Bloomington’s first full-time comedy club, The Funny Bone Bloomington, will open its doors three weeks from today.
“It’s just a dream my wife and I have had for a very long time, and we felt the time was now,” said owner Jared Thompson, who believes Bloomington was long overdue for such a venue.
The Funny Bone will start off with “voicestrumentalist” Michael Winslow, whose unique vocal talents can be heard in comedy classics such as the “Police Academy” movies and the Mel Brooks spoof “Spaceballs.” Mayor Mark Kruzan will serve as master of ceremonies for the evening.
THE FUNNY BONE
OPENING NIGHT
When: 8 p.m., Sept. 25
Where: Fourth and Walnut streets
Who: 18 and older
Tickets: Advance tickets sales start Sept. 16 through funnybonebtown.com the Cinemat Box Office or 336-LAFF
Featuring: "Voicestrumentalist" Michael Winslow and Mayor Mark Kruzan, master of ceremonies
“I’ve heard that he’s very funny,” Thompson said regarding Kruzan. “I had heard him speak several times before, and it just seemed like a good fit.”
Daniel Lopez, communications director for the Office of the Mayor, said they were initially contacted by Steve Volan, a city councilman and owner of the Cinemat.
“The mayor’s always been active with Hoosier Hills,” Lopez said. “He’s got a good sense of humor. ... He seemed pretty excited about it.”
Event proceeds will benefit the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Thompson said.
“Jared strikes me as a very civil-minded individual,” said Julio Alonzo, executive director of Hoosier Hills. “Any time we can raise either food or funds is important to us. ... We couldn’t get by without that support from the community.”
While there is no visible bar, alcohol is available to patrons older than 21; any legal adults are allowed into the club itself.
“We really could have all ages,” Thompson said, “but because of the content of the shows, we’re probably keeping it 18 and over.”
The club will serve food from the Trojan Horse.
“It’s definitely a highlight for us,” Thompson said. “My wife actually used to work there for a couple years. ... We go to eat there all the time.”
As for the future, Thompson said he and his wife Dayna will choose comedians they find funny and who they believe will be well-received in Bloomington.
“We’re going to have a good mix of people who are geared toward students when the students are in town,” he said. “We’re trying to get as diverse of a line-up as possible.”
Besides open-mic nights, Thompson said he is open to the possibility of performances by student groups.
“We’ve been approached by several of them that have really done their homework and we definitely plan on working with them,” Thompson said.
