October line-up at Parker's Comedy & Jive

“Eclectic” is the word this month, as “anthropological ventriloquist” Conrad Koch, razor-sharp John Vlismas, highbrow Joey Rasdien and deadpan Chris Forrest share the stage with the cream of the South African comedy circuit - and some top international names to boot. Cory “Zooman” Miller (USA), Brian Higgins (UK) and Lianna Carrera (USA) are international guests.

Throw in the improvisational genius of the Starship Improvise crew and the chance to see some of SA's finest new talent at Wednesday's Open Mic sessions and you have an unbeatable mix of comic entertainment which you'll only see on stage at Parker's.

The acts

Cory "Zooman" Miller (1 to 3 October), apart from being a headlining comedian, can sing, rap, dance, act and produce.

Brian Higgins (7 to 10 and 14 to 17 October) is one of the most experienced headline acts on the UK comedy circuit, having gone professional in 1997. Brian has regularly headlined all the top clubs in the UK for the last 10 years and also visited Hong Kong, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

Lianna Carrera's (21 to 24 and 28 to 30 October) father was an ordained minister, which meant moving often to establish churches and missions along the east coast. As she grew older, Lianna began to understand that her experiences as a gay daughter of a Southern baptist minister and as a CODA (Child Of a Deaf Adult) are unique.

Thursdays to Saturdays feature three local comics and one international act per night. Tickets for the regular Thursday to Saturday gigs (which kick off at 8.45pm) are priced between R80 and R100 are available from Computicket and www.parkerscomedy.com.

Wednesday is Open Mic Night, featuring SA's best new comedic talent, an international headliner and the improvisational skills of the Starship Improvise team. Starship Improvise have wowed audiences across the country with their quick-witted improvisations.

Tickets for the Open Mic Night, featuring that week's international headliner and Starship Improvise cost R60 and are available from Computicket and www.parkerscomedy.com.

The October 2009 line-up is:

1 October
Joe Parker
Chris Forrest
Chris Mapane
Cory “Zooman” Miller (USA)

2 and 3 October
Tony King
Chris Forrest
Chris Mapane
Cory “Zooman” Miller (USA)

7 October
Open Mic
Starship Improvise
Brian Higgins (UK)

8 October
Joe Parker
Alain D Woolf
Tracy Klaas
Brian Higgins (UK)

9 and 10 October
Darren Maule
Joey Rasdien
Tracy Klaas
Brian Higgins

14 October
Open Mic
Starship Improvise
Brian Higgins (UK)

15 to 17 October
Joe Parker
Conrad Koch
nQoba
Brian Higgins (UK)

21 October
Open Mic
Starship Improvise
Lianna Carrera (USA)

22 October
Joe Parker
Magic Man
Siya B
Lianna Carrera (USA)

23 and 24 October
Darren Maule
John Vlismas
Siya B
Lianna Carrera (USA)

28 October
Open Mic
Starship Improvise
Lianna Carrera (USA)

29 and 30 October
Joe Parker
Bevan Cullinan
Warren Robertson
Lianna Carrera (USA)

31 October
Sold Out

Parker's Comedy & Jive is situated near the cinemas at Montecasino at Shop 24, next to the Boogaloos Skate Park. Bookings are now open via Computicket (www.computicket.com). For more information, go to www.parkerscomedy.com.