Esther's Follies: ROT Rally Raconteurs

People of Austin, put your hands in the air like you're grabbing a pair of newly chromed ape-hangers and unleash a flood of applause for stand-up comedy on Dirty Sixth this weekend.

Not at the Velveeta Room, as you might've expected (because you know what a fierce epicenter of local and out-of-state laffmeisters that joint usually is), but at Esther's Follies.

Yes, because the Follies, which always means a top-notch variety of sketch comedy and magic and so on – we covered it here a while ago, and that review still holds true – is taking a rare weekend off to gather strength for the rest of the year's polished attacks on the city's funny bone. But this Thursday and Friday and Saturday the popular venue is still providing something worthwhile for the local crowds and for all those roaring in from out of town for the Republic Of Texas Rally.

[Note: Did we say "roaring in"? Yes, well, listen, friend: Consider getting a fucking muffler, why don'tcha, because what you're saying with that amplified throttle noise is nothing so much as Hey World, Get A Load Of How Incredibly Tiny & Shriveled My Penis Is.]

[Note: #NOTALLBIKERS]

That's right, the venerable Kerry Awn – comedic and artistic legend of this burgeoning burg – will be hosting a stageful of top stand-ups for your laughing pleasure. You got your JR Brow, your Matt Sadler, your Maggie Maye, your Mac Blake, a tight cross-section of old and new and, overall, assuredly funny people to pass your time with. And, like that's not enough, they've got Bryan Gutmann joining the show on Friday night, because he promised Awn he'd do a Friday night ROT Rally gig even though Comedy Central just ordered 12 episodes of the sitcom he did a pilot for last month.

[Note: Okay, Bryan Gutmann didn't actually do a pilot for Comedy Central last month, as far as we know – nor has anyone ordered 12 episodes of a project he's currently attached to. We were just joking, see? Just kind of goofing around for a second there. But, what, now you're all butt-hurt because journalists aren't supposed to do things like that? Because their reportage is supposed to be one of the few things a person can always rely on in this complex and every-shifting world? And you were already getting excited for (or jealous of) Gutmann? And now you feel kind of sucker-punched, is that it? All ego-conflicted about your own fragile emotions vis-a-vis the success of others? Yeah, and what are you gonna do about it? You gonna cry now? You gonna go running wah-wah-wah to your mommy like some little wet-diapered baby because a mean old reporter stole your binky? Jesus, get a spine.]

Verdict: We're not funny, no … but, if you know the comics in this line-up, you're already aware of how hilarious they can be – and now here's a chance to see how your stage-seasoned friends handle a ROT Rally crowd in particular. And if you don't know these comics, if you're one of a ROT Rally crowd in particular yourself? Lucky you: This weekend's show at Esther's is one of your best bets for a good time Downtown.