One Kent business is giving South End residents a new reason to laugh this summer, with a comedy competition looking to find the funniest comedian in the area.
After a successful run of comics this spring, Castle Bridge Winery will be hosting “Laugh the Knights Away,” featuring four local comedians each night competing for audience votes for a chance to move to the finals in September.
The events take place July 24, Aug. 14, Aug. 28, with the finals scheduled for Sept. 18.
“The economy is down; people want to enjoy a glass of wine and laugh and have a good time,” said Bob Schlosser, who with his wife Linda own the Castle Bridge Winery.
Schlosser said the winery was looking for a way to draw people to the winery, as well as give their customers a good time. They had been using their 2,000-square-foot event space for musical acts and Schlosser was looking for a new draw when he read an article about stand-up comedians and realized there were few places in the Kent Valley to see comedy.
“I said ‘We’ve got this space, let’s use it for something,’” he said.
“It was something different we thought the South End could use more of,” said Linda Schlosser. “We tried the first one and it went so well.”
After a series of comedy nights, the Schlossers decided to “step it up a notch.”
Beginning Friday, that means a Last Comic Standing-style competition with each night’s winners chosen by those in attendance. The winners of each of the three nights, plus a wild card, will all compete in September for the top prize and a check for $200.
“The audience is going to vote for the winner,” Bob Schlosser said.
The Kent Reporter is a sponsor of the event.
According to Bob Schlosser, each comedian will get a 20-minute set to tickle the crowd’s funny bone. The events will be emceed by Mike Corning and Schlosser said the audience can expect a few guest appearances as well during the show.
Linda Schlosser said the comedy nights were more fun than expected and that the final few shows sold out, gaining the winery great compliments from both the crowd and the comedians.
“It’s been really well received,” agreed Bob Schlosser, adding that he and Linda hope to make the competition an annual event in the area.
“I think it’s been so popular because people need to laugh,” Linda Schlosser said. “And laughter and wine are the best medicine.”
MORE INFO
Laugh the Knights Away begins at 8 p.m. Friday, July 24. Mike Corning will host the event. Scheduled for the first night of competition are Sean Anderson, Eric Uthus, Blake Elliott and Dan Sapegin. The other “Laugh the Knights Away” events take place Aug. 14 and 28, with the finals scheduled for Sept. 18. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, but the event is expected to sell out. Ticket price also includes three wine tastings or one free glass. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 425-251-0983 or e-mail cbwinery@earthlink.net. Castle Bridge Winery is located at 7645 S. 180th St.
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