Tim McGraw liked when I headlined at The Chapter
It has taken me a while to begin to write this blog. I’ve had to comprehend, ponder and interpret the events of Tuesday, May 25 at The Chapter in Fairborn.
I was asked to headline this show by Dale Blomquist, a guy who is hilarious and who knows how to put a show together. Of course I said, “Yes,” when asked to headline. My face was on a flyer and everything. I was excited, and really wanted to get some people there.
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As a comic, one thing we must do is promote. Typically, I create private events and invite only my non-comic friends. The logic being that most comics know about all the open mics in the area. I do share flyers a couple times before the show for all to see, and now that I have website, I even write about the upcoming events.
My experience after being in comedy for 4 years is that non-comic friends are a little tired of all the invites. It may be because I get snarky after no one responds. I get even more snarky when everyone only responds with “maybe.”
Here’s the thing about “maybe” on Facebook. It means "no." I know that. But for some reason people feel the need to say “maybe.” As a person who is direct, blunt and somewhat rude at times, saying “maybe” to an event makes me doubt a person’s decision-making skills. I don’t say "maybe" to events. I say nothing until I know whether or not I can go. Then I reply. There’s just a little Facebook etiquette for you.
When I got to The Chapter, there were about 4 people there including myself, Dale, the lovely bartender and 1 patron. No comics had yet showed up to the open mic. So we did what anyone would do. We waited. 8:30 came and went. We were approaching 9 p.m. The place had filled out a little bit. There were about 7 audience members, which was typical for the show.
One of the patrons actually turned out to be one of my former students. Not awkward at all. However, still no other comics were there by 9 p.m. But Dale and I decided that the show must go on!
I’m not going to speculate on why no comedians showed up that night for the open mic. All I can say is that we all have lives and things to deal with. Some people have kids and significant others. I have 3 jobs, comedy and a website I run. Other people have a lot of weed to smoke. We all have things.
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I still did my time and got paid. I did a great job. My good friend and advocate Nate Washington saw part of my set, the only other comic there. The first couple days after the show, I wasn’t bothered that no other comics showed up. I wasn’t bothered by it until I started telling people that no other comics showed up. Then it was like a pity party.
Should I be upset no other comics came? Should I be angry? I do not have those feelings, mainly because I hardly have any feelings. I already know about being on my own when it comes to the comedy scene. As a female comic, I’m used to not fitting in with the guys. I’ve tried, but it just never seems to work.
With that being said, I will never ever go back to The Chapter. I’m just joking. I’ll probably go to the next open mic. Maybe.
I've included my set below for those who missed it.
