The Next Five Minutes Are All Yours [Stand-up round-up]

The thrill of an open mic lies in a comic’s ability to capture or lose an audience in mere minutes. For a performer, this means either the elation that comes with leaving a crowd wanting more or the cold comfort of knowing your set is, if nothing else, at least mercifully short. Andrew Tompkins, who started his stand-up career in Houston, recently relocated to Austin to attempt a truly daunting feat: Perform in 100 open mic comedy nights. Tompkins’ inspiration? The late Bill Hicks, whose favorite advice to would-be stand-ups was: “Do it 100 times.” Why test your skills at an open mic? “It’s not like a lot is at stake, so you can really have fun with it,” explains Tompkins, who debuts a new four-minute set each week. Whether you’re a stand-up looking for some stage time or you’re in search of new, under-the-radar acts, we recommend stopping by one of Austin’s many anything-goes comedy nights. Check out Tompkins’ picks below.

Monday: Mother Pluckin’ Comedy at Pluckers North (9070 Research Blvd)
Free comedy, cheap drinks, tasty wings.

Tuesday: Tiki Tuesday at Cherrywood Coffeehouse (1400 E. 38 1/2 St)
Cherrywood’s outdoor open mic usually ends in a pun-off, hosted by local comic Seth Cockfield.

Wednesday: Kick Butt Coffee Open Mic (5775 Airport Blvd)
A stand-up staple - guest hosted by Andrew Tompkins this week!

Thursday: Block Party at The New Movement (1819 Rosewood Ave)
Anything goes at Block Party: Stand-up, sketch, improv, experimental comedy, even food fights.

Friday: Punchline at Coldtowne Theater (4803 Airport Blvd)
Email the theater before the show to get on the lineup for one of Austin’s most well-known stand up nights.

Saturday: Half and Half Laughs at Homers (1779 Wells Branch Pkwy)
Come for the comedy, stay for the karaoke at Homer’s, where Saturday night’s bill is split between open mic and featured performers.

Sunday: Cap City Comedy Club Open Mic (8120 Research Blvd)
Check the site and get in touch in advance to book your spot. Bonus: Free admission for college students!

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