Our guide to stand-up, improv and variety shows happening this weekend and in the week ahead.
THE 2ND ANNUAL JANELLE JAMES COMEDY FESTIVAL at the Bell House (Dec. 5-7, 8 p.m.). James is carrying on with a tradition started by Eugene Mirman in 2008 that involves curating a weekend of fun in Gowanus, Brooklyn, with funny friends and overly specific show titles. This year, she has organized the lineups into the following categories: “Comedians That Don’t Owe Me Money,” “A Black Ass Show” and “Comedians Who Flewed Out.” On Friday, Baron Vaughn and Open Mike Eagle will host with James, whose own stand-up can be seen on Netflix’s “The Comedy Lineup”; on Saturday, Sydnee Faustin and Marie Washington will assist. The Lucas Brothers and Jaboukie Young-White are among the performers.
718-643-6510, thebellhouseny.com
‘KEEP’ at St. Ann’s Warehouse (Dec. 5-7 and 10-12, 8 p.m.; Dec. 8, 5 p.m.; through Dec. 19). Tickets are going fast for Daniel Kitson’s latest one-hander at this theater in Dumbo, Brooklyn. This English comedian has won plaudits and prizes for his comedic storytelling the world over, from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia. His new show explores the things we hold on to from our past, and how much they hold for us in the present.
718-254-8779, stannswarehouse.org
[Read about the events that our other critics have chosen for the week ahead.]
‘MY DAD ISN’T DANNY DEVITO!’ at the Creek and the Cave (Dec. 9-14, 7 p.m.). In this new one-hander from the comedian Anthony DeVito, he promises to divulge a secret about his family, other than what he states in the show’s working title. He has done this before: In a 2015 episode of “This American Life,” he discussed his grandmother’s still-active love life. When he’s not out there spilling the family tea, DeVito has performed on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” as well as for a half-hour Comedy Central special.
917-806-6692, creeklic.com
TOM PAPA at Gotham Comedy Club (Dec. 6-7, 7:30 and 10 p.m.). A comedian in high demand, Papa currently hosts a weekday radio show with Fortune Feimster on SiriusXM’s Netflix Is a Joke channel. He is also the head writer for the nationally syndicated public radio variety show “Live From Here.” On top of that, he continues to tour, having just recorded a comedy special in Newark for Netflix. In addition to these headlining gigs at Gotham, Papa will perform on “Live From Here” at the Town Hall on Saturday.
212-367-9000, gothamcomedyclub.com
‘POPOP!’ at Chelsea Music Hall (Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.). Jenny Gorelick hosts this pop-culture talk show that dishes on the hottest topics of the month. It’s like the daytime talkers you’re used to, but with younger panelists who skip the vitriol and get straight to the funny. Gorelick’s panelists include Gabe Gonzalez, Jay Jurden, Mary Beth Barone and Ziwe Fumudoh, with musical enhancements from the D.J. Harkness Granger.
chelseamusichall.com
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