February 17, 2000
Stand-up comics give Tinker's Dam chuckles
By Christine Brucker
Staff Writer
There is something funny going on around here. Every Tuesday, Tinker's Dam in the Pioneer Mill is transformed into Comedy Corner.
"We began this about two weeks ago," said Shawn Roth, beverage manager for the Mill. "The crowd has been really good so far."
Every Tuesday, professional comedians entertain patrons with various forms of stand-up humor. For a cover charge of $5, audience members are given the opportunity to see some of comedy's rising stars.
Last Tuesday Seth Buchwald was the feature comic. Buchwald is a graduate of Ohio University with a degree in psychology and a master's degree in university administration from Michigan State University. He currently tours the country performing and teaches a stand-up comedy and humor writing class at the University of Toledo and at Michigan State.
Buchwald has the ability, through a clean delivery, to amuse all sorts of people, no matter their background.
The variety of acts was shown Tuesday with Dimitrius Nikodemus, the self-described "half Greek, half black man." Nikodemus' delivery was more urban than Buchwald's but the pair worked well together.
Roth has comedians booked through the next three weeks. Next week, the featured comedian is Brad Tassell. Tassell specializes in cathartic observational comedy. Mark Anthony is featured Feb. 29. Anthony specializes in popular music from Pearl Jam to James Brown. He is popular on college campuses across the country.
Charlie Wiener will entertain March 7. Wiener looks at life from the perspective of the average middle class, middle aged hippie. He is one of the few touring comics who gears his act toward the over-30 crowd.
Shows begin at 9 p.m. Tuesdays with one or two opening comics. Reservations can be made by contacting the Pioneer Mill at 448-0100.