Local Music Booking Operation Parade of Flesh Dips Its Toes Into The Comedy World.
Since the mid-'00s, John Iskander has regularly booked concerts around the North Texas region under his Parade of Flesh moniker. And, over the course of that time, he's turned his small-time operation into a fairly successful entity.
Into music that exists more on the fringe? Enjoy music that doesn't apologize for being heavy and abrasive? Want to see some of the best up-and-coming touring bands around — and before they blow up to the point where they're playing venues the size of the Granada Theater?
Answer yes to any of the above and you're probably already a fan of Iskander's work, whether you realize it or not. It's a nice little business model, a smartly carved out niche in the local music market that Iskander can claim almost all his own.
But in the coming months, he'll add another element to his arsenal: This summer, Parade of Flesh will begin booking nationally touring alternative comedians to Dallas rock clubs.
A few weeks back, Iskander announced the first of these events — a performance from comedian Todd Barry, a regular comedy stage performer at music festivals around the country, to take place on Thursday, May 17, at Sons of Hermann Hall.
This morning, Iskander announced his second comedic get — and one that may, in fact, be an even bigger one than the first. Comic Rob Delaney, a man often listed as one of the funniest people on Twitter, will come to town for a show on Saturday, September 8, also at Sons of Hermann Hall.
These shows represent an interesting move for Iskander, although it's hardly an unprecedented one. Alternative comedians have for years performed at rock clubs around the country; the fact that so few do so in Dallas is actually a little surprising.
Regardless, it should be interesting to see how these shows play out. One way to do so yourself? By checking these shows out first-hand. Tickets to both Barry and Delaney's shows are already currently on sale.