Summer in New York: Comedy shows and events

Reggie Watts—the blithe, beat-boxing screwball who leapt from back rooms in Brooklyn to a supporting gig on Conan O’Brien’s 2010 national tour—embarks on his own countrynationwide jaunt this summer. Try to keep up with him on the New York stop, where he’ll sink into the sweet spot between the technology he putters with and his own snatches of song, characters and bits of physical business.

Dave Hill, a rocker and comic of class and sass, has written a book of personal essays titled Tasteful Nudes. To kick off its publication, he has planned a night to remember: John Hodgman and Janeane Garofalo make appearances; David Rakoff interviews Hill; Doug Gillard and TAB the Band play songs. (Also, count on "Little Michael Jackson" and some of those crazy cars that bounce up and down.)

Stand-up and Parks and Recreation scene-stealer Aziz Ansari is growing up. He’s getting older, his friends are having kids, and he’s feeling pressure to be a responsible adult. Thankfully, all of this trepidation is paying off in quality material: Ansari released his latest stand-up special, Dangerously Delicious, through his website for a mere $5 earlier this year. Expect brand-new material on his currentlatest tour, which hits the storied Beacon this seasonsummer. ticketmaster.com. $60.

Shock auteur John Waters, who is just as witty, arch and droll in person as he is in your imagination, weaves a series of personal tales into a solo show for two nights only. There may not be any talking buttholes on display tonight, but Waters's life has taken enough outrageous and bawdy turns to keep his crowd riveted and roaring.

During this annual weekend-long extravaganza, improv fans descend on several venues in Chelsea to indulge in a nonstop stream of laughter—courtesy of big-name talent from New York, L.A., Chicago and beyond—drinks and any number of other stimulants before passing out in a heap. Until you’ve been serenaded by a gaggle of Michael McDonalds or pummeled into submission by Wicked Fuckin’ Queeyah in the wee hours of the morning, you don’t know what punch-drunk is. ucbtheatre.com.

Last year’s free session of Pretty Good Friends at the Williamsburg Waterfront may have been interrupted by a torrential downpour, but the show was stillultimately hilarious. This year, Eugene Mirman & Co. are moving the performance to a new riversidewaterfront venue, bringing up an outstanding roster of comics and closing with high-energycheerful band OK Go. In the meantime, pray to the Brooklyn gods of moisture for a dry evening; we’ll still be bringing umbrellas and gumboots, just in case. facebook.com/williamsburgparkbk.

As good as they may be on-air, the members of the The Daily Show’s cast regularly spread their wings and flaunt their livelier, truer colors during stand-up sets around town. For proof, check out this free SummerStage show, which features both on-camera and behind-the-scenes talent. John Hodgman hosts, while a bevy of TDS’s finest—Wyatt Cenac, Al Madrigal, John Oliver, Kristen Schaal, Rory Albanese and Adam Lowitt—wrangles with the upcoming election, as well as whatever else is on their minds. summerstage.org.