Comedy contest coming

It started as a joke, it got real, and that’s when things really got goofy.

Local comedy headliner Brian Majore was made the victim of his own wit. Following through, though, is going to coax some new wit out into the spotlight. Majore is the host of the Let’s CFUR Funny Comedy Contest. (Get it? Get it?)

“I came up with a clever name for a contest and then had no choice but to run with it,” he said. He just needed to get the campus radio station, CFUR 88.7-FM, to join in or the wordplay would be pointless. Thankfully, they did.

“The judges include on-air personalities from local community radio station CFUR. They are looking for originality, material and audience reaction,” Majore said.

This kind of thing has been done before, just without a clever name. Majore and other veteran comedians occasionally set up showcases for amateurs and rookies so the local comedy scene, which has become substantial in recent years, can grow. Comedians, like craft beer brewers, seem to thrive when there are many peers close at hand.

“The last contest, the Newbie Comedy Contest, was a success, so why not hold another one?” Majore said. That event was held in November. “But this time, why not allow all comedians of all different levels to enter? It is open to any comedian, whether they’ve done one show or 100. Jon White, I’m looking in your direction.”

White is another of the city’s leading comics. He got his start at an amateur open mic night. It’s the kind of experience that can launch or squelch a budding career in comedy. Either way, it’s the place where the definitive decision gets made.

“We recently had a number of new comedians join our little community, which is great, but I’d like to see even more people try standup comedy,” Majore said. “And much like the last contest, maybe this is the incentive they need to get onstage for the first time.”

The contest’s date is March 30. It’ll happen at Nelly’s Pub (2280 Hart Highway) starting at 8 p.m. Comedians who enter have a limit of seven minutes for their delivery.

Those interested in entering can do so by leaving a comment on the Facebook thread for the Let’s CFUR Funny Stand-Up Comedy Contest event page.