Farewell to The Downtown - 9/30

So first Munchaba Lounge is sold, and now The Downtown closes its doors. In my first few years doing comedy I spent most Tuesday nights running back and forth between Munchaba and The Downtown. The two venues were like apples and oranges. If Munchaba was Ani Difranco, then The Downtown was Andrew WK. I spoke about Munchaba in my last blog so let me turn to the metal-based, pathology-fueled Downtown in Farmingdale.

Munchaba may have helped my development, but The Downtown forced it. I had my toughest sets there. Before I knew what I was doing I'd get heckled, have bottles thrown at me, and serve as more a distraction than a performer.  Did I mention I was a comedian among upwards of 50 metal, punk, screamo, and hip-hop acts? These were some of the most insane, imbalanced, and offbeat people I'd ever encountered.  Thank g-d The Downtown was there to play the role of halfway house. I swear, if any of these kids stayed home, they'd just end up yelling at their parents and throwing a brick through the TV before going up to their room to cry.  These kids scared the hell out of me, and I couldn't wait to perform for them! Sometimes, I'd wait until 3 am to get on stage (even though the kids went home around 11).

I wanted to be their comedy savior. Even though I did stand-up and got the "comedy is tough" feedback from the first open mic host, Joe Ags, once Rick took over so did my guitar gimmick. The male stripper song got dollar bills shoved in my pants during the song. "Midget Love" got me a politically incorrect ovation. The memories kept coming, my mailing list kept growing and the stalkers started following :)

The greatest memory came as the open mic started happening less frequently. I guess with all these kids not buying alcohol, the venue wanted to make more money with booked shows. But even though I wasn't there, I was penning a few of my signature songs, and when I returned, "Real Emo" and "I Wanna Be Black" debuted. "Emo" was inspired by The Downtown and I have to thank Jesse, the mailing list girl for starting the lyrics for me.  I also met the adorable Jen who paraded around my mailing list after my sets. I had over 50 names one night and gave out just as many demos. In my eyes, I was a star even though it was still just a Tuesday night in Farmingdale.

Rick was a great manager there. When he wasn't requesting I play "Black," he'd have me host a few music nights.  Did I mention how amazing their sound and stage were? This was a real venue, but I knew once Rick moved on so would I.

I don't want to speak ill of the subsequent staff there, so I'll just appreciate what the venue gave me. While I had great shows there, I also saw greater ones (Stephen Lynch twice, Jim Norton and Bad Medicine - a Bon Jovi tribute band).  While Munchaba built my stage presence, The Downtown built my ego.  On an island where families settle down, The Downtown was one of the few places that had a young, adventurous pulse.

I just hope those kids I played for found another place to go, or else we're going to have a lot of broken TVs on our hands.
 

Blog Archive

9/13 - Farewell to Munchaba

8/28 - Bon Jovi: A Movie Theater Concert

5/21 - California Weather

5/1 - New York Ramblings

4/8 - Temp Within a Temp

3/18 - The House Husband

2/8 - Playing With House Money No More

1/22 - Get Out of School Free Card
1/21 - Shoveling Dad
1/6 - Vegas Baby Vegas

12/26 - The Rock n' Roll Rabbi
12/14 - Making the Working Class Laugh
12/7 - Lucky Seven