Maria Bamford fan Molly McCloy is a four-time Moth winner and PCC teacher of creative nonfiction. Bamford headlines the Tucson Improv Movement’s Tucson Comedy Arts Festival with a performance at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10, at the Rialto Theater. Visit rialto.com for Bamford tickets, alone or with a $25 TCAF festival pass. Visit tucsonimprov.com for the schedule of festival performances starting Nov. 7, a festival pass and $5 tickets for individual shows.

“When was the last time you had a Peanut Buster Parfait?” I asked Maria Bamford.

“It’s been so long,” she replied. “You’re reminding me that I need to get back to the true path.”

The Dairy Queen treat comes up at least twice in Bamford’s work. In one standup bit, she demands a Peanut Buster Parfait from a friend, calling out the layers in a drill sergeant’s voice: “Hot fudge, peanuts, ice cream, hot fudge, peanuts, ice cream!”

In a scene from her NetFlix show Lady Dynamite, her character falls into a serious depression, and her father offers to take her out for a Peanut Buster Parfait.

I have a history of both mental illness and Dairy Queen employment in my family, so I’m sold on Bamford’s humor. I especially like the way she normalizes her bipolar diagnosis, since, for many of us, mental illness is normal.

In standup sets, Bamford pencils a family history of violence into a game of “emotional sudoku,” sings a deadpan song about her couples’ therapist and describes a psych ward in the voice of a set designer expertly arranging the broken chairs and puzzles with missing pieces. The current tour features all new material on marriage and religion.

Bamford told me that her humor about mental illness is successful because “the audience is down for it.”

She also explained the source her fabulous voice work, which includes dead-on impressions of business executives, teenagers, and hungry raccoons. “It started when I was a kid watching TV. It developed out of a need to be heard,” she explained, “the idea that if you change your voice the odds might be better that you’ll be heard because of the surprise factor.”

Since Tucson Improv Movement offers beginning improv and comedy courses, I asked Bamford what advice she would give new comedians.

“You just start,” she explained. “Tell yourself a little story you think is funny. Talk for five minutes and you do it over and over again. You add that five minutes to another five, and soon you have an hour.

Looking to avoid the gravy induced guilt this Thanksgiving? Consider running in the 6th Annual Marana Turkey Trot.

The event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 10 and features a half-mile fun run as well as a 5 and a 10k race.

Check-in starts at 6:30 a.m. The half-mile fun run starts at 7:15 a.m. and the 5 and 10k races start at 8 a.m. Early registration prices are $10 for the fun run, $20 for the 5 or 10k for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under. Shirts will also be available for $8 at the event.

Runners are also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Association who will be taking donations at the event. Donors will be entered into a raffle to win prizes.

Feel free to run, walk or roll for the Turkey Trot at Crossroads at Silverbell District Park. Go fast and you can eat to your heart’s desire come turkey day!

Learn more here. 

Head over to Kino Sports Complex Nov. 8 to Jan. 2 and it will be sure to 'light up your world'.

Lights of the World, the largest light and lantern festival in North America, is making its debut to Tucson on Thursday, Nov. 8. Although the event has been hosted in Phoenix for many years, this is the first time it will be in Tucson.

“The Lights of the World is a great way to spend some quality time with your friends and family during the upcoming holiday season,” said Kino Sports Complex Director Reenie Ochoa.

There are over 11 exhibits and 75 lantern displays representing different cultures and landmarks  across the world. There are also carnival rides and games, an acrobat show, a sea lion show, arts and crafts and food vendors.

The acrobat show runs from Nov. 8 to Dec. 2 and the sea lion show runs from Dec. 4 to Jan 2.

The festival runs every Tuesday through Sunday until Jan. 2 from 5-10 p.m. General admission tickets are $24.99. Kids three and under get in for free. The cost of the ticket covers everything except food, crafts and carnival games.

There will be a $6 parking fee but the proceeds will go to local charities. For guests who will be parking, access to the event will be from Ajo and Forgeus as the Milbur and Country Club exit will be closed.

For more information on this event click here. 

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and Casino Del Sol are partnering for the Arizona Farm & Food Festival on Saturday, Nov. 10. The festival will include live cooking demonstrations, food samplings, a farmer's market, children's activities, cultural entertainment and opportunities to meet with local chefs. 

The festival will showcase more than 35 sampling stations. Some of the stations will offer foods like truffle artisan popcorn, gourmet salsa, lavender lemonade, ceviche, smoked brisket and many different variations of tacos. Local restaurants that will be participating include Boca Tacos y Tequila, Grand Canyon Brewery, Brushfire BBQ Co., KingFisher, El Charro, Seis Kitchen, and many more!

There will also be an interactive wine and beer tent that will showcase local spirits purveyors. Libations from local breweries and distilleries will be offered along with tasting tours for individuals over the age of 21.

While festival goers sample on foods and drinks, live bands will be performing including The Blues, Americana, Alt-Country, Kevin Pakulis and his Band, The Begave Trio and Navajo music.

"The Arizona Farm & Food Festival is an investment in the sustainability of Arizona's cultural food heritage. Connecting chefs and restaurants with local food producers supports preservation of our culture," said Kate Marquez, SAACA Executive Director.

The Arizona Farm & Food Festival will be on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Casino Del Sol's AVA Amphitheater located on 5655 W. Valencia Rd.

Tickets for general admission will be sold at $35 and upgraded tickets to sample alcohol will be $50 per ticket.

For more information about the festival and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.saaca.org/

Tucson Comedy Arts Festival. Can you believe we're already on the fourth annual Tucson Comedy Arts Festival? Four nights of improv, standup and sketch comedy will feature some of the best improvisers and comedians in Tucson, plus guests from out of town. Maria Bamford of the Netflix series Lady Dynamite (and whose voice acting work can be heard in CatDog, Adventure Time and BoJack Horseman), is headlining. Plus, everyone from Baby Fish Mouth to PUMPS to Comic Chaos to Verizon Qwest. In addition, you can check out workshops on sketch comedy, from "Keeping it Real" to "Committing 100%." Festival runs Wednesday, Nov. 7 through Saturday, Nov. 10 at Tucson Improv Movement, 414 E. Ninth St. Maria Bamford performs at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, and prices are $27 to $37. Festival tickets are $25 for unlimited shows, with the option to purchase cheaper tickets to individual shows as well. Details Here.

Tucson Roadrunners vs. San Diego Gulls. Bird is the word tonight at the Tucson Arena, where aviary faces off against aviary at this home game for Tucson's favorite hockey team. It's the day after election night, and to celebrate that all the stress is over—and to reward yourself for hitting the polls, they'll have BOGO tickets for anyone with an "I Voted" sticker. Hockey is a dish best served cold, and with a side of democracy. 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7. Tucson Arena, 260 S. Church Ave. $10 to $61+. Details Here.

The Busy World is Hushed by Keith Bunin. Through Nov. 11 you can get your hands on tickets  to this new staggeringly beautiful play. The 48th anniversary of the Invisible Theatre continues their success with this striking play. 7-9:30 p.m. $35 per person. 1400 N. First Ave. Details Here.

Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

Events compiled by Brianna Lewis, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Mama’s Wranglers, Jackson Family Band and Cloggers. These home-grown professional recording artists are providing Oro Valley with entertainment on Tuesday, Nov. 6. They have been named "young entertainers of the year" three times, so they will not disappoint. They perform a variety of western classics that will bring you way back. Not only can they sing but they will also be clogging, talk about multitasking. 13005 N Oracle Road. 6 p.m. $15 per person. Details Here.

Butterfly Magic. The butterflies are back! Whether you're visiting Tucson for the first time this weekend or whether you've been in the Tucson Botanical Gardens' Cox Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion dozens of times already, there's nothing quite so pleasant. Step into the enclosed garden full of tropical plants, blooming orchids and tons and tons of rare butterflies and hang out with them up close and personal as they enjoy fruit, flit from branch to branch and sometimes even land on you. Just watch out for hitchhikers—make sure any butterflies that landed on you aren't still there when you leave. Up through May 2019. 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way. $15 adults, $13 seniors/students/military, $8 kids 4 to 17, free for members and kids 3 and under. Details Here.

Second Annual Pillow Project. Until Nov. 16 Oro Valley Police Department and Emerge! is collecting pillows for domestic violence survivors. You can help survivors by providing them with new standard pillows until Nov. 16. They can be dropped off at the listed locations:  Monday-Friday 8 a.m. -5 p.m. at OV Police Dept. 11000 N. La Canada Dr. or Golder Ranch Fire Station #380 1175 W. Magee or Golder Ranch Fire Station #377 355 E. Linda Vista. Details Here.

Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

Events compiled by Brianna Lewis, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Dusk Music Festival will take place on Nov. 10 and 11 at Armory Park. Festival gates open at 2 p.m. and the last act ends at 11:50 p.m. on both days.

The General Admission Tickets include 2-day access to the festival, music from 20 plus artists on two stages including Dillon Francis, Phantogram and Big Gigantic. Food, a wide selection of wine, beer and cocktails will be for sale along with fascinating artwork and many pop-up shops.

For Tucson FEASTS the Gastronomic Union of Tucson will be crafting a custom menu of food options from Tucson’s finest chefs and restaurants. There will be a variety of larger-than-life sculptures, video projection, digital art and lighting displays at the festival by the team at Monsoon Collective and the University of Arizona’s School of Art, 3D & Extended Media program.

Tucson PLAYS will hold life-sized lawn games, corn hole, ping pong and ladderball. Tucson SHOPS will have their stores open all day and offer a variety of goods from local, regional and national artisans, makers and retailers. There will be many ATMs available.

Two premium Dusk experiences are available for those who want more than General Admission including the Culinary Dropout VIP Experience and the Iridius Capital Platinum Viewing Platform which is on another level.

There will be no official parking for the festival so ride share, taxis and public transportation are highly encouraged. Tickets are available for purchase online through Eventbrite or you can purchase hard-copy tickets at select locations in Tucson. This is an all-ages event.

Tickets for the festival are $89 plus fees for two days. $49 plus fees for one day. Free for kids 10 and under. Ticketed adults can bring up to two children. Must have a ticket/wristband to enter.

Find more information about the festival here.

Sauce Pizza and Wine's new seasonal menu. For the fall season, new limited-time dishes will be offered at Sauce. Known for its made-fresh-daily food, Sauce is rolling out a variety of different options, such as the winter roasted vegetable pizza, roasted portobello and artichoke bruschetta, and pumpkin and candied pecan cannoli. This will be available at all four Sauce locations in Tucson. Details Here.

Free Opera Previews. Oro Valley Council Chambers will be hosting Arizona's Opera. You get a chance to see what to expect for the 2018/19 season. Students from the University of Arizona will be performing. The Opera Guild of Southern Arizona helps vocal students from undergraduate to graduate level and gives them the chance to perform within their community. "Say Hello to the Opera" will begin at 2 p.m. so get ready to hear some students sing their lungs out! 11000 La Canada Drive. Free. Details Here.

No Boundaries. The Wilde Meyer Gallery's November art show isn't constrained to one single theme—in fact, with a title like "No Boundaries," it's not constrained in any way at all. This eclectic show is all about letting artists' imaginations run wild, whether they're depicting Tucson landscapes, abstract wildlife or patched-together people. Rudie van Brussel, Peggy McGivern, Maura Allen and Sarah Webber are among the exhibiting artists.  The only boundary the exhibit does have is time—it's only up for the month of November! Wilde Meyer Gallery, 2870 E. Skyline Drive, suite 170. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Free. Details Here.

Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

Events compiled by Brianna Lewis, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Friday Night Live at Steam Pump Ranch. The Oro Valley Parks & Recreation department is organizing a beautiful night with local music for friends and family to come enjoy at the Steam Pump Ranch. Dan Levenson and the Cat Mountain Rounders will be the first band to perform, with the Hot Lizards performing for the second part of the event. Sonoita Vineyards will have wine sales, while food trucks serve your food options. 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2. 10901 N. Oracle Road, Oro Valley. Details Here.

Tucson Comic-Con. There's so much to see and do at Tucson Comic-Con that it's almost easier to list things that you CAN'T see and do at Tucson Comic Con. With comic industry guests like Alyssa Gerwig and Adam Yeater, celebrity guests like Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Kirk R. Thatcher, cosplay guests like Khainsaw and Alexis Noriega and author guests like James A. Owen and Marsheila Rockwell, there is lots of greatness to be in the presence of. An artist alley, tons of craftsmen exhibitors, a youth costume contest and the first-ever Tucson Comic-Con EPIC Scavenger Hunt will keep you busy as well. Plus, panels on everything from cosplaying over 30 to creating literary comics to horror films as social commentary. Just go. Friday, Nov. 2 through Sunday, Nov. 4. Exhibit hall is open from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, with registration starting an hour before the hall opens and ending two hours before it closes. Tucson Convention Center, 260 N. Church Ave. $45 for adults (14+) for a full-weekend, with tickets for individual days and youth also available for lower prices. Details Here.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. If you haven't read this award-winning novel, you're going to want to. But with this showing of the play coming to town, directed by Cynthia Meier and with music direction and original composition by Jake Sorgen, you might want to wait until after you've seen the show live. The story follows 15-year-old Christopher, an autistic savant, who launches an investigation when he finds his neighbor's murdered dog and ends up opening up a whole world full of secrets. It's heartbreaking and fascinating and gripping on the page, and is bound to be even more so on the stage. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Thursday, Nov. 1 through Sunday, Nov. 18. The Rogue Theatre at the Historic Y, 300 E. University Blvd. $28 for preview shows on Thursday, Nov. 1, and Friday, Nov. 2. $38 all other shows. Details Here.

Tucson Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games. Are you ready for some bagpipes? How about some Irish step dancing? What about traditional Celtic foods, crafts and cultural demonstrations? The Tucson Celtic Festival Association, a local nonprofit, has been putting on this event for more than three decades to help preserve and celebrate the traditions of all Celtic peoples—Scottish, Irish, Welsh and English—in the Tucson community. The Highland Games will have events like the Heavy Hammer, Open Stone, the Braemar Stone and Caber, which all sound extremely Celtic. And the event kicks off with a Pirate Pub Night at Rillito Park, 4502 N. First Ave., from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, for $5. Main festival is 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4. Rillito Raceway Park, 4502 N. First Ave. Admission is $16 a day for adults, or $22 for both days, with discounts for kids, military, seniors and students. Sunday is discount day, with $10 tickets for adults. Details Here.

Chiles, Chocolate & Day of the Dead Festival. POPPED Artisan Popcorn is hosting its fifth annual homage at Tohono Chul Park, celebrating the Day of the Dead, fiery chiles and chocolate. Throughout the venue, different vendors will be selling chiles, Day of the Dead inspired crafts, and chocolate culinary options. At the festival, you can watch cooking demonstrations, see live local artists and purchase different types of local food. Kids can enjoy all sorts of activities and can received a free "Day of the Dead" themed face painting. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, and Saturday, Nov. 4. 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte. $15, or $5 for members. Details Here.

Desert Foods Festival. The Garden Kitchen will be celebrating native southwestern foods this weekend at its location. Food samples, cooking demonstrations, local vendors, salsa dancing, music, garden activities and tours will be available. You can bring canned goods to both support the community pantry and possibly win prizes. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. 2205 S. Fourth Ave. Details Here.

Second Annual Superhero vs Villain Bar Crawl. If you want a little more fun at Comic Con, join  the costumed heroes and villains who will be hitting the downtown and Fourth Avenue bars to save (or perhaps conquer) the world. Or at least this little corner of it. 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. 213 N. Fourth Ave. Pre-Sale $15. Door Price $20 Details Here.

Eighth Annual Harvest Festival. Do you want to harvest popcorn? Have you ever even harvested popcorn before? The festival offers many activities, but popcorn harvesting may be an opportunity to do something you have never done. The full event will include a petting zoo, healthy food demonstrations, a raffle, gourmet food samples, live music, farm tours, educational activities for kids, fresh produce sales, hayrides, food trucks and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. 4210 N. Campbell Ave. Details Here.

23rd Annual Tucson Fire Fighters Chili Cook-Off. Firefighters from all around Southern Arizona will be gathering in a cook-off to see who can put together the best chili recipe, with the mission to raise money for the Adopt-A-Family program. The event is hosted by Tucson Firefighter Charities and the Tucson Fire Fighters Association. Get in on the tasting at Reid Park Bandshell. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. North Country Club Road and East 22nd Street. Details Here.

Fall Open Studio Tours. Everyone's always talking about supporting local art, but wouldn't it be nice to take a step behind the scenes and see exactly what you're supporting? The Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance are sponsoring this opportunity to connect with local artists—from right around the corner to all the way across town—by visiting their studios! There will be plenty of artist interaction and Q&A sessions, some hands-on art demonstrations and live music and refreshments. It's the largest community art exhibition in Southern Arizona, and you don't want to miss its second weekend, of artists working and exhibiting at addresses north of River Road. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 and Sunday, Nov. 4. Check openstudiotours.com for locations. Free. Details Here.

American Rhythm. It's the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, aka Veterans' Day, in the United States. To celebrate, the True Concord Choir, Orchestra and soloists, along with Jeffrey Biegel on the piano, is putting on this patriotic show full of music by American composers, like Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man and Barber's Adiago for Strings. They'll also be playing a new work by Jake Runestad called Dreams of the Fallen, which is based on texts by Iraq war veteran Brian Turner. Of course, they'll also be playing "America the Beautiful," a song to fill us with hope for our nation's future. 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, and Sunday, Nov. 4, at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive, and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, at Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 S. Camino Del Sol, Green Valley. $25 to $40. Details Here.

Empire Ranch Cowboy Festival. Get ready to giddyup! Formerly known as the Roundup & Open House, this event sponsored by the Empire Ranch Foundation is back and ready to celebrate and help preserve the western history that's part of what makes Arizona so special. Join more than 2,000 other visitors at Western heritage demonstrations, arena and livestock exhibits, Western-themed entertainment and some good ol'-fashioned cowboy cooking. Western music will abound, skilled artisans will be on site, and a silent auction will keep you on your toes. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. Empire Ranch, off Scenic Hwy 83, Empire Ranch Road in Sonoita. $10 donation per vehicle requested. Details Here.

Southern Arizona Archives Bazaar. In an age of both ancestry.com, which has us thinking about our lineage, and social media, which has us thinking about our own day-to-day lives, the idea of researching and preserving your family history has probably crossed your mind at least once. The Arizona History Museum is here to get you started! You'll be able to check out tons of archived collections from all over Southern Arizona, then hear talks about how to keep materials and stories preserved for generations to come. It's family-friendly in that kids are welcome, but it's also family-friendly in that it can help keep families close into the world of tomorrow. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. Arizona History Museum, 949 E. Second St. Free. Details Here.

Chris Bubany's Holiday Marketplace. We're officially into November, which means we're past the point where it seems too early to start buying Christmas presents and officially at the point where you probably should start buying Christmas presents. And what's better than getting your Christmas shopping done and supporting local artists at the same time? More than 50 artists will be selling handmade goods at this free event, so you might just find something for everyone on your list. Imagine being completely done with your Christmas shopping the first week of November! 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. Harlow Gardens, 5620 E. Pima St. Free. Details Here.

Classic Car Show. Sometimes it feels like Little Anthony's Diner has a misleading name. We don't know who Anthony is—maybe he is little. But nothing else about the place is. It's got a big character, big portion sizes and this big ol' car show twice a month! It's the perfect place to come hang out with the family, chow down on some classic diner food and then walk (some of) it off by strolling up and down the aisles of gorgeous old vehicles, listening to live music. Come on down, car-ty animals! 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. Little Anthony's Diner, 7010 E. Broadway Blvd. Free. Details Here.

29th Annual All Souls Procession Weekend. It's not every day, or in every community, that people come together to honor and celebrate the dead. Want to make a mask, a puppet, an art installation or an altar? Want to put on makeup and dress up? Or just want to show up as you are and take a reflective walk? Do the procession in whatever way makes it meaningful to you. Events are held throughout the weekend, but the procession begins at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 at the corner of North Grande Avenue and West Ontario Street. Gathering starts at 4. Free. Details Here.

FROGZ. It's hard to explain exactly what this show is without comparing it to other kinds of entertainment—like magic, animation, physical comedy, mime and acrobatics—and then immediately adding the disclaimer that it's not quite any of those. From Carol Triffle and Jerry Mouawad, the creators of Imago, comes this show that blurs the lines between modes of entertainment and is perfect for both children and adults (especially kids ages 5 and up). Come see a show that will have you marveling over mastery and oohing and ahhing over the pure magic of it. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4. Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. $15 to $45+. Details Here.

The Cripple of Inishmaan. Are you looking for something with the poignance of an Irish fable, but the artistry of the Osar-nominated film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri? Boy, do we have news for you. The Arizona Repertory Theatre is presenting this play by Martin McDonagh, the writer of both In Bruges and the above-mentioned film. UA Assistant Professor Hank Stratton directs this story about an orphan named "Cripple Billy," who longs to escape his humdrum daily life off the west coast of Ireland, and sees his chance when he hears that a Hollywood film is being shot on a neighboring island. It's dark comedy, biting social irony and theater at its finest. Sunday, Nov. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 2, with shows at either 1:30 or 7:30 p.m. Tornabene Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Road. $17 to $28. Details Here.

Send Us Your Photos:
If you go to any of the events listed above, snap a quick pic and message it to us for a chance to be featured on our social media sites! Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @tucsonweekly.

Events compiled by Brianna Lewis, Emily Dieckman, B.S. Eliot and Jeff Gardner.

Next week in Laughing Stock, favorite Tucson storyteller Molly McCoy interviews Maria Bamford, star of the Netflix series Lady Dynamite. Bamford headlines this year’s Tucson Comedy Arts Festival, hosted by the Tucson Improv Movement. The fest runs from Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 7 through 10 at TIM Comedy Theatre, 414 E. 9th Street, between Revel and The Coronet. Bamford performs at the Rialto Theatre at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 10. Tickets are $27 to $34 at rialtotheatre.com. For another $25, you get a pass to the whole festival.

Go ahead and get the $25 pass. Admission is $5 per show, but the pass guarantees a seat for all 36 acts that aren’t Maria Bamford. The theatre only holds 45, so you’ll want that guarantee to see your favorites. Passes and single-show tickets are at tucsonimprov.com, or you can opt to get your pass with your Bamford ticket.

TCAF 2018 includes an expanded stand-up lineup, and sketch and improv performers from New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as Tucson, Phoenix and Flagstaff. Artistic director Daniel Kirby says, “We try to create opportunities for as many different types of comedy as we can. Diversity was our goal for this year.”

Comedian Wynter Spears is one example. A veteran stand-up comic, she began her career in Chicago and now lives the dream in top Los Angeles clubs. She also features regularly at women’s comedy festivals, and this year was tapped for The Second City’s Diversity in Comedy Festival.
TIM’s Como Se Dice bilingual team also recently performed at that festival and is featured in TCAF’s lineup from 9 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 7.

The Saturday, Nov. 10 lineup includes former TIM company member and Tucson radio personality Mishell Livio, the creator and executive director of the groundbreaking Hispanic Diversity Ensemble Generation LatinX in Chicago. She improvises with Kate Parker (of iO Chicago’s Improvised Jane Austen) as You and Me Against the World.

“Really, all three teams in the (6:30 p.m.) Saturday improv slot will be great,” Kirby says. “I am excited to see Brian James O'Connell and Neil Gargulio of The Pack Theater in L.A. They have a specific improv philosophy that I am not familiar with. It's always exciting to see a different style of improv.”

O’Connell and Gargulio perform as Garguilo'connell in the Saturday improv show. Rounding out Saturday’s lineup is PUMPS, an iO West house team from Los Angeles that may be the most prestigious in TCAF’s four-year history.

The fest’s extensive standup lineup includes New York comedian, writer and actor Amy Liszka; Motasham, also of New York, winner of the Acme Comedy Company Funniest Person Contest in Minneapolis-St. Paul and among the producers of the 10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival in Minnesota; Los Angeles’ Peter Moses and YouTube pioneer Mike Falzone.

Local standup comedian, podcast host and improviser Rich Gary, who placed third in Tucson Weekly’s 2018 Best of Tucson Best Comedian poll, rounds out the bill with former Tucsonan Leland Long, now doing standup in New York City.

Kirby says, “Performers from LA and Chicago are bringing both diverse styles of improv and diverse types of performers.”

Arizonans to watch include the long-running Phoenix sketch-comedy team, The Cosmonauts, and two new house teams from Unscrewed Theatre, Comic Chaos and Leaky Faucets, which comprises veteran improvisers Walter Temple, Brianna Roy and Adam Lester. The reuniting Tucson improv team Party Barf includes Kirby and TIM founder Justin Lukasewicz, Clare Shelly of the popular, all-female team, The Riveters, and former Tucsonan Brooke Hartnett, now of Chicago, who will also perform with her Chicago team, Mall People.

Laughing Stock especially looks forward to the Tucson debut of Chartreuquoise, a long-form duo comprising Eric Rau, who performs with both Tim and Unscrewed Theatre, and his husband, Cameron, a mainstay with Laughing-Stock-favorite Musical Mayhem. The pair was recently featured at the Red Rocks Comedy Festival.

Phoenix’s esteemed Torch Theatre is represented by VerizonQuest, the duo of Marisol Chavez and Jose Gonzales, who both teach at that theater’s improv school.

Kirby says the Arizona acts bring particularly strong energy. “I think they want to create a greater, more respected comedy culture in Arizona. With groups from across the state participating, we can all learn from each other and make the Arizona scene richer. What makes TCAF so cool to me is that, especially with improv, we are seeing the evolution of the prevailing comedic sensibility in real time. SNL has pulled cast members from Second City for years, and recently, from other improv comedy theaters like UCB, iO, etc. (But) for example, current SNL cast member Aidy Bryant credits Bill Binder (co-founder of The Torch Theatre in Phoenix) for introducing her to long-form improv. By watching improv and other live comedy today, you can peek into how the comedy arts are changing!”