Friday 26th October to Friday 9th November 07 - Hull Comedy Festival

Between the Surreal and the Sublime The time is ticking ... it's count down to a fun frenzied fortnight in Hull; the first ever Hull Comedy Festival. Check out the line-up on www.hullcomedy.co.uk - there's something for everyone. The festival runs from 26th October to 9th November and promises to be an enormous event.

Here's what John Gilbert, Festival Director (and Dogsbody!) has to say about how the event is shaping up ....

Less than 4 weeks to go! So here we are on the brink of Hull's inaugural Comedy Festival and as the title to this piece suggests we are oscillating between the surreal and the sublime. Day-to-day activities include hanging out with balloon modellers, cross-dressing pirates, blokes in Papier-mâché green helmets and choosing which chicken costume to wear to a shopping centre all in the aid of being taken seriously as a festival. There is the occasion fancy footwork needed too, such as replacing acts that have dropped out of shows:

"What do you mean the man with the imaginary wife can't do it anymore??? Quick! Get the sock puppet man on the phone, see if he's free!"

(Truth be told there isn't anyone I'm speaking to in the dialogue. I'm just slowing going mad up here in my office ... Moo ...) It's been a fascinating few months as the festival has gained momentum and what felt a bit like trying to get a big green smiley boulder to roll up a hill to begin with has evolved into something much more fun and rewarding for all involved. With respect to the people coming to Hull to be a part of it, whose contribution I do not wish to undervalue, I think the key to this those people in Hull who have failed to live up their lethargic stereotype - and good on them!

For the purposes of this little article, to thank all of the sponsors, venues, performers, volunteers and generally helpful people would be lengthy - though these people know who they are and I hope each gets a feeling of pride when the festival begins and people start having a good laugh.

I think the biggest challenge, beyond getting the backing of the sponsors and venues in the early stages, is yet to come. This is supporting the smaller shows at the festival. Whilst we know people will travel to see shows by Russell Howard, Stewart Lee and Lucy Porter, we have theatres, hotels, community centres and publicans going out on a limb to host some of the "less-known performers". These shows will be just as great, in some cases better and we need the support of the people of Hull to take a chance on something that could very well be the fascinating and entertaining show they have ever seen.

So this is a plea to enlightened souls to come down and give these shows a chance - even if your attitude is: "come on funny man, I've paid my fiver now make me laugh!" The first shows starting to sell out. There is a simple formula that is emerging; promoting show = selling more tickets. I think everyone who hasn't already started has caught onto this now and I'm now seeing more and more flyers, posters, emails, carrier pigeons as well as a load of media interviews lined up. We've representatives from Channel 4's 4laughs coming across to review the festival and the eagled-eyed (and dating show watching) amongst you will have caught a glimpse of our taster night on ITV.

I think that it's fair to say that the taster night was a shining beacon on an otherwise bleak perception of the city thanks to some of its own residents... though that's another story. This is first festival in Hull and expectations are grounded, except when we get drunk; in which case it's the best thing ever! However, it is reassuring that the green festival icon is popping up now on lamppost signs, banners, wanted posters and on the heads of some brilliant people that are doing their best to promote the festival with what time they have.

The 'Hull Comedy Festival Issue' of Tenfoot City Magazine is absolutely brilliant, the banners and Hull BID signs look stunning, thisisUll.com is providing a stream of web hits and on2nite's video section is soon to go online giving tasters of what's to come and the sexy brochures are being picked up and taken home by people; although to be fair I don't know exactly what happens after that as I don't have time to stalk thousands of people.

The press and radio have all picked up interviews with performers and promoters which helps bang the drum for the festival too. Suffice to say there are lots of other promotional things going on such as flyers, email, videos, pod casts, magazine ads, web ads - so hopefully enough people will get an idea that 'something vaguely amusing' is going on. If I'm honest, I do have more anxieties about the street entertainment and guerrilla marketing above all other aspects.

Not because those involved don't know what they are doing, but because there is so much to organise and we are actually going to have to stand there in front of crowds of people in Queen Victoria Square on 3rd November doing those things that, after a few pints, seemed like a great idea.

It's like having a night out and being held accountable for every drunken boast and declaration you have made. I suppose the beauty of comedy promotions is that even if we cock something up - it should still be funny! And of course we have professionals on our team to pick up the pieces.... right guys? Anyway, whoever you are reading this I hope that you can come along to support the festival and laugh so hard that some of your drink spurts through your nose - I was going to say that you piss yourself; though there have been enough clichés already.

So this little article comes back round again to saying that because of the enthusiasm and faith of local people and performers from around the UK we are on the cusp of the surreal and the sublime which leads seamlessly into closing with the joke I recently read on a toilet door: Q: How many surrealists does it take to change a light bulb? A: Calligraphy. My wife's gonna kill me, we'd just had that door repainted...

Coming Up, - Saturday 7th July 07 - Saturday Night Live At Beverley Memorial Hall 8pm
	Saturday Night Live is a regular monthly music event at Beverley Memorial Hall, showcasing a varied spectrum of the best of local talent. It's the chilled-out, semi-acoustic big brother of the rockin' Sunday Live gigs. For a mere £3 entry fee, and with the bonus of an amply-stocked cheap bar and comfy sofas, local music fans and gig-goers Read more...

Coming Up - Every Saturday at The Marquis of Granby, Hessle
	New DJ, Justin Addison of JAMdisco will be at the Marquis of Granby, 9 The Square, Hessle every Saturday night from 8pm till Midnight. All welcome no dress code. Mainly sounds of the 60's, 70's and 80's, but latest sounds also. More Coming Up...

Coming Up, Band Dates - Gig Dates - The Holy Orders
	The Holy Orders have an exciting few weeks coming up with three choice gigs culminating with a big show supporting Brakes at Asylum Hull University. First date for the diary Friday 14th September at Adelphi with a Welsh Special. The Future Of The Left lead singer/guitarist Matt Edible rates this band very highly and he's rarely wrong when it comes to new music. Read more...

Coming Up, Conferences - Wednesday 24th October 07 - Beyond The Walls Conference At The Octagon, Walker Street, Hull
	Her Majesty's Prison Hull is to host a one day event which will consist of guest speakers and seminar groups based around the theme of Reducing Re-offending Via Community and Custody Partnerships. Agencies and businesses with an interest in this area are welcomed to contact Sue Wardell at HMP Hull to obtain an invite and further details. Email: Read more...

Coming Up, Band Dates - Gig Dates - The Favours and The Talks - Hull Explosion Tour 07
	Two of Hulls hottest bands The Favours and The Talks (first show since playing Leeds Festival 07) are getting together and touring the country in September. With The Favours debut single Islands on Stonetrax Records out on 17th September and a Talks single looming there is every reason to go and witness the first class musicality and exiting live performances that the two bands deliver. Read more...

Coming Up, Band Dates - U2OPIA Gig Dates August to October 07
	Going down a storm on the local pub circuit with packed audiences every show U2OPIA are the Ultimate U2 Cover Band. Lead singer Lee Craddock says that he has been stunned at the fantastic response the band is getting from an ever increasing fan base. The exciting five-piece are particularly honoured to be headlining the daytime programme at the Hull Flood Aid event in September. Read more...

Coming Up, Events - Hull Photographic Society Events 2007 - 2008
	Why not consider joining Hull Photographic Society? We meet on alternate Tuesdays. The aim of the group is to encourage and improve print production within the society. Over the next few months take the opportunity of going out and about to produce some images of the subjects for the coming season. We cover a varied selection of subjects and enable a wide interpretation Read more...

Coming Up, Courses - Information, Advice and Guidance Courses
	Humberside Learning Consortium are running two Information, Advice and Guidance courses this year. OCN Intermediate Award in Developing Information Advice & Guidance Skills - Level 2 is aimed at those who: Give information & advice to adults Refer clients to external agencies Work within an IAG network Help and support disadvantaged groups Read more...

Coming Up, Band Dates - The Seatbelts - June to December 07
	Here's where local 50's and 60's cover band, The Seatbelts will playing in the near future: Friday 8th June - Blacksmiths Arms, Hull Saturday 9th June - Three Crowns, Anlaby Road, Hull Saturday 23rd June - Hare and Hounds, Burstwick Saturday 28th July - Sportsman Bar, Hedon Road, Hull Saturday 18th August - and Hounds, Burstwick Read more...

Coming Up, Band Dates - Band Dates - Punch The Horse Gig Dates - June to December 07
	Established in November 1996 in the Hull area, Punch The Horse is a local band playing Irish music. Here's where they be playing in the near future. All pub gigs are free. Friday 8th June Red Lion, Driffield - 9pm to 11.15pm Andy, Antoine, Jill and Mick Friday 29th June Durty Nellie's, Hull - 9pm to 12.30am Andy, Antoine, Jill and Mick Saturday 30th Read more...

Listings - The Welly Club - What's On October and November 2007
	Check the Full Listing..Buy your tickets securely online by credit or debit card using PayPal Tuesday 2nd October - 10pm to 3am Oxjam 2007 presents Paul Oakenfold £8 Thursday 4th October - 10pm to 3am - welly:two Club NME at Jelly in association with Under The Influence presents Daggers and Dance Bastards Band on Read more...

Listings - Live Music at The Crown Inn, Holderness Road- June to December 2007
	Check the Full Listing..June 2007 Wednesday 6th Stereotonics - Authentic Stereophonics tribute band. Tickets £5. www.stereotonics.co.uk Saturday 9th Ordinary Men - Rock Covers www.ordinarymen.co.uk Saturday 16th The Beards - Top quality indie rock covers band. www.myspace.com/thebeardshull Saturday 23rd The Shine. Read more...