Twenty 10, Two Thousand AND 10. Whatever year it is, last week was awesome. On stage on Thursday, Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton declared February 2010 DSI Comedy Arts Month (and then Mayor Chilton added, “Be it further resolved that Friday February 5, 2010 be recognized as Zach Ward Day in the Town of Carrboro” What? I was floored!) I haven’t called my Mom yet. I should do that.

Anyway, the shows were awesome. I was pumped for our local audiences to see some really great sketch comedy last weekend and I’m always excited to see Acts inspired by each other at festivals. We had Sold Out shows EVERY NIGHT, despite rain on Friday and snow on Saturday. And a fantastic day of workshops on Saturday with Second City Chicago’s Anthony LeBlanc, SAINTS FTW!

But we’ve got 3 weeks left and Standup Comedy starts Thursday

Last year when I was producing the Toronto Improv Festival I wanted to blog about what was happening in REAL TIME, problems, solutions, Festival details. I was pretty overwhelmed and out of the country so it didn’t happen, but maybe that can change for #NCCAF. You should keep me honest.

Let me know your questions OR any feedback you have.

Biggest issue so far. Last week I tweeted that we were experiencing a 2007 Horatio Level Event. Short backstory – In 2007, Horatio Sanz agreed to do the festival but he went into surgery on Tuesday before his Friday show. My friend Anthony calls me on Thursday to let me know Horatio won’t be coming. I scramble for 24-hours and Louis CK saves comedy. That was awesome. But… what could equal that?

HLE PROBLEM: Last week a venue we contracted for NCCAF 2010 Standup Week picked up the phone, only to let me know they were closed until further notice because of flooding and electrical problems. WTF? Especially 7 days out. ZW SOLUTION: I need a place that has a similar vibe, not a performing arts space that seems too sterile for standup and not just a bar because we need to charge admission, and preferably ONE VENUE for all three nights (7 total shows). The next morning I meet with Tyler’s Taproom owner and manager and we confirm a new venue. Speakeasy, 100 E Main St Carrboro. It’s actually two blocks CLOSER than the other venue. Two drawbacks, No raised stage. And it seats 65 instead of 100. But the venue is excited to host and most of the comics are also playing DSI so I think we did okay.

You could check it out and let me know. http://nccomedyarts.com/standup

Back to work.