The Brooklyn Comedy Show Inspired by 'Bushwick's Best Kept Secret'

photos by Michael Gebhardt c/o Primarily Brooklyn

When Micheal Larkin and Gillian Farrugia, friends from their Syracuse University days, were walking through during last spring's Open Streets, they wandered into that eye-catching bright blue building on Starr Street. Of course, it was none other than Skewville, a gallery owned and curated by street artists Ad and Kate Deville. And if you've seen it, you'd get why they were drawn to its creative charm. But that chance encounter did more than just pique their interest—it sparked the birth of one of the neighborhood's coolest new comedy events, "Primarily Brooklyn".

Fueled by their shared passion for comedy and community, Primarily Brooklyn effortlessly channels Skewville's quirky, creative, and welcoming vibe for an evening jam-packed with art and laughter.

Gillian answered a few questions for warmly leading up to their next show this weekend...

photos by Michael Gebhardt c/o Primarily Brooklyn

Can you start by briefly sharing the story behind Primarily Brooklyn and how the event came to be?

Primarily Brooklyn is the passion project of our host, Michael Larkin, and myself. In April of 2023, Michael had been establishing himself in the Brooklyn comedy scene, and wanted to get into hosting. I work in events and design, so we had fantasized about a collaboration. On Earth Day, we were walking around our neighborhood Open Streets, and the gates of Skewville were ajar. We waltzed in and were blown away - it felt like we had just unearthed the best-kept secret in Bushwick. Every inch of the backyard was filled with unconventional, upcycled sculptures - all painted in bold primary colors (hence the name, Primarily Brooklyn). We hit it off with the owner and creator of Skewville, Ad Deville, and got to planning! Our first show was in July of 2023, and we are getting ready for our seventh show this Friday.

In taking inspiration from Skewville, how does Primarily Brooklyn tie into the ethos of the gallery?

There is an incredibly rich art scene in Bushwick, and Skewville has positioned itself as a “home for street art” (Hyperallergic, 2024). It was important to Michael and me that we create an event that reflects and uplifts the initiatives and community that exists here. Primarily Brooklyn is a little quirky, queer, and all very DIY. We are hand making signs and pre-mixing cocktails for the bar before every show: small details that convey the love we have for this project.

What kinds of acts can people expect to see at a Primarily Brooklyn show? How do you find/select performers?

Michael does a fabulous job bringing a very diverse lineup to the stage. Comedy at its core is a form of storytelling - and no one wants to hear the same kind of story over and over again. Our hope is that there will be at least one performer that you can either relate to, or is so drastically different from anything you’ve seen before that it leaves a lasting impression. As the show grows, we have been able to access more established performers - which has been very exciting!

photos by Michael Gebhardt c/o Primarily Brooklyn

Can you speak briefly about the choice to include comedy, DJ, and variety (burlesque/contortion) performances all within the evening? 

We wanted to create an elevated show with multiple elements to encourage people to stay and hang out in the space. Having a DJ set the tone for this time gives another opportunity to support Brooklyn talent and tap into different communities that may not necessarily be seeking out a comedy show! We started incorporating burlesque and contortion into the show fairly recently, but it’s been getting raving reviews. It plays into the eccentric vibe of the gallery and gives both the comics and the attendees a great conversation starter!

What kind of atmosphere are you aiming to create at Primarily Brooklyn? What are you hoping folks get out of coming? 

There is something so alluring about walking through the gates of Skewville. Our goal is to sustain that intrigue and awe from the first sip of whatever our stunning bartenders are concocting to the last punchline of the evening.

🎫 grab some tickets to tomorrow’s event here 
🗞 And follow Primarily Brooklyn on Insta to stay tuned on Future events

photos by Michael Gebhardt c/o Primarily Brooklyn