words and photos by Lige Menard
Aloha my peoples! It’s so good and righteous to be back here on the frontline in the fight against the Fear Of Missing Out. Life feels fuller when shared. Life feels more complete when passions are pursued and inspirations are absorbed. I’m not going to sugar coat it…your boy has been down. Broken bone, short term disability, COVID, loss of family, moving, looong hours back at work. The details when piled up are mighty drastic. (DISCLAIMER I ain’t complaining and I thank the great goodness for all the blessings in life)
So I guess I need a jolt!¡ I have to fight the weights of tragedy! I reckon comedy is a damn fine weapon when battling the tragic. Laughter is said to be a cure all, yeah? If the only known side effects are facial wrinkles then fudge it I’m in.
Such were my aspirations when I JeepCreeped out to Thirsty’s Open Mic Comedy Night, January 10th. It’s been a grip of many minutes since comedy threw down in the 409. The house was packed, and the vibe was posi-Steve indeed. Hosted by local comic Drexel Ridley, the line-up seemed mixed with both local veterans and newcomers alike. The latter including myself and my good budd Ariel Bush. Drexel is a showman and he played his part well, lacing jokes inbetween sets and riffing organically off the crowd. The kind of personality you would def buy a car from. Top comedian of the night IMO, Wesley Honeycutt Gifford. The way he brought his aspergers in the mix? The way he improvised autism in the fish behind the stage? Hilarious. Not to devalue the other comedians! Everyone brought the jokes. I’ll close with this, Comedy’s back baby and looking to be a regular thing Mondays at Thirsty’s with other spots and slots in the works!