christiancomedy.ca

Summer time is offstage work time

Well, here we sit in the 32 degree heat of summer. The weather dudes say it "feels like 40 with the humidity". 

Sooo, if it feels like 40 doesn't that mean it's 40? I mean with temperature I go by feeling generally. Let's put it this way, if 32 was chilly and I needed a blanket (ladies, this could be you) then I'd get a blanket. But if at 40 I don't need a blanket and it feels like 40 so I don't get a blanket then isn't it really, pretty much, effectively, say 40?

Had a great time a couple of weeks ago at the Write Canada Conference. It's a conference for writers who are Christian here in Canada. If you're interested in exploring the writing side of life as a Canadian Christian I highly recommend it. Happens every year in early June. Here's a link to their website . Check out what kind of stuff they offer and more about The Word Guild who put it on.

Anyway, this is the quiet time, more time offstage, time to rework old ideas, write more new stuff and look toward the fall when the comedy world gets busier again.   So, I'm spending more time writing and doing further work on my first comedy concert DVD, NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE STARTED. Long process with the editing and prep work but I'm looking forward to releasing it in the fall.

So, what's summer bring to you? Time to rest, think or plan for the future? Maybe some special face time with God. I had some great God time yesterday, fasting and praying. I need to do that more often.

Was just booking something today for July 28 and realized that is only a couple of weeks away and summer will be half gone. While I don't advocate stressing over summer and it's brevity, it's a good idea to think of one or two things you would like to do while it's here. Definitely plan downtime. But also is there something you'd like to accomplish? Now's a good time to think of that.

Timmy Boyle's fundraiser for Haiti

My good friend, Timmy Boyle is doing a marvelous comedy fundraiser May 1 in Toronto for aid in Haiti. If you're available I can recommend a very funny evening with Timmy called Seriously Funny! It's being held at Scarborough Baptist Church, 1597 Kingston Rd. Scarborough.

Here's how he describes the event:

"My Dare2Dream list is about to be attacked hard and fast. It all kicks off at the Seriously Funny! Event on Sat. May 1. I'll be performing stand-up comedy and sharing about the Dare2Dream adventure. Come, bring a friend (or two) to help me raise money for charity (dream#11), and see me ATTACK MY BIGGEST FEAR (dream#8) LIVE ON STAGE."

Use this link to get more info and arrange tickets:

http://www.facebook.com/l/32c66;upstandingcomedy.accountsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/seriously-funny-may-1.pdf

Great times at Harvest Assembly Toronto!

Thanks to Pastor Dale, Teresa, Pastor Edwin and all the fine folk at Harvest Assembly! The Clean Comedy Roadshow was part of their Christmas banquet last night and it was very funnnnnn. Those folks are warm and know how to laugh.

Thanks to Wil and Tim my comedy buddies who joined me for the gig. Another great night guys.

Busy Comedy Weekend

What a weekend for comedy in this area. Last night I visited with comedy buddy Steve Geyer as he performed and ministered at the Couples Night Out put on by World Vision. He's in the midst of a cross Canada tour doing comedy and helping married couples to love each other the way God intended. What I especially like was his personality test. You've heard of the DISC, the Myers-Briggs and all that. Steve's got one based on Winnie the Pooh characters! Still not sure if I'm an owl or a piglet. Look out Alberta, he's comig there next!

Good guy, funny comic and a great night of ministering to the 100 or so couples who came to the evening at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Cambridge. 

Felt a little weird at times, since my wife couldn't join me. So, I'm sitting alone in a sea of couples as Steve's directing them to put their arms around each other and look into each others' eyes and say certain loving, affirming things. "Ahem, maybe I'll just go get a drink of water. You guys carry on."

And tomorrow night we're doing the Clean Comedy Roadshow at Parkwood Gardens Community Church. It's a special night for me as we'll be recording for my first DVD. 

The youtube link for my comedy clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPiqsz6h8lA

What took me so long?

I  finally did it! I uploaded my first video clip to youtube.com. It was so easy! If you want to check it out, just go to youtube.com and search for Christian comedian Jim Tice.

Now I just have to figure out how to get video on this blog. Maybe I can find a 10 year old to explain it to me just like when I used to program my parents' VCR when I was a kid.

Technology and I are friends but we're not what you'd call close.

Queen of Comedy Variety Hits The Road

Carol Burnett (age 70+) is on the road with a show of laughter and reflections about her life and career. I was in attendance at the visit (not so much a performance) in Toronto’s venerable Massey Hall. It was basically the Q & A time that she started each TV show but it went on for almost 90 minutes and was great fun. She showed clips and reminisced about her TV show; which ran for 11 seasons ,to a crowd that clearly adored her. People prefaced question after question with gushing accolades and appreciation for Burnett’s show, her cast of regular performers and her coming “all the way” to Toronto. (Come on folks it’s not exactly in the tundra)

As one who grew up watching the Burnett show, it was a lot of fun hearing backstage stories, watching old clips and hearing her famous Tarzan yell. Burnett demonstrated a real graciousness for her fans (even when they gushed A LOT) and the comic timing and delivery that marked her as a comedy great.

My wife and kids sent me to see her as my Father’s Day present and it was a once in a lifetime chance to see a comedy legend up close. (And it beats a new tie)

Okay, it was fun, but it got a little creepy as people fawned over Burnett. I bet she has an escort (read security dude) to get her safely to her hotel.  I agree that her show was fantastic and I personally rate her as one of the top comedians in my opinion. But people people people, we need to not gush all over people we admire. Wipe the drool off your faces and talk to Carol Burnett or whomever you admire like a real person please. You’re creeping people out. The first guy to ask a question was funny because he was so flustered he couldn’t get his question out. But after being thanked for the umpteenth time for coming to Toronto, could we please just ask her a question!

If you loved the Carol Burnett show, it’s a fun evening, go see her if she comes to your town. There aren’t that many legends of show business around these days.

our current economy and comedy

As with so many other industries, the comedy business has slowed. Lately I’m been speaking to other comedians who reported that some clients have cut back and cancelled or postponed gigs. It seems there are less gigs out there generally and one source reported that higher paying gigs are less frequent but that mid range ones are still out there.

I like the way comedian, Dennis Tooley is handling his dates. He has contacted gigs that he already had booked and told them he was willing to talk if they had any concerns with their arrangements in light of the economy.  He said, that had led to a couple of postponements but that it helped the working relatlonship with clients overall.  They appreciated his openness and flexibility. Helps to remember that we are serving our clients with comedy, eh Dennis?

Who Have I Encouraged Lately?

I used to have that question posted on my desk. I’m an introvert so I can happily work on my own for long periods. but that little question would prompt me to make a phone call, send a note (remember the days when we used paper) or e-mail and just tell someone what I see them doing that is great, effective or that demonstrates their gifts. I liked that because I saw people impacted by such a simple thing.

The power of encouragement. It occurred to me just the other day how many people I’ve had encourage me in the last year – a lot!!

My number one encourager is always my wife. She understands me like no other person does and possibly in spite of that she is very encouraging to me.

I have received a lot of encouragement from some of my best friends. Like my wife, they believe in me even when I don’t. When the feeling of quitting is upon me, they will listen, encourage me, give a kick in the butt when needed. Encouragers who know you well , really rock!’

These last two years have been great for the professional encouragement I’ve received in comedy. First, Leland Klassen has been a huge encouragement to me. From touring with him in '07 and '08, his advice and mentoring as well as him inviting me to be part of a showcase at the the Christian Comedy association’s annual conference in Florida.

By the way, watch for the Leland Klassen’s Comedy Tournament on Christian TV coming soon. It was my first TV gig! I saw the promo copy of the first episode and it looks great.

This past year or so has been a boost to my comedy career. I’ve gained a great mentor as well in Nazareth , past president of the CCA. He’s been on the road for over 20 years and he’s able to totally identify with us newer (not necessarily younger) comedians. As well, I’ve received good practical critique from pros like Bone Hampton, Chonda Pierce, and Thor Ramsey.

Okay, so not too many average names among my mentors. No Bob or Mary, but when you’re talking comedy why not Bone, Chonda, Thor, Leland and Nazareth?
(pictured from left to right, Bone, Chonda, me, Thor)

I think I need to redo that note on my desk. Encouragement is a powerful weapon against the loneliness, failure, pressure, competitiveness of our world. If you could encourage one person each day think of how amazing that would be. People are dying for encouragement. See the potential in others, affirm them for jobs well done, recognize attitudes worth praising, herald uniqueness that shows the touch of the divine or just help them to dream, hope and endure.

I can’t imagine what I’d do without the encouragement of my friends. I can’t imagine what I’d do without the opportunity to encourage someone else.

I used to have that question posted on my desk. I’m an introvert so I can happily work on my own for long periods. but that little question would prompt me to make a phone call, send a note (remember the days when we used paper) or e-mail and just tell someone what I see them doing that is great, effective or that demonstrates their gifts. I liked that because I saw people impacted by such a simple thing.

The power of encouragement. It occurred to me just the other day how many people I’ve had encourage me in the last year – a lot!!

My number one encourager is always my wife. She understands me like no other person does and possibly in spite of that she is very encouraging to me.

I have received a lot of encouragement from some of my best friends. Like my wife, they believe in me even when I don’t. When the feeling of quitting is upon me, they will listen, encourage me, give a kick in the butt when needed. Encouragers who know you well , really rock!’

These last two years have been great for the professional encouragement I’ve received in comedy. First, Leland Klassen has been a huge encouragement to me. From touring with him in '07 and '08, his advice and mentoring as well as him inviting me to be part of a showcase at the the Christian Comedy association’s annual conference in Florida.

By the way, watch for the Leland Klassen’s Comedy Tournament on Christian TV coming soon. It was my first TV gig! I saw the promo copy of the first episode and it looks great.

This past year or so has been a boost to my comedy career. I’ve gained a great mentor as well in Nazareth , past president of the CCA. He’s been on the road for over 20 years and he’s able to totally identify with us newer (not necessarily younger) comedians. As well, I’ve received good practical critique from pros like Bone Hampton, Chonda Pierce, and Thor Ramsey.

Okay, so not too many average names among my mentors. No Bob or Mary, but when you’re talking comedy why not Bone, Chonda, Thor, Leland and Nazareth?
(pictured from left to right, Bone, Chonda, me, Thor)

I think I need to redo that note on my desk. Encouragement is a powerful weapon against the loneliness, failure, pressure, competitiveness of our world. If you could encourage one person each day think of how amazing that would be. People are dying for encouragement. See the potential in others, affirm them for jobs well done, recognize attitudes worth praising, herald uniqueness that shows the touch of the divine or just help them to dream, hope and endure.

I can’t imagine what I’d do without the encouragement of my friends. I can’t imagine what I’d do without the opportunity to encourage someone else.

Staging A Successful Comedy show

A fun and successful comedy night is a conversation between the performers and the audience. There's a give and take that makes it work and you can help that happen by setting up the room right. You want both the audience and the performers to enjoy the night.

“Three’s a crowd” but not in comedy. You want a good sized crowd. People are better able to relax and laugh openly if they can blend into a crowd. As well, the infectious nature of laughter is amplified and enjoyment grows as a large group shares the comedy experience. It’s more fun with more people!

Sit your audience close to the performer. Audiences like to make a connection. Feeling connected to the performers increases the enjoyment. For example, don’t leave a large open space between the stage and audience seating.

Sit the audience close together. Again it’s about helping the audience to enjoy themselves and share the laughter experience. Rows of seating are better than tables but tables close together are far better than little clumps of people spread around a large room.

Set up your venue so everyone can see easily. Comedy is visual even if the performers don’t seem to move around much. Eye contact between performers and audience will make the whole experience more satisfying for audience members.

You need a sound system so the performers can communicate. People don’t want to miss anything and even for a small crowd, performers must be able to express the nuances of their comedy. A microphone and good sound system help your audience to get all the best of sound effects, impressions, character voices, weird animal sounds and a variety of other comedic expressions.

A stool, chair or table is usually needed for performers to put water bottles, props, a set list, or tape recorder on.

Stage lighting is great if it’s available. Even being able to shut off “house” lights and leave the stage lit is great for helping people not get distracted.

A fun and successful comedy night is a conversation between the performers and the audience. There's a give and take that makes it work and you can help that happen by setting up the room right. You want both the audience and the performers to enjoy the night.

“Three’s a crowd” but not in comedy. You want a good sized crowd. People are better able to relax and laugh openly if they can blend into a crowd. As well, the infectious nature of laughter is amplified and enjoyment grows as a large group shares the comedy experience. It’s more fun with more people!

Sit your audience close to the performer. Audiences like to make a connection. Feeling connected to the performers increases the enjoyment. For example, don’t leave a large open space between the stage and audience seating.

Sit the audience close together. Again it’s about helping the audience to enjoy themselves and share the laughter experience. Rows of seating are better than tables but tables close together are far better than little clumps of people spread around a large room.

Set up your venue so everyone can see easily. Comedy is visual even if the performers don’t seem to move around much. Eye contact between performers and audience will make the whole experience more satisfying for audience members.

You need a sound system so the performers can communicate. People don’t want to miss anything and even for a small crowd, performers must be able to express the nuances of their comedy. A microphone and good sound system help your audience to get all the best of sound effects, impressions, character voices, weird animal sounds and a variety of other comedic expressions.

A stool, chair or table is usually needed for performers to put water bottles, props, a set list, or tape recorder on.

Stage lighting is great if it’s available. Even being able to shut off “house” lights and leave the stage lit is great for helping people not get distracted.