I went to Columbus, Ohio, a few weeks ago for the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Awards, which are the closest thing my profession has to the Oscars, if the Oscars were held in a Renaissance ballroom where everyone was told not to draw on the tablecloths for one night in their lives.
While I was there, the Columbus Comedy Festival let me headline a pop-up show at a place called Cure Coffee and Cocktails. Full house. Warm room. Rum sponsor. The kind of night where you forget to be nervous because the audience has decided, before you’ve said a word, that they’re on your side. I’ve been chasing that feeling for fifteen years. In Columbus, it turned up on a Thursday.
So naturally I’m going back.
The festival asked performers to bring stickers for a prize passport thing. I packed fifty. I have never been so prepared for anything in my life
Here’s the bit that matters if you’re in Ohio, or know someone in Ohio, or are within a tank of petrol of Ohio:
The Saturday Standup Showcase (Early Show) Saturday, 29 August, 7:00pm, Seventh Son Brewing, 1101 N 4th Street, Italian Village $20
I’m on the showcase with Eeland Stribling, Sean Reilly, and Rochelle Collins; Amanda Adams is hosting, and James Adomian is headlining. Get tickets here.
The festival runs from 27 to 30 August, with over sixty shows across the city, and Seventh Son is a big brewery, which means the audience will be lubricated and I will be professional. One of us has to be.
‘til next time!
Your pal,
PS. Look, if this actually did something for your brain (or at least distracted you from the creeping dread of your own inbox for six minutes), please consider restacking this and sharing it with your people. It’s the only way the word spreads.
P.S. If you know anyone in Columbus, forward this to them plleeeease :)
I think we'll be there!