Dining & Nightlife |

Stand Up Comedy Open Mic Nights

After celebrating my 43rd birthday at a comedy club, my friends didn’t want to go home after the show so we went to the bar for a few cocktails. The comedians that evening, Paul Bond and Leighann Lord, were at the bar when I approached them and said, “Being a comedian doesn’t seem that hard to do.” Paul replied, “Oh, you think so. Would you like to try it?” I shook my head and he mentioned that some of the clubs have comedy classes or, if I wanted, there were a few open mics I could try. The following week, I called and registered with Stand Up University. (StandUpUniversity.com) and for the next eight Monday nights, the class met with instructors Peter Bales, Rich Walker and Steve Lazarus where I learned the art of stand up comedy. On May 3rd 1999, at the class graduation, I gave my first stand up performance.

I never thought I would be still performing ten years later until I found out that I could use comedy in a way to help other people in need. In 2000, after performing only three times, I convinced former NYPD star John DiResta to headline a comedy benefit show for the Thomas Elsasser fund for widows and children of FDNY members that die outside the line of duty. That first show raised over $7,500 for the fund and I have been doing it every year since. In the past ten years, I have performed hundreds of shows for such notable charities as The Make a Wish Foundation, The Elijia School for Autism, Gilda’s House and even perform for the cancer patients at Sloan Kettering a few times a year. For me that’s what comedy is all about; for you it might be different. The only way to know is to get off the couch and give it a try. Here are a few ongoing open mics around the Island. If you have any questions feel free to email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and I’ll be glad to help. Keep ‘em laughing

Fin’s Pub
Oakdale
Mondays, 7:30pm
comedyatfins.com, (631) 645-5152

Oysterman’s Restaurant
Sayville
Every other Tuesday
(631) 645-5152

Smoke Stax
Hicksville
Second and Fourth Tuesday of every month, 8pm
Sign up at 7:30pm, show starts at 8pm
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Cost: $5 (one-third of all money collected will be raffled off to one of the performing comics.

Callahan’s
East Meadow
Last Thursday of every month, 7pm
(516) 542-0723

No Limits Bar
Hicksville
First Saturday of every month
(516) 305-7072

Chesterfields
Huntington
Thursdays, 8:30pm
(631) 425-1457

Martha Clara Vineyards
Riverhead
Tuesdays, 7pm
(631) 298-0075
marthaclaravineyards.com