Tuesday, December 31, 2024
This story was published in the winter issue of Wilsonian.
The night was early on a Wednesday as locals gathered around the stage for a night of comedy at Brewmasters in Wilson.
Four budding comics were about to step into the spotlight to get laughs about challenges of dating and relationships, handling hardships in school, creative ways to raise children and strategies to deal with social media.
Scott Smith, manager at Brewmasters, said folks who usually come out are looking for a change up from their regular lives.
“People come out here because they don’t want to make any decisions,” Smith said. “They are looking for a break from going home and making decisions on cooking.”
A comedy show is an opportunity to do something different, Smith said.
“It is not the same thing you are going to get at any other restaurant,” Smith said. “It’s like, ‘You know what, let’s just go and laugh, or maybe think about something else and shut our mind off.’”
Morgan and Casey Garciga, who live in Nashville, drove to Brewmasters to see the comedy show.
“It was a lot of fun last time,” Morgan said. “It is good to support the local guys, and I think Wilson should have more of this, so that is why I am here. We are just here for a good time. Laughter helps everybody, so that’s why it is important.”
Casey Garciga said laughter is an essential ingredient for a joyful life.
“Happier people, happier community,” Casey said. “It is good for your mental health. I know a lot of people have problems with their mental health, and I think it is a cruel world. It is nice just to be able to get out and laugh and enjoy other people. Happier people just bring out the joy in people, and it just helps people not be so angry all the time.”
The Garcigas said it is nice to have an alternative to driving to Raleigh to enjoy good comedy.
“I don’t really hear about a lot of places that have comedy,” Casey said. “It is always in Raleigh or someplace that you have to drive an hour, so this is nice because it is close and local.”
Wilson local Eric Via came out specifically for the comedy.
“I think that with all the serious topics and everything that is going on in the world right now, everybody is on edge, and it is great to let loose a little bit,” Via said. “I have been before, and it has been a while, so I am excited to be back.”
Via said all of the big time comics started in a little town somewhere, a little place like Wilson.
“It gives people an opportunity to have the floor and get their names out there, especially for comedy,” Via said. “It is nice to see a platform for people here in this community.”
Smith said the people who come to the comedy shows really enjoy themselves.
“Comedy, to me, is the antithesis of social media because people are allowed to get up and say what they think and say what they feel and say what they want. It’s a catharsis for them,” Smith said.
When people realize they can relax and laugh at the jokes, they relax, Smith said.
Smith said patrons realize that is OK to laugh.
“I am allowed to let some of this crap that everybody else is forcing on me, whether I like it or not, I am allowed to find everything is funny,” Smith said.
Brewmasters, located at 2117 Forest Hills Road W., has comedy night on one Wednesday each month. Go to the business’s Facebook page for more information.
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