MaxFunCon

What is MaxFunCon?

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:30:00 +0000

MaxFunCon is an all-inclusive weekend of fun and learning in the mountains of Southern California. You arrive on Friday afternoon, have a cocktail courtesy of Dr. Cocktail and get to know your fellow MaxFunsters. You head to the dining room of the converted hunting lodge, and enjoy a salmon dinner and the company of ten new friends. When you're done eating, you head to the big lodge room for a welcome from me, Jesse Thorn, and a benediction from John Hodgman. Then it's on to a blowout show featuring sketch comedy from Clifford & Kidd, Kasper Hauser and Elephant Larry, plus music from Jonathan Coulton. Then, of course, a s'mores party, and off to bed in your "condolet."

On Saturday, you wake up slowly and head in to breakfast. There you prepare for a full day - comedy with You Look Nice Today and Jordan, Jesse, Go!, plus two seminar periods where you can learn to make a terrarium with Jenny Ryan or to dress like a gentleman with Will Boehlke or even compete in a quiz bowl with Elephant Larry. That's to say nothing of inspirational talks from Andrew WK and Jad Abumrad. You eat heartily through the day, because it will stretch into the night - a huge comedy show with Marc Maron, Maria Bamford, Al Madrigal and Jimmy Pardo. Then, of course, it's back to the lodge for the big party.

Sunday's a bit gentler. Wake up, have breakfast, shake off the previous night. Maybe a quick hot tub? Then laugh your ass off with Never Not Funny. A final meal with your new best friends, and you've got to catch your plane. Hang on to your MaxFunMemories and plan for next year.

Be sure and keep your eyes here on the blog for MaxFunCon news and notes - you can subscribe with this feed. You can register now for MaxFunCon here.

MaxFunCon Podcast Episode 11: Merlin Mann

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Smith) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:26:00 +0000

Merlin Mann shared his thoughts on creativity and producing creative work in a very popular talk at last year's MaxFunCon.

Maybe you couldn't make it in 2009. Well, luckily enough for you, Merlin will be joining us again this year. In anticipation of next week's podcast, in which Jesse will be talking to him about his upcoming book, we're sharing the advice he gave at MaxFunCon 2009.

Merlin is great at breaking down the process of making art, or writing, or however you choose to be awesome and helping you think clearly about how you can stop stalling and just get started. So what are you waiting for?

Listen to This Week's Show

Download This Week's Show (mp3)
Subscribe to the MaxFunCon podcast: iTunes / Feed

MaxFunCon: 88% Full!

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:48:00 +0000

I made this awesome thermometer graphic using MS Paint so I could deliver a simple message: MaxFunCon is now 88% full. If you want to come, register now.

Radiolab: Parabolas

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:57:00 +0000

A wonderful video piece from Radiolab, the remarkable show hosted and produced for WNYC and NPR by MaxFunCon speaker Jad Abumrad.

Chris Hardwick on John Oliver's New York Standup Show

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:54:00 +0000

Jokes.com

Chris Hardwick - Slut Squad

comedians.comedycentral.com

Joke of the Day

Stand-Up Comedy

Free Online Games

One of our awesome performers from last year's MaxFunCon, Chris Hardwick, was just on John Oliver's New York Standup Show. Way to go, Chris!

New MaxFunCon Graphic!

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:00:00 +0000

Thanks to David Cole of Sleepover Design for this awesome new graphic which I just put up over on maximumfun.org. Feel free to use it on your site(s)!

Cheap Flights on Southwest

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:28:00 +0000

Southwest is offering $39 each way short-haul flights at the moment. Short-haul only, but that includes flights from various places in California and the southwest. Southwest services Ontario, California, the closest airport to MaxFunCon, as well as LAX, Orange County and Burbank, all of which are within comfortable driving range (and about equidistant). Deal is good through February 11th.

For those wondering: MaxFunCon starts at about 4PM on Friday, so plan to leave the airport around 2PM. It ends around 1PM on Saturday, so plan to arrive at the airport Sunday at about 3PM.

MaxFunCon Scholarships

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:42:00 +0000

Thanks to Matt Haughey of Metafilter.com, we are thrilled to be able to offer two full scholarships to MaxFunCon 2010! Scholarships will be awarded to one lady and one gentleman who apply. Each scholarship will cover the full cost of attendance, which includes accommodations, food, beverages, and all MaxFunCon activities at Lake Arrowhead.

In order to apply for a scholarship, you must meet all of the following criteria:

1. You have significant financial need. Specifically, it would be difficult or impossible for you to attend MaxFunCon 2010 if you did not receive a scholarship.

2. You are able to arrange your own transportation to and from Lake Arrowhead to attend MaxFunCon 2010.

3. You will be able to participate in the entire weekend-long conference. MaxFunCon begins –

4. 4 PM on Friday, May 7^th and ends at 1 PM on Sunday, May 9^th.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, send a short essay explaining why you want to go to MaxFunCon and why you need the scholarship. Essay instructions are as follows:

1. Email your essay to maxfuncon@gmail.com.

2. In the subject line of your email, please write “Application” and indicate either “(Ladies)” or “(Gentlemen)” so we know which pool to place you in.

3. The essay should be included both as an attachment to your email in Microsoft Word format, and in the body of the email.

4. The essay must be no longer than 300 words. Essays longer than 300 words will not be read or considered.

5. Please include your phone number in the body of the email so that we can call you if needed.

Applications will be reviewed by a scholarship selection committee made up of 3-5 friends of TSOYA, Metafilter and MaximumFun.org. Members of the committee will each read all essay submissions and then work together to select one gentleman applicant and one lady applicant to receive this year’s scholarships. In making its selections, the committee will look for the following in the essays:

1. Applicant has significant financial need.

2. Applicant has outstanding desire to participate in MaxFunCon 2010.

Creativity is always appreciated, but please make sure your essay conforms to all the requirements outlined above in order to be considered.

With respect to financial need, in the initial application stage we are not requiring any supporting documentation (like bank statements or tax returns). Even so, you should be able to provide evidence to support any assertions you make in your essay about your financial circumstances. We may need to request supporting documentation once we start narrowing down the applications.

The deadline for scholarship applications is Friday, Feb. 26^th.

We hope to select and notify the two recipients no later than Monday, March 8^th.

MaxFunCon Podcast Ep. 10: John Hodgman and Merlin Mann

noreply@blogger.com (Julia Smith) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:33:00 +0000

A few months ago, MaxFunster Merlin Mann (of 43 Folders and You Look Nice Today fame) conducted a live interview with MaxFunster John Hodgman (of Daily Show and Areas of My Expertise fame). Enjoy the conversation betwixt the two.

Listen to This Week's Show

Download This Week's Show (mp3)
Subscribe to the MaxFunCon podcast: iTunes / Feed

Lake Arrowhead

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:01:00 +0000

Darryl Asher took this photo at last year's Con and posted it up on the MaxFunCon 2010 Facebook page. If you're coming, be sure and RSVP on Facebook, and say hi to those who already have!

MaxFunCon Podcast Ep. 9: Andrew WK at WNYC

noreply@blogger.com (Mariel Was Here) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:13:00 +0000

We guarantee the always epic Andrew WK will be ready to motivate and inspire you again at this year's MaxFunCon. Need to get pumped up now? Take a listen to his live interview and performance on an episode of The Sound of Young America in NYC.

Listen to This Week's Show

Download This Week's Show (mp3)
Subscribe to the MaxFunCon podcast: iTunes / Feed

MaxFunCon Podcast Ep. 8: Al Madrigal

noreply@blogger.com (Mariel Was Here) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:11:00 +0000

Al Madrigal is a super guy. He's hilarious is for one: You've probably seen him on Conan or on Craig Ferguson, he is Jury Award winner for Best Stand-Up Comedian at the Aspen Comedy Arts Festival.

We've actually known Al since our college radio show days... and even then he was always helpful, friendly and all-around awesome. And that is the kind of folks we want to surround ourselves with at MaxFunCon. He was recently a guest on Jordan, Jesse Go! -here's a sneak of his standup as "Smiling Al Madrigal" will be joining at MaxfunCon. Enjoy.

Download This Week's Show (mp3)
Subscribe to the MaxFunCon Podcast: iTunes / Feed

Elephant Larry: Behind the Scenes of Spiderman 4

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:26:00 +0000

MaxFunCon Podcast Ep. 7: Jonathan Coulton

noreply@blogger.com (Mariel Was Here) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:44:00 +0000

Jonathan Coulton returns to perform at MaxFunCon after touring his new DVD/CD combo of live performances, it's called: BEST. CONCERT. EVER. If you've never heard his songs before then seriously: get ready to have a new favorite person in your life.

Download This Episode (mp3)
Subscribe to the MaxFunCon Podcast: iTunes / Feed

Rian Johnson's The Brothers Bloom

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:42:00 +0000

One of our most esteemed guests at MaxFunCon is Rian Johnson, the director of the films Brick and The Brothers Bloom. Above is the latter film's charming opening sequence, narrated by the great Ricky Jay.

MaxFunCon Podcast Ep. 6: Maria Bamford

noreply@blogger.com (Mariel Was Here) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 03:08:00 +0000

The Bammer will be returning to MaxFunCon this year, but not only to perform: She will also be leading a standup comedy open-mic for comedians of all levels of skill, so if you've always wanted to give standup comedy a try- now's your chance! If you need some inspiration: here's her standup set from last year's MaxfunCon. Enjoy!

Download This Episode (mp3)
Subscribe to the MaxFunCon Podcast: iTunes / Feed

MaxFunCon 2010: Tentative Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:14:00 +0000

Scroll to May 7th-9th for the tentative schedule for MaxFunCon 2010!

Lake Arrowhead, 1932

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 06:37:00 +0000

Douglas Fairbanks and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. ski their way around Lake Arrowhead in 1932. Looking smart enough for our MaxFunCon Saturday party, I'd say.

MaxFunCon Podcast Ep. 5: Marc Maron

noreply@blogger.com (Mariel Was Here) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:26:00 +0000

Marc Maron is one of our headliners at MaxFunCon 2010 and one of our favorite comedians ever. His podcast, WTF, remains the top ten on iTunes popularity because yeah: he is that good.

Here he is with Janeane Garofalo, an old friend & partner in crime in the alternative comedy scene of the 90's.

Download This Episode (mp3)
Subscribe to the MaxFunCon Podcast: iTunes / Feed

The MaxFunCon Installment Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:40:00 +0000

Want to go to MaxFunCon, but having a hard time coming up with the ticket price in one fell swoop?

Now you can attend on the installment plan. Four monthly payments of $175 (plus $10 for processing) and you're in.

Please note that this is a limited-time offer, so if you want to take us up on it, do it now.

If you're attending with a friend of the same gender, and you'd like to share a condolet, please indicate that person's name in the box provided so we can assign you accordingly.

Please note that installment payments are non-refundable. They will be made automatically via PayPal, but any change to your card (including a new expiration date) or other information on your PayPal account (such as your address or bank account information) can cancel the payments. Please monitor your account and verify that all payments are made, and contact Jesse if PayPal does something dumb.

MaxFunCon Podcast Ep. 4: A Whitman's Sampler of Hilarity

noreply@blogger.com (Mariel Was Here) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:40:00 +0000

On Episode 4 of the MaxFunCon Podcast we bring you some comedy from our pals:

Elephant Larry

Clifford & Kidd and Kasper Hauser.

Experience this trifecta of awesome LIVE at MaxFunCon 2010.

Direct Download
iTunes
Feed

Labels: MaxFunCon Podcast

I'll see you at MaxFunCon!

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:57:00 +0000

Are you going to MaxFunCon?

We'd love for you to add these graphics to your blog sidebars, websites, MySpace(?), uhm... Friendsters, AltaVistas, Geocities, NCSA Mosaics, whatever. You can either grab the images themselves here, or copy and paste the code into your whatnots to get a nice little linkeroonie.

http://www.maximumfun.org/images/seeyou.gif

http://www.maximumfun.org/images/headliners.gif

More Maria Bamford

noreply@blogger.com (Mariel Was Here) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:58:00 +0000

We love the Pee Wee Christmas Special so we were PSYCHED when we saw that The Bammer made her own ONE HOUR HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL!
It's free to download so pass it along to your friends & loved ones, or strangers on the street, that's fine too, 'tis the season.

Facebook!

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:25:00 +0000

Hey! Are you coming to MaxFunCon?

RSVP on Facebook so you can rub everybody's nose in it!

Maria Bamford for Target

noreply@blogger.com (Jesse Thorn) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:08:00 +0000

Did you guys check out MaxFunCon superstar Maria Bamford in the world's most heavily-rotated Target ads? Because she was hilarious.