Get Off the Couch: Chappelle, Ralphie, festivals this week

BARRY COURTER: Lisa, one of the funniest skits I've seen in a long while is the Dave Chappelle mockumentary involving Rick James and Charlie Murphy. Like a lot of Chappelle's best stuff, we can't actually quote it here, but the man is funny.

LISA DENTON: Yep, "Chappelle's Show" was regular viewing at my house. He gave sketch comedy real depth, which might explain why he needed to take a break from it.

His upcoming Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Tour for Funny Or Die got a lot of media attention last week, but he's actually doing a lot of dates in the Southeast until that tour starts in August.

He'll be at the Tivoli Theatre on Wednesday. The original 7:30 p.m. show sold out so fast, they added a second at 10 p.m. At last check, there were still tickets for that one.

BARRY: Another funny man is coming this week as well. Ralphie May, who was born here, will be at the Tivoli on Saturday. He is bringing his Too Big to Ignore tour.

Like Chappelle, he's not afraid to say pretty much anything. I've been listening to a few of the online webcasts he and his wife, Lhana Turner, do called "The Perfect 10." They are funny, and she matches him shock for shock.

LISA: It'd be worth busting a gut to see both of those shows. Both guys make me laugh.

BARRY: Ralphie has battled some health issues in the last year, but he's still as sharp-witted as ever. People should be aware this is not a show for kids. Neither is Chappelle, for that matter.

LISA: And as hard as it is for me to believe, we are close enough to the Fourth of July that there are actually big holiday events this weekend. LaFayette, Ga., will have its Freedom Festival on Friday at Municipal Park, and East Ridge is holding its Liberty Fest on Saturday at Camp Jordan. Atlanta Rhythm Section is the headliner for that. We're gonna have us a "Champagne Jam."

BARRY: "Spooky."

LISA: Tee hee.

BARRY: You've heard people describe a concert or performance as "hot." Last year's Liberty Fest was hot, but not in a good way. I think it was 104 degrees. Needless to say, people stayed away in droves.

The weather for this Saturday is predicted to be in the low 80s, so hopefully people will make up for missing last year. In addition to ARS, the lineup includes Roger Alan Wade, Chris McDaniel and Stallion.

It's $20 per car, and things get underway at 4 p.m.

Get event details every Thursday in ChattanoogaNow or online anytime at www.ChattanoogaNow.com.

Contact staff writer Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Contact staff writer Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.

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