COMEDY MONDAY NIGHT
An anniversary is always a good excuse to check out a local institution, so it’s likely that Comedy Monday Night’s 10th anniversary show this week will draw out a few first- timers. Just because you’ve missed out on an entire decade of Western Canada’s longest- running open- mic comedy is no reason to be intimidated— Comedy Monday Night has lasted this long because it’s welcoming to newcomers on- and offstage. But if you’d rather hide your newbieness, our Poseur’s Guide will get you started.
Unexpected punchlines
Comedy Monday Night’s founder and host James Moore, above, likes to say these shows are a setting “where anything can happen, five minutes at a time,” and he’s worked hard to make sure that’s true. The show has become a destination for some of Canada’s top comedy talent, and has even attracted surprise spots from A- listers like Zach Galifianakis, Bob Odenkirk and Nick Offerman. Don’t lie about catching those sets; you’ll fit in better if you’re kicking yourself for missing them.
Local talent
It’s always a thrill when a celeb stops by, but the real joy in Comedy Monday Night is seeing locals rise through the ranks. Comedy is one of those things that can really only be learned by doing it, and Moore started the showcase to help give Calgarians more stage time. It’s been working; comics like Amanda Brooke Perrin, Karen O’Keefe, Donovan Deschner and Chris Gordon honed their skills at Comedy Monday Night, and since have made their way into festivals, headlined tours and appeared on TVs across the country. As a poseur, you can pretend to be proud of them, and wonder which alums will show up for the anniversary.
Rough gems
Comedians usually sound slick and sure- spoken on their albums, but that’s only because they spend months or even years refining their material. Open- mic nights like Comedy Monday Night are where that refining happens. Whether it’s a first- time comic finding their footing on stage or an old pro working out the kinks in a new five- minute bit, it’s bound to be rough around the edges. So be supportive. If someone kills it, make sure they know it. If it’s not working, applaud ’ em anyway. Getting up on that stage isn’t easy, and no one likes a heckler. Seriously.