I have booked a decent amount of rooms. I used to book a strip club that seated about 35-40, it was fun, but try getting used to telling jokes with a golden pole right in the middle of the stage. Needless to say, a lot of cheap jokes ensued.
My first booking came at an Elks Lodge in my hometown and I learned more about comedy from that than performing in many respects. Not surprisingly, my showcomers drink a whole lotta booze. My first booking show was on my birthday and there was an ice storm. We only had 115, we were expecting double. Yet, my loyal pals set a record in beer sales (surprise!). Thus began a three year run. Side note: that show was the first my lovely Grandma attended. Post show she handed me an “Upper Room” prayer devotional book afterwards. (I didn’t read it.)
We had three shows moved/cancelled due to issues with the staff forgetting to write the date down and the loss of their liquor license. The most annoying thing was collecting the ticket money, if not for Camp’s wife, Amanda, we probably couldn’t have pulled it off. Women tend to think of details, like having “change” and actually “collecting” money instead of bullshitting with the audience or smoking cigarettes while the unpaying masses slip in under the radar. The room finally went under, but we left with over 300 people at the finale. Of course, I’d take 1/3 of that six times a year if it was still open. Memories…all alone in the moonlight… Memories are for pussies.