No Name Comedy Celebrates 25th Anniversary At Word Up Bookshop

Eric Vetter, co-founder of the No Name Comedy/Variety Show ("NYC's Best Damn Comedy/Variety Show"), celebrates its 25-year anniversary with what else, a comedy/variety show: Tuesday, February 26th, 7:00pm at Word Up Community Bookshop/Libreria Comunitaria in Washington Heights (corner of 163rd Street & Amsterdam Avenue). Free admission, donations welcome. For more "No Name" information, contact (347) 885-3466; NoNameNYC@hotmail.com

Known for bringing its multicultural mix of comedy, music and variety to alternative performance spaces throughout Manhattan, the anniversary show will feature some of NYC's best performers, including No Name regulars: pundit / blogger and very funny lady Leighann Lord ("Real Women Do It Standing Up"), author / storyteller Michele Carlo (The Moth, "Fish Out Of Agua"), Dave Lester (SIRIUS XM), illusionist Lee Alan Barrett (Coney Island Circus Sideshow) and Aladdin Ullah (Dishwasher Dreams), along with music guest Joanna Parson (WNYC Radio's "The Next Big Thing"). And yes, as always, there'll be chips and cheap door prizes for some lucky audience folk. Performers subject to change.

Vetter founded No Name in 1994 with fellow City College student Dawn J. Owens. The show began as a sketch comedy troupe called "The No Name Players," which offered Vetter, Owens and fellow performers the opportunity to work out new material and play in a fun and supportive environment. From its inaugural shows at Restaurant Row's "Don't Tell Mama," No Name has called some of Manhattan's most well-known alternative venues home, including Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction, The Tank, and Otto's Shrunken Head.

Vetter says, "I may be wrong, but I believe we are finally the longest-running comedy/variety show in NYC that no one's heard of. On the serious tip, the many, many folks who've passed through our doors preparing for TV appearances on The Tonight Show, Conan, Comedy Central, or headlining a major comedy club--they know who we are, and that's nice. I figure the next 25 years is when the rest of the city discovers us. Should be fun."

No Name alumni are any comedy producer's dream cast of established and developing talent: Tom Shillue (Conan O' Brien, The Daily Show), Baratunde Thurston (author / political blogger: The Onion / The Huffington Post"), author / radio personality Ophira Eisenberg (NPR / WNYC Ask Me Another), Hari Kondabolu ("The Problem With Apu") and author / storyteller /entrepreneur Kambri Crews (founder Q.E.D. Astoria, "Burn Down The Ground").

According to noted arts / theatre critic (and longtime No Name supporter) Michael Dale, "I've always thought that the attraction of No Name was its work-in-progress atmosphere. The audience understands they're not seeing a finished product-giving the performers the opportunity to take risks without fear-often with wonderfully entertaining results."

Word Up Community Bookshop/Libreria Comunitaria is located at 2113 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. Subway: A, C train to 168th St. (walk down to 165th St, turn left, walk to Amsterdam. For more "No Name" information, contact (347) 885-3466 / NoNameNYC@hotmail.com.