Start the year with one of the ‘purest experiences you can have’ at this Warner Robins event
It might be a good idea to start 2020 with a laugh while there’s still time.
Trey Easterling thinks so.
Easterling, also known as comedian Tall Trey, is hosting another of his Tall Trey Comedy first-Friday comedy nights at Rigby’s Entertainment Complex’s expansive patio bar.
It begins at 8:30 p.m. and runs until 10:30, or after, according to Easterling, who said he’s bring in talented comedians from Atlanta, Savannah, Athens and Florida with AK Bjorn as headliner.
Easterling, a local resident who hosts, performs and puts shows together for Rigby’s, He’s a Marine combat veteran turned comedian serving up what he calls “military-grade funny.”
His Marine credentials include searching out bombs during two tours of duty in Afghanistan.
“Laughter is one of the purest experiences you can have,” he said about starting the new year off funny. “No matter what’s going on in your life or the world those few moments of laughter can make you forget it all and enjoy yourself. Have a little peace. We’re bringing the freshest, funniest people you can imagine Friday and we’re doing it for free – no cover charge – so all folks have to do is show up. What could be better?”
Kelly Mabie, who handles marketing for the sprawling Rigby’s complex, said the comedy night will be the sixth first Friday show hosted by Easterling.
“After we renovated our patio bar so that we could enclose it with garage type-doors, depending on the weather, we wanted to do something more than having giant TVs and the same live bands rotating through,” she said. “That’s great, but we wanted to add something, to offer something no one else was really doing around here. We were pleasantly surprised at how it took off. People took to the comedy nights and it led to other special nights. It’s just a matter of giving more choices for people to have a great date-night type evening without having to drive too far.”
Mabie said the success of first Friday comedy nights led to open mic nights on third Thursdays which led to all star showcase nights on fourth Fridays. She said open mic nights feature everything from comedy to music to spoken word and more. Those who are open mic hits go to showcases.
Mabie said since Rigby’s is a family entertainment center with activities ranging from an arcade to bowling, skating, laser tag, go-karts, an expansive water park and food from fun snacks to fine, chef-prepared dining. Because of this famly focus, the patio comedy has to stay within bounds.
“No, we don’t want one of the kids walking out to the go-karts hearing inappropriate language so we have rules for comedians,” she said. “But on Fridays and Saturdays after 10 p.m. we become an 18-plus, adults-only facility so comedians can loosen up a bit after that. But still not too far out there. No dropping F-bombs or the N-word. We’re not about that.”
Mabie said comedy nights are an example of Rigby’s trying to be the spot where families and friends can come have fun together, even if mom and dad go one way for a nice meal while the kids hit the games in what she called a “safe, protected environment.”
“I think people are so blown away by the quality of our menu and all we have to offer,” she said. “And now, comedy is a big part.”
Mabie and Easterling said February will mean a departure from first Friday comedy when it’s moved to the second Friday to match up with Valentine’s Day when there will be an all-female lineup of comedians.
Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.
Rigby’s Comedy Night
Where: The Patio at Rigby’s, 2001 Karl Drive, Warner Robins, Ga.
When: 8:30-10:30 p.m. Jan 3
Cost: No cover
Information: www.rigbysec.com, 478-287-6465