Democracy kicks ass.

Like Tantrum? You can vote us onto KMBC's A-List by clicking here. Love us? Leave a review...a comment...a star rating. We love to hear what you think. For example, guest monologist Jim Howard accuses us of "utter shamelessness." Fan Stacey (who writes an amazing blog about romance noveling and writing in general) says "it feels great to laugh for like 2 hours straight." Emily, an inspiringly rabid localvore, proclaims "They're hilarious! Every time!" Tom sez "fresh mouthbreath!" And from Massive Tassel, who should know: "They are built of super-laser-robot-parts and they smell like grape soda."

We love our fans, and will figure out some way (seriously!) to make it up to you. Thanks for your support!

Next up: Tantrum at the KC Improv Festival

First of all, thanks to everybody who came out to see Jim Howard with Tantrum last weekend! (And to all of you who stopped by for the secret discount password—it's our way of letting you know we appreciate our regulars.)

Tantrum's next show is the usual Second Friday at 8pm, but this time we'll be performing as part of the 9: The KC Improv Festival at the Off Center Theater. We'll share the spotlight with Comedy City, Messing with a Friend (featuring top Chicago improvisers Susan Messing and Mark Sutton) and Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show, with KC's Dan Walsh and Jeff Drake. We'll be joined by guest monologist Steve Jones, fellow player in ComedyCity, 2 Much Duck, Lighten Up and Funny Outfit.

Other shows in September:
—Also at the festival, catch Thunderdome Thursday, featuring Spite (Trish, Nikki & Megan) and Rob's team, Loaded Dice.
—Rob & Trish compete against each other in Improv Thunderdome, Season 4, Round 3, Saturday, Sept. 19, at 8pm at the Westport Coffeehouse.
—Spite and Loaded Dice play nice on Friday, Sept. 25, at 8pm at the Westport Coffeehouse.

Want the latest news (including special discounts) as it happens? Become a fan on Facebook.
Or follow us on Twitter: TantrumKC

7 Questions for Jim Howard: Megan wants to know

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Megan wants to know: What makes you laugh out loud? Sublime stupidity. The perfect, goofy, left-field thing at the perfect, wrong moment. The kind of thing you guys do all the time.

Why the hell would you miss this? What's WRONG with you?
Tantrum with Special Guest Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.

SECRET VIRTUAL COUPON FOR OUR FAVORITE PEOPLE

Want $2 off a single ticket—or 2-for-1 admission if you bring a friend to this Friday's Tantrum show?

When you get to the box office, say the secret phrase: "Massive Tassel."

7 Questions for Jim Howard: Michael wants to know

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Michael wants to know: What's the best decision you ever made? To woo my wee spousette, back when it looked very dubious (office romance, 9-year age difference, me with two kids from a failed marriage). Somehow we beat the odds.

There's still time...if you hurry...
Tantrum with Special Guest Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.

7 Questions for Jim Howard: Pete wants to know

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Pete wants to know: What was the first album (45/8-track/cassette/cd/whatever) you purchased with your own money?

Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe," for the title song, which I still find weirdly enchanting. But the rest of the album sucked, and I remember suffering acute buyer's remorse. Again: bewildered, disappointed.

There's still time to make reservations...
Tantrum with Special Guest Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.

7 Questions for Jim Howard: Josh wants to know

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Josh wants to know: What was your most unusual job?
My first job remains my most unusual: handing out burlap bags to people riding the giant slide behind a head shop/food co-op. $1.35 an hour. In bad weather, I did odd jobs inside: stocked shelves, swept up around the bulk food bins--and sold bongs, Zig Zag papers, Kama Sutra oil, etc. I was 13. I had no idea what these things were until a couple of years later.

Find out more about Jim
Tantrum with Special Guest Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.

7 Questions for Jim Howard: Rob, Nikki and Trish want to know...

NOTE: We want to get to know our guest monologists even better before the show. So we're introducing a brand new feature—7 Questions. Each member of Tantrum gets to ask a question—the same one every time—to our special guests, who can answer them in as much or as little detail as they'd like.

Rob wants to know: What's your first memory?
Sitting on my mom's lap in the front seat of the family Rambler. She lifted me up so I could look over the dashboard. I thought I was going to see our new house, which was being built. They'd just broken ground, I guess. Our new house was a big pile of dirt? I was three, and already bewildered and disappointed by life.

Nikki wants to know: What's the best thing you got away with as a kid?
If "kid" extends to teenagerhood, the best thing I got away with was unprotected sex. Not as much of it as I would have liked, but more than enough to have ruined my life and several others. Worked out well, though. I mean, I'm sure the sex was lousy. But it seemed great at the time.

Trish wants to know: What weird thing scares the hell out you?
People who still think Bush and Cheney did a great job. Also, realizing that I've been a parent for 30 years, and the day-to-day-ness of it won't let up for another 10 or so. I don't get stoned anymore, but if I did, I bet contemplating this responsibility would Break My MInd.

Find out more about Jim in two weeks...

Tantrum with Special Guest Jim Howard
Second Fridays at the Westport Coffeehouse
4010 Pennsylvania • 816-678-8886 for reservations
Friday, August 14 • 8pm • Tickets: $10
May contain adult material.