Lewis Black Summer Benefit a Smash!

On June 28, author, comedian, and “Daily Show” regular Lewis Black graciously appeared at a Litquake summer benefit, in conversation with comedian Marc Maron. A capacity crowd at the Herbst Theatre roared with laughter at easily the funniest event we’ve ever done.
Recently released in paperback, Black's newest book Me of Little Faith explores the hilarious side of faith and religion, including these sage words of advice to aspiring authors:
"I would just like to say to those of you who are thinking of writing a book: don't. Unless of course you get great joy out of sitting at a desk and staring into space wondering why you agreed to write a book, and now you haven't got one thought in your head... What's the worst thing about writing a book? Remember what it was like when you were a kid Sunday, late afternoon, just after a really great weekend -- you hadn't thought about school at all. And just as the sun begins to fade into darkness, you hear your mother: she says, 'did you do your homework?' that's what every day is like until the book is written...you have homework every day. It never stops. It's always there...there are few things worse in this life than homework every day."
Check out these highlights:



Check out the online comments:
“Great event. Funny, refreshing. Lewis is awesome, I would like to see him in SF more!!! I know he’s running around the rest of the world and he was close by recently, but come back to SF Lewis, we love you here! (I thought I’d speak for the City) .”
“I was thrilled to attend, it was hilarious, with even a couple of touching moments-who’d have thought it?!”
“What a great combination on stage. Marc and Lewis had me laughing for the full 90 minutes.”
“Lewis Black is a true entertainer story teller social commentator extraordinaire. His wit is lightning quick and intelligent….Marc Maron’s acerbic humor tickles my funny bone. His rapport with Lewis Black made for a great evening of two brilliant comedians. I will buy their books and CDs to share with friends.”

Comedian Lewis Black To Headline Litquake Fundraiser Back in Black at Herbst on June 28

Press Contact Liam Passmore liam@shaveandahaircut.biz 1-415-865-0860



Freed from the constraints that come with stand-up, the Award-winning comedian, author, playwright, actor and Daily Show with Jon Stewart favorite will tear into his favorite subjects live and uncensored as well as discuss his book We of Little Faith in conversation with Air America Radio host and sometime feral cat wrangler Marc Maron
 
General Admission $25.00; VIP $75.00 (includes reception following show); Tickets available at cityboxoffice.com

San Francisco, June 2009 – Litquake is proud to present the one and only Lewis Black live and uncensored in Back in Black, a freewheeling onstage conversation with comedian and radio host Marc Maron. In addition to his work as a comedian, actor and Daily Show favorite, Black is also a playwright and the author of Me of Little Faith, which was just released in paperback.
Freed of the constraints that come with the stand-up comedy format, Black will gleefully dissect politics, religion and other America foolishness with even more directness and improvisation than is his usual style. In addition, there will be an audience Q & A and book signing. All proceeds will benefit Litquake, San Francisco’s one and only Literary Festival, that this year celebrates its 10-year anniversary, October 9-17 at venues throughout the city.
When: Sunday, June 28TH @ 8:00PM Where: The Herbst Theater :: 401 Van Ness :: 415 -621-6600 Tickets: General Admission - $25.00; VIP - $75.00 includes post-show reception Ticket Purchase: cityboxoffice.com :: 415-392-4400
Known for a style that melds sarcasm, profanity and hyperbole into ever escalating rants on a number of subjects including history, religion, politics, it is fitting that Black will be in conversation with a fellow comedian (and radio host) who happens to also describe himself as a feral cat wrangler.
"In putting this show together," say Litquake's executive directors Jack Boulware and Jane Ganahl, "we are happy to continue our long-standing tradition of diversity and respect for community, and are proud to feature both someone who is a feral cat wrangler, and someone who is not a feral cat wrangler."
About Litquake Litquake, San Francisco's annual literary festival, was founded by Bay Area writers in order to put on a week-long literary spectacle for book lovers, complete with cutting-edge panels, unique cross-media events, and hundreds of readings. Since its founding in 1999, the festival has presented close to 1400 author appearances for an audience of over 32,000 in its lively and inclusive celebration of San Francisco's thriving contemporary literary scene. Litquake seeks to foster interest in literature, perpetuate a sense of literary community, and provide a vibrant forum for Bay Area writing as a complement to the city's music, film, and cultural festivals. Dates: 10/9-17, 2009. litquake.org
About Lewis Black Stand-up comedian, actor and author Lewis Black performs over 200 nights a year to sold-out audiences throughout Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. A passionate performer who is more pissed-off optimist than mean-spirited curmudgeon, Lewis has been compared to Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce, and the late, great, George Carlin.
His “Back in Black” has become one of the most popular and longest running segments on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” and he continues to tape specials for both HBO and Comedy Central, as well as hosting the program Lewis’ Black’s the Root of All Evil. In 2007 Lewis won the Grammy for Best Comedy Album for The Carnegie Hall Performance.
As an actor, Lewis has appeared in many feature films including Barry Levinson's Man of the Year, Steve Pink’s Accepted, and Paul Feig’s Unaccompanied Minors, and was the voice of “Jimmy” in Bob Sagat's Farce of the Penguins.
Lewis has also written two bestselling books, Nothing's Sacred (Simon and Schuster, 2005) and Me of Little Faith (Riverhead Books, 2008), and has penned over 40 plays, many of which have been produced around the country.
Lewis is dedicated to a number of charitable organizations, including the 52nd Street Project, the Rusty Magee Clinic for Families and Health, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Autism Speaks. He was recently honored by the Brady Center for his commitment to ending gun violence. In his leisure time, Lewis likes to play golf, even though golf hates him. lewisblack.com
About Marc Maron Marc Maron is a standup comic, author, actor, radio personality, feral cat wrangler and a Jew. His recent accomplishments include accidentally running over a large possum in his driveway then crying, and figuring out how to upload videos to his Facebook site. His book based on the solo show, The Jerusalem Syndrome: My Life as a Reluctant Messiah, is out of print and overpriced by vendors who think it might have some collectors value. He’s been on HBO, Conan, Letterman, Air America Radio and two Comedy Central Presents specials. He is currently hosting a daily internet video show at breakroomlive.com. His one-man show, Scorching the Earth, will be premiering at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal this summer. His third CD, Final Engagement, was released last month. marcmaron.com
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Holly Payne's New Novel to Benefit Litquake

Thursday July 9, 2009
8-10:30 pm
Golden Gate Room, Ft. Mason
In 1994, Bay Area novelist/screenwriter Holly Payne was hit by a drunk driver and spent a year learning to walk again. The driver wrote her a letter of apology, and instead of replying, she decided to write a novel for him, Kingdom of Simplicity, set in her childhood community of Amish Pennsylvania. Holly has graciously offered her San Francisco book launch as a benefit for Litquake! Admission includes a signed copy of the book, silent auction, and live music by the amazing Blame Sally! For more info about the book, check out Holly’s website.

Thanks Holly!
Tickets: $25 (includes signed copy of Kingdom of Simplicity)
Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets.

Himelstein, Linda

Linda Himelstein wrote The King of Vodka: The Story of Pyotr Smirnov and the Upheaval of an Empire. She is a veteran of the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, CNN and C-SPAN. She lives near San Francisco.

Picott, Camille

Camille Picott has written fiction since age 12. As an infant, Camille was given an Asian rag doll in the hope she would always maintain a connection to her Chinese heritage. This doll inspired Raggedy Chan.

Raskin, Andy

Andy Raskin authored The Ramen King and I. His stories appeared on All Things Considered, This American Life, and in the New York Times and Gourmet. A 2009 James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards judge, Andy lives in San Francisco

Stonestreet, Lisa Gluskin

Lisa Gluskin Stonestreet’s Tulips, Water, Ash (UP of New England) was selected for the 2009 Morse Prize. Her poems have appeared in Blackbird, The Iowa Review, 32 Poems, and Quarterly West. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and son.