Comedy Cebu kicks off first open mic show

By: 9 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—Last month, Comedy Cebu staged two successful shows during Sinulog weekend. The first one was “Laugh Trip #2,” a standing-room only show which happened at Movenpick Hotel, Mactan Island, Cebu, on Jan. 16, and the following day, “SinuLOL!” at The Glass Space of The Henry Hotel at Banilad, Cebu City.

This February, Comedy Cebu will be having its first open mic show for all curious and aspiring standup comedians.

Comedy Cebu aims not only to bring international standup comics to Cebu but also to cultivate the local appreciation and talent for observational standup comedy. As a performing comedy group, Comedy Cebu hopes to attract and scout for promising comic talents, whether locals or expats, to join the group through open mic shows and competitions.

Comedy Cebu’s first open mic show will be happening at Kukuk’s Nest, 124 Gorordo Ave., Lahug, Cebu City, on Feb. 26, from 8:30 p.m. onwards. Comedy Cebu founder Gary Jackson, James Caraan and Victor Anastacio, both from Comedy Manila, will be performing as guests in the open mic.

To join the open mic, interested parties may contact Iris by sending a message to +639052487908 or an email to comedycebu@gmail.com. They can also tweet @ComedyCebu or message on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ComedyCebu.

Some guidelines and rules to be followed in preparing the material for the open mic show can be viewed in this video prepared by Gary Jackson himself. In summary these are:

Every open mic-er is allowed three minutes onstage, so participants are encouraged to prepare a tight set.
English is the preferred language to be used by open mic-ers onstage, but mixed Filipino/Cebuano-English sets will also be allowed.
Open mic-ers are advised to avoid using jokes or material that is related to the three easiest comedy subjects: Pornography, masturbation and sex. Being a little “dirty” during sets is not prohibited, but creativity without the easy push of blue material will be highly appreciated.
Swearing or cussing will be allowed but open mic-ers are likewise advised to deliver onstage without needing to resort to cussing as this will encourage them to be more resourceful during their performance instead of depending on the shock value of cuss words.
Comedy Cebu is a point-of-view standup comedy group, which means comedy material based on life observation and experiences are more than welcome, but insulting or making fun of a member/s of the audience will not be allowed.

Open mic-ers will be scored by the audience during the event and the person who emerges as the top scorer will win a membership in Comedy Cebu and a three-minute spot in any regular show of the group along with other local and international guest comedians.

There is no limit to the regularity of joining the open mic. Anyone can join Comedy Cebu’s open mics every chance they get and it is open to everyone, from age 16 and up, regardless of race, religion and gender orientation.

Everyone is invited to sign up and support the growth of homegrown standup comedy in Cebu! ADVT