I woke up thinking three things this morning: Aparna Nancherla is on “Conan” tonight! The All Jane No Dick Festival is four days away! Where am I? So it was a super exciting morning. Aparna is truly one of our most favorite comedians here at Serial Optimist. We can’t get enough of her twitter feed, we scream with glee when she appears on “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell” (for which she also writes) and she’s making her late night debut on “Conan” tonight which will be amazing. She’s also one of the stellar ladies performing at the All Jane No Dick Festival in Portland, which starts this Thursday (look for AJND coverage all week on SO, and check out our chat with the AJND artistic director Stacey Hallal here). We chatted with Aparna about Portland, All Jane No Dick and…Pepsi.

Serial Optimist: Let’s get right to it. What are your expectations for the AJND fest?

Aparna Nancherla: My expectations are to be young, have fun, drink Pepsi! Oh, wait that was the ad slogan for the early ’90s hip beverage known as Pipsi Coola.

My expectations for the AJND fest are to be a woman, do comedy, and drink Pepsi! But Coke is OK too.

SO: Do you enjoy performing at festivals? Is it a good chance to meet or see or hide in a corner with the other comedians?

Aparna: I do enjoy performing at festivals. It’s a nice way to get out of NY and LA, have a different set of people learn my facial tics and mannerisms, and haphazardly stir my drink (Pepsi) in another city!

SO: Who are a few of the performers you’re looking forward to seeing?

Aparna: Honestly, the bill is chock-full of Pepsi-infused goodness. I am quite jazzhanded to see people who I do not get to see perform a lot in my current geographical coordinates such as Cameron Esposito, Lauren Lapkus, Mary Holland, Erin Whitehead, Stephanie Allynne, Kyle Mizono, Brandie Posey, Barbara Holm, Elicia Sanchez, and all the new ladies who I haven’t seen before who will reveal themselves in a blaze of fiery hilarity.

The Super Serious Show: Aparna Nancherla “Real Life”

SO: Do you look at a fest like this as progression for female comedians? When can we just start calling female comedians comedians?

Aparna: It’s just nice to be surrounded by funny women. Funnies who happen to be women, or women who happen to be funny? I don’t know which one is more complimentary because they’re both awesomey things. But I do know that they exist and when they all show up in one place and spill their brains a bit, twirliness and fun results, and if we’re lucky, a whole lotta Pepsi.

SO: Are you familiar with Portland? What are some of your favorite Portland things? What are you most looking forward to doing in Portland aside from the fest?

Aparna: Portland is honestly one of my favoritest towns in this corn maze of a country. In no particular order, I like the weirdos, the coffee, the Pepsi, the nibbles, the waterfalls, the green explosion, the majestic carpeting. My stereotype of Portland is it’s awesome and I am very honored every time I get a chance to go. Ok, full disclosure: Pepsi wasn’t sponsoring this interview, but it’s nice to have dreams!

SO: Thanks Aparna! (Aparna, please, go drink some water!)

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SO Note: Follow Aparna @aparnapkin and if you haven’t already go get your tickets to the All Jane No Dick Festival HERE!

*Featured photo courtesy of ClefClips.