The time of times I had visiting Denver, Colorado! I gush rocky mountain enthusiasm into the 305 humidity!
I was given a grand reception from now Denver-based bro-ham Adrian Mesa, who has since reassimilated into the Denver comedy scene. And what a scene it is! Polished, creative, and encouraging, a scene full of benchmark gigs that comics of all levels are earnestly working towards. Refreshing like mountain dew, the actual thing. My trip was planned so I could perform at Adrian’s monthly food show podcast extravaganza, 3 Course Comedy, and watch Adrian perform in a brand new comedy festival, The High Plains Comedy Festival.
Upward growing swamps called mountains, new and old friends, great venue Deerpile where I made the audience a caprese salad at 3 Course, extra legal herbs, and the guy that sells them.
High Plains is a homegrown festival masterminded by the reigning comedy team Grawlix. They welcomed not only big headliners (Reggie Watts, Kyle Kinane, Matt Braunger), and comics breaking through (Sean Patton, Kurt Braunohler, Grawlix themselves) but also featured much of the impressive local scene. It was refreshing to see such a spotlight on local talent at this festival, and could only have added to the shows being well-hosted, well-organized and well-attended. Well well well! Adrian introduced me to everybody who was funnybody in Denver, and after the ensuing whirlwind of hilarity, and potent stigma-free legal marijuana, I even remembered some of their names.
High Plains action! The first sign at Hi-Dive, Marc Maron drop by a live podcast, Matt Braunger, backstage at 3 Kings, the final show with Reggie Watts.
Such as the members of The Fine Gentleman’s Club. A group of Denver comics who are working hard to do comedy the way it should be done. They have a hallowed weekly showcase called Too Much Fun, which was indeed an overabundance of exuberance, hm! It felt like a sister show to my Casa de Haha – intimate sweaty room, curated show, receptive audience, LPs on the wall.
They welcomed me on their stage to do my first set in Colorado, and I thank them for that now with a humble gif…..t. The gift that keeps on GIFing.
Experience the excessive joy of Too Much Fun in a 4 second GIF!
Read about the Gents’ rise to power in this great article.
More on Denver coming soon in the next episode of the Casa de Haha Podcast.