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This weekend, comedy-goers can enjoy storytellers, voice artists, television personalities and local comedians. There are even a free show to enjoy. For a wide variety of funny, check out the different acts appearing on stage this week:
[jump]Theaters
Garrison Keillor at The Straz (Carol Morsani Hall). Keillor is a storyteller, humorist and radio host. His live performances are like stand-up comedy, but also pretty different from a normal show. How many comedians spend time breaking down Robert Frost's poetry, for example? His wit is subtle, intelligent and has strong niche appeal. Consider it LOLs for the NPR set.
Showtime is Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The Straz Center is located at 1010 N. MacInnes Place in Tampa. For more information, visit strazcenter.org or call 813-229-7827.
Comedy Clubs
Loni Love at Tampa Improv. Love is known for sharing her unapologetic opinions about pop culture and homemade videos on cable television, and her stand-up set is equally brash. But on stage, the jokes are for adult ears only.
Showtimes are Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa. Info: improvtampa.com or 813-864-4000.
OFF-AIR and On-Stage 2 at Tampa Improv. The second iteration of this charity show (with most proceeds benefiting Feeding America Tampa Bay) features a number of current and former media personalities performing stand-up comedy. The line-up includes Fisher, who's been heard extensively on include 97X and 102.5 The Bone, Johnny B, winner of last year's "Tampa Bay's Got Talent" contest and current weekend talent for The Bone, Frank Robertson, former longtime anchor from Fox 13, and Murv Seymour, a comedian and documentarian formerly seen on NBC News Channel 8. The show is hosted by Improv regular and event organizer Jim Choquette.
Showtime is Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Rory Albanese at Side Splitters. You might not have heard of Albanese, but you've almost certainly seen his work: He's been with Comedy Central's popular The Daily Show since Bill Clinton was President. He puts that writing ability to work in his own stand-up set, which — as you might expect — is both clever and topical.
Showtimes are Thursday at 8:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. 12938 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Info: sidesplitterscomedy.com or 813-960-1197.
Michael Winslow at Snappers Grill & Comedy Club. Winslow, best known for his roles in the Police Academy series and his ability to mimic most sounds with his versatile voice, performs stand-up this weekend. His voice will likely get a workout as the jokes lend themselves to his special sonic talents.
Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 36657 U.S. Highway 19 N., Palm Harbor. Info: snappersgrill.com or 727-938-2027.
Steve Netta at Coconuts Comedy Club (St. Pete Beach). Netta has decades of experience on stage, and uses them to present funny premises with a casual, Italian-influenced demeanor. His fast-paced set features healthy doses of skepticism and absurdity.
Showtimes are Wednesday-Saturday at 9:30 p.m. 6200 Gulf Blvd. at the Beachcomber Resort, St. Pete Beach. Info: coconutscomedyclubs.com or 727-360-5653.
One-nighters and Independent Shows
Sloan at Niagara Tap (free show). Sloan, a Florida comedy club regular, approaches race, relationships and other sensitive topics with a sharp wit and plenty of tags to his punchlines. The feature is John Jacobs, who will be seen on MTV's latest reality show, Are You The One? premiering later this month.
Showtime is Friday at 7 p.m. Niagara Tap is located at 11950 Seminole Blvd. in Largo. For more information, visit theniagaratap.com or call 727-581-5331.