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Downtown Comedy Club.
Did those three words get your attention? If so, then you’ll be thrilled to know that a new bimonthly stand up comedy night is launching this month at Shadowbox Live in the Brewery District. Local comedian Justin Golak and Shadowbox head writer Jimmy Mak have teamed up to kick off this new series that will take place in the Backstage Bistro venue located on South Front Street.
“One of our goals with our move Downtown was not just to expand Shadowbox Live’s programming, but also to allow opportunity for more artistic ventures,” says Mak. “When I read on Columbus Underground that local stand-up comedians were desperate for a venue, it just seemed to make sense.”
While technically located in The Brewery District, Shadowbox Live is still within a very close proximity to Downtown Columbus. Fans of stand up comedy will find the location to be much more central than The Funnybone located at Easton Town Center, which is currently the only main full-time comedy club venue in Central Ohio.
“Shadowbox Live offers a very unique and amazing venue that simply can’t be topped for a comedy show,” says Golak. “A great stage, great lighting, great sound… and there’s really a certain intangible awesomeness that comes with performing comedy in a space that was built to house it.”
The first show takes place on Tuesday, January 17th at 8pm and will feature Cleveland-based headliner Bill Squire.
“I have always needed the approval of other people and wasn’t handsome enough or athletic enough to get it, so I became funny and started doing stand up comedy,” explains Squire of his origins in comedy.
Squire’s honest and original performances have landed him acclaim through appearances on The Opie and Anthony Show, and a spot on the Comedy Central’s “Mitch Across America” Tribute to the late Mitch Hedberg.
“We’ll continue to bring in the best comics from out of town, featuring many that even loyal comedy fans haven’t had a chance to see yet,” says Golak. “We’ve also compiled the best talent from Columbus for these shows.”
The launch event on the 17th will include performances from Travis Hoewischer, Sumukh Torgalkar, Mark Lucas, Michael Meyers and Golak himself.
“Since these shows will take place in the Backstage Bistro, it wil be a much more intimate space,” adds Mak. “We’ll still have great food and drinks available, but it’s important that people understand this is NOT a Shadowbox Live show. Justin has done a great job of picking up the ball and running with it, so this is really his event.”
Stand Up at Shadowbox Live begins on Tuesday, January 17th at 8pm, and will continue on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. Tickets are $5 at the door. More information can be found HERE.
What an awesome partnership between Justin and Jimmy! It’s great to see more venues for the comedy scene in Columbus.
Thanks Nick! Hope to see you there one of these nights.
very cool!
awesome!
after seeing my first show at Shadowbox’s new location i immediately texted a few comedian friends about the opportunities the bistro presented. no televisions? a full bar? a small, empty, well-lit stage? really happy this is happening.
Sure thing, Jimmy! We have a Wild Goose meeting on the 17th, but I’ll try to make it soon!
OMG NO TV! AND JUSTIN GOLAK! I am so there!
This is great. But I have to admit, these two comments really tear each other apart.
“We’ll still have great food and drinks available, but it’s important that people understand this is NOT a Shadowbox Live show.”
Stand Up at Shadowbox Live begins on Tuesday, January 17th
If it’s not a Shadowbox Live show, should take it out of the name…Perhaps name it Stand Up at the Backstage Bistro? Just a thought.
@Graybeak,
That’s an excellent point and something we will take into consideration. Thanks for your input!
This is certainly an interuption to my usual Tuesday night routine of self-loathing & staring into the abyss.