Dirty South moves to Carrboro

It makes sense that funny things should come in unique packages.

Take Dirty South Improv's new venue - located behind Elmo's Diner in the Carr Mill Mall - for example. The club has a back-alley facade, but the inside resembles The Comedy Store's world-renowned decor.

The group's members took the stage for the first time Friday night and showed that comedians make the venue, not vice-versa.

"It is so unreal that we finally have a permanent space," said Zach Ward, owner and executive director of DSI. "We are finally ready to do shows tonight."

The ribbon-cutting ceremony kicked off DSI's opening night and couldn't have been more fitting.

The glittered, silver ribbon was cut with a small Swiss Army knife - a symbol for their large comedic vision that just happens to be stored in a small place.

"This is a huge thing for the community," said Rene Duquesnoy, the ribbon-cutter and DSI performer. "This gives a home for many people who are looking to perform."

This also marked the first-ever performance of ComedySportz - improvisational comedy played as a sport.

After the opening ceremony, the packed house was treated to a mock competition between the Carr Mill Mall Rats and Philadelphia. Ward was the referee for the "sports event," which kept to its theme with uniforms, scoreboards and the let's-get-ready-to-rumble soundtrack.

The game works much like "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" with some variations, and is judged using an "applaud-o-meter."

"The only time I have watched improv comedy has been on my television, and this looks so professional," said audience member Margaret Scarborough during the show's halftime. "It's so obvious that everyone has been working so hard to get these shows started."

The game relies a lot on audience participation, and spectators give all the ideas for games and can be pulled up at anytime.

Mike Kiehart, who took the almost 17-foot stage in one of the games, said he was excited to see ComedySportz at the Carrboro venue.

"The show has some awesome improv," Kiehart said. "The place isn't big or extravagant, but it feels like a comedy club."

Ward said he hopes the venue will continue to see big crowds.

"Word-of-mouth is the best advertising," he said. "Tell a friend, family member or zombie.

"We have no problem performing for the undead."

 

Contact the A&E Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.