Paula Poundstone May 26, 2009

The Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN is proud to present comedian Paula Poundstone in concert Friday, June 26th. It’s impossible to attend a Paula Poundstone performance without marveling at her ability to interact spontaneously with audience members. In conversations bound to garner riotous laughter. Armed with nothing but a stool, a microphone and a can of Diet Pepsi, Paula’s ability to create humor on the spot has become the stuff of legend. Little wonder people leave Paula’s shows debating whether the random people she talked to were “plants” – which, of course they never are, and complaining that their cheeks hurt from laughter.

Paula has been named the 2009 National Spokesperson for (ALTAFF), The Association of Library Trustees Advocates Friends & Foundations, a national network of enthusiastic library supporters who believe in the importance of libraries as the social and intellectual centers of communities and campuses. Paula is supporting libraries on a local level by partnering with promoters and the local Friends organization in cities where she performs. The local Friends group receives tickets for use in fundraising or promotion as well as a portion of the book and CD sales after her performance where she makes herself available for signings. Says Poundstone: “It’s funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women. The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community. Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers and reached out to illiterate adults. Libraries can never be shushed. If you haven’t been to your library lately, you’re over-due.” Paula is pleased to partner with the ALTAFF supporters of The Rochester Public Library, who will sell Paula’s book for which they will receive 100% of the proceeds, and participate in other fund-raising activities. Paula will make herself available for a book signing after the show. The Rochester Public Library is located at 101 2nd Street SE Rochester, MN 55904. For more information call 507.328.2300.

Poundstone's razor-sharp wit makes her a perfect fit as a regular panelist on NPR’s popular weekly news quiz show, “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me.” (2008 winner of the prestigious Peabody Award for Broadcasting excellence). Her first book, "There’s Nothing In This Book That I Meant To Say," (with foreword by Mary Tyler Moore) is out in paperback and on (Highbridge) audio after a year of successful sales. Paula is hard at work on her second tomb for the same imprint. (Harmony Books, a division of Random House) Paula’s commentaries have been heard on NPR’s “Morning Edition” and her blogs appear in the Huffington Post, and 23/6, as well as the NPR Opinion Page. Awards and distinctions: First woman to perform at the White House correspondents dinner; first woman to win a cable ACE for Best Standup Comedy Performance. Emmy and Ace Award winner for Best Program Interviewer. TV appearances include several standup comedy specials (HBO, and Bravo), her own show on HBO and ABC, and all the major talk shows. Paula's first-ever comedy CD: "I HEART JOKES: Paula tells them in Maine" was just released and is a hilarious hour recorded at the world-famous Stone Mountain Arts Center in Maine.

Paula recently released her first-ever comedy CD check out; http://www.paulapoundstone.com/NewCD.html
or FACEBOOK: http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/PAULA-POUNDSTONE/39510582072.
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/PaulaPoundstone, or at www.paulapoundstone.com See Paula’s hilarious guest set on the

Showtime: 8:00PM Tickets: $26.50, $32.00 Call: 507-328-2220 or visit www.ticketmaster.com
The Mayo Civic Center is located at 30 Civic Center SE Rochester, MN 55904