Stage

No Joke! Big Comics on the Way

check out Clear Water Comedy’s awesome fall 2016 lineup

Eric Christenson, photos by Kelsey Smith |

About a year and a half ago, a group of local standup comedians started throwing weekly shows every Thursday night at The Plus in downtown Eau Claire. And already they’re booking some pretty huge, nationally-recognized comedians. Clear Water Comedy’s upcoming fall lineup is rather incredible, with a slate of standups that could stack up to just about any other room in the country, comics whose credits include The Tonight Show, Comedy Central, Conan, Parks and Recreation, Inside Amy Schumer, Master Of None, @midnight, VH1’s Best Week Ever, Last Comic Standing ... and it gets to happen here. On Sat. Oct. 8, at 7pm, Wisconsin native Mary Mack will headline The Plus with her offbeat and hilarious style, fresh off her appearance on Conan. On Wednesday, Oct. 19, Sean Patton will return to The Plus after selling out the venue a year ago. We’ll also see the return of touring comic Chad Daniels (Wednesday, Nov. 9), who brings his hilarious stories of fatherhood hijinx. On Nov. 3, look out for Joe Mande, who in addition to his rabid online following, was a writer on NBC’s Parks and Recreation and the Netflix hit Master of None. Aparna Nancherla – who will appear at The Plus on Nov. 17 – is one of the country’s most buzzed-about comedians. She was a writer on Late Night with Seth Meyers, appeared on Inside Amy Schumer, and was named among Vulture’s “50 Comedians You Should Know.” Up-and-comer Mark Normand has been making a splash with his dry wit and goofy stories, and you can catch him in Eau Claire on Dec. 15. Eau Claire’s laugh scene is burgeoning in many ways, and you can see the strides that are being made to make Eau Claire a comedy destination. Buckle up for a roller coaster of laughter and joy this fall.

Clear Water Comedy • every Thursday, 9pm • The Plus, 208 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire • $5-$10 (price varies between shows) • www.facebook.com/clearwatercomedy