Comedy Attic brings laughs to town

Tom Brady has traveled throughout the Midwest doing comedy; but no matter what club he’s in, he always finds himself returning to the small town of Bloomington and the Comedy Attic — a place he said he feels is home.

“The Comedy Attic has the best crowds I have ever been in front of,” Brady said. “There is an energy that the crowd gives off. That energy is more prevalent in that room than anywhere I have ever been.”

Brady competed in the Third Annual Bloomington Comedy Festival championship Wednesday. The festival began June 1 with 37 comedians.

Brady said what sets the Comedy Attic apart is its values.

“The ideals [of the Comedy Attic] are to provide quality shows for its crowds,” Brady said. “It is a risk taking club that doesn’t cater to a crowd. It brings in what the club likes.”

Jared Thompson, owner of the club, said he agreed The Comedy Attic is a special venue.

“We strive to have everyone in Bloomington and in the surrounding areas represented,” he said. “We’re not going to be a one note club.”

Though the comedy medium is sometimes tough in a smaller town, the club will be celebrating its third anniversary this September.

“At certain times of the year we gear toward students, and at other times of the year more toward the Bob and Tom market.” Brady said.

To ensure an array of acts, The Comedy Attic hosts events each week from Wednesday through Saturday evenings. Doors typically open at 7:15 p.m. with shows beginning at 8 p.m.

Wednesday nights are generally reserved for open mic.

Local comedian Jamison Raymon stressed the importance of open mic nights in preperation for the comedy festival.

“Open mics are where you get to practice your stuff. You can’t sit in a room and find out what is funny,” he said.  

Thompson said the group of comedians who come to the venue also help set it apart.

“We have a phenomenal group of local comedians,” Thompson said. “Seeing them over the years morph and change and work out their jokes and find their own spots has been awesome.”

Brady said he agreed that a great diversity of people come into the club.

“The club has changed my perception of Bloomington,” Brady said. “I am seeing different people than I thought existed in Bloomington.

“I’m meeting a big variety of different, very cultured people. You get to see a wide variety of what Bloomington has to offer.”

Thompson said the last three years were strong, and that the club will continue to bring its special vibe to the Bloomington community.

“We’re at a severe advantage over most clubs,” Thompson said. “We haven’t been around for 25 years, so we don’t have the expectation that we’re going to bring the same boring comics that these clubs have brought for years.

“The expectation for us is that we’re going to bring who we want.”