February Show Recommendations

The Rose is an improvised parody of reality TV romance and for its fifth season, it's got an all-star cast! What is The Rose, you ask? Think the Bachelor or Bachelorette where some lucky person is looking for love in all the wrong places. Every Saturday night through March 7 on the main stage of ColdTowne Theater, you'll laugh and fall in love with the unique way that The Rose parodies reality TV.

I saw the show on January 31st, featuring the week's "Bachelor" (each week a new bachelor is invited to choose their mate), Syd Goin. It was a tough choice amongst a piano tuner, tire salesperson, zombie mechanic, earnest librarian, STEM bro, and other characters stranded on a ship at sea. I love the concept of turning our love of trashy reality TV into improv. In the capable hands of The Rose, you will, too.

Saturdays, January 17 to March 7, 7:00 pm, ColdTowne Theater: Tickets

~ VL

In their basement lab, Kris Walker and Dillon Jarboe create a compound out of the two most reactive elements: standup and improv. Every week a stellar lineup of comics are the catalysts for explosive improv from house troupe the Manhattan Project. Witness written material as it’s transformed into fluid chaos. It’s like watching a solid become liquid, but way funnier.

Thursdays, 7:00pm at the Fallout Theater: Tickets

~ SP

UPDATE - All shows are sold out.

Saturday Night Live's Michael Che is headlining at The Creek and the Cave and you shouldn't miss this special event. Colin Jost (Che's Weekend Update co-host) headlined and sold out ACL Moody Theater a few year's back and getting to watch a high-caliber comic like Che in a venue like Creek is a treat. Known for his acerbic comedy and social commentary, the Michael Che Matters star is sure to have plenty of uncensored takes on today's cultural environment.

Thursday-Saturday, February 12-14, The Creek and the Cave: Tickets

~ VL

A couple of great headliners are planned for this 6th Street staple.

Symply Courtney closed out his final headlining show in February 2025 by taking the audience to the street armed with a megaphone to complete his set. It was a memorable moment I haven't been able to forget. He's back headlining one night only on February 7 and you never know what he'll do (beside the guarantee of making you laugh).

Mike MacRae is one of the smartest minds in Austin comedy. The Rice graduate has been known for his smart take on vaccines long before the pandemic. These days, MacRae spends most of his time as the voice behind countless video game characters, and with his spot-on impressions of "celebrity call-in guests" to The Howard Stern Show, Jimmy Dore Show, and more. You don't want to miss a rare chance to see him headline The Velv.

Symply Courtney - Saturday February 7, The Velveeta Room: Tickets

Mike MacRae- Friday-Saturday February 13-14, The Velveeta Room: Tickets

~ VL

Looking for some chaos on Valentine's Day? Head to Fallout Theater for a late night absurd take on game shows. Did I Win? gives audience members a chance at prizes, but in the process, they'll have to take on absurd challenges. I saw a version of the show at the 2025 ATX Sketch Fest hosted by Trenton Bradley and Austin Apostle and loved the high production value and nonsense. The duo serve as host and DJ/Production Assistant of a show that asks unprepared audience members to compete in anything from an Air Guitar contest to grabbing and popping balloons while blindfolded. Each show is brimming with hilarity.

February 14 , 10:00 pm Fallout Theater: Tickets

~ VL

Famous “Joke Boys” Aaron Westberry, Jonas Gindin and Soupypoopy69 are on a tour to save comedy’s life. They can’t do it alone, though; they’re going to need a crowd of joke lovers. Catch them on their one stop in Austin and see how many laughs they can get that night.

Friday, February 20, 9:30pm at Sunset Strip: Tickets

~ SP