Time: October 26, 2022, 6 PM

Location: Comic Strip Live, Upper East Side

It is my first official Open Mic ever. In the past, I tried (and for the most part failed spectacularly) to perform stand-up comedy in front of family and co-workers. But that was years ago. This morning, I was looking into a very organized spreadsheet with open mics in NYC I found on Reddit, and this open mic seemed convenient enough, so here I am.

The mic is run by DF Sweedler, a veteran professional comedian who performed in the club since it was opened in 1976. My name is the last one to be called. I still don’t know what I am going to say on stage, but I got a few Ideas. Finally, my name is called. I am going to the stage.

One, two, three, Meoooow.

I act as if I am testing the microphone, not missing an opportunity to be weird.

It is my first time on a stage, ever.

All 12 comics in the room clap for a few seconds in support.

I am just trying to be compatible on a stage, and perhaps make it interactive a bit. Recently, I got into meditation. So let me try this. I will start the timer on my phone for 20 seconds, and we don’t have to laugh. Just meditate.

Some confused but slightly amused faces. I let the timer go down until it rings.

You might wonder where I am from. Any guesses?

One guy think I am south american, another think I am from Norway for some reason.

I am actually an American. Just like you guys. In the 1920 a group of Jews settled on the border of South and North dakota and formed a small town. They never really assimilate, and that’s how I still got the accent. now Just kidding. I am Ethiopian. I know I don’t look like that, but in the 1920’s a group of Eastren european Jews…

Some amused and confused faces.

To finish, I will tell you about the time I became a Medical Clown. Do you know what a medical clown is?

Not everyone knows, so I have to explain.

A Medical clown is A clown who goes to hospitals to make sick kids happy. It is a very selfless act. I do it because I am a good person. Are you a good person?

I ask a comic from the audience. He says yes.

Me too. But let me tell you, not all sick kids are nice. That one sick kid was making fun of me. He said “You are not funny!” and “You look like Jeffrey Dahmer”

A few seconds pause. The audience is captivated. Time for the punch line.

*So I told him “And you have terminal cancer.”

Many laughs. I am happy. It is a successful first open mic. On my way out, DF Sweedler, smiling, says “That was… weird.” I think a lot about it. Should I be less weird perhaps? Or maybe try more conventional, clean humor and not resort for shock value.

Still, it is my first open mic. I was on a real comedy stage and I got real laughs. This is a small success with many failures to follow.