Fresno Famous

Art Silva and Chad Ivie aren't newbies at putting events together, and they've been talking about doing a comedy night for the better part of two years, making “someday” plans in that way people do.
So they've given this some thought.

Ivie says A.C.'s Comedy Connection will be the "offer you can't refuse,” that it's big-time “bang for the buck” with “big, big return on investment,” and it's cliche, sure, but you can appreciate what he's gunning for — quality and consistency.

The monthly show — which kicks off at 8 p.m. May 28 at the Babylon — isn't your traditional comedy format. Each show will feature six to eight comics — a mix of touring acts and locals — at a cost from $10 to $20. They already have lineups booked through August and will announce each month's comics at the previous month's show. There will also be ticket discounts for those in the audience, as means of incentive for early adopters.

Doing a comedy show is a change of pace, says Silva, who's a name around town for booking rock bands.

And from a production standpoint, the shows are simple.
“The day of the show, it's basically a chair and a mic,” Ivie says. “We can sit back and enjoy the show.”

Comics also have a certain accessibility, he says. There's no need for fancy green rooms. Most comics hang out in the crowd after their sets. Even the big names will hang out for hours to meet fans and sign autographs.
“The comics have got to push,” he says.

For the first show, the guys are bringing up Jay Davis, who hosts the weekly “Life of the Party” at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. In fact, the basic concept of what Silva and Ivie are doing is based on what Davis does at the Laugh Factory, Silva says.

And part of that is making relationships. Like Davis' friendship with Dane Cook — who is known to stop in at the Laugh Factory time to time.

Or, the ones formed when touring comics share the stage with locals, Ivie says.

Now, who knows where those relationships could lead. Maybe someone will get picked up and taken on the road. This is all circumstantial and hypothetical of course, but the seeds for that sort of thing are there, he says.

At the very least it is another outlet, another venue for locals to get on stage. And that's good for the entire scene.
“You do more sets, you get better,” Ivie says.