Abbey Road Taphouse was so quiet when I walked in that I worried I’d gotten the time wrong, but turning a corner into the bar area, I found music playing, a raised stage, and a few people setting up tech. Two of those people included Luke Taylor and Kel James, who sat down with The Cascade to discuss That’s Wild, Abbotsford’s only open mic comedy night.
This free show goes on every Wednesday, from 8:00 p.m. to somewhere between 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. depending on how many people sign up. Taylor said that they average 10 comics each week.
“What we do is every week we try to have a feature of a local comic. So either an up-and-comer or someone who’s doing a lot of shows regularly that just wants extra practice. So most of the time people get five minutes, and then the feature gets 10.”
The weekly show started back in April of this year, so they are only a few months into hosting at Abbey Road, but both Taylor and James have previous experience hosting events. Getting this show going felt like a natural progression for them.
Their highlight from the experience so far has been the ticket giveaway they were able to do for a comedy festival in Vancouver. Taylor described the process.
“We had a couple good nights with that, so we gave tickets to the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival. The owner supplied them for us. And we did a raffle, then we also did a ‘best comic of the evening.’ And that was really fun. Everyone came out with intention.”
That’s Wild started as a way for James and Taylor to continue their work, and fill a gap in the Fraser Valley market for comedy. But they are also seeing comics come from Vancouver, like the featured comic for the night I attended, Sept. 16, Corbin Stephenson. James explained the issue of limited stage times in Vancouver.
“While there are a lot more shows in Vancouver, there’s also, someone told me the other day, about 200 comedians in the city. So the mics give only three minutes.”
After our chat outside, the Taphouse had filled in a bit, but it was still easy enough to find a seat at the bar, and save one for the friend I was waiting on — I reasoned that open mic comedy should not be experienced alone, and I was right. This week, 14 comics stepped up. The comedy brought chuckles, sighs, eyerolls, and concern for the comics wellbeing.
One should not go to open mic comedy just for the laughs, but for the whole experience. Attending means that you will (hopefully) laugh and definitely cringe. There will be gems, bad jokes, bits that miss the mark, and memories made. You walk away bonded with those you attended with. No other entertainment experience compares. That being said, I do think you should try it out, at least for one night. This is a place where comics are finding their footing.
James got a start in comedy from a dare in high school, and Taylor got started after an invitation from a friend. They appreciate how welcoming the Fraser Valley comedy community has been. James encourages anyone thinking of it to step on stage.
“The worst thing that’ll happen is that they’re not gonna laugh at you. Some people might get mad … once you’ve done it, it’s easier. The first time is definitely the hardest. It’s not like it’s gonna be easy after the first time. It’s definitely a hard, kind of emotionally taxing art form. But just sign up. Sign up, go up.”
Sign-up starts at 7:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Abbey Road, with the show starting at 8:00 p.m. No tickets or payment is required for participating or watching. Local art is a venture worth supporting and no comedian was without their open mic era. I would recommend you go at least once, cheer them on, experience it, or get on stage yourself. There are no polished comedy specials on Netflix without the rough and tumble of a local open mic comedy night.
