Wollongong Comedy is expanding with another new venue announced, as more and more budding funny people get up on stage.
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Little Joe’s Kitchen and Bar in Dapto will now host a bout of comics on the third Thursday of each month, with at least one major headliner.
Operations manager Stu Macpherson said it’s the first regular comedy room in the southern suburbs.
“We had wanted to expand and the Dapto area seemed like a logical area because it’s got a big population and they don’t seem to get a whole lot in the way of entertainment,” he said.
“Little Joe’s has been quite active in getting a variety of entertainment happening like cabaret and open mic nights.”
Last September Mr Macpherson started running an open mic comedy night at Jane’s Bar in North Wollongong, as another way to expand the 10-year-old business and foster new talent.
Mr Macpherson is himself a professional comedian of around 13 years and remembers when the Illawarra had less than a handful of comics like himself.
“For years and years there’s been hardly anyone, maybe three or four professionals,” he said.
Since they began the open mic night for anyone to test the crowd, Mr Macpherson said the scene has steadily grown with up to 30 new people taking to the stage including 12 to 15 regulars, and a few more who are now trying gigs in Sydney.
Two Doors Up Cafe & Bar in Fairy Meadow has also begun an open mic night for comics, while Mr Macpherson said there was another professional room opening in Thirroul soon.
“Developing the scene helps us all, if there’s more interest and more people there’ll be more people that will come to comedy … and more people that will have a go themselves,” he said.
Mr Macpherson has performed to crowds around the country, including a stint at the famed Melbourne Comedy Festival, and said the best tip he could give anyone thinking of getting on stage was to be confident.
“If you seem nervous the crowd will pick up on that … don’t ask them if it’s funny, tell them that it’s funny,” he said.
“Just get in and have a go. Procrastinating for six months or a year won’t make you any less nervous.”
Wollongong Comedy kicks off its monthly program at Little Joe’s Dapto on May 19, in addition to regular nights at the Wollongong Builders Club and Jane’s Bar.