Comedy acts need audiences and testing grounds. Time is currency for comics. Many will travel far to test new material for a few extra minutes on stage.
Born market researchers, comics test jokes all the time. Delaware offers opportunities to create venues for open-mike nights and comedy showcases.
“In Delaware, in any market, you need to have a lot of people involved,” says Fidance. “The scene in Philly is overflowing with amazing talent. We need to get more here and bring out more local talent. Our own club would benefit the area.”
After approaching John Holton of Thump Thump productions, the two developed Comedy Night at Extreme Pizza at LOMA in Wilmington. Audiences responded positively.
“People were starved for it,” says Fidance. “We have a core group, but there’s always different faces. The response has been amazing. The first show was in March with 40 people. Now, we have standing room only and we sold out five of the last six shows.
“If Delaware does not offer opportunities like this, he says, “more and more ‘Ians’ will head for clubs elsewhere.”
Administrators at Gable Music Ventures in Wilmington recently produced a comedy night at the World Café Live, which featured Chappelle, Hot Breakfast, and me. The evening drew a good crowd on a chilly Thursday evening. And the crowd laughed.
