It’s “Comedy Day” at Local Spins with our March roundup of area comedy news and must-see events, from the arena to small clubs, plus a special “Question of the Week” that could win you show tickets.
March Madness: Some of the funny people pumping up Michigan. (Courtesy Photos)
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the March edition of Local Spins’ monthly feature, Local Grins, that gives comedy fans a spotlight on the region’s scene, interviews with touring and regional comedians, listings of area shows and more, assembled by writer and comedy devotee Virginia Anzengruber. Email comments, questions and show additions to virginia.anzengruber@gmail.com. View full comedy show listings here.
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And drum roll, please — The Local Spins Question of the Week: What’s the funniest song you’ve ever heard? Email your responses to info@localspins.com with your name and you could win tickets to a show or a Local Spins gift pack.
Standup Therapy: Live from Wealthy with Meteorologist Terri DeBoer
At 7 p.m. March 26, comedian and professional psychotherapist Matt Sharpe hosts “Live from Wealthy Street,” a hilarious night of clean comedy to support mental health. From the event page: “Enjoy side-splitting laughs from some of West Michigan’s top comedians while raising funds for mental health. It’s a great night of comedy for ages 13-plus, filled with joy, connection, and inspiration.”
Featured performers include Kyle Underwood, Terri DeBoer (in her stand-up comedy debut!), Rick Vuyst, Matt Sharpe and Brian Atkinson, benefiting the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, Be Nice. In partnership with Hope & Wholeness and Northtown 794. Live from Wealthy Street is hosted at the historic Wealthy Theatre, part of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, located at 1130 Wealthy St. SE in Grand Rapids. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $30 for VIP and are available now online here.
Michigan Podcasts: Wenzel’s Mailing List & The Bad Idea Social Club
The Michigan comedy scene has no shortage of shows, specials and events to attend. But did you know that many of your favorite comedians also have podcasts (gasp!) to fill in those gaps between in-person laughs? Below is a roundup of a few funny comedy podcasts we’re listening to right now (spoiler alert: one is about a mailing list).
Brad Wenzel’s Moment of Wenz – From the official show description, the “Moment of Wenz” podcast from Hamtramck’s Brad Wenzel (CONAN, SiriusXM, Netflix is a Joke Radio) is a “podcast about a stand-up comedian’s mailing list. Comedy’s own Brad Wenzel updates the state of his grass-roots attempt to build a following. He also answers questions submitted by other comedians and shares stand-up clips from his live shows. Blain Hill ‘produces’ the show.” Wenzel, whose debut album is available via Third Man Records, released his most recent special, “joke.joke.joke.” in 2023, and it was named as one of the Top 20 specials of the year by Paste Magazine. You can subscribe to the podcast, join his mailing list, and find out when he’s performing near you, by visiting https://bradcomedy.com/.
Bad Idea Social Club – From the official show website: “Bad Idea Social Club is an independent podcast of stories, insights and creative foolery. Hosted by graphic designer Aaron McCall, with Joe Matteson and Amber Gray, BISC brings honest, unfiltered conversations that celebrate the messy, brilliant and relatable sides of creativity, the creative process, and the stories that shape who we are.” This West Michigan podcast features artists of all disciplines, but the show is described as the “space where humor and heart collide.” Notable interviews include the hilarious Lydia VanHoven-Cook and Nicholas Hartman, and listeners can get excited for the recently launched season 5. Available wherever you get your podcasts and at https://badideasocialclub.com/.
Sebastian Maniscalco Set for Sunday Yuks at Van Andel Arena – After selling out numerous arenas, stand-up comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco brings his “It Ain’t Right Tour” to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena at 7 p.m. Sunday. Described by The New York Times as “the hottest commic in America,” Maniscalco — who grew up in the Chicago area — has released six comedy specials over the years and landed the top spot on Pollstar’s roster of “Top Comedy Tours.” Tickets — $49.50 to $175 — are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
Scorpion Farts Club Sober Comedy Show – Fans of stand-up comedy and earlier bedtimes should rejoice. The return of the fan-favorite Scorpion Farts Club Comedy Show is 7 p.m. Wednesday (March 19) at Scorpion Hearts Club coffee shop in Eastown in Grand Rapids. Hosted by Local Grins author (hey, that’s me!) Virginia Anzengruber, this sober stand-up comedy show features comedy-themed drink specials and highlights the best of the best of Michigan comedians – and the 7 p.m. start time means you can enjoy a night of laughs mid-week without bumping up against midnight. A new twist on an old classic is helping to keep this show sustainable and financially viable for the future, with tickets for this event now costing just $5. Tickets are available by texting 321-412-1209 or at the door.
The first official quarterly edition of Scorpion Farts Club kicks off with headliner Sam Rager — a powerhouse Detroit-based comedian who just recorded her comedy special at The Independent Comedy Club — who blows audiences away with her laser-focused observational dark comedy and has already become a Scorpion Farts favorite. Additional comics include Jacqui Marpa as feature and opener Jo Hillman.
Kalamazoo Knows Comedy
Fans of comedy in West Michigan should pay attention to more than just trains to Chicago in Kalamazoo: This bustling city has a packed scene full of shows you should know about.
Stewart Huff at Shakespeare’s Lower Level – Comedian Stewart Huff, with his “down to earth and thoughtful brand of comedy,” headlines the comedy room at Shakespeare’s Pub, located at 241 East Kalamazoo Ave. at 9 p.m. Friday (March 21). Tickets are $10 and available here. Produced by host and comedian Bob Fredericks, Shakespeare’s Lower Level schedules a regular slate of shows at this Kalamazoo staple.
Brewery Outré Comedy – Brewery Outré in Kalamazoo hosts a regular free comedy show on Friday nights. This queer-friendly establishment boasts a large assortment of on-tap beverages, and if you get there early, you can grab food from Papa’s Italian Sausage next door and bring it in to the show. Hosted by Sammi McCrorey, the next free show is March 28 at 8 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. More details, including comic lineups for future shows, is available at https://www.facebook.com/BreweryOutreComedy.
Slap Your Tail Comedy Open Mic – Every third Thursday at the Dormouse Theatre at 1030 Portage St. in Kalamazoo, host Nolan Johncock brings audiences a solid roundup of some of the funniest established and up-and-coming comedians in the area. This free show starts at 7:30 p.m. with seating on a first come, first served basis. Comics interested in performing can reach out to Slaptail Comedy on Facebook, or just show up, as there are typically a few lottery slots available for last minute sets. More information can be found at https://www.dormousetheatre.com/.
Comedy in Three Oaks
Pat Tomasulo (Courtesy Photo)
Local Grins is assembled by writer and comedy devotee Virginia Anzengruber. Email comments, questions and show additions to virginia.anzengruber@gmail.com.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
The Comedy Project – The Comedy Project (TCP) is a comedy theater and moonshine bar in Grand Rapids’ vibrant Westside Business District, Joe Anderson and Kristin Kendall helm TCP and foster an incredible community of comedic performers and writers right here in West Michigan. Anderson, a veteran of improvisational theater training, created The Comedy Project’s Training Center Program, which “provides training in Improvisation, Sketch Comedy and Stand-Up Comedy.” They host private events, and their slate of weekly sketch and improv comedy shows can be found at https://thecomedyproject.com/shows/.
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