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| Patrick Schmitz and Mike Kemple. Photo by Mike Lerret. |
One groggy Friday morning I met with Matt Kemple and was thinking, “OK come on, tell me a joke, make me laugh, you are organizing a comedy festival.” Come to find out Matt is more of sketch comedy guy; he likes to have a script and develop scenes.
A native of Ohio, Kemple has been involved in comedy in Milwaukee for many years. Although you won’t have the chance to see him perform, Kemple and friend Patrick Schmitz will host the Milwaukee Comedy Festival Aug. 4 – 7 featuring some of the best professional stand up, sketch and improv comedy from across the country.
“I started the fest in 2006 to bring all the great comedy that was happening here out into the mainstream a little more. It’s always been a really underground scene here,” remarks Kemple. In fact, the comedy community really seems to appreciate Kemple’s efforts. So much so, that different groups hosted fundraisers throughout the year to support the fest.
There will be two shows per night. Every show is different, and, with pre-festival kick off events Tuesday and Wednesday, there will be a full week of laughs. Kemple puts it bluntly: “There is always going to be bullsh** going on in politics and whatever, so why not go out and laugh a little? It’s a great excuse to get everyone together and have fun.”
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| Photo by Mike Lerret. |
Milwaukee Comedy Fest receives submissions from all over the country and organizers watch hundreds of videos to ensure every single show is fantastic. Kemple says that this year the submissions were really unbelievable and that there were even several groups that would have been great that he had to turn away.
I finally pried out of Kemple what will be the best show to see. He couldn’t help but laugh when he talked about the Midnight show on Friday with Pimprov and Off Off Broadway. Yep, just like it sounds, a bunch of guys dressed up like pimps and some ladies that are a long way from Broadway. Also, check out some of the local acts: MeanWhile, Broad minded (all female group), Home Grown Electric Circus and Worst Case Scenario.
Tickets for each show are $15 in advance or $18 at the door (each show is about 2 hours). All the shows will take place at Comedy Sportz Milwaukee (420 S. First St.), there will be kick off events Tuesday and Wednesday at the Alchemist Theatre (2569 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) and Sunday is teen Comedy Day at Comedy Sportz. For a full festival line up, click here. For tickets, click here.
Ok, that’s everything you will need to know. Now just go and laugh your ass off!
One more not to miss: Malibu Open Water Ski event at Veteran’s Park Lagoon – August 5-6: The world’s top professional water ski athletes will compete in traditional slalom and long-distance jumping, free-style jumping, barefoot skiing, hydrofoil, show ski and trick flip demonstrations at the exciting two-day event, which is free and open to the public. Finals for the event will be held on Saturday, August 6 at 5 p.m., ending with the men’s jump finals at 8 p.m.
Follow me on twitter @jkashou for more insider tips, events and happenings around town. Or, tip me off to an event you know of that you’d like me to cover.
