Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A Little Chalk, A Lot of Fun



Last Saturday, I was killing some time in midtown Sacramento, waiting for a lunch appointment with my family members. So, I drove around a bit and happened upon Fremont Park, in the midst of a "Chalk It Up" event. The block-sized park, with trees hanging over the sidewalks that surround its edges and cuts through its center, was beginning to fill with kids and adults trying their hands at art on the pavement.

Those that weren't actively expressing themselves with chalk were walking around inspecting the progress of the others and enjoying the free music, vendors and beautiful weather. I didn't stay long, but I did buy a couple of things and take a few pictures.

I also talked to some of those drawing everything from dragons to a reproduction of Van Gogh's "Starry Starry Night." They were all very into what they were doing, concentrating heavily, even the kids, but having a wonderful time.

I think I might try it myself next year. What a great way to spend a day!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Comedy On A Budget



I love comedy clubs. Nothing makes me happier than an hour or two of belly laughs. That’s why I was thrilled to find a comedy spot – literally – that I could easily afford at eight dollars for admission.

Last Friday night, I ventured down to 17th and Broadway to find a little place called Sacramento Comedy Spot. I’m easily confused when I don’t know an area, so it took the help of a kind man and his Blackberry, because I forgot to bring the actual address me. It’s 1716 Broadway, by the way.

I got there at about 10:15 p.m. The show, called Comedy on a Couch, was due to start in fifteen minutes. I settled in and watched the crowd develop, mostly thirty-somethings.

Once inside, I was amazed at how much the producers had managed to cram into a tiny space. The stage was professionally done and there was seating for about 50. Two strategically-placed televisions were loaded and ready for what later turned out to be visual gags. In the back was a tiny snack bar with a friendly guy attending it. I grabbed a Diet Coke, a small tub of popcorn and a seat up front.

It turned out the seat was an unfortunate choice, for the club, not me. A video cam was rolling right behind my head and I’ve discovered since viewing the videos online that my head and clapping hands are woven throughout their onsite production. Sorry, guys! I had no idea.

Anyway, the show lasted an hour and a half and featured three young male comics, sitting together on a couch, hence the name, and alternating sets at the mike. If any of three were over thirty I would be surprised. They were young, very eclectic and often hilarious. They were also very obviously trying out their material on this audience, so their delivery was sometimes hesitant and searching. But that was actually part of the fun of the experience. I felt like I was in the role of encouraging a tentative talent.

Tall and thin with wild black hair, Brenden Lynch, was given to wry smiles and sudden punch lines that bowled you over. I have no idea whether Kellen Erskine was even married, but he had the look of a perplexed dad and gave up jokes as if he had to – just had to. The local comic, Ray Molino, with his taxi-cab cap and slow dry wit, literally twinkled when he pulled one over on the crowd. These three have a lot of talent and I would be looking forward to seeing them on late night someday, if only I owned a TV.

The master of ceremonies for the evening, John Ross, was no slouch himself. He moved easily from his own jokes to introducing each performer and gave cohesiveness to the whole show. Well done.

All in all, I couldn’t have spent a measly eight bucks in any better way. I’ll be back for the Improv Show one weekend in the future. I urge you to get out a support our local comedians.

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