The Moontower Comedy Festival returns to Austin on April 18, kicking off a four-day sprint of stand-up, improv and sketch comedy. Shows takes place at the Paramount Theatre and around town at Austin's best comedy clubs, but as with SXSW, spontaneous performances and unexpected guests are par for the course. While the fest has some seriously impressive headliners on its lineup—Tig Notaro, Mike Birbiglia, Tiffany Haddish, Jo Koy—we're just as excited to see local stars bringing the laughs. Here are five hilarious Austinites performing at the fest—and sharing their take on what to expect at Moontower.
Matt Bearden: "Wanna win? Go to smaller, later shows."
You've probably heard Bearden on 93.7 KLBJ-FM during your weekday-morning commute, delivering his trademark snark and cutting commentary on The Dudley & Bob with Matt Show. Bearden hosts Moontower's Stars in Bars on April 19.
Avery Moore: "It's a dang comedy Christmas."
Watch Moore perform stand-up and you'll often find her laughing at her own jokes. The comedian kills it at fests like Sound on Sound, Come and Take It and more when she's not cohosting the comedy show Joke of Painting every month at Spider House Ballroom. She just came off tour with Louie Anderson and will be in the Austin Towers show during Moontower.
Chris Cubas: "It's basically an after-party festival with great comedy."
You can't miss this larger-than-life character at the fest: As one of Austin's most outspoken comedians, Cubas is a force both onstage and off. He's been a regular at multiple comedy festivals, and starred in a documentary show on income inequality called “Chris Gets Money.” Catch him hosting the Moontower show Stashbox 4/20.
Enzo Priesnitz: "Usually I'm begging comedians to do my podcast."
Cap City Comedy's current "Funniest Person in Austin" is a crafty storyteller (and native Austinite) with a penchant for hilarious—and true—tales. After seeing him kill it at multiple Moontower shows, be sure to listen to his podcast, Gross Lonely Boys.
Mike MacRae: "It's like Mardi Gras for Austin comedy."
The Frank TV veteran is a master of impressions, which has landed him on Letterman, NESN Comedy All-Stars and festivals across the country. He'll perform in the Austin Towers show during the fest.
Tickets to the Moontower Comedy Festival can be purchased here.