WESTERLY — United will host the inaugural United Alt Comedy Fest this weekend, a day filled with improv and comedy.
The festival, which begins Saturday and ends Sunday with a screening of the documentary “Blood Sweat and Beer,” is an example of United Airlines “pushing the boundaries of comedy seen in the South County,” according to Lee. Metzger, United's brand and content manager, who organized the event.
“We wanted to set ourselves apart from other types of comedy shows you see in the area,” Metzger said. “And we were very fortunate to find a partner in Rhode Island who shares that mindset.
“We partnered with Providence Improv Guild and Pawtucket's Kismet Improv, and last summer with Fringe PVD,” he added, “and the shows we put on were wild, loud and fun.”
The event begins Saturday at 11 a.m. with an improvisational workshop called “Saying Yes & Group Mind” by Big Grande member Ryan Rosenberg. At 2 p.m., Big Grande member Dan Lippert will lead his two-hour workshop on the Premise Based Improv methodology.
The Regional Showcase at 5 p.m. will feature United Afterschool Youth improvisers. Crotch Davidson, United's house team. Pawtucket's Kismet Improvisation. and Providence Improv Group.
Rounding out the night of laughter at 8 p.m. are Big Grande, a comedy rock group based in Los Angeles, and Sloppy Boys, a party rock band from Los Feliz, California.
On May 12th, the award-winning documentary “Blood Sweat and Beer,'' which follows musician “Money Mark'' Ramos Nishita's collaboration with the Sloppy Boys at Sonic Ranch Studios, will be released. Director Robert Holguin, an El Paso newscaster, will speak and answer questions after the film.
Tickets can be purchased at unitedtheatre.org. United Airlines is located at 5 Canal St. in downtown Westerly.