Beyond the Mainstage - Finding More Unique Comedy Shows
In the odd and unconventional hours outside the typical weekend comedy show, you can stumble upon some truly unique comedy experiences during the week, in the early evening, and during the wee hours of the night.
Think about a time you wouldn't usually consider heading to a comedy show, and chances are there's a peculiar and exciting one happening that you haven't heard of yet, but would absolutely love.
These shows often fly under the radar, with minimal promotion and attendance, making them hidden gems for comedy enthusiasts. Surprisingly, they can often deliver more captivating and entertaining performances than the standard comedy offering.
For those unfamiliar with the typical comedy show format, there are generally two common setups at club shows. One is the traditional Host, Feature, and Headliner arrangement, where you get to enjoy three comedians performing, each with progressively longer sets.
The second popular style is the Showcase format, featuring anywhere from 5 to 10+ comedians delivering shorter sets, usually around 7-15 minutes each. Of course, there are more variations, but these are the ones I've come across most frequently.
In both scenarios, comedians typically present what they consider to be their best material. They invest months and even years perfecting their storytelling and jokes to give you the most polished performance possible when you catch them in one of the mentioned formats. Occasionally, they'll toss in some crowd interaction or a smattering of new material, but for the most part, they're serving you the cream of their comedic crop.
Now, don't get me wrong; these shows are fantastic, but they have one downside. Sometimes, if you see a comedian more than once, you end up watching the same set repeatedly.
This is where the offbeat shows come into play. Many clubs and comedians host recurring shows with unique themes once or twice a month. For instance, Stand-up Comic Arun Rama hosts the late-night show "This Just Happened" at Dallas Comedy Club. This show offers comedians the chance to ditch their usual material and create new content, often with just a week's notice, or sometimes as little as a day's notice, focusing on current events and news stories.
For comedians, it's a fun and challenging writing exercise that keeps their creative juices flowing and breaks the potentially monotonous grind of perfecting their existing material.
For the audience, it's an opportunity to witness their favorite comedians perform fresh material, most of which may never be performed again. It also allows them to discover new comedians who may not yet be on the club circuit. Even when the jokes don't quite hit the mark, it offers both the audience and the performer a chance to revel in the quirky and awkward nature of comedy writing.
The only comparable setting to see comedians working on material in this manner is at an open mic. However, the challenge with many open mics is that they often showcase comedians in their early stages, resulting in some uneven performances as they find their comedic voice, stage presence, and writing style.
While open mics are a crucial part of a comedian's journey and a valuable asset to any comedy scene, they can be a bit overwhelming for the casual comedy fan.
Additionally, these offbeat shows serve as the ideal middle ground for comedians looking to progress beyond open mics and gain more stage time, as well as a platform for seasoned veterans to explore their creative boundaries outside the traditional weekend performances.
One of the joys of these shows is that they typically occur outside the regular comedy club hours. For people like me, with a child who wakes up at the crack of dawn on weekends, attending an 8:30 pm show can be challenging.
Shows like "The Early Bird Special," hosted by Kerry Day, G Baby, and Angela Owen, kick off at 5 pm on a Saturday. This timing allows those who struggle with late nights and early mornings to enjoy comedy while maintaining a balanced life. Maybe you don't have kids and just fancy some daytime laughs? It's still a fantastic option.
Another barrier for many comedy fans is the fear of attending a comedy club. I'll admit that before my first comedy club experience, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Is there a dress code? What's the etiquette? Will they seat me right up front? Will the comedian single me out and make me the butt of their jokes?
These concerns and apprehensions are precisely why these offbeat shows might be your cup of tea. Stand-up Marena Riyad hosts "Kufiya Comedy" at The Haus Of Henna. In many cases, the intimate and relaxed setting of a 35-seat Henna Studio might be less intimidating if you're uncertain about committing to a comedy club on a Friday or Saturday night.
Another advantage of shows like "Kufiya Comedy" is that they don't require a two-item minimum purchase. Just purchase your ticket, and you're good to go. Many of these alternative shows share this expectation of a more flexible financial commitment.
Another potential perk of such shows, depending on your preferences, is that they don't serve alcohol. For those who prefer a comedy setting without the influence of alcohol, these shows could be an ideal fit.
Perhaps you want more than just stand-up, you're okay with alcohol, but your wallet is feeling a bit light, and you can't afford the steep drink prices at clubs and bars. Well, you're in luck! There are shows like "Greathouse Playhouse," hosted by stand-up comic Kate Greathouse at Stomping Ground Comedy Theatre. It's a BYOB variety show that Kate describes as having a revolving lineup, offering something our audience "hasn't seen before."
If you're like me, and you devour a ton of comedy shows, and you're ready to push the boundaries a bit, shows like "On The Spot" and "The Dark Nights" are excellent examples of truly unique performances. "The Dark Nights" show, hosted by stand-up comic Pete Jung, specializes in Dark Comedy.
According to Pete, "Much of the time, comics are overtly or implicitly pressured to perform their most palatable material. The Dark Nights is a chance to see some of the best comics in Dallas cut loose."
"On The Spot" is a crowd work show hosted by Tony Compian and offers another exciting opportunity to witness a comedian at work in a distinctive environment. This show thrives on high interaction with the audience, resulting in comedy that can never be replicated, as it depends entirely on the specific dynamics of that evening's audience and performer interaction.
Tony puts it succinctly: "You get to see some of the best in Dallas coming up with jokes in the moment. There's a really fun immediacy to the show."
I consider myself an active attendee of shows in the DFW area, yet I still discover a new show I haven't heard of every month. The number of high-quality performances taking place outside the standard stand-up show format grows each week. However, there's a challenge.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area boasts roughly 7 million people, but sometimes these shows struggle to fill even 50 seats.
Rest assured, it's not the quality of production or performances that's the issue. The main challenge lies in the public's limited awareness of these shows as an option.
If you're reading this article, you're undoubtedly a comedy fan or very interested in watching live comedy. But how do you find these offbeat shows?
I recommend starting with a simple online search of the local comedy clubs in your area, or the surrounding areas. You won’t learn about all of them, but it’s a great start. Visit their websites and check their event calendars. You'll quickly spot numerous shows available.
Finding shows outside of the clubs is a bit trickier. There are too many bars and random venues to search for them online. Instead, I suggest this approach: when you come across a comedy clip online or a show flyer featuring an intriguing comedian, send them a message or comment on their post asking if they have any other shows coming up.
Let them know you're open to watching a themed show at a bar or on an off night at a club. In my experience, they're often thrilled that you're interested in attending and will happily share their upcoming gigs. In many cases, they may even have complimentary tickets for you so you can watch the show for free!
It can seem a little overwhelming at first, but you'll gradually build up your knowledge of recurring shows and comedians, and before you know it, you'll have a list of options to enjoy!
Travis Wright is the host of the “I’m a fan of…” podcast. If you enjoy music and comedy, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and check out the You Tube Channel. Thanks!
