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How the world's only multilingual comedy festival's programming works!

7/29/2013

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We receive interest from 'comedy people' all over the world, from the very real to the ridiculous who are drawn to our multilingual tagline so we have decided to get an explanation out there, via this blog, as to how this festival works programming wise. So we wrote an answer to be posted far and wide including the forums of the UK's biggest comedy website www.chortle.co.uk feel free to share

...The intention of this post is to give an explanation in response to questions we have had of how Barcelona Comedy Festival has come about and what it actually is, programming wise!
Barcelona is an officially bilingual city (Catalan/Spanish) with a pretty cosmopolitan breakdown of residents which offered the opportunity to  create a unique multilingual festival project back in 2008. ComedyinSpain have taken a very patient development plan starting with a core of the local languages of Spanish, Castellano and English (which we had established via club nights called The Giggling Guiri in BCN & Madrid since 2003) and Dutch for which we felt their was an audience and we subsequently proved there was.
Barcelona has been home to regular Dutch comedy ever since and it is something of the model for what we hope to achieve in developing markets. Since then we have presented shows over different year's  programmes in Swedish, German, Italian, with varying levels of success and failure and this year 2013 we present the 1st Russian language comedy show ever in Spain.
Our programming as we are still young in festival terms is based on a curated core of International shows where some of Europe's very biggest comics perform in their own language and as a lot of international comics are seeking to develop English language careers we will seek to give them spots on mixed bill shows or ideally create totally unique format shows. Beyond this we extend a complete open platform for shows in Spanish and Catalan

Our multilingualism DOES NOT mean that:
A. we have shows containing comedy in different languages
B. we get approached all the time by non native English speakers who just want to perform in English.

The audience is simply limited in terms of English 'understanders'  and we have to manage the market saturation as we will  also always have to accommodate the many locally produced English language productions. But we have had many of Europe's 'biggest' comics and their agents be really disappointed when we explain as they have no profile in English we need them to perform in their native language to make their visit viable. Many refuse to perform at all as  a result, with a couple of times reasons have been offered like the misconception that Barcelona is some kind of Costa Stag and Hen destination. Nothing could be further from the truth as your average expat in the city is pretty much your multinational creative whose tastes reflect that. It's great that Eddie Izzard is now championing comics and raising the profiles of non native comics ability to offer so much in a second language like English. What first attracted us to the idea was not the idea of language ability but it is bringing their different culture into the comedy, best demontstrated by the Dutch via the AUCC and Hans Teeweun who have taken their unique style to Edinburgh on a few occasions. I remember the brilliant Micha Wertheim put in a brilliant hour at the Fringe full of quite absurdist humour on the burden of the handicap, but somehow it was easier to enjoy from a Dutch comic who comes from a country where the disabled are well treated.
But in the end the basic comedy market principles apply, and until artists have sufficient recognised profile in English language they are a tough sell. we watch with great interest to see how they do in the Fringe as they appear, more and more every year whether Izzard endorsed or not. The punter has to know the comic in the language he is performing in to put their hand in their pocket. So many dynamics in that decision.
We want to encourage comedians to come from across Europe and help us develop a market in BCN for their own language and we will create unique shows where comics can come together in English, this is the idea and what our multilingualism label means!
In 2010 we hosted along with a host of English shows that included Andrew Maxwell and Marcel Lucont we had Sanjay Shihora (Ger/Ind), Lasse Nilsen (Swe), Micheal Kossew (Eng) Lina Axelsson (Swe) in town. Some supported Maxwell in a Gala show but everyone took part in a late night really memorable Marcel Lucont’s Cabaret Fantastique where a high-spirited Kevin Bridges  even showed his face. See video below
That is what Barcelona Comedy Festival is really about, people performing solo shows in their own language and then coming together to be part of unique shows in English and party up a bit. Barcelona has a few 'distractions**' that can limit the audience and we must compete with those distractions**.
We hope in the future to develop more comedy tourism and so more shows but in the meantime no one should get offended when we spell out how it goes down
**the largely forlorn hope of getting one's leg over

A video from 2010 festival that included performance in 8 languages!!

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PRE-SUMMER NUSLOG - Deadlines, Competitions, Amazing headliners, Local Comedy Showcase, a blog, Advertising and sponsorship opportunities...

7/24/2013

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Well the annual ‘never going to happen again’ festival is BACK! Believing that the only ‘C’ word is COMEDY and austerity just to an unwelcome houseguest who won´t get the message and f**k off so we have devised a completely wreckless strategy to deal with all that crap and put the funny back in la vida. The strategy is simple... to make a festival bigger, bolder, better than anything that has gone before in the 6 years of this project.  We will be creating as many seats as possible absorb all the bad vibes being hurtled at cultural events in Spain these days, the13% more tax, increased booking fees, hotels and flights that only know one direction, blah, blah and keep prices as low as they can possibly be in the hope you nice people will pack our wonderful theatres and have that other 'C' word the Irish are so committed to... the CRAIC!!
So we have thrown caution to the wind and got a bag full of world class funny makers coming Spain’s way from September 25 - October 20, practically a whole month!! The programme is a balance of the biggest names in comedy and a platform for the best of what are by now vibrant comedy scenes in both Barcelona and Madrid. Even some really interactive events to try and coax the closet performers out to further boost that scene. Read on for much amazing news and deadlines that cannot be missed, it will be epic...

THE IMMEDIATE DEADLINES:  Pre Summer early Bird Ticket offers end on July 31st!! on practically all of our products. Why pay more... you’re gonna wanna go... Full deets here
We have also created one very special ticket for you our comedy hardcore following, combine any 3  headline shows (can include different languages), The Funniest FICer final (see below) and enjoy a host of perks including reserved seating, easier booking for extra tickets and a host of other nice surprises. Available for just €45 means a saving of almost €24!!
There are just 30 of these babies!!, when they are gone,they is history... Full deets and conditions here (if you can´t use we ensure you  don´t lose)

Also if you know or are a local Spanish comedian, promoter, venue you have until July 31st to avail of FREE subscription which will include listing to our website which is currently getting over 3000 unique visits a month and we haven´t even started. This offer of free subscription is unique in the world of comedy festivals! FIC does not promote directly Spanish and Catalan shows, but if there is a something out there they are more than welcome to bring it to the party. Please share this love in Spanish here and in Catalan here

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FUNNIEST FICER COMPETITION DEADLINE: This is something to keep in mind and be working on over the Summer break the chance to turn 7 mins of comedy into a phat 15 mins of fame. We are proper excited about this competition this year as we expand the model that was so successful in Barcelona to create a bona fide national comedy champion that will be decided in a ‘set to set’ Comedy Clasicó between the Funniest FICer in Madrid and their counterpart in BCN. Its a winner takes all duel that will take place on Oct 19 before Marcus Brigstocke in front of 300 baying Catalan comedy fans.
The whole competition kicks off early in Madrid on September 12. There are a bunch of travel/party experiences to be won (see prizes here the Edinburgh Fringe is even in there!), from competition sponsors the ever expanding hedonism specialists Stoke Travel but most important it is a process that offers a real taste of what comedy is all about even with a taste of the bigtime as you will support Festival Headliner Marcus Brigstocke, performing on some of Spain’s biggest stages... which brings us to...

THE HEADLINERS: Something for everyone in an eclectic selection of international comedy festival headliners, all with brand new and quite unique shows

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TONY LAW - ‘Maximum Nonsense Overdrive’: this is the result of a special request from the GG himself as we missed the 2013 Chortle award winning and Edinburgh award nominated 'Maximum Nonsense' show so Tony will especially for us sandwich it with his latest offering ‘Nonsense Overdrive’ which will be rocking up Ed-fringe throughout August. He is the comic of the moment and this will be special... Full deets here


HOWARD MARKS - ‘Scholar, Smuggler, Prisoner, Scribe’: The irrepressible, endearing, tireless campaigner and all round legend brings his latest 2013 spoken word show to Spain, (1st appearance ever in Madrid!). You may think you know the story but it is ever developing and here he seeks to put the 4 phases of a remarkable life in context... unmissable!..
Full deets here



MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE - 'Je me accuse, I am Marcus': Britain’s most biting satirist has had something of a rocky year on the domestic front with a high profile affair with a british soap star ending his 12 year marriage in less than gracious fashion. So for the 1st time he has turned that biting satirical tongue that normally targets the biggies of Religious fundamentalism, politics, etc on himself. One of Britain’s greatest live comedy performers waxing on a pretty eventful life another unmissable moment in comedy eagerly anticipated by his some 170,000 followers on Twitter... Full deets here
Maybe that ‘Friends of FIC’ VIP ticket making more sense now, remember just 30 available, you might need to get on it.
All the deets here
LOCAL COMEDY SHOWCASING: Their has been real development in the local comedy scenes in BCN and Madrid. The festival is a platform for all of that and in Barcelona we have put together a special showcase programme in conjunction with B.I.G Comedy Improv, regular Stand Up collective S.U.C.K, the latest crop from the Logan Murray inspiration factory, VENT! storytelling, comedy pub quizzes and more... Full deets here

SMALL BUSINESS ADVERTISING: we are a small business in these tough times, so empathise and have a great platform for you to target very directly your taget market in Spain. Every show will have eyes on it some from different specific resident international communities ( eg. Dutch and Russian if that's of interest to your business) and we want to tailor packages so that you can get the best out of involvement with our individual events. We have a PDF onlne here which can give you an idea of the prices expected but we want the FIC platform to be all about tailoring so please get in touch at mail@comedyinspain.com

SPONSORSHIP: While we continue the search for the elusive deal with a major brand for title sponsorship, which is obviously not the easiest task in the world right now, we do have different levels and some real uopportunities offering real ROI. We have our Maremagnum stage sitting ready to go and crying out to be branded. It is situated in Maremagnums´s new gastronomic are that has an inherent weekend  footfall in the Teraza area alone of 40,000 people!! If that is somewhere you could see your brand then please get in touch if not for this year for 2014. Once again contact  mail@comedyinspain.com and request the presentation.

THIS FIC BLOG: Each year I endeavor to keep a blog on the festival and with this the 4th posting to date it is already breaking all longevity records, but I am not sure if I am in contravention of international blogging code by combining blogs an newsletters but it means this may become quite an active NEWSLOG!!.Hurrah! Please follow, share, leave comments

Its going to be almost 4 weeks of genuine World class hilarity, our website has had its final proofread (we think)...
It is all built peeps, now you must come and have some fun

GG can´t wait!!!
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'Comic of the hour' confirms a very special show

7/6/2013

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The hottest comic in  the industry confirms the perfect show!!

Alternative comedy has been the resurgent genre internationally in the last 3 to 4 years as shows of this type have dominated the awards from Edinburgh to Melbourne. The alternative comedy scene of Britain in the 80's is responsible for  so much of the vibrant industry we know, love and sometimes don't today. One uncompromising artist who has been at the heart of this scene is once again at the centre of its revival, Stewart Lee has once again got the genre back on mainstream TV.
His Comedy Central show, The alternative Comedy Experience  where Stew hand picks the best of the comedy industry has just been  commissioned for a second series reinforcing the demand that is out there. One of the biggest stars of the 1st series was the amazing Tony Law and he is the only comic to be recalled for Season 2. In a year when he was nominated for the main Edinburgh Award and won the 2 Chortle awards but also one was for his brilliant 'Maximum Nonsense'' show.
He is totally the comic of the hour and will go back to Edinburgh with a new show entitled 'Nonsense Overdrive' and no one would back against him winning the main prize, such is his current form.
A Tony Law show is simply only to be experienced live and he has been in Spain before. He performed in Madrid to a small Giggling Guiri crowd (when are you going to believe us) in 2012 but it provoked the strongest reaction we ever had to a show in Spain.
However it is my great pleasure... as it is in response to a personal request by this programmer who never actually got to see the 'Maximum Nonsense' show, that we can announce Tony will perform a  show entitled 'Maximum Nonsense Overdrive'.
It means the most exciting Law show possible as we will get a show of two halves one half the award winning 'Maximum Nonsense' and the other the brand new show 'Nonsense Overdrive' destined to rock the Edinburgh Fringe this August.
It promises to be an incredible comedy show, and really a one off exclusive for FIC.

Single show tickets are onsale right now just follow the links to the city you would like to see the show and until July 28 tickets are available at unbelievable Early Bird prices.
The show is also part of the best value ticket in Spanish entertainment this year, our 'FRIENDS OF FIC VIP TICKET' which entitles the holder entrance to all our Headline shows for just

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Blog Struggles Amidst Admin And A New Brazil shocker!

7/5/2013

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Incredibly I only managed the one post before a way too long break has denied the fledgling FIC blog any momentum. Surprisingly, for me, not an issue of procrastination but more the perennial problem of a too heavy production admin role! and the slight distraction of a revolution!
The workload and all the marching has meant less time and so a couple of fundamental changes to the planned Summer of this festival director as timetables get juggled.
I will once again have to forsake Edinburgh to focus on FIC. I received my Fringe programme, took it to the beach to digest had a whimper to myself and while it hasn't even started I yearn to be there. It is simply what it is every year the greatest Arts get together on the planet, which it will be next year again. So have hidden the programme now, out of sight, out of mind and will just be following the reviews of the little slice of the Fringe we have heading Spain's way this Autumn.
I say Spain because we now have a pretty cool line up of events confirmed for Madrid and Tony Law's show will drop off in Valencia!
I also have my excuses as I am currently residing in North East Brazil in the 'city of the sun' that is Natal, named as it was founded on December 25. The city is full of monuments and different Xmas holiday symbolism including a tree whose lights usually stay on to July. But at a constant 30+ degrees celsius hard for an Irishman to feel festive even on December 25!
It is a small city with idyllic beaches, scenery, etc in the most secluded corner and closest point to Europe and Africa but recently it made a bit of a national name for itself  and was the seed for so much more.
It was the 1st city to demonstrate against the bus fares  some months ago. I use the buses and they are a truly appalling excuse for a transport service. It was a 20c rise, I joined in solidarity even dedicating a Quiz Night to the '2.40 e roubo' cause. (I run possibly the most exotic located Terrace Quiz night in the world www.facebook.com/Quiznightnatal if you are ever in this part of the world :) )
It stayed a local protest mainly the work of local students, but they kept at it, kept marching on the roads until the police decided they were going to try out all that new gear they had just got to protect FIFAs exclusion zones and started unloading rubber bullets, tear gas, Mace all the toys in the toy box into a group of young students on a peaceful march! The images shocked Brazil, fares were being increased everywhere for the same shit service everywhere!
The powers that be in Natal were so shocked by their own actions and a countries reaction that they pulled back on the price hike, the manifestantes had won! the streets had power...
This 'too big 'country had witnessed the little city in the North East, the bravery of her protestors, the behavior of the authorities, and the ultimate success of the protest. After all the years of corruption and stealing billions it shows the depth of the problems here that just 20c was the tipping point!
Fuelled by the moment the confederations cup was offering, the patriotism the football team was stirring, the realisation that 13.5billion pounds sterling of their money had been spent to make 3.5 billion pounds in profit for the quadrennial scam that is FIFA who wouldn't pay a penny tax while Brazilians were asked to endure appalling public services.
With no centralized organisation a nation and a million people were on the streets ready to face rubber bullets for the hope of a new Brazil. An organic movement with an unstoppable energy now that will change Brazil forever. It has being an honour to bear witness to its roots and I hope Europe and my own country Ireland wake up and do something similar!
Will try and get the blog back on the comedy track next post ;-)

BRAZIL'S COOLEST PROTESTOR - If we are retaking the streets, I'm taking the car
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    The Giggling Guiri

    Irish event guy and Arts lover who moved to BCN in 2003, created and ran the city's Irish festival www.elfeile.com for 7 years. Introduced the 1st professional English language comedy shows in 2004, established www.comedyinpain.com as the biggest provider of live comedy products in Spain for private and corporate entertainment and hosted the very best in the globl comedy industry.
    Currently in Brazil exploring www.riocomedyfestival.com which won't be happening anytime soon so FIC BCN is the current focus.

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