Paul is on the road for some reason!

Join David Rees, Paul F. Tompkins and other Very Special Guests to celebrate the release of David's new book "How To Sharpen Pencils: A Practical and Theoretical Treatise on the Artisanal Craft of Pencil Sharpening for Writers, Artists, Contractors, Flange Turners, Anglesmiths, & Civil Servant." The show will include a Q&A and David will sign copies of his book after the show. Tickets are available ONLINE ONLY and include a copy of the book.

Seats will be assigned beginning at 6pm, Doors open for drinks at 7pm, Showtime 8pm.

Briefography:

David Rees first came to fame as the author of Get Your War On, a Bush-era comic strip composed from clip-art. It was eventually serialized by Rolling Stone magazine, collected into three successful books, and turned into an off-Broadway play. He is also the author of My New Fighting Technique is Unstoppable and My New Filing Technique is Unstoppable. David gave up cartooning to pursue his dream of sharpening pencils. Since the launch of www.artisanalpencilsharpening.com, he has sharpened more than 450 pencils for clients. He has literally sharpened a pencil in a Jamaican waterfall. He has performed at the HBO Comedy Festival, the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, Solid Sound Festival, and many other festivals and places.

Minnesota Public Radio presents Wits™ with Paul F. Tompkins and Aimee Mann at the Fitzgerald Theater on Friday, May 11th at 8:00 p.m.

With two seasons under our belt, Wits is preparing for an incredible spring season, bringing some of the country's funniest storytellers and musicians to the Fitzgerald Theater. Host John Moe engages his guests in a raucous discussion and the audience can join in conversation on Twitter.

Paul F. Tompkins is one of the most charming and quick-witted comedians working today. He's recorded four stand-up specials for Comedy Central, and he puts out a monthly podcast called The Pod F. Tompkast -- number 1 in Rolling Stone's list of 10 Best Comedy Podcasts of the moment.

From her work in the 80's with MTV favorite 'Til Tuesday through her acclaimed solo discs Whatever and I'm With Stupid in the 90s, Aimee Mann has always been at the forefront of contemporary songwriters. Aimee was nominated for an Academy Award and a Grammy for her songs on the movie Magnolia.

Shows start at 8:00 p.m., but the party starts early. Come at 7:00 p.m. for the Tweet-up. Current DJ Barb Abney will spin some song and you can get yourself one of our drink specials. After the show, we keep the lights on and the bar open, so everyone can join in the conversation and have a Tina Louise.

Wits Season Ticket Packages go on sale through the MPR Box Office on Tuesday, February 14th at noon. You can purchase a full season ticket package to all six Wits or create your own package to a minimum of four shows. When you purchase the Six-Show Package or the Choose-Your-Own-Show Package you will receive a $5.00 discount off the price of each single show ticket. Single tickets to all Wits shows go on sale Tuesday, February 28th at noon. All single show tickets are $32.00. Minnesota Public Radio Members receive a $2.00 discount of the price of each ticket.

Paul returns to Pepito's Parkway to perform his new hour of stories, "Crying and Driving."

Paul F. Tompkins Headlines ATX Sketch Fest!
Paul F. Tompkins makes his triumphant return to Austin for the third annual ATX Sketch Fest, performing two shows Memorial Day Weekend (May 26th and 27th at 8:00pm) at the 29th St. Ballroom.

Paul F. Tompkins is regarded as one of the best stand ups working today. His credits include Mr. Show with Bob and David, Community, Comedy Bang Bang and his own podcast, the Pod F. Tompkast. Paul is appearing as part of his Crying and Driving Tour!

The third annual Austin Sketch Comedy Festival is happening May 23th – 27th over Memorial Day weekend and will showcase Austin’s exploding sketch comedy scene and the very best scripted comedy America has to offer.

Paul F. Tompkins Headlines ATX Sketch Fest!

Paul F. Tompkins makes his triumphant return to Austin for the third annual ATX Sketch Fest, performing two shows Memorial Day Weekend (May 26th and 27th at 8:00pm) at the 29th St. Ballroom.

Paul F. Tompkins is regarded as one of the best stand ups working today. His credits include Mr. Show with Bob and David, Community, Comedy Bang Bang and his own podcast, the Pod F. Tompkast. Paul is appearing as part of his Crying and Driving Tour!

The third annual Austin Sketch Comedy Festival is happening May 23th – 27th over Memorial Day weekend and will showcase Austin’s exploding sketch comedy scene and the very best scripted comedy America has to offer.

THE PAUL F. TOMPKINS SHOW is a variety show for the 21st Century. Neither a parody of, nor a slavish re-creation of, "olde-tyme sho-biz," The Paul F. Tompkins Show combines comedy and music in a contemporary fashion. So... sorry, plate-spinning fans!

Frequent guests include: Fiona Apple, Fred Armisen, Andrew Bird, Jack Black, Jon Brion, Paget Brewster, Tom Brosseau, Common Rotation, David Cross, Jon Cryer, Andy Daly, Illeana Douglas, Neil Flynn, Dave Foley, Janeane Garofalo, Ben Gibbard, Donald Glover, Jon Hamm, Chris Hardwick, Neal Patrick Harris, Rachael Harris, Teri Hatcher, Colin Hay, Ed Helms, Robyn Hitchcock, John Hodgman, Rob Huebel, Gillian Jacobs, Justin Kirk, Nick Kroll, Ben Lee, Thomas Lennon, Ted Leo, Samm Levene, Aimee Mann, Kevin McDonald, Tim Meadows, Rhett Miller, Seth Morris, Bob Odenkirk, Kaitlin Olson, Open Mike Eagle, Michael Penn, Grant-Lee Phillips, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Andy Richter, Maya Rudolph, Paul Scheer, Jill Sobule, Rich Sommer, Martin Starr, SuperEgo, Maria Thayer, Sean and Sara Watkins and "Weird Al" Yankovic

The Paul F. Tompkins Show returns, with an evening of all-new music and comedy! Special guests to be announced soon!

The Thrilling Adventure Hour is a monthly stage entertainment in the style of old-time radio running since March of 2005. Created and written by Ben Acker & Ben Blacker, with new episodes every month, the program consists of several serialized short-form comedic radio plays as well as standalone pieces, musical numbers, and the occasional magic or variety act.

The Thrilling Adventure and Supernatural Suspense Hour is not on the actual radio.

Instead, you can see it live at Largo at the Coronet in Hollywood.

ALL-NEW SHOW THE 1st SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH!

And it's podcasted!