Magooby's Joke House

So you don't live in Downtown Baltimore, and you don't feel like driving down there just to catch a comedy show? No problem! Magooby's Joke House is located in Northeast Baltimore County, and offers the same experience, minus the hassle of finding a parking spot.

In addition to featuring ample free parking, Magooby's is reasonably priced at $12 plus the usually two item minimum. Looking at the lineup, they seem to feature the same acts as the Baltimore Comedy Factory, usually the week before or after. Be sure to keep Magooby's in mind for something new on the weekend!

The Capitol Steps at Ram's Head

The Capitol Steps are a set of former Senate employees who basically have created an act out of making fun of their old job. I work for the federal government at Social Security, and trust me, I'm sure they have plenty of material.

The troupe is coming to Annapolis to perform at Ram's Head Onstage. I mentioned that I was going to see a show there for the first time last month. The venue is amazing, and I highly recommend it to everyone. You have a perfect view no matter where you are seated, the acoustics are great and the staff is friendly. Be sure to grab a bite to eat at the Tavern next door, the food is delicious.

I really want to go see the Steps because the content hits so close to home. It will be a sweet graduation present to myself, considering that it's the same day!

Check out one of the two shows, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

The Golden West Cafe

We all know how most comedy clubs or shows work. If your going to a club, more than likely, your paying a $17-20 admission fee, on top of a two drink minimum. This brings your total night to about $35, and that's the low end.

If the comedian your seeing is doing shows at venues like the Meyerhoff or the Lyric Opera House, for example, tickets are likely to run you about $35-50, no drink minimum of course.

That's why deals like the Golden West Cafe in Hampden are hard to pass up. The last Friday of every month, the Golden West features the Bar Bacon Fun Time Comedy Hour. At 11 p.m. the stand-up begins for $5, and as Metromix puts says "it's a pretty good way to avoid the assigned seating and drink minimums of local comedy clubs (though we know drink maximums are more your style)."

And yes, Golden West does have an impressive bar menu and well as an interesting and ecceltic dinner menu. You can't beat stand-up for $5, so go check it out.

Jon Lajoie in D.C. Tonight! - Part Two

The show at the DC Improv with Jon Lajoie was great! You could tell that the audience was familiar with Lajoie from his Internet work. He blended his online videos seamlessly in between a stand-up routine.

As I mentioned before, I wasn't sure what to expect form the standup but I was impressed. He would leave the stage and appear in some memorable costumes from his various Internet video characters, including MC Vagina and Everyday Normal Guy. He sung some live songs and played guitar, which seems to be a trend among comedians nowadays.

(Mike, Jon Lajoie and me)

His humor is definitely aimed towards the college-aged and 20s to early 30s set. I wouldn't recommend it to your parents. The table of older women next to me clearly did not enjoy the show and said it was "typical, college boy humor." They, however, had never seen the Internet content and decided to come to the show on a whim. For the most part though, the audience seemed very receptive at the sold-out performance, and laughs filled the Improv.

At the end of the show, Lajoie was gracious enough to meet with members of the audience and take photos. Afterwards, Lajoie asked my boyfriend for a cigarette and we all enjoyed a quick smoke break. Unfortunately, I a had one to many shots of tequila to remember anything noteworthy from the conversation, but he was very friendly and easy to talk to. Check out some of his videos and go to see him live if you have the chance!

Jon Lajoie in D.C. Tonight!

Comedian Jon Lajoie is performing at the Improv in D.C. tonight, and yours truly will be in attendence. I'm really looking forward to this because Lajoie has gained fame from his Internet videos!

By using his website, YouTube, Collegehumor, Ebaumsworld, FunnyorDie and other video blogging platfroms, the Canadian comedian gathered a strong following which warrented a standup tour not only in his home country, but across the states as well.

Lajoie is a prefect example of how new media can be used positively for comedians. There's so many platforms available, put yourself out there and use them! I can't wait to see how his comedic style translates to standup. How will stuff like this be funny live onstage?

Chatting with Comedian Alabama - Q & A Edition

Comedian Alabama not only does stand-up, he also manages the Baltimore Comedy Factory downtown. After a quick chat with him, here's what he had to say:

What is your real name? Are you originally from Alabama, and if so, what brought you to Baltimore?
Well my birth name is Deshawn Frazier, and I’m orginially from Talladega, Alabama, home of the world’s fastest NASCAR track in the world (my small city’s claim to fame). I moved to Baltimore in June 2001; my then wife was from B’more and I followed her up here.

When did you decide that you wanted to pursue comedy as a career?
I’ve been in this business for seven years and this is my world. I pursued stand-up prior to arriving here in Maryland. I went to open mics and began developing different routines. I also met veteran comedians who helped me out with advice and I took it all in. I developed my own comedy style.

What comedians inspire you? How did you develop your style?
I grew up watching Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Sinbad and many more. I studied comedian greats like Milton Berle and Redd Foxx, and I admired the way they’d get the crowd laughing and they never stopped laughing.

How has the Internet helped with your career or the club? Do you have any upcoming projects, events or shows you want me to mention?
The Internet is good for finding clubs and helping me to promote outside of the box. I have an Easter show, April 12th at 7 pm. I’ll be doing stand-up at the Baltimore Comedy Factory that day.

The Baltimore Comedy Factory

It's great to watch stand-up comedians on Comedy Central and other networks, but the live experience is definitely a great way to spend an evening with your friends. Baltimore has plenty of opportunities to see comedy, and a lot of venues offer specials for certain nights.

One of the most notable comedy clubs locally is the Baltimore Comedy Factory. Here's the details: you must be 18 years old or over, admission is $17, and there's a two drink minimum. Keep this quick tip in mind though, if you sign up for their email list, they will send you tickets either waiving the entry fee or for unlimited drinks (the latter is my preference). Also, Burke's, the restaurant underneath the club, has great food and the servers are incredible. If you let them know that you’re going to see a show, they make sure to get you in and out, no matter how crowded it is.

The Baltimore Comedy Factory is located at the corner of Light Street and Lombard Street downtown, and there are shows every Thursday – Saturday nights. So when you’re looking for laugh on the weekends, keep the Comedy Factory in mind!