Friday, March 20, 2009

Myq Kaplan, MC Mr. Napkins, and Connie Michener at the OAsis Coffeehouse Tonight

The sounds drifting out of the Oasis Coffeehouse at the First Presbyterian Church in Waltham are usually musical, coming from a variety of folk, blues, and jazz performers. Tonight, those sounds will be mostly laughter, as the venue hosts its first comedy night, featuring Myq Kaplan, MC Mr. Napkins, and host Connie Michener.

Michener, who studied at ImprovBoston and made her stand-up debut in ’06, has seen folk acts with a sense of humor like Jim’s Big Ego and Teddy Goldstein do well in the room. She performed there in October and says she “found a warm, friendly, responsive audience, older than the club scene, and ready to laugh. It's a coffeehouse, not a bar, so people are more alert and attentive than in other conditions -- this is good or bad, depending on your act.”

Michener reports there is also a growing interest in entertainment venues in Waltham, citing possibly plans for a new performing arts center near the Oasis. She expects more venues for comedy to part of that growth. “There are two or three open mics in the works on Moody Street, at More Than Words, and also one that seems to be alternating between the Skellig and the Lincoln,” she says. “This, and undeveloped potential between the town and the Brandies and Bentley campuses means anything can happen. As for the Oasis, being associated with a church that is very active in the community, it has a somewhat established and curious audience.”

Stand-up Comedy with Myq Kaplan, MC Mr. Napkins, and host Connie Michener at the Oasis Coffeehouse, 34 Adler Street, Waltham. 7:30PM. $12/$10 students, seniors and Waltham residents with ID.

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