Gabrielle Bell, Sana Amanat, Michael Hartney and More Set for DOWNTOWN VARIETY HOUR Next Month

Nat Towsen's Downtown Variety Hour is celebrating its 50th show at UCB Theatre East Village on Monday, August 7 at 7:30 PM with a comics-themed lineup.

Host Nat Towsen (VICE, Nickelodeon) combines the disappearing, eclectic lower Manhattan culture in which he grew up (around the corner from the theatre, in fact) with interviews, informative presentations, and the best of the NYC comedy scene. The show features native luminaries as well as a few welcome New York transplants.

This month's Downtown Variety features comedy and comics, including a live comic book reading with Gabrielle Bell (Best American Comics, Fantagraphics), an interview with Sana Amanat (co-creator of Ms. Marvel, editor at Marvel Comics) and Judy Stephens (Women of Marvel, editor at Marvel Comics), and comedy by Michael Hartney (School of Rock, Throwing Shade).

In the monthly "Downtown History" segment, Towsen will interview an expert in a corner of New York City history. And in "NYC Trivia," audience members can win free pizza and comics from sponsors Two Boots and Forbidden Planet.

Nat Towsen's Downtown Variety Hour takes place at 7:30 PM on Monday, August 7, at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre East Village, 153 East 3 Street, Manhattan, NY 10009. Admission costs $7 and patrons of all age are welcome (those 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult). Tickets will be available in advance at bit.ly/NTDVH50.