Where Can You Find Live Comedy in Calgary?

Craft Island Comedy Festival Brews Up Local Talent

Craft Island Comedy Fest: Thursday night in Calgary and if you didn’t die from a virus in the past 2 years you should be out celebrating and socializing at every opportunity. This night at the College Bar in Mission (that’s just south of 17th Ave SW) a group of local and traveling comedians took to the stage to engage in the timeless art of making people laugh. If you were there (and you weren’t or King Calgary would have saw you & bought you a Jager bomb) you would have been treated to several up and coming young comedians working on and developing their talent live on stage.

What is Craft Island Comedy Festival?

According to their website mission statement:

"We do comedy differently, by developing comedians and producing top-quality entertainment that also boosts the craft brewery industry while embracing diversity."

Basically, it is a traveling comedy club show designed to partner with venues and brewers in the craft beer industry, with the mutual goal of cross promoting each other while providing an evening of live entertainment. What could be more fun than that? You’re supporting both a local spirits producer and comedy artists at the same time. Not bad for only $15/ ticket.

*White Bobby Lee even including the toque

Book Calgary Comedians

For those of you who are in the brewing business or who operate a venue that could host a comedy event, here is their contact information. (I had to Carlos Mencia it from their Facebook page since most of the links on their website are working as much as Pauly Shore).

Unfortunately the comedy game is tough and while we ALL enjoy it, not enough of us support it with our wallets and by putting our asses in the chairs on a frequent enough basis. Let’s do better, let’s all make a point of getting out to a live show in Calgary and making sure we keep the arts scene alive. Please?

Here are a few images from the show. If you would have seen it live they would have included sound and jokes, so 69% better than these pictures convey it. The show had some great crowd work, some well crafted bits, and lots of laughs.

*Definitely NOT Ben Feldman from Superstore, maybe.

Calgary Singles

I would like to point out that there were several single ladies (with jobs even) in attendance at this comedy show, 3 football fan Bros with nice hair, and a fun table full of swingers. You can’t get that mix at most clubs on a Thursday, so you really missed out on a night where the jokes just write themselves.

Comedy is No Laughing Matter

As a writer, I think I could write comedy material that would kill, but I know that I lack the stage presence and talent to deliver it appropriately. Some of tonight’s comics had good presence and delivery, some had decent material, and some had a bit of the nerves. Despite the generally sober crowd making for a tough room, they all did a good job and made the most of it. Every one of the performers did far better than I ever could so I totally respect them for getting up there and making me laugh. I hope to get out and watch them all again next time I see a Craft Island event advertised.

Wish it was JP Sears

The highlight of the evening was this guy. He came out guns blazing and ready to take no comedy hostages. At first I thought he looked like the Wish version of JP Sears from “Awakening With JP” but then I decided there was no way he was a vagitarian wearing that shirt with a brown belt. I need to find his name and give him a mention, he had some good material and for laughs from everyone.

Overall a great night of comedians working on their sets and a nice venue. Yes there were a few some jokes that bombed, but trying them on a crowd is the only way to find out if they are funny, they can’t all be The Aristocrats.

I enjoyed the show and would recommend anyone looking to host a corporate event or hire some entertainment for a function think outside the box and give a live comedy show a try. Next time you see these Craft Island guys are performing nearby go support them, take a date to the show, heck maybe go to the show to find a date even, you can’t have worse luck than on tinder. At least you know the singles that are out at a live event in Calgary have a sense of humor and enjoy doing shit. That’s worth 2 points bonus before ýou even know how many cats they own.

Calgary College Bar

The venue for the comedy show tonight was a pub that I had never yet been to called College Bar. And if there’s one thing I like as much a new event, it’s exploring a new place. I will write a full review on that Calgary pub tomorrow, check back and see how it ranks compared to the previous half dozen pubs I have review so far this month.

First impression is positive though since I am a fan of any establishment that takes the chance and hosts any sort of live performing arts, comedy or music. We need more venues to have less 42″ televisions and more 42 year old comedians.

Come find me at a live show or pub,

~ King Calgary

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