(Almost) every Monday night, the Southern Cafe and Music Hall in downtown Charlottesville hosts a free comedy open mic night. This event, aptly named The (Almost) Every Monday Night Comedy Show, provides a low-key environment for both amateur and experienced comics to try out new material. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at stand-up comedy, I’d recommend taking the short drive to the Southern to give it a shot. If you do, here’s what to expect:
Preparing:
When writing your set, make sure you keep it under five minutes, as there will be a time limit for each performance. Don’t worry too much about memorizing your jokes. Lots of comics refer to their notes while performing, and some even read entire jokes from their notes. When practicing your set, make sure it feels natural to tell each one of your jokes. Your jokes should be written in a style and format that makes sense to you, even if it’s not the way your favorite comic does it.
Performing:
You’ll want to arrive at the Southern anywhere between 7:00 and 7:45 to allow yourself enough time to get settled and sign up for a performance slot. Note that the order of performances won’t necessarily be the order you sign up in. Around 7:50, the host (Chris Allan) will step up to the mic and ask all comics to meet outside. There, he’ll tell you the order of performance. Make sure you remember 1. what time you’re performing and 2. the name of the person performing after you– it’s your job to announce their name at the end of your set.
Before the show starts, grab a drink, sandwich, or dessert from the bar. My favorite is the “Work it (It’s Worth It)” cookie sundae– a warm chocolate chip or peanut butter cup cookie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. This is otherwise a free event, so buying a treat is a great way to show your support for the servers and host.
The show will begin with a 10-minute performance by the host, Chris Alan (if you want to get up close and personal with his outstanding crowd work, sit in the front row). After his opening set, it’ll be time for the rest of the comics.
When it’s time for you to perform, the previous comic will announce your name. When you get up to the mic, feel free to sit or stand to give your set. Take as long as you need to get ready, but know that your five minute time limit starts when you take the mic. The host will shine a flashlight when you have one minute left. Remember to announce the next comic when you’re done.
Congrats! You just checked stand-up comedy off your bucket list.
Abby Kupstas
School of Education and Human Development, Class of 2025
Youth and Social Innovation major, Entrepreneurship minor
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