HDWDLN? 12/11 “Smashing at McCormacks”
Hey sugarbees!!! We are back with regular updates now that I’m all caught up. I know you all absolutely can’t wait to hear how my night went so let’s just get to it.
Last night was stand up comedy night at McCormacks Irish Pub downtown. Last time I was there I had a bit of a meltdown and yelled at a lady. I don't fear I will ever do that again, but I am always nervous returning to a venue I bombed at or made an ass of myself.
When I parked I had a homeless knock on my window and ask for money. I didn’t have any change or cash so I couldn’t help her out, but she scared the ever living shit out of me when she hit my window. So that was nice. I got out of my car shortly after and Brock Hall was parking so we walked inside together. We get to the door and there are a handful of people I’ve never seen before. Brock is shaking their hands. It’s crazy how quick a scene can change people out when you are out of town half the time.
There wasn’t a huge turnout of comics for this show which is nice as far as getting in and getting home. I am told I’m going up first and I’ve got about an hour before the show starts.As always it was hosted by the effervescent and lovely Jesse Jarvis. Such a great host and human being. Love him to death and can’t reiterate that enough.
Mike Engle shows up and I whip out my Nintendo Switch and ask if he is down to play a little Super Smash Bros Ultimate. Mike is obviously in so we get a game going. This is honestly one of the most enjoyable things to happen at an open mic in a while and I intend to keep doing it. Brock, Mike, Joshua Horsford, and I alternate who plays and it helps pass the time before the mic.
After we play for a bit Jesse does the comics meeting and lets everyone know the order and rules. Pretty much anything goes here except for no rape jokes. Which is a fair rule, that had to be instituted for several reasons.
I used to be super against content restrictions, but I understand why certain venues have them. They know their clientele and it’s a privilege for us to be able to perform somewhere. So to have a few places where you can’t make wack, hacky, shit ass rape jokes isn’t a big deal to me. Also this rule seems to be mostly for new comics. It also seems to just be about rape jokes that are mocking the victim or punching down. I used one during this set that mentions rape and it wasn’t an issue. I think this has to do with the work I’ve put in, and the fact that Jarvis knows I’d never do anything that off color in his room.
The show starts and there is an older man doing comedy for the first time standing next to Jesse dancing. He calls himself dancing Mike and Jarvis is just trying to get his jokes out while this guy is doing some drunken half assed dance where he’s not even moving his feet. He is just trying to have a good time, and do his first stand up set so Jarvis lets it slide. It also gives the impression that tonight is going to be silly and weird and I’m super on board for that.
After his set I go up and try a few new things. I still have some ideas I need to work out, but all in all it was a solid set. The things got laughs where they were supposed to even if the laughs weren’t as loud as I wanted them to be. I will get there, but this was a good productive night as far as wording/construction goes. I’d give it a C.
After my set I keep hanging around and watch a few of my friends sets. John Marg from Charlottesville came out and had a good set doing a joke about straight guys who say their bodies physically can’t handle gay sex, then Mike Engle had some new tags and a new bit I hadn’t heard that I enjoyed.
Dylan Vattelana was there and he had about 2 or 3 jokes I hadn’t heard that really tickled my funny bone. I love and respect that dude a lot. Dylan was one of the comics when I started that I wanted to be like. He was working the FunnyBone and also trying to get in at other clubs. He is a hard worker, great writer/dude, and a super fun hang. It’s crazy that a dude I admired is now a good friend of mine, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
After Dylan’s set I grabbed my stuff hopped in my car and headed home. This was a good night. I almost didn’t go because my stomach was super upset (I think it had to do with how embarrassed I was from the last time I was there). But it was a good idea and I don’t regret my choice. Thanks for always being lovely McCormacks.
That’s it for today’s blog laydees and genteelmeen. I love you all very much and appreciate you. Make sure to check out winstonhodges.com for all my upcoming dates, and @winstonhcomedy on IG/Twitter/Snap!!!
