The Laugh Shop’s Chrysi Rubin
There’s a new kid in town, and by kid, I mean standup comedy club. And by club, I mean… no, I meant club. The Laugh Shop opened its doors this new year in both Calgary and Edmonton. With an established touring circuit, it’s poised to bring world-class comedians and homegrown performers to Albertan comedy goers.
However, it’s not the touring comedians and headliners coming to town that Laugh Shop president Chrysi Rubin is passionate about. “The local talent is vital for any comedy club,” says Rubin. “A lot of people are unaware of exactly how hot the talent is in Alberta for standup comedy.” Calgary is home to a gaggle of hilarious and established comedians, such as Jebb Fink and Kevin Stobo, who’ve played at clubs across the country and at the prestigious Just for Laughs festival.
“You look at the developing talent coming up, and that’s the place to be looking. They’re young, they’re fresh and they take risks because they can.” In what she calls the “comfortable, anonymous stage,” emerging comedians have immense latitude when it comes to what they can get away with, because they are free from pressures and expectations. The Laugh Shop offers Calgarians standup four nights a week, Wednesday through Saturday. Wednesday night is amateur night, Thursday is the inventive “challenge” evening, where comedians are given specific tasks each week to incorporate into their routine, and headliners take the stage Friday and Saturday nights. Feel like there’s a standup comedian growing inside you that’s ready to pop out? Getting your foot in the door is as simple as calling the club to sign up for a five-minute spot. Hungry audience members can check out www.laughshop.ca for ticket info, or to sign up for the e-letter.
The Laugh Shop is located in the Blackfoot Inn at 5940 Blackfoot Tr. S.E.; phone, 258-2028.
FEBRUARY PICKS
• The Late Late Breakfast Show — Sketch comedy hosted by the Lampshade Brigade, in the basement of a church? I’m in! They do say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Thursday, January 31 to Saturday, February 2, Birds and Stone Theatre, in the basement of the Unitarian Church of Calgary, 16 Ave. N.W., 8 p.m.
• Comedy Monday Night — Weekly open mic comedy is like buying the two-for-one breakfast burrito at 7-11: maybe it’ll be fresh and spicy, maybe cold and soggy, but you don’t know till you try. Every Monday night at Dickens Pub (1000 Ninth Ave. S.W.), 8 p.m., no cover.
• Everyone needs a little dark sarcasm to cut the sugar and sweet of Valentine’s Day. Brad Moise headlines at The Laugh Shop on Thursday, February 14.
• Women Fully Clothed — According to Eugene Levy, they are the ”five funniest women in Canada.” Not only are they on a major cross-country tour, but they’re touring east to west, which is significantly longer than a north-to-south tour. Jack Singer Concert Hall, Tuesday, February 26. Visit www.ticketmaster.ca or www.womenfullyclothed.com for tickets and more information.
• Joke from a funny Calgarian: “Two men walk into a bar. You’d think the second one would have noticed.” — Neil Flemming. Neil is a Calgary playwright whose newest comedy Security runs at Lunchbox Theatre until February 9.
