SXFunny

Fred Armisen and Sarah Silverman headline the laughs at SXSW Comedy in Austin

There are so many events and showcases packed into the week-long festival, many SXSW visitors might forget that comedy is also a vital part of the festivities. But judging by the initial lineup of visiting talent, those who fail to attend this year’s comedy shows and panels might be missing out on the most fun, ongoing party at SXSW 2013.

Spanning March 9-16 at venues such sa Esther’s Follies, The North Door and The IFC Crossroads House, the lineup is incredibly expansive and features some of the biggest and brightest stars in comedy. Highlights include two shows from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater:an All Stars of Improv show and the Best Damn Standup featuring top talent from both coasts. UCB star Chris Gethard will also stay plenty busy, performing for both UCB shows and hosting his cult public access variety show, The Chris Gethard Show.

Michael Cera, Tim and Eric, Sarah Silverman and Reggie Watts guide us through the world of digital media and how it actually loosens constraints on the creative process.

Other notable shows include an evening with Scott Aukerman and Reggie Watts, stars of IFC’s Comedy Bang! Bang!, and Marc Maron’s preview of his upcoming IFC show Maron, a fictionalized take on his life and popular WTF podcast.

Also on tap is a show called Conspiracy Theory LIVE with Jesse Ventura, in which comedian James Adomian plays the role of former governor and wrestling legend Jesse “The Body” Ventura as he tries to uncover the biggest conspiracy theory yet. It sounds too insane to miss.

Live podcasts are expected, including but not limited to Comedy Bang! Bang!, WTF with Marc Maron, The Fogelnest Files and The Benson Interruption — because, apparently, Doug Benson loves Austin so much he never, ever wants to leave.

Three comedy panels have been announced so far, and all promise as much food for your brain as laughs for your belly. "JASH: A Comedy Platform with Full Creative Autonomy" will feature Michael Cera, Tim and Eric, Sarah Silverman and Reggie Watts as they guide us through the world of digital media and how it actually loosens constraints on the creative process.

IFC will host its own panel headed by Aukerman, Gethard, Maron and Fred Armisen as they discuss the transition of alternative comedy to television.

It’s a full plate of funny — so much so that you might think you need to pay extra and get a separate badge for all of this comedy clout. But you would be wrong. If you have a SXSW badge for other branches of the festival, you’re all set to go for your fantastic comedic voyage.

Fred Armisen leads a panel discussion hosted by IFC at SXSW Comedy.

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Holiday News

A list of Christmas trees in Dallas, from tallest to shortest

Skaters on an ice rink skate around a 95-feet tall decorated Christmas tree inside a three-level shopping mall.

Photo courtesy of Galleria Dallas

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, when all the malls and cities and outlet centers around Dallas do their ceremonial raising and lighting of the Christmas tree. There's a new twist in 2024, and it's quintessential Texas: It's become a contest for who has the biggest tree? More than one has posited a claim to being the tallest tree of all.

With everyone vying to be DFW's version of Rockefeller Center in New York (which this year comes in at 74 feet tall), we thought it was time to take a measuring stick.

Here is our roundup of lighted Christmas trees in DFW in order from tallest to shortest:

Galleria Dallas

The North Dallas mall purports to have the tallest indoor Christmas tree in Texas. ("Everyone from USA Today to Martha Stewart has declared it so," says a Galleria spokesperson.) Installed in the center of their trademark ice rink, it's a 95-foot-tall beauty with 700 branches, hand-sewn twigs, thousands of ball ornaments, and a 10-foot LED star topper that weighs 100 pounds — all told, it takes nearly 50 people and five days to erect. Best of all, the tree is synthetic — so much better than killing a real tree.) They'll do a tree lighting on November 29 and 30.

Sundance Square, Fort Worth

Coming in at second tallest is the 82-foot-tall Norway Spruce at Fort Worth's Sundance Square. It's the largest live tree in Texas and made its grand arrival from Cadillac, Michigan to Sundance Square Plaza on November 25. It's 8 feet taller than this year's Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in New York City so you know Fort Worth is going for bragging rights. There will be a tree lighting from 6-7 pm on December 3.

Peace Plaza,Main Station in Grapevine

Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas, has a sizable entry at 60 feet. It's right next to the outdoor skating rink on the plaza lawn. There wasn't a ceremonious lighting of the tree this year in favor of a street lighting for the Parade of Lights. However, the lights will be on twinkling each night.

Kaleidoscope Park, Frisco

Newly opened Frisco park has put up its first-ever Christmas tree, featuring a 50-foot tree decorated with 42,000 twinkling lights synchronized to festive music. The tree was first lit by Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney on November 22. The tree is located on the park's Activity Lawn.

Klyde Warren Park, Dallas

Downtown Dallas park will host the lighting of the Mayor’s Christmas Tree, a 50-foot-tall, 5,000-pound tree with nearly 40,000 LED lights. They'll host a tree-lighting celebration on December 7 at 6 ;pm, with festivities and music, including a Nutcracker performance and music from the Emerald City Band.

Allen Premium Outlets Mall, Allen

Allen has an admirable entry for an outlet mall: a 38-foot synthetic tree wrapped in 2,000 lights. Extra points for the synthetic. The lights first went up on November 21. Find the tree in the central court, right behind the Allen Premium Outlets sign.

Addison Circle, Addison

As part of Addison's Rockin' Around the Circle holiday activities, the town has set up a 32-foot tall tree, perched on top of a six-foot base, coming in at approximately three stories high. For an added touch, lights on the tree are even synchronized to Christmas music.

Hotel Drover, Fort Worth

The Stockyards hotel has installed a 30-foot Christmas tree located in The Backyard. They'll host a tree lighting on November 29, but only open to guests who stay overnight.

City of Carrollton, Carrollton

Carrollton has a 20-foot-tall tree located on the historic downtown square and they are doing up their tree lighting on December 7 with great fanfare, including photos with Santa, toy soldier stilt walkers, face painting, photo booth, and a 175-foot drone show to accompany the tree lighting. It starts at 7 pm.

Grand Prairie Premium Outlets, Grand Prairie

The outlet mall has a 20-foot-tall synthetic Christmas tree which they installed on November 22.

BONUS: Vitruvian Park, Addison

This isn't a singular tree lighting, but the park's 455 trees are wrapped in over 1.2 million sparkling LED lights as part of a tree lighting display on November 30. Additionally, there will be free Santa photos, letters to Santa, a live reindeer, classic holiday characters, an elf ballon artist, food trucks, and vendors.

holidays