Announcing another class with master riffer Joe Klocek! 1/28/12

Headlining comedian Joe Klocek is one of the best riffers out there, and he can show you how to riff too! Rooster T. Feathers is proud to present Riffing: The Tools, Tricks and Techniques; a class for any comedian who wants to be more comfortable going off script.

"Not only is Joe a master of being funny on his feet, but he is also a great teacher who provides an entertaining, and customized, learning experience. Taking his class significantly increased my audience interaction and enabled me to further develop the quality and professionalism of my act." -Comedian Duncan Riach

"Joe has an amazing ability to make everyone he interacts with feel comfortable. When you take this class, you will be EXCITED and looking forward to the next opportunity you can riff. Even better, you will be excited to start showing audiences who you really are." -Sandy Stec

Riffing: The Tools, Tricks and Techniques

Riffing. You have all seen it. The comic says something perfect in the moment and kills harder than their best written joke. It is an incredible feeling for the audience and the comic. These moments don’t have to be random. There are simple tools every comic can learn, apply and use to stand out in a show. Riffing is the most important tool to have for live performance.

Saturday January 28, 2011

1pm-4pm, $75

Rooster T Feathers Comedy Club

157 W El Camino Real

Sunnyvale CA 94087

Enjoy this video of Joe at Roosters, riffing on the blind in Modesto:

Email Heather at roosterbookings@yahoo.com with any questions or to reserve your spot, or you can pay in advance on our Web site here.

Regardless of your goal or skill level, studying comedy at Roosters is a fun way to network with new people and expand your public speaking skills.

Connect with Roosters!

Facebook www.facebook.com/RoosterTFeathers

Twitter: @RoosterTF

Youtube: www.youtube.com/RoosterTFeathers

Yahoo Groups: RoosterComedyInfo

Cyber Monday Sale! $5 off this week's shows

Happy Cyber Monday Silicon Valleyites! We celebrate with $5 off regular ticket prices to any show with headliner Sadiki Fuller, Thursday 12/1 through Sunday 12/4. That's up to 40% off the regular ticket price. A Roosters' favorite, Sadiki is a high-energy crowd pleaser, and was the original mascot for the Golden State Warriors...Thunder! He appears this week with Justin Worsham and Tina Allen Gallo.

To get the $5 discount, you must pay in advance for your seats and use the promo code "cyber". Visit www.RoosterTFeathers.com, click buy tix for your preferred show and enter the code where prompted. Or call 408.736.0921 and remember to leave your credit card information and mention the code "cyber" to get the discount.

Happy Shopping!

Groupon Private Party Deal - FAQs

Hi, and thanks for considering having your private event at Rooster T. Feathers! We've teamed up with Groupon to put together a fantastic package featuring a private party with a catered buffet dinner for 30, up to 100 drinks off our regular menu (excluding bottles of wine and champagne), and priority group seating for a hilarious live stand-up comedy show with a nationally touring headliner.

Plan the perfect event at Rooster T. Feathers!

Looking for something fun, memorable, or just different for your next event?

We can accommodate up to 150 guests in our intimate showroom.

Rooster T. Feathers provides an intimate, fun setting for holiday parties, private events, corporate functions, bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations, employee appreciation events or any other reason to get a bunch of folks together. This Groupon deal is a unique opportunity to make your next event one to remember. Listed here are answers to some of the questions you might have, but if you still have more--or are ready to talk to us to schedule your event--please call us at 408.736.0921. You may need to leave a message on our answering machine, but we will call you back!


FAQs
What does the deal include?
What if we have more than 30 people?
What shows is this valid for?
How do we make reservations for the party?
How soon do we have to make reservations?
When do you need the final headcount?
What if we need to cancel after we've made reservations?
How long is the event?
Do we get a private party room?
What about gratuity?
Can we use the stage for an awards ceremony or something like that?
What if not everyone shows up on the night of the event?
What if a couple extra show up on the night of the event?
What if we have someone under 21 in our group, and they promise not to drink?
Is there still a two-item minimum during the show?
I don't like chicken. Can we substitute something else?
Can we bring our own wine?
Can we bring in additional food?
Is coffee and tea included?
Can we put up our own decorations?

Roosters features a full bar with plenty of top shelf and premium liquors.

What does the deal include?
* Private party pre-show for up to 30 people in our intimate showroom, with option to add
additional people for a fee of $50/person. We can accommodate up to 150 people total. Your group has the run of the place til we open to the public for the comedy show!
* A catered buffet dinner for 30 including: Salad of Baby Greens (served with peppercream and Italian dressings); Pasta Pomodoro with olive oil, sun dried tomatoes, garlic and basil; Roasted Red Potatoes tossed w/ olive oil, herbs and pan roasted; Moroccan Chicken Skewers w/ pomegranate orange glaze; Rosemary and Garlic Grilled Tri-Tip au jus served with horseradish cream; Homemade Rolls and butter; and assorted Cookies and Chocolate Brownies. Substitutions are available upon request; Additional fee may apply. Catering by Savory and Sweet Caterers. Savory & Sweet offers gourmet food to please any palate. Plus, they are the only "Green Certified" caterer in Sunnyvale!
* Up to 100 drinks from our regular menu. (Menu can be found online at bit.ly/RTFmenu.) Excludes wine and champagne by the bottle. Roosters has a full-service bar loaded with premium and top shelf liquors, a yummy Martini menu, over 15 different beer and a list of popular California wines. We also have a wide variety of non-alcoholic options.
* Priority group seating for a pro comedy show (non-private) featuring nationally touring comedians as seen on Leno, Letterman, Comedy Central, and more! Your group gets the best seats in the house for a top-notch, side-splitting experience!
* Opportunity to use Roosters' stage with pro lighting and sound for speeches, an awards ceremony, or whatever, during the private party portion of the event.
* Tax on food and beverage.

Please note: Gratuity is not included in the Groupon deal. Please plan to leave a gratuity on the night of the event.
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What if we have more than 30 people?
Great! The more the merrier. Roosters can accommodate up to 150 guests total, and you can add additional guests to your party for $50 each. The $50 gets you one meal, three (3) drinks, and one ticket to the show. Tax is included in the additional fee, but gratuity is not.
To add more to your party, we'll just need you to confirm the headcount and guarantee it with a credit card within 7 days of your scheduled event. We require 100% payment in advance for each additional guest. (Note: For a party of up to 30, no additional monetary guarantee is required.)
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What shows is this valid for?
The private party Groupon is valid for any of our regular shows, with the exception of Saturday 10:30pm shows, but is subject to availability. See our online calendar to pick a show. You must make your reservation at least 7 days in advance, but the earlier the better to secure your preferred date. Sorry, but no private events can be scheduled for New Year's Eve or Valentine's Day. Other restrictions may apply, and the event calendar is subject to change. But don't worry, it's always a great show! Right now there are a couple of dates that are spoken for between now and the end of the year, but we still have lots of availability.
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How do we make reservations for the party?
Call us at 408.736.0921 to talk to a party coordinator. We'll gather all the pertinent info about your Groupon, how many people are in your group, your preferred dates, etc., send you an event Agreement, and get your party on the books. If any additional fee is due (for extra people or to upgrade the dinner menu), it can be paid by credit card when we execute the Agreement and get your final headcount.
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How soon do we have to make reservations?
You must reserve your party at least 7 days in advance, but call us at 408.736.0921 as soon as you are thinking about dates to make sure your preferred date is still available.
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When do you need the final headcount? 
The final headcount must be confirmed no later than 72 hours prior to the party start time.
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What if we need to cancel after we've made reservations? 
If you cancel within 7 days of your scheduled event, and with more than 72 hours notice, there is a $150 fee to reschedule your event. If you cancel with less than 72 hours notice, there is a $500 fee to reschedule your event.
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How long is the event? 
Typically the private party portion of the event is about 2 hours. Once Roosters opens the doors to the public guests will need to stay in their reserved seating area for the remainder of the event. The comedy show is approximately one-and-a-half hours long. If you want or need more time for your private party, talk to us about it! We are happy to work with you to accommodate special requests.
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Do we get a private party room?
Your group will have Roosters intimate showroom all to yourselves for the private party portion of the event. Your group will be the only ones there during your party! Once we open to the public for the comedy show, your group will have pre-assigned priority group seating from which to enjoy the entertainment.
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What about gratuity?
Gratuity is not included in the Groupon voucher price, and we appreciate you being prepared to leave a gratuity for service at the end of your event. After all, we'll be right there with top-notch, friendly wait and bar service all through the evening! Typically gratuity is 18% for a group event, but we'll leave it up to you to decide how you want to handle that. Your guests can leave an individual gratuity, or you as the party host can handle it directly with us.
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Can we use the stage for an awards ceremony or something like that?
Absolutely! That's one of the cool things about having your event at Roosters. We can work with you to ensure that sufficient time is allowed for dinner and speeches, and can even give your speakers a pro introduction. Just talk to the party coordinator about your needs.
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What if not everyone shows up on the night of the event?
Well, it looks like more food for the rest of you! Basically, no partial refunds for uneaten meals or un-drunk drinks. Your headcount is considered final 72 hours prior to your event.
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What if a couple extra show up on the night of the event?
It's $50/person for additional people, but be sure to include a few extra in your headcount if there is a possibility that you may end up with more. That's the only way to make sure there is enough food for everyone.
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What if we have someone under 21 in our group, and they promise not to drink?
Sorry, everyone in the group MUST BE 21 or older with valid ID, and there can be no exceptions. Rooster T. Feathers has the type of liquor license that classifies us as a bar/night club, and that means it is illegal for minors to be on our premises at any time. This is a very important issue to us, and we do take it seriously. Only a government-issued ID such as a Drivers License, Passport, or Military ID will be accepted. Your ID must have a photo on it.
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Is there still a two-item minimum during the show? 
No, your party package includes everything you'll need to enjoy the evening! Of course, once your group has had the 100 drinks included in the package, you are welcome to order anything else at menu prices, and during the show if you really want some nachos, we'll add those to your bill too.
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I don't like chicken. Can we substitute something else?
Sure, that is not a problem. Savory & Sweet has a huge menu to choose from. There may be an additional fee for substitutions, and we'll determine that at the time you make your choices.
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Can we bring our own wine?
Sure you can! Our standard corkage fee will apply.
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Can we bring in additional food?
Sorry, that isn't allowed, but if there is something special you want, like a birthday cake, our caterer can do that for you. An additional fee may apply.
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Is coffee and tea included?
If you want to add coffee/tea service after dinner, we can do that for an additional $1.95/person. Otherwise individual coffees or teas will count as part of the 100 drinks included in your party package.
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Can we put up our own decorations?
Yes, no problem! However, we can have anything that might be blocking anyone's view during the comedy show, so no balloons as a general rule. We can talk with you about your other ideas for decorations to see what will work and when you can come set them up.
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There's more information about us on our Web site, under About Us. Do you have a question that we didn't answer here, or are you ready to get started planning your party-of-the-year? Just give us a call at 408.736.0921. Since we're a relatively small family-owned business, we don't have full-time office hours. If you get our answering machine, please leave a message and don't forget your phone number and we will call you back!

Intro To Stand Up Class, 10/19/11

Whether you are a working comedian or just looking to get your feet wet on stage, Roosters can help you get to the next level.  We offer classes and consulting in stand up comedy, emcee skills, and promotion that are designed to bolster your knowledge and skills. Regardless of your goal or level, studying comedy at Rooster T. Feathers is a fun way to network with new people and expand your skills.

 

Intro to Stand Up Comedy

All you need to know to get started with standup comedy. 

 

Whether you’re getting on stage for the first time or you’ve tried your jokes out on an audience or two, this is the class for you.  We want to help you speed up the learning curve a little…or a lot with all the answers to the questions you didn’t even know to ask!

 

Topics to cover:  Joke development, where to start, how to get stage time, performance style and microphone techniques, the comedy “not so common sense” and the basics of performing stand up!

 

This session is taught by Roosters owner and booker, Heather Barbieri. $35.

 

Next session*: Wednesday Oct 19, 2011, 5:30pm—7pm

Please email us to sign up for a spot! roosterbookings@yahoo.com

Groupon expiration date extended

Do you have a Groupon voucher expiring September 10? Don't freak! So do about 1,000 other people! If everyone tries to use their Groupon before they expire, we'll be violating fire codes! So to make it easy on everyone, we're extending the expiration date to December 30. So take a deep breath, then pick a show from our online calendar and call 408.736.0921 to make your reservation. No need to call for special permission to extend the expiration date...it's extended!

Give Blood and Have a Few Laughs on Us

A blood shortage is no laughing matter...that's why Roosters teamed with the Stanford Blood Center for a special offer for blood donors. Give at any of Stanford's three centers (Mountain View, Palo Alto Hillview or Palo Alto Campus) between now and September 17 and receive two free tickets to a comedy show at Rooster T. Feathers!

Some of the Roosters' chicks headed over to the Hillview Center on Thursday August 4 to kick off our first ever special promotion with the Blood Center. The below pic, taken post-donation, was featured on the Stanford Blood Center home page for a few days. From left to right, donors include manager/comedian Beth Schumann, manager/bartender Kim Lodwich and owner/booker/comedian Heather Barbieri. Those future blood donors are Heather's little ones, Marco and Riley.

Photo: Stanford Blood Center

(Beth's comment: Kim and Heather look fantastic. I look like I just gave blood.) Check out a few more pics over on Roosters' Flickr page. Click here to view.

When you make a qualifying donation, you will receive two complimentary tickets to a future Roosters' show, a $24 value, valid any Thursday or Sunday at 8pm between now and the end of 2011. You must be 21 or older to use the tickets, and the two-item minimum purchase per person applies.

To make an appointment for a donation, or to get more information, visit the Stanford Blood Center online at bloodcenter.stanford.edu or call them at 888-723-7831 to schedule an appointment. Be a hero and have a laugh....donate blood today. Thank you!

Got Groupon deal questions? Answers here!

We're excited to welcome new Groupon members to The Roost! Roosters was named 2010 and 2011 Best Comedy Club by the San Francisco Baylist, so you're at the right place! We've got some fantastic shows coming up over the next few months sure to tickle your gizzard.

Here's answers to some frequently asked questions:

• Roosters is in the fun business! We have a relaxed atmosphere and intimate showroom where you're never too far from the stage. Our dress code is casual but feel free to get dressed to the nines! Roosters is perfect for date night, birthday celebrations, bachelor/bachelorette parties or any other reason to get out of the coop. But no one really needs a reason to laugh, do they? They just need a laugh!


• We have hilarious pro shows Thursdays through Sundays with headliners seen on Leno, Letterman, Conan, Kimmel, Ferguson, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing and more! Your Groupon is valid for any of those shows, unless it is a Special Event (see below). You can always find our calendar at www.RoosterTFeathers.com


• You must be 21 and over only, and we're strict about that. You'll need to have a valid government issued photo ID, like a drivers license, military ID, passport or CA ID if you are lucky enough to be young or look young!


• We have a two-item minimum purchase per person policy. That can be either food or drinks and it doesn't have to be alcohol. We have a full bar, a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages and a limited food menu (click here to view the menu). If you're looking to make an evening of it with a nice dinner before the show, there are plenty of nearby restaurants, including PF Changs, Chipotle, Pasta Pomodora and, now open across the street, Five Guys Burgers and Pizza My Heart, among others.


• Groupons are not valid for Special Events. Special Events are dates like New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day and specially-produced shows. Unlike other clubs, we don't make every weekend a Special Event just to keep you from using your Groupon! The next scheduled Special Event is New Year's Eve. Any Special Event would be listed on our Web site, in-house calendar, outgoing voice message, etc. so it should be pretty obvious. Please note that since Groupon vouchers are valid Thursday through Sunday only, they are not valid on Tuesday or Wednesday, and therefore cannot be used for our New Talent Competition or Open Mic Nights.


• We have unlimited free parking. Parking is available on the street in front of the club, on the side streets, in the Goodyear Service Center lot (after 6pm), and in the Allario shopping center lot just across Murphy street from us.


• To redeem your Groupon, just call us at 408.736.0921 to make a reservation and mention the Groupon. (We don't need the Groupon number when you make your reservation.) You can find information about our upcoming shows on the Calendar on our Web site, but you can't redeem your Groupon there. Print it out and bring it in with you to hand in at the door, or if you have it on your smart phone app we can take a look at it that way too.
  


• It is General Admission seating with a Groupon, so that just means that the earlier you arrive for the show the more seating options will be available. Also, you need to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the show start time or you could lose your spot if we're sold out.


• You can connect with us on Facebook and Youtube (some videos there featuring the comics that perform at Roosters) and follow us on Twitter (username @RoosterTF) to find out more about the club, our shows, special promotions, comedy news and other fun stuff!


• We're fun and relaxed, but if your idea of fun is to come to a comedy show and talk loudly with your friends, heckle the comedians or just plain scowl, this is not the comedy club for you!

Have other questions? Call us at 408.736.0921. You might have to leave a message, but we WILL call you back. Or you can send an email to info@roostertfeathers.com. Thanks, and we're looking forward to seeing you soon!

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Hot August Nights! $5 Late Show Saturdays

The outside temperatures are looking pretty mild in the Bay Area as we kick off the month of August (Feels Like Aug-tober?), but the forecast is for hot comedy! Especially with $5 late show tickets on Saturday nights. That's right, Roosters will take a cool 72% off the regular price of tickets at every Saturday 10:30pm show in the month of August. That means you can see all four headliners this month for only $20! (Plus convenience fee when you purchase online, and as always there is a two-item minimum purchase during the show. $5 price is valid at the Saturday late show only. All other shows are at regular price.)

Purchase your tickets online by clicking the links below, or call 408.736.0921 to make a reservation and pay by phone.

Butch Bradley...August 6...High-energy hilarity with appearances on Comedy Central and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Also appearing: Andrew Woodhull and Marty Grimes. Click here for tickets.

Willie Barcena...August 13...10 times on The Tonight Show! Also appearing: Mark Lee and Red Scott. Click here for tickets.

Ron Shock...August 20...called "The Greatest American Storyteller" by The Las Vegas Review Journal, Ron has appeared on The Tonight Show with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno! Also appearing: Quinn Dahle and Tyler Hinz. Click here for tickets.

Phil Palisoul...August 27...Roosters' favorite as seen on Last Comic Standing, The Tonight Show and Comedy Central. Also appearing: Sandy Stec and Andrew Rivers. Click here for tickets.

Meet the KOFY Crew Saturday July 23 with Tom Rhodes

Come check out the KOFY TV van and meet the KOFY Crew tonight, Saturday July 23, at both shows! The Crew will be hanging out in front of Roosters (AKA "The Feather") before the 8pm show (beginning at about 7pm) and in between shows (before the start of the 10:30pm show) with free swag and you could walk away with a t-shirt, frisbee, bottle opener, or more! If weather and time permit they'll get out their camera, and you could be filmed for a spot on TV. Wouldn't that be exciting!

KOFY TV-20, Cable 13, is the official media sponsor of the Tom Rhodes shows on Saturday July 23 (8pm & 10:30pm). Tom is a TV veteran, with two Comedy Central Stand Up Specials, his own late night talk show on Dutch TV, and appearances on just about every show that spotlights comedians. Featuring for Tom is Los Angelite Scott Silverman and hosting the night is San Francisco's Nato Green. Tickets are $18 per person. Call 408.736.0921 for reservations, or visit www.RoosterTFeathers.com to purchase tickets online.




Here's video with Tom Rhodes Live at the Sydney Comedy Store. Enjoy!

Video Greeting from Nick Thune & Nick Rutherford!

Special thanks to Nick Thune (The Tonight Show, Conan, Fallon, more!) and Nick Rutherford (Good Neighbor) for making this funny video in anticipation of their week at Roosters! They'll be appearing along with Jacob Sirof (Live at Gotham) for five shows, Thursday June 14 through Sunday June 17.

Call 408.736.0921 or visit www.RoosterTFeathers.com for more show information or to purchase tickets.

In the meantime, here's the video. You might need to watch the action more than once to figure out what's going on. Enjoy, and hope to see you this weekend!

Riffing Class with Joe Klocek: Saturday August 13

Headlining comedian Joe Klocek is one of the best riffers out there, and he can show you how to riff too! Rooster T. Feathers is proud to present Riffing: The Tools, Tricks and Techniques; a class for any comedian who wants to be more comfortable going off script.

"Not only is Joe a master of being funny on his feet, but he is also a great teacher who provides an entertaining, and customized, learning experience. Taking his class significantly increased my audience interaction and enabled me to further develop the quality and professionalism of my act." -Duncan Riach

"Joe has an amazing ability to make everyone he interacts with feel comfortable. When you take this class, you will be EXCITED and looking forward to the next opportunity you can riff. Even better, you will be excited to start showing audiences who you really are." -Sandy Stec

Riffing: The Tools, Tricks and Techniques

Riffing. You have all seen it. The comic says something perfect in the moment and kills harder than their best written joke. It is an incredible feeling for the audience and the comic. These moments don’t have to be random. There are simple tools every comic can learn, apply and use to stand out in a show. Riffing is the most important tool to have for live performance.

Saturday August 13, 2011

1pm-4pm, $75

Rooster T Feathers Comedy Club

157 W El Camino Real

Sunnyvale CA 94087

Enjoy this video of Joe at Roosters, riffing on the blind in Modesto:

Email Heather at roosterbookings@yahoo.com with any questions or to reserve your spot, or you can pay in advance on our Web site here.

Regardless of your goal or skill level, studying comedy at Roosters is a fun way to network with new people and expand your public speaking skills.

Connect with Roosters!

Facebook www.facebook.com/RoosterTFeathers

Twitter: @RoosterTF

Youtube: www.youtube.com/RoosterTFeathers

Yahoo Groups: RoosterComedyInfo

Coupon Amnesty: June 30-July 3 2011

Celebrate our nation's independence with coupon amnesty! Bring in any Rooster T Feathers coupon, ticket or pass--whether valid or not--and we'll take it!

Laugh in the face of expiration dates...they mean nothing to us Thursday June 30 through Sunday July 3 2011.

You'll laugh 'til you cry with headliner Dave Burleigh, a Roosters' favorite comedian and impressionist! Dave has appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and came in second at the San Francisco International Comedy Competition. He appears with Paul Myrehaug and Sam Davidoff.

Want to see the Friday show but your coupon is valid only for Sunday? Who cares! Bring it in anyway. That's what amnesty is all about.

We'll take expired birthday passes, old Groupon or TownHog vouchers, expired tickets, an Entertainment Book coupon from 2007, etc. We'll even take those super-old tickets from so long ago it was before the Rooster updated his image, i.e., back in the days of the top hat and spats!

We'll also accept a Thursday ticket on a Saturday, or a pass for 10:30 at the 8pm or 9pm show, etc. Sorry, we don't take competitors coupons tho.

You have to call to make reservations; We don't accept coupons through the Web site. Just call 408.736.0921 to leave your reservation details.

Dave Burleigh Crows for the Rooster's Camera

Father's Day Fun with Greg Warren and other goodies!

Celebrate Dad's special day the right way...with booze and laughter!

Headliner Greg Warren will have you in stitches, and special drink prices will help grease the skids too! Plus, we've got a grand prize drawing for some booze, a canvas tote bag and six-months free entry to Rooster T. Feathers.

Show starts at 8pm, with doors at 7:15pm. Tickets are $12 per person. Click here to purchase, or call 408.736.0921 for reservations and more information.

Check out Greg Warren's video: One Star People:


On a related note, we'd like to recommend two great podcasts that celebrate Fatherhood!

Danny Bevins in one of our favorite headliners, and not just because once he was willing to host a week to help us out of a bind! Also a new dad, Danny started a podcast called "Little Help". By interviewing people who fascinate and intrigue him he hopes to understand what it takes to be a better person, husband and father. Check it out!

Comedians Justin Worsham (a regular feature at Roosters) and Bill Glass have a podcast called "Dad's Are More Fun". They share stories about the ups and downs of Fatherhood on their weekly podcast. Worth a listen!

Doug Benson 8pm Sold Out; Late Show Added

Everybody's favorite movie-loving stoner comic is coming to Rooster T. Feathers, but only for one night! Doug Benson from Last Comic Standing, Super-High Me, Doug Loves Movies, The Benson Interruption, The Marijuana-logues and more is doing two shows on Wednesday, June 15. The original 8:00pm show is already sold out, so we added a late show starting at 10:30pm. Tickets are now available by clicking this link. Hope to see you there!

Help us reach over 500 Twitter followers and get a thank you gift!

UPDATE 6/10/11: We reached 500 Twitter followers! Thanks! Keep following us for show news, promos, contests, specials and other comedy-related stuff.

UPDATE 6/6/11: Please note Friday show schedules in June have changed. Beginning with Greg Warren on 6/17 there will be one show at 9pm. If you follow and retweet our message, you can get 2 free tickets to ANY Friday show in June.

We're offering two free tickets to any Friday show in June to any Twitter follower who re-tweets our special announcement!

Check out our Twitter profile (@RoosterTF), make sure you follow us, find one of the tweets about this promo and re-tweet it! We'll contact you about how to redeem your two free tickets.

Choose from Jimmy Dore of Comedy Central's Citizen Jimmy and Pop & Politics, John Henton from Living Single, Greg Warren from The Late Late Show, or Last Comic Standing's Chris Porter.

Click here to view our June calendar of shows. Limit 2 tickets per follower. 21 and over only.

The Comedy Animal: A Primer

Animal from The Muppets

Last night and tonight we've got a special show at Roosters, Outsourced Comedy Tour, featuring Raj Sharma, Kabir Singh, Sammy Obeid, Shanti Charan and Imran G. I don't know all the comedians on the show, but I do know Kabir (winner of the 2009 Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Competition) and Sammy (winner of the 2008 competition) well enough to know that they are both a special breed of comedian--the Comedy Animal. That got me thinking...

Homo Standupus
In any comedy community, particularly any local comedy community, you've got Pros, Newbies, Dabblers, Hobbyists, the Forever Clueless and Animals. Everybody is a Newbie, or open micer, once, at least for a little while. Pros typically start out as Animals but lose some of their wilder attributes as regular work can be quite taming! Dabblers and Hobbyists have no intention of giving up their day jobs, and The Forever Clueless, well, they will always be with us.

How to Spot a Comedy Animal in the Wild

Here's a list of behaviors and traits of what I call a Comedy Animal.

1) A Comedy Animal seemingly lives on comedy alone. She has seen every stand up comedy special since Richard Pryor: Live in Concert. He talks about comedy constantly. That is, whenever he is not listening to a comedy podcast like Marc Maron's WTF, or Jimmy Dore's Comedy and Everything Else or Jimmy Pardo's Never Not Funny. He can't understand people who have never heard of Bill Hicks, and he really dislikes Dane Cook fans.

2) A Comedy Animal will kill for stage time. This means he or she is out there every night of the week, or as many nights as possible, driving long distances and making no money just to get five minutes on the mic. He will start his own room, a completely thankless job, just to get more stage time. She will use her vacation days to go on a Tribble Run. (If you don't know what that is, read this.) Why? Because the Animal instinctively knows that the only way to get to the top of the stand up comedy food chain is through stage time.

3) A Comedy Animal is a risk taker. She will take those gigs opening for a band from the 1960s with one still-living original member and one half-dead original member  at 4:00pm in the parking lot of a mall. Is she a glutton for punishment, or eternally optimistic? He might quit his day job long before it seems prudent to do so. But that means he also has the nerve to call that booker, agent, promoter, radio show host, etc. when chances are he'll never hear back. A Comedy Animal knows that rejection comes with the territory, and you can't fear it or it will eat you.

4) A Comedy Animal often judges non-Animals harshly. Comedy Animals usually look down on the Dabblers and Hobbyists or, even worse, resent them for taking valuable stage time away. If you're not willing to drive three hours to a backwater town to perform in front of toothless drunks for $25 and a drink ticket, you're not "serious about your art." Once I heard one comedian ask another, "You drove here from Sacramento?" The response to this innocuous-sounding question was a snide, "Yes, and you would too if you were a real comedian." Wow. Just trying to make conversation, dude.


I haven't said anything about how funny or talented the Comedy Animal is. Kabir Singh and Sammy Obeid are both very talented, likable, good writers and great performers. They are moving up very quickly in the comedy world and we expect to see great things from them. But what happens when a Comedy Animal is not funny, talented, likable, a good writer, etc.? Eventually they morph into The Forever Clueless.

Maybe we'll talk about care and feeding of the Comedy Animal in a future post. (It is OK to feed them after midnight, but whatever you do, don't get them wet!)

Our New Web site!

Rooster T. Feathers – in the heart of Silicon Valley – has a NEW Web site! Check it out here at www.RoosterTFeathers.com. We are so excited about it – since it’s on the cutting edge of biting humor! Now there’s a metaphor for ya!

It wasn’t originally intended to have the color scheme of our new women’s bathroom paint, however it does kind of match. (If you haven't been to see a show lately, or aren't a woman, this is clearly news to you too!) Both needed a face lift and I guess we like purple. We’re hoping that our customers can find what their looking for on our site a lot easier now and with a lot more purple pizzazz!

Please tell us what you think in the comments section. Thanks!

Congratulations Shanti Charan, winner 9th Annual New Talent Comedy Competition

Photo by Imran G.

It started over two months ago with more than 100 competitors and has now come to a close with one winner. Shanti Charan becomes the second woman to take top honors in Rooster's annual contest. (Mari Magaloni, actress and acclaimed Palin impersonator, won the 5th Annual New Talent Competition in 2007.)

Shanti wins a cash prize and a week of paid emcee work at Roosters. Shanti happens to be part of an upcoming show, Outsourced Comedy, which features Raj Sharma, Kabir "Kabeezy" Singh (2009 Roosters New Talent Competition Winner), and Sammy Obeid (2008 Roosters New Talent Competition Winner). Outsourced Comedy plays Wednesday May 25 and Thursday May 26 at 8pm at Rooster T. Feathers. Tickets are available now at www.roostertfeathers.com.

Here's Shanti's winning set from the competition.



Congratulations to the other top finishers: Nick Aragon in 2nd Place and Duncan Riach in 3rd Place. Great job all!

Your mom needs a drink...and a laugh!

Flowers? Booooring. Brunch? Overrated. Monogrammed vacuum cleaner? She'll bite your head off.

Struggling to find the best gift for Mom's special day? Don't fret, on Sunday May 8 Roosters' can give your mom a fun-filled night with fabulous comedy, great drinks, a grand prize drawing for six-months free entry and other goodies. Plus we've got mommy-gras beads, Mom-osas, and a little giftie for all the moms! All for only $12 per person.*

Wendy Liebman

Headliner Wendy Liebman has been performing her uniquely timed style of stand-up comedy since 1984 and is the only person in her family in show business. "My mother is a ventriloquist-but not professionally. For ten years I thought the dog was telling me to kill my father." Waiting a beat, she adds, "I got my brother to do it."

Originally from Long island, Wendy went to college in Boston (a school she refers to as I.O.U.) where she studied psychology and histrionics. Leafing through a catalog for continuing education that she found with some miss-delivered mail, Wendy got her start in stand-up by enrolling in a class called "How to be a Stand-Up Comedian" at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. She started doing open mike nights at Boston clubs including Stitches, The Comedy Connection and Catch a Rising Star and for the next six years performed throughout all of New England. "I kept my secretarial day job, though I would call in sick a lot. I would say I had "female problems." My boss didn't know I meant her."

Wendy's stock in trade is the one-liner with the subliminal afterthought. The effectiveness of her technique lies largely in the unexpectedness of her timing. The punchline invariably falls after the joke seems to be over. The Los Angeles Times Raves, "she's a master of the throwaway line, making a perfectly rational observation, then adding almost subliminally the punchline which skews everything she has said before."

In 1990, Wendy won the Johnnie Walker Red Comedy Competition semi-finals in Boston, and competed in the finals at LA's famous Hollywood Improv. It was at this performance that she caught the eye of the talent coordinator of The Tonight. Show, who invited her to be one of Johnny Carson's guests the following week. If that wasn't thrilling enough, the whole episode was captured on a segment of CBS' 48 hours.

Since then, Wendy has been a regular on The Late Show with David Letterman, and has appeared on the Tonight.Show with Jay Leno. Wendy has also been seen on Politically Incorrect, Dr Katz Professional Therapist, Louie Andersen's Comedy Showcase, The Daily Show, HBO's Women of the Night, The RuPaul Show and Comic Relief Vll as well as Comic Strip Live, VH-1 Stand-Up Spotlight, Evening at the Improv, Caroline's Comedy Hour and MTV's Half Hour Comedy Hour.



Join us Sunday May 8 at 8:00pm for Wendy Liebman with Matt Champagne and Sean Keane. Buy tickets now, or call 408.736.0921 for more show information or to make reservations. Sorry, but Roosters is a 21 and over only club, so the little ones will have to make Mom some macaroni art this year.

*Please note: 2-item minimum purchase per person applies.

New Class: How to be a GREAT Emcee

Photo: Patrick Lydon

There’s more to it than just 10 minutes of jokes and a drink ticket…

Have you ever wondered why no one tells the emcee how to do their job? We wondered the same thing. If you are starting to get work as an emcee, or would like to, this is the class for you. The basics of being a good host will help you feel more confident and comfortable in your comedy career. Great emcees don’t just happen…they learn the skills that are necessary to get hired and paid to host real shows in real comedy clubs. There are a lot of great comics out there that don’t know how to emcee a show. Bookers hire someone who can do both. This class will teach you the basics, give you examples and show you how to be a great host!

This session is taught by Roosters' owner and booker, Heather Barbieri. $35.

How to be a GREAT Emcee is scheduled for March 30th, 2011 from 5:30pm to 7pm at Rooster T Feathers, 157 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087.

Call 408.732.7781 or email bookings@roostertfeathers.com to secure your spot.

Groupon Members, get answers here!

We're excited to welcome new Groupon members to The Roost! Roosters was named 2010 Best Comedy Club by the SF Gate, so you're at the right place! We've got some fantastic shows coming up over the next few months sure to tickle your gizzard.

Here's answers to some frequently asked questions:

• Roosters is in the fun business! We have a relaxed atmosphere and intimate showroom where you're never too far from the stage. Our dress code is casual but feel free to get dressed to the nines! Roosters is perfect for date night, birthday celebrations, bachelor/bachelorette parties or any other reason to get out of the coop. But no one really needs a reason to laugh, do they? They just need a laugh!
• We have hilarious pro shows Thursdays through Sundays with headliners seen on Leno, Letterman, Conan, Kimmel, Ferguson, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing and more! Your Groupon is valid for any of those shows, unless it is a Special Event (see below). You can always find our calendar at www.RoosterTFeathers.com
• You must be 21 and over only, and we're strict about that. You'll need to have a valid government issued photo ID, like a drivers license, military ID, passport or CA ID if you are lucky enough to be young or look young!
• We have a two-item minimum purchase per person policy. That can be either food or drinks and it doesn't have to be alcohol. We have a full bar, a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages and a limited food menu. There's a link to our food/beverage menu on our home page (www.RoosterTFeathers.com) or find it through a link on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RoosterTFeathers or just click here. If you're looking to make an evening of it with a nice dinner before the show, there are plenty of nearby restaurants, including PF Changs, Chipotle, Pasta Pomodora and, now open across the street, Five Guys Burgers and Pizza My Heart, among others.
• Special Events are dates like New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day. Sometimes if a really big name comes through Roosters (like Dana Carvey or Christopher Titus), we make it a Special Event. Unlike other clubs, we don't make every weekend a Special Event just to keep you from using your Groupon! Any Special Event would be listed on our Web site, in-house calendar, outgoing voice message, etc. so it should be pretty obvious. Please note that since Groupons valid Thursday through Sunday only, they are not valid on Tuesday or Wednesday, and therefore cannot be used for our New Talent Competition or Open Mic Nights.
• We have unlimited free parking. Parking is available on the street in front of the club, on the side streets, in our next door neighbor's lot, and in the shopping center just across the street from us.
• To redeem your Groupon, just call us at 408.736.0921 to make a reservation and mention the Groupon. You can find information about our upcoming shows on the Calendar on our Web site, but you can't redeem your Groupon there.
• It is General Admission seating with a Groupon, so that just means that the earlier you arrive for the show the more seating options will be available. Also, you need to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the show start time or you could lose your spot if we're sold out.
• You can connect with us on Facebook and Youtube (some videos there featuring the comics that perform at Roosters) and follow us on Twitter (username @RoosterTF) to find out more about the club, our shows, special promotions, comedy news and other fun stuff!
• We're fun and relaxed, but if your idea of fun is to come to a comedy show and talk loudly with your friends, heckle the comedians or just plain scowl, this is not the comedy club for you!

Have other questions? Call us at 408.736.0921. You might have to leave a message, but we WILL call you back. Or you can send an email to info@roostertfeathers.com.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

New Class! Making The Web Work for You: Social Media Marketing for Comedians

Do you have a fan page? Are you blogging? What's your Klout score? Have you claimed a unique URL for your Facebook page? Do you even know what that means? The Internet has changed the way comedians promote themselves and opened up huge opportunities to gain fans around the globe, but it can also be overwhelming. This class will show you how to make the most of the free tools now available to comics online, manage your online “image,” promote yourself to bookers, grow fans and share original content.

This two-hour session is taught by comedian and Roosters' marketing manager, Beth Schumann. With over 20 years experience in marketing in Silicon Valley, Beth handles all social media marketing for Rooster T. Feathers.

 

 

Wednesday March 2, 2011, 5pm—7pm

Rooster T Feathers Comedy Club

$35 per person

Send an email to roosterbookings@yahoo.com or call us at 408.732.7781 to secure your spot.

Make us Number One on the BayList!

It's awards season, and Roosters is on the campaign trail, mixing metaphors left and right! :-)

Once again we're up for a BayList award. Last year we took first place in the Comedy Club category, and we're looking for a repeat! This year the category is adorably named "Best Place to Laugh Till You Cry." That's Roosters, baby! Just this past weekend someone wrote on a comment card after the Danny Bevins show, "I have cheek cramps!" We're hoping those were facial cheek cramps induced by laughter and not something more sinister.

The SF BayList features more than 10,000 of the Bay Area's best local businesses. Eligible businesses are nominated by readers, and winners are determined by popular vote. That means YOU choose the Best of the SF Bay Area!

YOU choose the Best! YOU choose Roosters! Click here to vote for Roosters now. You have to register, but it's quick and easy and you can compete on the BayList ballot for pins and other fun stuff. While you're on our BayList page, watch the video by Bryan Callen (The Hangover, How I Met Your Mother, Entourage) made specifically for you....Roosters' awesome audiences!

Thank you for supporting live stand up comedy in your neighborhood! Cock-a-doodle-doo!

New Comedy Class: Riffing Tools, Tricks and Techniques - Jan 29

The smoothest comedians out there do their act and make it sound as if it's off the top of their heads. But some comedians, in the course of their act, do come up with stuff on the spot. That's called "riffing," a term that originated in music, but comedians adopted and bastardized. According to a Wikipedia entry, 

Use of the term has also misleadingly been extended to comedy where riffing is used to mean the verbal exploration of a particular subject, thus moving the meaning away from the original jazz sense of a repeated figure over which the soloist improvises, to instead indicate the improvisation itself: that is, improvising on a melody or progression as one would improvise on a subject by extending a singular thought, idea or inspiration into a bit, or routine. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riff#Riff)

Let's not get hung up on terms. Suffice to say riffing is what makes stand up comedy a living, breathing thing, and why Rooster T Feathers believes live stand up comedy is the best stand up comedy.

We also believe Joe Klocek is one of the best riffing comics out there, and really thought his workshop would be a great addition to the Rooster's class schedule.

Riffing: The Tools, Tricks and Techniques

 

Riffing. You have all seen it. The comic says something perfect in the moment and kills harder than their best written joke. It is an incredible feeling for the audience and the comic. These moments don’t have to be random. There are simple tools every comic can learn, apply and use to stand out in a show. Riffing is the most important tool to have for live performance. 

 

Saturday January 29, 2011

1pm-4pm, $80

Rooster T Feathers

157 W El Camino Real

Sunnyvale CA 94087

Joe Klocek

This is a 3 hour workshop lead by San Francisco stand-up comic, Joe Klocek. 

Joe has appeared on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham and NBC’s Last Comic 

Standing, and came in second at the San Francisco Comedy Competition

Email Heather at roosterbookings@yahoo.com with any questions or to reserve your spot, or you can pay in advance on our Web site here.

Regardless of your goal or skill level, studying comedy at Roosters is a fun way to network with new people and expand your public speaking skills.

 

Use Roosters One-on-One Direct Feedback sessions to take your development as a comedian to the next level.  One-on-One sessions are designed to focus on any topic in which you have the most interest, be it stage performance, product management, material development or performance review.   Sessions are held with Heather Barbieri, owner and booker of Rooster T. Feathers and stand up comedy veteran of 15 years. One hour session is $100.

 

Connect with Roosters!

Facebook www.facebook.com/RoosterTFeathers

Twitter: @RoosterTF

Youtube: www.youtube.com/RoosterTFeathers

Yahoo Groups: RoosterComedyInfo

It's the Roosters' birthday, but YOU take the cake!

It's Roosters' Birthday Week! Celebrate with us Wednesday January 5 through Sunday January 9 and try some of the staff's favorite drinks, like a chocolate Martini or a raspberry Kamikaze! Plus birthday cake on Saturday---the official day The Rooster turns 32!

Joe Klocek and Jimmy Gunn: Twas The Night Before Christmas

It was a classic "live comedy" moment. Home for the Holidays Comedy Showcase (December 23) headliner Joe Klocek invited comedian Jimmy Gunn up on stage to "act out" the classic Christmas story. But you've never seen THIS version before! Caution: Adult Content; Mature audiences only. Enjoy!