DATE: NOVEMBER 20, 2008
FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/TODD BRODGINSKI/ANGELA VILLANUEVA
Sarah Silverman–CLUB NOKIA’s first comedy act–was dubbed “the most outrageously funny woman alive,” by Rolling Stone. A recent collaboration with Matt Damon caused over 20 million people to agree and earned her a 2008 Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics. Silverman is as versatile as they come; her repertoire includes everything from stand-up comedy to film and television. Her show, “The Sarah Silverman Program,” launched on Comedy Central in 2007 scoring the highest ratings for a new show in 3 years and had its 3rd season debut on October 8th.
From his many appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman to his weekly picks segment on Fox NFL Sunday with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson, comedian/actor/impressionist Frank Caliendo has been all over television the past few years, including his sketch show “Frank TV” which airs on TBS. Caliendo is known for uncanny impressions of famous actors like Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Robert De Niro; politicians like George W. Bush and Bill Clinton; and broadcasters like John Madden, David Letterman, Jay Leno and Jim Rome. Caliendo also is a seven-year veteran of television sketch comedy series MADtv and Hype. On stage, Caliendo's high-energy act is a blend of observations, impressions, characters and anecdotes that build to a frenetic pace. He was once described by Hollywood Reporter as "a combination of Robin Williams and Jim Carrey."
Bill Engvall is starring in and executive producing the new half hour sitcom for TBS entitled “The Bill Engvall Show.” The show centers on Bill as the father at the core of a family comedy. The series’ debut telecast on July 17, 2007 delivered 3.9 million viewers and 2.8 million households, securing a place among ad-supported cable’s Top 3 sitcom telecasts (original or acquired) of all time among households and Top 5 original sitcom telecasts of all time among key adult demos and viewers. Bill also hosts one of the top rated shows on CMT, “Country Fried Home Videos.” This show finds real videos from real people showing what real Americans do bringing the wit and wisdom to television that only the heartland can offer. Due to the huge success of this show, Bill also hosts another show for CMT “Country Fried Planet.” which takes the very best home videos the world has to offer.
These shows will mark the intimate venue’s first-ever seated performances. With the addition of seats on CLUB NOKIA’s main floor level and the 900-person seated balcony, all attendees at these shows will be able to enjoy the show from the comfort of a seat. The comedy performances are just part of CLUB NOKIA’s inaugural line-up that includes music from a variety of genres and offers something for everyone. Upcoming shows include Nas, Metro Station, Sergio Mendes, Gretchen Wilson, X, B.B. King and a New Year’s Eve performance by Stone Temple Pilots.
The tri-level venue–the latest addition to the L.A. LIVE sports, residential and entertainment district–is an intimate space projected to host 150 concerts and special events annually. The seated balcony hangs over the lower level floor allowing concert-goers an up close viewing area complete with plush seats and cup holders. VIP’s can access a specially designed, exclusive lounge with several private cabanas and other amenities. All levels feature outdoor patios with stunning views of the Los Angeles skyline.
Here are some initial reviews of CLUB NOKIA:
“The positives at this club don't have to do with aura. They're more basic: The sound is very good (though some patrons later expressed the opinion that it was too loud), the sight-lines superb, the bathrooms and bar space plentiful. Then there's the floor plan, which operates on a kind of optical illusion: The main floor is tiered, allowing for folks in the back to feel closer, and a large, extremely steep balcony puts others in a helicopter position above the stage. The back of the club doesn't feel so bad when it's floating in the air. And the overhang the balcony creates above the dance floor is less oppressive and sound-muffling than some.” Ann Powers, Los Angeles Times 11/9/08
“It's more than double the size of the House of Blues yet feels just as intimate; similar in capacity to the Wiltern yet the distance between audience and performer feels considerably closer. Sightlines are superb on the open ground floor, which has its own mini-tiers, and the balcony is filled with permanent seats. There's roominess on both levels, a sense that designers put thought into making sure views are not blocked by anything except a support pillar. Whether at stage right immediately behind the throng crowding the stage or straight back at the bar that covers the length of the room, performers were consistently visible to this onlooker. Maneuvering around the back half of the sold-out room was quite easy. The curved balcony extends far over the floor making its first several rows of seats prime areas for viewing. Balcony looks steeper upon approach than it is once you are seated. It's comfortable, the leg room is sufficient and once the listener gets adjusted to the angle, it's a rather enjoyable experience.” Phil Gallo Daily Variety 11/10/08
DATES |
ARTIST |
SUPPORT |
||
Sun | 11/9 | Beck | Jenny Lewis | |
Mon | 11/10 | Beck | Jay Reatard | |
Wed | 11/12 | Lupe Fiasco | Hey Champ | |
Thu | 11/13 | Taking Back Sunday | The (international) Noise Conspiracy/ 3oh!3 | |
Sat | 11/15 | MTV Tr3s Pass Tour Calle 13 | Kinky | |
Sun | 11/16 | The B-52’s | The 88 | |
Tue | 11/18 | Matisyahu | Flobots / Chester French | |
Wed | 11/19 | Usher | ||
Fri | 11/21 | Sarah Silverman (two shows) | Brian Posehn/ Steve Agee/ Mark Cohen | |
Sat | 11/22 | In Flames | All That Remains/ Gojira/ 36 Crazy Fists | |
Sun | 11/23 | Wilson Phillips | ||
Wed | 11/26 | Nas | ||
Fri | 11/28 | Metro Station | Tyga/ White Tie Affair/ Cash Cash | |
Sat | 11/29 | Sergio Mendes | ||
Sun | 11/30 | Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (15yr anniversary) | ||
Thu | 12/4 | America | ||
Fri | 12/5 | Frank Caliendo | ||
Sat | 12/6 | Belanova | ||
Wed | 12/10 | Indie 103.1 Wreck the Halls | Bloc Party/ CSS/ Black Kids/ The Pretenders | |
Thu | 12/11 | Gretchen Wilson | ||
Fri | 12/12 | Rick Springfield / 38 Special | ||
Sun | 12/14 | Bill Engvall | ||
Sat | 12/20 | X-Mas with X | New York Dolls / Cracker | |
Sat | 12/27 | B.B. King | ||
Sun | 12/28 | B.B. King | ||
Mon | 12/29 | Robin Thicke | Chrisette Michele | |
Tue | 12/30 | Akon | ||
Wed | 12/31 | Stone Temple Pilots | ||
Fri | 1/2 | George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic | The Greyboy All Stars | |
Fri | 1/16 | Boyz II Men | ||
Sat | 1/17 | Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show | ||
Fri | 1/23 | O.A.R. | Eric Hutchinson | |
Thu | 1/29 | Pepper | The Supervillians/ Passafire | |
Thu | 2/19 | Wynonna | ||
Sat | 2/28 | Lisa Lampanelli | Two Shows in One Night | |
Fri | 3/6 | Jimmy Eat World | No Knife | |
Fri | 3/13 | Simply Red (greatest hits tour) | ||
Sat | 3/28 | Madeleine Peyroux | ||
Fri | 4/26 | Little Big Town | Zac Brown Band |
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CLUB NOKIA IN LOS ANGELES: THE NEW CLUB FOR COMEDY