20050401

March 3, 2006

Charlie’s Standup Comedy Journal

April 1, 2005: Hammin’ It Up in New Hampshire

First things first, folks — let’s get to the serious stuff. This show was performed at the Castleton Function Hall in Windham, NH, as part of the annual ‘Dinner, Dance, and Silent Auction’ (and, apparently, comedy) event organized by the Christina Capozzi Foundation to raise money for Shone’s Syndrome research. It’s a great night, a fantastic cause, and the proceeds go to Childrens’ Hospital in Boston, right here in my proverbial backyard. A comic friend of mine knows one of the organizers, and set it up for five of us to entertain the troops near the end of the evening. Good times.

Now, on to the good stuff: in addition to the auction, there was also a raffle for several other prizes, the most popular of which — by far — was the ‘wheelbarrow full of alcohol’. I kid you not. No word on whether the wheelbarrow was also included — but it would have to be, because I don’t see how else you’d get all that booze home, frankly. I’ve never seen that much alcohol in my life in one place — and I spend a lot of time in bars, in the land of the Kennedys, no less. This thing was impressive.

But, I didn’t win the damned thing, so let’s move on to the show. Unfortunately, the tape is a bit dark — we were on a stage set up for dancing, which means low lights, so no one has to see the ‘moves’ Uncle Eddie is busting out after a few Miller Lites. Or a wheelbarrowful of alcohol, even. So things look a bit grainy. And that’s okay — in the spirit of the evening, I put on a nice button-down shirt to perform… and I don’t want you people to see me like that. I clean up for weddings and funerals, and that’s about it. So don’t look too close, all right?

Apart from that, it was a good time up in NH. The crowd was a little unnerving, just due to its sheer size — there were people at tables on both sides of me, and five or six tables deep in front. A few people were chatting — and some were memorizing their raffle ticket numbers — but there were enough folks into the performers to make it feel like a ‘show’. And lots of money was raised for charity. And now we can say we’ve ‘played New Hampshire’ — everybody wins!

If you happen to be in the Boston area in early April-ish next year, I highly recommend this event. Even as ‘hired help’, we were treated smashingly (and even got a tasty dinner). Plus, I was only two numbers off from winning the booze wagon — now, that would’ve made the evening. But it was a great time, and I’d definitely go back, whether as a comic or ‘civilian’. Which is good, because we may have turned them off of comedy for a while. But hey — who can compete with a nice dinner and booze on wheels, eh? I don’t feel so bad.

Download Clip of 04/01/05 Set —

CCF Dinner Dance, Windham, NH (5 minutes, 19 seconds):