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Since 2005, the Sacramento Comedy Spot has offered unique improv, sketch and standup comedy at its original location at 1716 Broadway. Come Nov. 6, the venue will not only be moving, but making a significant upgrade in facilities.
That Friday will mark opening night for the club at its new location at the MARRS building at 1050 20th St.
"We started talking to Michael Heller, the owner of the building, in the middle of the summer," said Brian Crall, former member of the Upright Citizens Brigade, managing director of the Sacramento Comedy Spot and instructor of the improv classes there. "It was around September when we finally decided to make the move."
The new space is considerably larger than the previous building, Crall said.
"Right now we are only able to fit about 40 people in our current location, but the MARRS building will allow about twice that," he said.
Almost everything about the new building gives Crall and his business partner, Ron Dumonchelle, the ability to double their artistic endeavors.
"Our old place can only fit one class at a time, but now we have two rooms, so we can even have a show going in one and teach a class in the other," Crall said. "And now we can schedule four shows a week, where we used to only be able to do two."
All of this means not only new business opportunities for Crall and Dumonchelle, but exciting new options for Sacramento's burgeoning comedy scene.
"Sketch comedy classes have been moved from Saturday to Thursday night, so we hope more people can make it out since it won't be taking up their weekend," Crall said. "There will also be a new advanced standup class for people who are ready to take that next step."
Improv classes will still be offered for $19 per month for people to attend as many as they can on Wednesday and Thursday nights, according to Crall.
"All of our classes are great because we have this awesome core group of people who all hang out together and generally enjoy learning about comedy," Crall said.
The new schedule of shows is as follows:
Friday 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 p.m.: Anti-Cooperation League.
Sunday 8 p.m.: Amateur shows for anyone who wants to sign up. ("You are guaranteed time to perform," Crall said.)
Thursday 9 p.m.: standup comedy showcase.
"Saturdays will be the biggest for us," Crall said. "We will also host a late-night show called Dare and Dare at 11 p.m. Basically, it's like truth or dare but without all the boring truth stuff."
The Sacramento Comedy Spot will also aim to attract bigger names with its expanded space.
"We are trying to get mid-sized comics to appear, people you have seen on TV and movies," Crall said. "Overall, we're looking to bring alternative comedy back and give it a better home."