Comedy Festival at the Powerhouse

Went to the Power House last night.  Met up with Bob, Jenny & Kahren.  A light dinner and drinks on their riverside deck.  I had a very nice meal of ribs and a piece of Bob's pizza.

Bout a glass of wine that was noticeably small in wine content.

We had quite an animated discussion about 50 shades of grey which was fun.  This is a movie that I had seen and was surprised by.  In my case, unlike the glass of wine it had exceeded expectations.  The others though were not impressed.  As I recall it, I think one of their points was that the very existence of the movie would make BDSM concepts visible to young people.  Other points were that it was degrading to women or that it legitimized hitting women.  The comment was made that if it had been set in a trailer park then it would have been an episode of CSI.

my detailed thoughts are here in a blog posting of a previous time.

8:15 we decamped to go see the show.  This was held in the rooftop ? room.  One of their smaller performance spaces.  As with any art it appealed to some and less to others.

Personally I did not find the show funny.  Interesting social comment - yes but made me laugh - no.

As with most comedians he seemed to be unable to string more than 3 words together unless he threw in a swear word.  An excuse?  Later we discussed some of his body language that seemed to imply some uncertainty or lack of confidence.  Scratching his tummy, loosing his place and having to refer to notes, ????

Social comment included reference to gay relationships, isis and some naive recruits who buy "Islam for dummies" at the airport on their way to join isis.

I suspect the lack of humor was that perhaps the fellow is dealing with some personal deamons.  Breaking up with his wife/partner.  He has a kid.
Drugs, gay relationships,.....

To me for something to be funny it needs an unexpected twist.  A build up of tension and a sudden unexpected release at the end.  This show did not have that.

I do not regret going.  Actually one of my concerns is that maybe I will not be invited to such things because the asker may be worried that I will not like the event that I am being invited to.  I very much liked the evening.  I enjoyed the meal, the company, the experience of the show.  (Simply did not find it funny).