Louisville Laughs has some great shows, events and comedy open mics planned for February. We’d love to see you there. Check out all the fun. We added some Promo Codes to save some cash.
The first Sunday of the month at TEN20 will be a feedback mic. Comics come armed with a joke or two you want to work on. Other comics and audience members give suggestions, tags and tips.
Join us every Thursday at Falls City for our comedy open mic. Work on your comedy, try it for the first time or enjoy the laughter and great craft beer.
Comics and sign up the night of the show starting at 7. If you want to reserve a spot, email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com.
You decided you want to try stand-up comedy. Congratulations. Whether it’s a bucket-list goal or you believe you’re the next Dave Chappelle, here are some tips to make your first (or next) time on stage a success.
Gather your jokes
Some people try to go onstage and wing it. Don’t be one of those people. Compile your set of jokes.
Whatever jokes you tell should say something about you. Anyone call tell a joke about the the president. You are the expert on your family, your friends, your life.
Write your ideas down
At first, I wrote down every joke by hand. Now I do a lot of the editing in my head, but I always carry a notebook or something to write down joke ideas.
If writing by hand isn’t your thing, type or dictate them into a phone. Ideas may come to you at any time. A cashier says something funny. You’re helping a friend move. If you have an idea, write it down or record it. If you are certain you’ll remember it later, you will be sorry.
A pretty good way to spot a comic is to find someone scribbling in a well-worn notebook.
Practice your routine
Go over your material. You can do it in front of a mirror, before other comics or in your head. I often go over what I am going to say in my head while I’m taking a walk. It helps to keep you free from distractions.
While reviewing your jokes, always look to get rid of words that aren’t needed to get laughs.
Time yourself
As a new comic, you probably will get 3 to 5 minutes on stage. Comedy clubs are serious about the time allowed. At most places you will get a light alerting you there is a minute left. If you go over your time that is called “running the light” and is frowned upon.
It’s no sin to leave the stage with some time left. It is to go over your time. When timing yourself, leave some room for laughs. But don’t count on laughs, especially your first time.
Cut out wasted words
Your job is to get laughs. Keep the words that are needed to get to the funny and cut the rest. What words could be cut out of this joke, for example?
“Common sense isn’t so common anymore, is it? Yesterday I had to run to Kroger to buy some groceries because we were running low on food and stuff, and the cashier put dryer sheets in the bag with my lunch meat. Now my bologna tastes like Bounce.”
Use original material
It is understood in stand-up comedy that the jokes you are telling on stage are jokes that you’ve written. Sometimes you will hear new comics tell jokes that have been told around the water cooler forever. Those are called “street jokes.” You don’t want to tell them on stage.
If you get successful enough, you can buy jokes from joke writers. For now, concentrate on writing your own material.
Sometimes you hear comics tell jokes that other comics have told. That is called joke theft, and you also don’t want to be known for that.
It’s not unusual for comics to arrive at the same basic joke at the same time. This especially happens if you are writing jokes about current events or common joke topics like online dating. The more original you are, the fewer problems you’ll have telling jokes similar to others.
I would encourage new comics to try clean or PG 13 material for their first times. Comics can get a lot of laughs being dirty and cussing in some places and turn off the audience in others.
See live shows beforehand
If you’re going on stage and you’ve never seen a comedy show outside of Netflix, see some in person. If possible, go to the club or venue where you are going to go up for the first time.
It will help to get more comfortable. You can see where the comics sit, where the list for the order of the performance is kept, who is in charge, what the audience reacts to and what doesn’t work. It will put you way ahead for your big night.
The more shows or open mics you see, the better grasp you will have of what works and what doesn’t. Be aware that all open mics are not equal.
Schedule your open mic
Not all open mics work the same. For a comedy club, you may need to email for a date that could be weeks away. If you email a club about an open mic, tell them your name, where you are from and you can tell them it’s your first time. Clubs like first-timers because they tend to bring audience members.
You don’t have to explain that your friends think you are funny or that you were in your middle-school play. It’s an open mic, so everyone gets the chance on stage.
A Thursday night open mic at a bar may be “show up and sign up” meaning you go and put your name on the list for a spot that night. Some of these types of mics are popular and the list fills up early.
Don’t assume that an open mic means you can show up with no warning with all your friends and get on stage. Do some research.
Be confident or fake it
Confidence is a big factor in successful comedy. Teachers often do well because they are used to talking to a room full of people. You’ve practiced your jokes, you know them by heart, your friends laughed, so get up there confident that the audience will love you.
You’re still going to be scared, but trust yourself. You got this. If you appear overly nervous, people may not laugh because they are worried for you.
Stay sober
It’s tempting to have a few shots of liquid courage before you go onstage. Save it for after your set when you are celebrating.
Remember when you went to the open mic and saw the guy say, “I’m so toasted I can’t remember what I was going to say?” Don’t be that comic.
Tell people it’s your first time
If it’s your first time on stage doing standup, let the host know and let the audience know. If it’s an open mic with mostly comedians, you will have their attention. And audience members are supportive of new comics. You’re doing something most of them couldn’t imagine doing.
Move the mic stand behind you
You’re introduced, and now you’re on stage. The first thing you should do is take the mic out of the stand and move the mic stand behind or beside you. You don’t want it to be in front of you blocking you.
My first time I was afraid I would drop the mic, so I left it in the stand. It’s fine, to leave the mic in the stand, and it frees up your hands. But if you take the mic out, you don’t want an empty mic stand in front of you. It’s a distraction for the audience.
Look at the audience
You are telling your jokes, but where do you look? Look at the audience. Move and turn to address the whole room. Ideally, you look straight at certain audience members if a joke seems to relate to them (you’re telling a joke about dating and a couple is in the front row).
But if this is too much the first time, look slightly over their heads. Don’t put your head down and talk to the floor. The sooner you are able to look at the audience the easier it will be.
Hold the mic near your chin
You’re doing great and have moved the mic stand behind you. Make sure to keep the microphone close to your chin. Sometimes comics wave their arms around and forget they are holding the mic.
Also, don’t scream into the mic. You want everyone to hear you but you don’t want to pay for a new mic. Don’t fiddle with the stand. And definitely don’t drop the mic. It’s not funny and good mics are expensive.
Look for the light
You’re almost done. Keep an eye for the light signaling your time is almost up. It may be a small light from a phone. New comics often are so into the moment they don’t see the light.
You will have no sense of time on stage. Trust me. Your 3 minutes can seem to go by in 3 seconds or 3 hours. But you have practiced and timed yourself so you know that your time is wrapping up just by where you are in your jokes.
The light signaling your time is almost up should not be confused with the spotlights. Don’t stare into them. They may be really bright.
You did it
You’re wrapping up. Put the mic back into the stand and put the stand back in front. It’s a signal that you are done. Thank the crowd and wait for the host to come up on the stage.
Congratulations!
Stay for the rest of the show
Unless you were the last comic, don’t leave the show with all the friends and family you brought till it’s over. Nothing kills the vibe of a show like a first-time comic who brought 30 people and who all leave as soon as their friend performs.
Stay till the end. Talk to some other comics afterward. That’s your first step to getting on your next show.
About the authors
Creig Ewing is a comedian, show producer and the person behind Louisville Laughs. He has helped to put on hundreds of open mics, showcases and comedy shows in the Louisville area. He has hosted numerous shows and has featured at The Caravan Comedy Club and Planet of the Tapes in Louisville.
Keith McGill is a comedian who toured internationally working cruise ships and is a much sought-after entertaining for corporate events.
Louisville Laughs has a lot planned for 2023. We’d love to see you on stage or in the audience.
Starting on Jan. 5, the open mics at the Falls City Beer Taproom to Thursdays. Mics will be show up and sign up, but you can email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com to reserve a spot in case the lineups fill up.
We hope by moving to Thursdays we help fill a void of Thursdays open mics.
The first, second and fifth Thursdays will be handled by Creig Ewing and Louisville Laughs and the third and fourth by June Dempsey and Dog + Mouse House.
We will continue open mics the first and third Sundays at TEN20 Craft Brewery in Butchertown.
The first Sunday mics at TEN20 will be feedback mics, starting Feb. 5. Comics do a minute or two of material and get tags, suggestions and more from other comics.
We also are planning a special show at TEN20 on Feb. 19 — Joke-Off. Twenty-four comics will compete head-to-head doing a joke (1-minute time limit) in elimination rounds until one Joke-Off champ is left standing. Email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com if you are interested in participating or hosting Joke-Off.
The Never Say Die Comedy Hour open mic will be the second Sunday of the month. The Jan. 8 show will feature a special set by comic Joe Pontillo of New York.
Comedy Night at Gravely will continue each third Thursday of the month at Gravely Brewing Co. The Jan. 19 show features a special performance by Mandee McKelvey.
Louisville Laughs will again team with Keith McGill and Bret Sohl to offer comedy classes and how to host a comedy show class. Email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com for more information.
Come out on the third Sunday of the month for the Comedy at TEN20 open mic. Enjoy the laughter, great beer and pizza from MozzaPi or treats from Happy Belly Bistro.
Comics and earn $25 for set of the night.
Email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com to reserve a spot to perform.
Join Louisville Laughs for a special Comedy Night at Gravely Brewing featuring Mandee McKelvey.
Mandee is one of the Midwest’s most acclaimed stand-up comedians, revered for her ability to spin tragedy into comedy, from growing up poor in South Carolina to becoming a widow in her 20’s. Wait, it gets funnier!
Also on the show are popular Louisville comic Will McKenzie and host Creig Ewing.
Admission is free. Tickets help ensure seating. Come to Gravely for a great night of comedy and craft beer.
Admission is free. Reservations help ensure seating.
Join Louisville Laughs for our first comedy show at Monnik Beer Co. We’re going to have a great time in the event space upstairs. Our headliner is the terrific Keith McGill — comic, actor, director and teacher.
Also on the show are Nashville’s Paulina Combow and Louisville’s Creig Ewing and Bradley Zahnd.
Tickets are $10 in advance. Louisville Laughs followers can get $5 off by using the Promo Code MONNIK while they last.
Come early and grab dinner then meet us upstairs for a drink and laughs.
Join Louisville Laughs for our popular monthly Comedy Night at Gravely.
The show features Cincinnati comic Wayne Memmott along with Indiana’s Griffian Sciarra and Louisville comics Bonita Elery, Thomas Jackson and Kyle McGlothlin. Jake Hovis is the host.
Admission is free. Reservations help ensure seating.
Come early and grab a great craft beer and food from Mayan Street Food.
Come out on the first Sunday of the month for the Comedy at TEN20 open mic. Enjoy the laughter, great beer and pizza from MozzaPi or treats from Happy Belly Bistro.
Join us for our first Feedback Mic at Falls City. Comics will get 1-2 minutes to tell a joke or two and other comics give them feedback on the jokes, tags and other suggestions. Come give your comedy a workout!
Join Louisville Laughs at Never Say Die cocktail bar in St. Matthews for an open mic. Enjoy the stage time, craft cocktails and cool art. Guest host is Jake Hovis!
Come out on the third Sunday of the month for the Comedy at TEN20 open mic. Enjoy the laughter, great beer and pizza from MozzaPi or treats from Happy Belly Bistro.
Louisville Laughs has several open mics scheduled coming up. Use the links to sign up for one or all (Note: If mics fill up, we will give preference to comics who hadn’t performed at the most recent one.)
Come out on the first Sunday of the month for the Comedy at TEN20 open mic. Enjoy the laughter, great beer and pizza from MozzaPi or treats from Happy Belly Bistro.
Join us for our first Feedback Mic at Falls City. Comics will get 1-2 minutes to tell a joke or two and other comics give them feedback on the jokes, tags and other suggestions. Come give your comedy a workout!
Come out on the first Sunday of the month for the Comedy at TEN20 open mic. Enjoy the laughter, great beer and pizza from MozzaPi or treats from Happy Belly Bistro.
Join Louisville Laughs during the holiday season at the Falls City Beer Taproom. You’ll love the room, the beer and the supportive staff at Falls City.
Join Louisville Laughs and close out your weekend with laughter at the Never Say Die Comedy Hour (or Two) open mic. Comics from across the region will perform while you enjoy a craft cocktail, cold beer and cool art.
To sign up for a spot to perform, email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com
Join Louisville Laughs on Oct. 23 for our Sunday Comedy Showcase featuring some of our favorite standup comics.
The show will include: Jesse Johnson, Lena Beamish, Nathaniel Potts-Wells, Grant Volkmar, Dusty Carter, Lucious Williams, Brandy Norton and host Creig Ewing.
Admission is free. Reservations help ensure seating.
See you at The Bard for a night of laughter, great food and drinks.
Start your Halloween weekend off with a laugh at Comedy Night at Gravely. We have a group of standup comics who will have you grinning like a jack-o-lantern.
The show features Adam Minnick of Cincinnati, who has performed at comedy clubs and festivals across the country. Adam also has own Dry Bar comedy special.
Also on the show:
Comedian Donna Watts, a veteran TV and radio personality
Ty Leach, who recently finished runner-up in the Funniest Person In Louisville contest
Pete Wolynec, a Louisville comic and member of The Non-Essentials cover band
Host Creig Ewing, founder of Louisville Laughs
Admission is free. Tickets ensure seating.
Join us for a night of laughter, fresh beer and great food from Mayan Street Food.
You go to a lot of comedy open mics and are working on your one-hour Netflix special. But are you a good open micer now? Here’s a test to tell.
You showed up to the mic on time. Congrats! Give yourself one point
You stayed for the entire show. Sweet. Give yourself another point
You mostly stayed outside smoking during the show. Whatever. Deduct one point
You left as soon as your set was over. Sure. You’re busy. Deduct one point
You stayed for the show mostly talking loudly with people at your table. Zip it! Deduct two points
You bought food or a drink or at least tipped for water. Nice. Give yourself two points
You didn’t purchase anything or tip anyone. Times are hard. Deduct one point
You brought people to the show. Awesome. Give yourself a point for every audience member you brought
All your friends left as soon as your set was over. That sucks. Take back half those friend points
Your set was funny and people laughed. You rock! Give yourself two points
Your set went over the time. C’mon. Deduct one point
You said something on stage like, “I’m so high right now.” Dude! Deduct one point
You gave feedback to a comic who asked. Great. Give yourself a point
You gave feedback to comics who didn’t want it. Uncool. Deduct one point
You stayed after the show to hang with other comics. Cool. Give yourself one point
You hung around after the show to hit on other comics and wait staff. Creepy. Deduct one point
THE SCORE
8 points or more — You should be headlining open mics
5-7 points — You’re a solid feature
3-5 points — Have you thought about hosting?
1-2 points — Comedy is hard
0 points or less — Karaoke is fun, too
About the author
Creig Ewing is a comedian and show producer. He has put on hundreds of open mics, showcases and comedy shows in the Louisville area. He has hosted numerous shows and has featured at The Caravan Comedy Club in Louisville. He gets a lot of seemingly positive comments on his comedy.
You’ve done a bunch of open mics and other shows. People say you are funny. How do you get booked on comedy shows?
Keep grinding — The best way to continue to get better at comedy is to keep doing it wherever the opportunities exist. Open mics, contests, showcases, Zoom, out of town shows. Whatever works for you. You are getting better, meeting more people and developing a reputation as someone serious about comedy.
Show your face at comedy clubs/venues when you don’t have a spot. You might land one, and you also put yourself on the radar of bookers.
If you wonder why you have been sitting home for six months and no one has asked you to be on a comedy show, it’s because you have been sitting home for six months.
You notice how some people keep gobbling up all the opportunities? Because they are always busy.
Be reliable — When you do get an opportunity, be on time and ready to perform. You show up late or not at all or are too drunk or high, you make a bad impression that lasts a long time.
Reliable also means that bookers have a good idea of your comedy. If you submit a video where you do bits about puppies and butterflies and then your whole act at the retirement center is about whacking off, that may not land a second show.
Gather your tools — Most bookers will want a video of your act, so get a decent video of you doing at least 5 minutes. MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE LAUGHING. You are submitting a video to show that you are good at comedy. And a video of you telling jokes while the crowd is silent or talking about the weather is not a good impression.
You also will want a decent photo — something that can be cropped into a headshot but is more than a headshot. And in color. I love B&W art, but you don’t want to be the only comic with a black & white photo on a flyer.
At some point, you will want an electronic press kit that contains videos of your act, photos, links to your website, social media, etc. For now, at least put together a couple paragraphs that describes your act and what makes you unique.
Reach out to bookers — If you don’t know the person booking the show, the best way to reach out asking for work is to determine how they want admissions submitted and follow that method. If they want it at the comedy club email, send a request there. Don’t send it via text to the owner’s phone number you saw on a buddy’s phone. Most comedy clubs will tell you how to submit on their websites.
Be professional when reaching out — Send an email that includes your name, a link to your video, maybe a photo and say you are interested in being a host, feature, headliner, being on a showcase whatever. Don’t volunteer to do something you can’t deliver yet.
So many people are so bad at sending emails that don’t include their name, a video or anything helpful. You can stand out immediately by being a little bit professional.
If you have credentials — won a contest, were selected for a festival, hosted at a comedy club, acting, etc. — say it. Saying you “opened” for headliners doesn’t do much except to seem like you are grasping.
Let the booker know if you can help sell tickets — “I am originally from your city, and I am sure I can get a dozen family members and friends to the show.” Just make sure you follow through.
Get out of town — Whenever you can, try to find a stage out of town. When you are there, make connections. Build a network of comedy contacts. One benefit of performing out of town is the people don’t see you as that comic who was a brand-new open micer just a few years ago. Also, you can do that bit you’ve done 1,000 times back home, and it’s fresh.
Help promote — If you are on a show, make sure to share the ticket link, flyer, etc. on social media. Heck, offer to put up posters around town. If a booker gives you a chance to be on a showcase and you haven’t lifted a finger to help generate an audience, it doesn’t sit well.
And promote shows that you aren’t on as well. You generate good will that way and may get on the next one.
Put on your own shows — A lot of folks make their own way by putting on their own open mics or shows. This isn’t for everyone. Heck, it’s not for half the people who do it. But it’s an option. Or offer to help people who do put on shows. Or find a job at a comedy club. This is a tried and true option.
Watch your social media — If you reach out about being on a show, a booker will probably check out your social media. Is your social media presence something that would make a person want to work with you or avoid you?
Be funny – This helps too.
About the author
Creig Ewing is a comedian and show producer. He has put on hundreds of open mics, showcases and comedy shows in the Louisville area. He has hosted numerous shows and has featured at The Caravan Comedy Club in Louisville. He gets a lot of seemingly positive comments on his comedy.
Louisville Laughs has an exciting list of shows in August, including the opening rounds of the first Funniest Person In Louisville contest. Here is what’s on tap:
Have some laughs and help choose the Funniest Person in Louisville for 2022. Thirteen comics will compete to advance to the finals, and the audience and judges will determine who moves on.
Come cheer on the comics and enjoy great food and drinks from the Corner restaurant/bar at Aloft Louisville Downtown.
Join Louisville Laughs for the Comedy at TEN20 open mic. Comics work on their best sets, and you can enjoy laughs, craft beer and great food from MozzaPi and Happy Belly Bistro.
To sign up for a spot to perform, email LouisvilleLaughs2@gmail.com.
See you on on Aug. 18 for another popular night of laughter at Comedy Night at Gravely Brewing.
August’s standup comedy showcase features comic Jeremiah Martin of Lexington. Jeremiah is a crowd favorite who recently beat out a dozen other comics to win a comedy contest at the Louisville Comedy Club.
Also on the show is Bonita Elery, an actor and standup comic, and other favorites. Your host is Lena Beamish, a rising star in the Louisville comedy scene.
Admission is free. Tickets ensure seating. Come for the laughs, fresh beer and great food from Mayan Street Food.
See you on Aug. 21 at TEN20 Craft Brewery for our first feedback mic, where comics (and brave audience members) can give other comics suggestions, tags and punchlines for their bits.
Blake Hammond, who has a long-running feedback mic in Cincinnati, is coming to help get it started off right.
It’s another chance to help choose the Funniest Person in Louisville for 2022. Thirteen comics will compete to advance to the finals in the second competition in the opening rounds, and the audience and judges will determine who moves on.
Come cheer on the comics, have some laughs and great food and drinks from the Corner restaurant/bar at Aloft Louisville Downtown.
It’s another chance to help choose the Funniest Person in Louisville for 2022, this time at The Bard’s Town. Thirteen comics will compete to advance to the finals in the final competition of the opening rounds, and the audience and judges will determine who moves on.
Come cheer on the comics, have some laughs and great food and drinks at The Bard’s Town.
Louisville Laughs is holding this free workshop aimed at giving new comics the basics to perform — from how to handle a microphone to how to find stage time.
Instructors will include comic Keith McGill, comedy writer Bret Sohl and Louisville Laughs’ Creig Ewing
Join Louisville Laughs on April 21 for another night of laughter with Comedy Night at Gravely Brewing.
This showcase of standup comedy features appearances feature comic Keith McGill, plus Brian Pitre of Indianapolis; Austin Deller of Cincinnati and Louisville’s Katy Bevins, Lena Beamish, Eric Groovely and host Creig Ewing.
Come for a night of fun, fresh beer and great food from Mayan Street Food.
Join Louisville Laughs for this special standup comedy event at the Falls City Taproom.
It will be a night of Louisville Legends of comedy with Bob Batch, Mark Klein and Donna Watts.
This is a show you won’t want to miss and can bring the whole family to see. Bob and Mark have worked across the country and on cruise ships and corporate events and have acts proven to entertain everyone.
Bob Batch is a veteran of more than 10,000 shows and has worked with everyone from Ray Charles to Robin Williams.
Mark Klein has entertained some of America’s largest corporations and has worked for numerous cruise lines.
Donna Watts is a veteran of radio and TV who recently features at The Comedy Caravan.
Tickets are $15. Join us for a night of laughter, fun and great beer and wine.
Louisville Laughs has a great night of comedy for the whole with some of our favorite comics from around the region doing clean comedy sets.
You’ll have a great night laughing along with Zach Wycuff, of Cincinnati; Jerrel Beamon, of Dayton, Ohio; Julie Heckman, of Fort Wayne, Ind.; Chester Goad, of Cookeville, Tenn.; and Louisville’s Alex Whittenburg, Crystal Phoenix and host Creig Ewing.
This standup comedy show will take place in The Bard’s first floor lounge. Patrons wishing to dine should arrive early to dine in the main restaurant.