Laughing it off

Oh my, was I out again on a school night looking for a laugh? Yes, I certainly was! I don’t know about you, but it seems like there is less and less to be laughing about in the world. And 100 per cent, this ever-growing realization has to do with proximity and privilege. 

My biggest concern growing up was that people were not taking climate issues seriously enough. Friends of mine had this joke that if something was annoying, “you just zone it out, like when Ashleigh talks about the environment.” Now the existential and immediate threat list is staggering. Thanks, global communications—staying ultra-informed has been amazing! So you’re dang skippy I’m out here looking for ways to contribute, but also looking for something to laugh about. 

Where else would one seek out a giggle or a groan but open mic stand-up comedy? Good glory, the brave amongst us—and they look just like regular people. But no, they are going about their days, at jobs they wish they didn’t have to work or in the coffee line thinking, “I can use this for my set.” Then they take the stage in the back of HopYard in Charlottetown every Tuesday and think: “Please laugh.” They’re really hoping you will, so they also called it that. 

I rallied some friends who were willing to trade an hour of sleep in hopes that they could laugh their blood pressure back down and we caught a few sets. HopYard is still open for anyone who may coincidentally show up, however, all but one table had come intentionally, and the attendance was decent. Mind you, that one table was large and loud, so I missed a few jokes here and there, but also a few jokes missed me. That’s the point of an open mic, right? You perform to see what a crowd picks up on. One of the co-hosts, Jessie, learned real quick that the East Coast folks love their Newfoundlanders. I even got to heckle for that one. 

I perform poetry in front of crowds, but I still can’t imagine trying to be funny on cue—that is brutal stuff! Just like I didn’t find younger Ashleigh’s friends’ environment joke funny, not every joke is made for you—probably particularly if it’s about you. That’s also the risk you take being an audience member in a comedy crowd, you just might become part of the act. A couple folks found themselves in that situation too. How fun for them! 

I’m learning that our Island has quite the growing collection of comedians, and a surprisingly good range of representation amongst them. I dig it. At the end of the evening, one comedian does a longer set to see us out, and just like the food at HopYard, Rachel Matheson did not disappoint. Watching the crowd, I could tell a few of them may be considering sets for next Tuesday too. Maybe you want to test your timing as well?