Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Rachel Bujalski Don Bassford of Donnie B's Funny Bone Comedy show, entertains the crowd while introducing the next act Thursday evening at Fat Jack's.

Media Credit: Rachel Bujalski Scottie K, a comedian from Alabama, successfully makes the crowd laugh Thursday evening at Fat Jack's for Donnie B's Funny Bone Comedy show.

The Bloomington-Normal area is full of attractions and events that can keep students and residents busy, just trying to figure out what to do on the weekends. It seems that whatever it is residents are looking for, the twin cities can offer it up. Stand up comedy is no exception when it comes to the attractions the area offers. For those residents who are 21 and up look no further than Bloomington to find great local stand up comedy.

Within the city of Bloomington there are currently two comedy clubs that offer stand up comedy and amateurs nights. These two clubs are George's Treehouse Lounge and Comedy Club, located off of Veterans Parkway, and The Funny Bone, whose current temporary location is located in downtown Bloomington. Both clubs offer a mix of professional comedy and local amateur comedy that Bloomington-Normal residents can not resist.

"The Bloomington-Normal area never tends to disappoint me when it comes to offering entertainment and in the area of stand up comedy it once again does not disappoint." Kendra Karman, sophomore mass communication major, said.

All shows for both clubs are 21 and up due to the fact that both clubs do offer alcohol. Each club also offers dinners and appetizers to go along with the live comedy.

George's Treehouse Lounge and Comedy Club has been offering live comedy in the area for the last 25 years making it one of the nations oldest comedy clubs. The Treehouse Lounge provides a great mix of professional and amateur comedy as well as great food and drinks.

Professional live comedy is offered Saturday from 8:00 to 10:30 p.m. A $2 discount is offered to students on comedy night Saturdays with a valid student I.D., and students must be 21 and up.

The featured comedians for Saturday, Nov. 10, are Carl Lee and Joe Dunckel.

Carl Lee promises to offer up comedy for everyone being white, black, old or young he can make them all laugh. No one will feel left out at his shows. Lee has worked with some of comedy's great acts such as Lewis Black, Damon Wayans, Ron White, The Bob and Tom Show and Bill Bellamy. One thing that Lee can always promise is to bring a large amount of energy and fun to the stage so the audience will never be bored.

The Headliner for this Saturday, however, will be the absolutely hilarious comedy stylings of Dunckel. The former director and comic for such programs such as "We Can Make you Laugh" and "Krack Me Up", Dunckel has been in the comedy business for a very long time. He has been on the road entertaining audiences across the country since 1987. Dunckel has appeared with a wide variety of stars some being: Tim Allen, Lewis Black, Gallagher, Louis Armstrong, and The Temptations. Dunckel has also performed for numerous big names such as: The Ford Motor Company, The Magic Johnson Corporation, and The Detroit Lions.

Other acts coming up at The Treehouse Lounge include Chris Shaw and Robert York on Nov. 17, Scott White and Susan Smith on Nov. 24, Manny Shields and Larry Reeb on Dec. 1, Warren Hall and Kevin Bozeman on Dec. 8, and Brian Aldridge and John Uberroth on Dec. 15.

"Amateur nights are always entertaining to watch because you are introduced to all kinds of new talent." Jim Powers, sophomore general education major, said.

For those who are not content with just watching the comedy, but participating in it as well The Treehouse Lounge offers amateur night auditions. Tryouts for new comedians are held the first Thursday of every month. The winner of these tryouts will go on to open for the comedians on Saturday Comic Night for the entire month. For more info on auditions email The Treehouse Lounge at openmicnight@treehouselounge.com.

The other comedy club in Bloomington also offers an amateur night service to those inspiring comedians in the area. Contestants can vie for a chance to open for headlining comedians for Friday and Saturday nights. All amateur nights are booked in advance, to contact the Funny Bone about auditioning for them email them at funnybonebookings@gmail.com.

Four contestants and one alternate will be chosen on Thursday shows to perform before the headliner. There are a few guidelines for contestants to follow, some of them being: punctuality is a must so all contestants must be signed in by 7:15 p.m., no vulgar or offensive material will be allowed. If a contestant can not get a positive reaction from the audience they are asked to find a way to leave the stage.

Overall when it comes to live comedy in the area, George's Treehouse Lounge and Comedy Club, as well as the Funny Bone have the area covered.

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