the University of Iowa Hospitals to fill my prescription for a larger foot prosthesis. The prosthesis they fit me with on Monday evening did not have much ankle support and was making it difficult to get around, even on a pair of crutches. Todd voluntered to give me the necessary lift around Iowa City adding, “No problem. I just need to finish my grocery shopping and I’ll be down in a half hour.”

It didn’t take long to get fitted, which suprised me as it appeared there were many people waiting in the reception room. Below is the ‘BOOT’ they fit me with. It is SO much better than the flimsy sandal I was wearing previously.

Das Boot vs. Das wimpy sandal

Dennis reflects on his near-fatal accident

Sigh. Heading to Iowa City after work and traveling south-bound in the slow-lane on I-380 from work behind an 18-wheeler. All of a sudden, brake lights EVERYWHERE. Took my foot off the gas, slowed down, looked for traffic on my left and in the blind-spot. When I looked forward, the truck ahead had stopped, leaving me no room to go anywhere. Hit the brakes again really hard, locking up the tires. Steered right and clipped the rear passenger-side bumper, tearing up the driver-side of the Nissan. Spun counter-clockwise into the ditch and landed facing the road. Panicked. Yanked-off seat belt, opened the door but couldn’t get out. My feet were stuck under the pedals. Ouch. Pulled my feet out of my shoes, but couldn’t stand up. My left foot was broken.

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Mark Salisbury (President of the UI COGS), along with a team of additional graduate assistants, is assembling a series of fund-raising performances for the Artists’ Recovery Fund (ARF). The fund is designed to help local musicians and artists recover nearly $200,000 worth of instruments, tools and materials lost in the Iowa Flood of 2008 in Iowa City.

The first in the series will be held Oct. 23 at Old Brick near downtown Iowa City. The performance will feature graduate students in the UI School of Music, along with improv comedy troupes Comics In Action and Paperback Rhino.

The second Old Brick performance will be held Nov. 13th at 7:30pm; featuring singer/songwriter Greg Brown, along with local musician Nikki Lunden, improv comedy troups Comics In Action and Paperback Rhino, and the UI Juggling Club.

Check out the following links for ticket information:

• School of Art and Art History
• Graduate Student Senate
• Press Citizen (link is broken)
• Comics In Action

Comedy is my past-time. It’s one of the things I do. It’s just…me. So, when I learn about upcoming comedy events in the Cultural Corridor (that’s the space intersecting Cedar Rapids and Iowa City for you laymen), I like to give a shout-out to those responsible.

• Riff Raff Theater presents: Die Hard – OK. Shame on you for those that have not heard of this group of hilarious people. This time at The Englert Theatre, they’ll be lampooning the movie that setup Bruce Willis as the ‘go-to’ movie action hero on November 19th at 8pm. The movie is good, but SOOOOO bad is so many ways. Here’s what Riff Raff Theater is all about from there own lips:

Have you seen Riff Raff Theater? Laugh along with Chris, Todd and Danuuc in a production that’s been hailed as “funny stuff” by Mike Nelson, host of Mystery Science Theater 3000. The critically acclaimed cinematic roast sets its sights on the Bruce Willis action classic, Die Hard. Presented by M.C. Ginsberg.

• Comics In Action – Sometime in November, they are putting together a gig of humongous proportions. Look for something during the 2nd full week of November. I don’t know what. I’m just sayin’.

My friends at Riff Raff Theater are at it again. This time, they’ll be lampooning arguably one of Will Smith’s worst movies (outside of Wild, Wild West) that is causing Isaac Asimov to spin rapidly in his grave: i, Robot. Believe me. You’ll wish James Cromwell (that’ll do, pig) had a more prominent role in this flick.

Sponsored by M. C. Ginsberg and hosted in Iowa City on Friday, August 15th at the Englert Theatre at 8PM.

I’ve sat back at a couple rehearsals for the upcoming show and I swear to god: This show will ROCK!