Spoken-word event hosts local stand-up comics

Jarrod Prestage performs during The End of Comedy, hosted by Boxcar Voices, a local spoken-word group.

The End of Comedy, hosted by local spoken-word group Boxcar Voices, brought a new element of entertainment to the Shoals Jan. 24 at the end. theater on Pine Street. Comedians from Birmingham and the surrounding areas joined UNA student Jarrod Prestage, master of ceremonies for the night.

The lineup consisted of Ian Bondurant Olivia Cathcart, Scott Gordon, Richard Lockhart, Tollie Jones, Nico Guyton, Jayson Wirth and Bo Guthrie. Prestage has been in the comedy scene for about nine months and has been working with the end. since August.

“I talked to Scott Long (owner of the theater) and asked if he was interested in introducing a new art form to the venue,” Prestage said. “Boxcar Voices gave us a spot, and everyone was really enthused about it.”

Andy Thigpen, organizer of Boxcar Voices, worked with Prestage to set up the event. Boxcar Voices is a spoken word event that welcomes the comedic art form, he said.

“The whole idea of Boxcar is oral tradition, but comedy is just as much of an art as poetry,” Thigpen said. “Comedy is a story with a spin on it, and it opens the audience’s mind to what is being told.”

Thigpen said he thinks bringing this type of event to the Shoals brings the entertainment scene back to life.

“I have long had the idea that we live in the history of this area,” he said. “Now, we are bringing all kinds of modern entertainment to Florence; we are making this event a literary experience versus a solely musical or visual art. This is oral art.”

The art of comedy isn’t an easy one, because failure is apparent in a dead silence, he said.

“The art of comedy is so hard to do, but it connects with people in the same way that a song, painting or poem can,” he said. “This was the second comedy event to come to the end., both with a good turnout for a new entertainment style in Florence.”

Comedy is a rare form of entertainment in the Shoals, Prestage said.

“Comedy brings something different to the table, and people around here usually haven’t attended a stand-up comedy show,” he said.

Audience members said they agreed.

“It’s something new to do instead of just going to the bar,” said Kelli Axley, a UNA alumna. “I want to be social and talk to people, and I think others are excited about this kind of event.”

Stand-up comedy shows are a good outlet for students, said Atticus Wright, a UNA senior.

“As stressed as college students are, they need a place to relax, have a beer and laugh,” he said.