t is a world where cheesiness is king, oddity’s a commodity and hot wings cost 12 bucks. People at small tables sit close together like lunchtime elementary students, and appear to propose to a stage about the size of a ’76 El Dorado.
Indeed, it is the world of stand-up comedy folks. An environment of self-effacing numb-skulls, many being brilliant jokesters who comment on anything from politics to relationships (or, more recently, relationships of politicians) to booze to almost anything one can reflect on. Individuals who are more or less skyrocketed by the influence of hops and herbs of extra-curricular ordinance, it seems that stand-up comedy is a place of true artistic expression.
“Open-mikes” are where comics get their start in show business. Everyone, from Henny Youngman to Jerry Seinfeld to Eddie Murphy to Richard Pryor, started out doing “open-mike nights” where a comedy show is constructed solely for the purpose of introducing no-name comedians to the people. The audience is made up of a rough crowd, armed with tomatoes and mouths that mom would stick a Lever-2000 in.
In South Florida, the comedy scene has taken an upward trend these days. As recently as four years ago, there were only two or three “open-mikes” from the West Palm Beach Improv to the Miami Improv, with little stops along the way. Today there are plenty, like Uncle Funnies in Davie and the New York Comedy Club, formerly Bocanuts (heck of a name for a comedy club, huh?) in Boca Raton. The aspiring and often perspiring comedian had only a few choices to unleash their comedic domain. Now, with the scene growing, at least 10-15 gigs occur each week. That is a true breakthrough, say local comedians.
“Well, I mean it’s really a money thing. The trick is for owners to get people to show up on off-nights, Wednesdays and Thursdays,” said Steve Strowbridge, a comic veteran of two years, and who does a mean James Brown impression (you gotta see it!). It is rather easy to get a decent crowd to come out and see “Kid Dynamite” J.J. Walker, or Jackie the Jokeman Martling.
At the new Hollywood Improv, which just opened up in January, comedians like D.L. Hughley and Damon Wayons are scheduled soon. “Open-mikes are usually absolutely free to the public. All that is required of you is your blood.
I mean a two-drink minimum, sorry. Just show up, get twisted and laugh at some corny jokes. Who knows, you might be lucky enough to see the next Ray Romano or the next Carrot-Top (again, sorry). There should be no problem finding a good “open mike” show near you.
Go to all of them. It will influence your comedic soul.
