Today, Local Spins debuts its first monthly column about the region’s comedy scene: Local Grins. Get the lowdown on a wide variety of show options and more. You can even send us your favorite new joke.
Local Grins Episode 1: A robust roundup of area comedy shows.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Today, we welcome a new chapter of Local Spins and a new monthly feature. “Local Grins” will give comedy fans across the region what they’ve long been seeking: a spotlight on the emerging comedy scene with a rundown on area shows, interviews and much more, courtesy of columnist, veteran writer and comedy devotee Virginia Anzengruber. Email comments, questions, show additions and your favorite ‘Joke of the Month’ to virginia.anzengruber@gmail.com. Interested in advertising your shows at Local Spins or sponsoring Local Grins? Email John at john@localspins.com
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When it comes to comedy in West Michigan, the options are honestly as bountiful as the breweries.
Grand Rapids, while famous for its many artisan craftspeople, farm-to-table restaurants and unique microbreweries, also serves as home to a vibrant and varied comedy scene fostered by veteran performers that showcase a diverse lineup of comedic voices.
Virginia Anzengruber
After first relocating to Grand Rapids from Los Angeles in 2013, I was introduced to an eclectic group of comics who immediately welcomed me in and championed my progress on stage. As my comedy career pivoted from stand-up to working in television writers’ rooms, I took a nine-year hiatus before starting stand-up (for the second time) back in fall 2023. When I returned to the stage, that same warm and encouraging energy was there to welcome me back.
In this first edition of Local Grins, I’ll introduce you to the folks and shows that make Michigan an amazing place for comedians and comedy lovers alike. Here’s a (working, non-definitive) list of the shows that make West Michigan to Lansing the place to be for anyone who loves to laugh.
MONDAY
• Comedy Outlet Mondays (weekly, Grand Rapids) – This weekly variety show hosted by improv and stand-up comedian Sean Francis boasts a lively lineup of stand-up, sketch, and improv comedy for the most avid comedy fans. Folks can learn the craft of improv by attending classes at The Comedy Project, with many of the program’s stand out students getting time to shine each week. A healthy mix of up-and-comers and veteran performers rounds out this weekly showcase that starts every Monday at 7 p.m. for $5 with a FREE improv jam immediately following the show at 9:00 p.m. Info: https://thecomedyproject.com/shows/
• Mac’s Monday Comedy Night (weekly, Lansing) – A heralded giant in the scene that’s survived a COVID shutdown to come back even stronger with weekly hosts comedians Robert Jenkins and Pat Sievert, Mac’s Monday Comedy Night serves as the gold standard for lineups. You can catch touring comedians and working comics, as well as fresh-faced newbies at this expertly curated free weekly show that starts at 9 p.m. every Monday. Info: https://www.facebook.com/MacsComedy
• The Weekly Crunch (weekly, Lansing) – Hosted by Johnny Mocny, Nick Earl, Jay Eoff, and Emilie Burkhart, this weekly show at Crunchy’s sports bar boasts good vibes and college town energy. And the 8 p.m. showtime means comics and comedy fans can double-dip and catch two free shows on Monday nights in Lansing. Info: https://www.facebook.com/crunchyscomedy
TUESDAY
• Garage Bar (weekly, Grand Rapids) – Hosted by comedian Abbie Lemke, this weekly staple in Grand Rapids has been going strong for years. Starting at 7 p.m. each week, Abbie hosts a hilarious lineup of comedians at this free show, accompanied by an amazing menu and atmosphere. Info: https://www.facebook.com/garagebaropenmic
• Tip Top Tuesday (weekly, Grand Rapids) – I may be biased, as this was the place that I started my stand-up comedy journey in 2013, but Tip Top Tuesday Comedy is my favorite show, hands down, to attend as a fan and perform in as a comic. Host Alex Plotkowski shepherds this tentpole free show at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill that has seen nationally touring comedians as well as a regularly rotating lineup of local and regional favorites. I’ve never laughed harder than I have in this tiny room. The show starts at 9 p.m. every Tuesday. Info: https://www.facebook.com/TipTopTuesdayComedy
WEDNESDAY
• Comedy Night at River City Saloon (weekly, Grand Rapids) – Comedian Carl Sobel hosts this weekly free stand-up show at River City Saloon on GR’s Westside. Known for their amazing food, friendly staff, and hilarious comedians, River City Showdowns have now also begun in earnest, with (sometimes friendly) roast battles between comedians rounding out each show, which starts at 9 p.m. Info: https://www.facebook.com/ComedyNightAtRiverCitySaloon
• Scorpion Farts Club (monthly, Grand Rapids) – Filmmaker and comedian Virginia Anzengruber (hey, that’s me!) hosts this free monthly showcase at Scorpion Hearts Club (formerly Sparrows) in Eastown. The next show is Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. and features Hamtramck’s own Brad Wenzel (who has been featured multiple times on Conan, Sirius XM, Netflix is a Joke Radio, and his debut special is out on Third Man Records). This sober show has comedy-themed drinks for the caffeine-lovers and early-nighters. Info: https://www.facebook.com/scorpionheartsclub
THURSDAY
• Dr. Grins Open Mic (weekly, Grand Rapids) – Dr. Grin’s Comedy Club in downtown Grand Rapids hosts a community open mic before their 8 p.m. Thursday shows. Local and regional comedians get 3 minutes to showcase their best jokes for the packed rooms of serious comedy lovers. Host and resident emcee Gerrit Elzinga brings his wry and hilarious energy to each weekly run of shows, meaning you’ve got multiple times to catch him, along with a rotating list of nationally touring headliners, should you decide to become a regular. Info: https://www.grinstix.com/
• Parrot’s Lounge (weekly, Holland) – This weekly free open-mic comedy show is hosted by comedian Hunter Miles and is the perfect dive bar for fans hearing new talent and comics working on new material. The intimate space features a surprisingly good menu from local food truck The Bird Feeder, and you can expect a relaxed atmosphere for low key laughs starting at 9 p.m. Info: https://www.facebook.com/ParrotsLoungeComedy
• Ozone Comedy Night (monthly, Lansing) – This free monthly showcase is hosted by Lansing funny men Nick Earl and Johnny Mocny (who also hosts a podcast called We Are Movies) at Ozone’s Brew House in Lansing’s Old Town. A great show for college students and local aficionados alike, the next show is 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 – perfect for scary hilarities. Info: https://www.facebook.com/ozonecomedy
FRIDAY
• Joe Elder Presents: Comedy at Creston (recurring) – Comedian and host of Respect Joe Elder’s Podcast, Joe Elder curates a phenomenal monthly lineup of comedians to perform upstairs at Creston Brewery, which reopened after COVID under the new ownership of Saugatuck Brewing Company. This ticketed show (one for $15 or 2 for $20) starts at 8 p.m. Info: https://www.facebook.com/crestonbrewery
• Brewery Outré Comedy (Kalamazoo, 2nd and 4th) – This free show at Brewery Outré in Kalamazoo every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. The Outrégeously Funny Comedy Nights start at 8:30 p.m., with audiences able to come early to purchase food from Papa’s Italian Sausage. The next show is Oct. 25, with Halloween costumes encouraged for all. Info: https://www.facebook.com/BreweryOutreComedy
• The Comedy Project (weekly, Grand Rapids) – Fans of improv and sketch can catch weekly shows at this mecca for all things comedy. This unique and themed theater hosts a full schedule of hilarious shows nearly every night of the week from house teams, helmed by formally trained funny man Joe Anderson. Tickets and the full schedule can be found at https://thecomedyproject.com/shows/.
• Dr. Grin’s Comedy Club (weekly, Grand Rapids) Info: https://www.grinstix.com/
SATURDAY
• The Comedy Project (weekly, Grand Rapids)
• Ambrosia Theater Comedy Night (weekly, Grand Rapids) – Touted at the No. 1 place in Grand Rapids for urban underground stand-up comedy, the Ambrosia Theater, on the corner of Lake Drive and Diamond Avenue in Grand Rapids, boasts a gorgeous venue and hilarious lineup weekly. They’re also the resident venue for The Grand Rapids Comedy Jam, a recurring show hosted by comedian Dave Jones. Tickets are $25 each or 2 for $40, with the next show on Nov. 9, with shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Info: https://www.ambrosiatheater.com/
• Dr. Grin’s Comedy Club (weekly, Grand Rapids) Info: https://www.grinstix.com/
SUNDAY
• à la carte Comedy (monthly, Grand Rapids) – Quite possibly the smallest stand-up show on this side of the state, à la carte Comedy is a monthly showcase hosted by comedian Alastair Watt at Sidebar GR. This intimate venue hosts Date Night: Cocktails and Comedy, as well as a monthly stand-up show the first Sunday of each month. Info: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553570904911
• Sunday Night Funnies (weekly, Grand Rapids) – Hosted by veteran comedian Brian Borbot, this Wyoming show features comedians from all over West Michigan. The free Kingpin of Comedy showcase competition will crown a winner soon, with the semi-final rounds of competition closing at this Sunday’s show on Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Catch Brian hosting the Funnies weekly, both in an out of competition. Info: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063679862705
• Sunday Night Heat Comedy (weekly, Grand Rapids) – Mulligan’s Bar in Eastown hosts a free weekly open-mic show every Sunday starting at 9 p.m. An exclusively show-up-go-up lineup, get there early to make sure your name is down to perform. The rotating cast of hosts, including comedians Justin Chupp and Devarron Thomas, welcomes performers of all levels to the Mulligan’s back-room stage. Info: https://www.facebook.com/SundayNightHeat
MORE SHOWS YOU SHOULD KNOW
• Grand Rapids Comedy Jam (hosted at Ambrosia Theater) Info: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063526659832
• New World Comedy Nights – Hosted by comedian Dave Jones, New World Comedy Nights feature amazing talent from all over the state. Next up is a 420-friendly/BYOB Halloween Comedy Show on Saturday Oct. 26, at The Philmore. Tickets are $25 each or 2 for $40. Info: https://www.facebook.com/NewWorldComedyNWC
• North Kent Comedy Nights (Belmont, monthly) – This monthly comedy showcase event features comedians from all over Michigan. Tickets are between $5-$15, with all proceeds benefitting Be Nice, the mental health foundation of West Michigan. Info: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553067001507
• Comedy at Midtown – River City Improv calls the Midtown home (at Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids), and you can catch their next show this Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Going strong since 1993, “the award-winning team has been named the best improv team in West Michigan by readers of On-the-Town and Grand Rapids Magazine.” Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at https://themidtowngr.com/shows-events/detail/River-City-Improv. Midtown also hosts touring comedians, with Rene Vaca appearing on Dec. 11. Info: https://themidtowngr.com/shows-events/detail/Rene-Vaca
• Pop Scholars – The resident improv group for the historic Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids’ Eastown, Pop Scholars hosts a monthly show and is a “fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat, what-just-happened-exactly, face-and-ab-hurting-kind-of-funny Improv Comedy.” The next show is 8 p.m. Nov. 9 and tickets are $15. Info: https://www.popscholars.com/
• Amaze & Amuse – Another resident in the Wealthy Theatre slate of shows, comedy magician Trino amazes audiences every month with his intimate and hilarious show that’s hosted in the 60-seat Koning Micro Cinema. “The show incorporates comedy, mind-blowing magic, and lots of audience participation.” Tickets are $30 each with a $40 VIP option with front-row seating guaranteed. You can catch him next this Saturday, Oct. 19, with tickets to either 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. shows still available. Info: https://www.trinomagic.com/amaze-and-amuse
Do you have a comedy show we should know about? Email Virginia at virginia.anzengruber@gmail.com.
Do you have a joke you want to share with our readers? Email us with your best joke to be considered for the next “Joke of the Month.” But please, keep it clean — or at least sorta clean.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Virginia Anzengruber is an award-winning filmmaker, critically acclaimed podcaster, comedian and writer with more than 15 years of experience in film and television production, nonprofit arts organization management and journalism with a focus in media literacy. Virginia also contributes work about her favorite TV shows to Fanfare on Medium, and hosts a monthly comedy show in Grand Rapids called Scorpion Farts Club. Her work has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, MTV and Kotaku, and she’s interviewed comedians, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Grammy nominees and cult icons. Her two kiddos “guess” she’s “kinda” funny. You can follow her on Instagram @virginiaanzengruber.
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