Friday night I caught the first night of the first ever Boston Alt Comedy Festival at the Somerville Theatre. The evening featured  Eugene Mirman, Todd Barry, Emo Phillips and a unique painted minstrel from across the Atlantic. Notes about the show and more photos after the jump.

After a stirring rendition of the "Comedian's National Anthem" by locals Myq Kaplan and Micah Sherman, Eugene Mirman started the night. As a local he could have easily entertained the audience limiting his set to obscure references to Massachusetts towns, but he also threw in an irate letter to his gas company in Brooklyn, some new cutting edge web ads and a series of videos sending up commercials by the Boston Globe.

Todd Barry hit the stage next, and delivered commentary on travel to the South, cross-cultural eggnog situations and Facebook dating categories. His act was the only one marred by a few hecklers. After the show he told me that the pair were his fans, who'd been there to see him. People: heckling is a bizarre way to show your love. If you're  a true fan, you'll get him to sign your napkin. Then eat it.

Then our painted stranger from England. doktor cocacolamcdonalds hit the stage, armed with a hand held synthesizer, and sang protest songs. And yes, he wore nothing more than floral briefs, shoes, and a flowing cravat. For the second part of his set he wore a kimono, and read poetry with a cardboard box over his head. It was a unique set, with the best declamation of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" I've ever heard, and the doktor will be sure to appear in my nightmares for some time.

Emo Phillips, the éminence grise of the evening, closed out the show for an audience of adoring fans. He's maintained the trademarked, wild pitch delivery he's long been known for, and riffed on everything from Scientology to intelligent design.

I checked out the after  party at Redbones, a famous local BBQ joint. The kitchen was closed for the night, so I didn't get to see a rib-off between the comedians. Hopefully next year.

Kaplan and Sherman

Todd Barry

doktor cocacolamcdonalds, both masked and painted

Mirman and Barry selling merch

Eugene Mirman