Squamish seems to be enjoying the laughs and local comedian Kelly Dyer is more than happy to continue serving them up.
Dyer's comedy show in Squamish is returning for the fourth time to The Living Room on Friday (Sept. 20) and he said Squamish residents seem to love having stand-up comedy in their backyard.
"The last three have been sellouts and the reception in Squamish has been unbelievable," he said. "People have been coming up to us after the show and asking to take pictures with us, buying us drinks and shaking our hands."
He said the comedy nights have filled a void for many Squamish residents.
"People are like, 'Thank you for giving us something to do at night,'" he said. "I've had people tell me they haven't been out without the kids in, like, six months and then ask me when the next show is. It's great to give people an outlet to go out and see something fun like comedy."
Dyer is still heavily involved in the comedy scene in Vancouver and said many comedians are looking to come to Squamish to perform after the string of strong shows.
"The waters have been tested here and they're solid," he said. "Every comedian that has come up here has nothing but good things to say."
The Squamish resident will again host the show on Friday and said he's enjoying the role.
"A lot of guys don't like being the MC but I love it," he said. "It's more relaxing and free and allows you to interact with the crowd."
Dyer will kick the show off with 10 minutes of brand new material and then two headline-quality comedians will hit the stage: Jeff McEnery and Sam Easton.
McEnery, an Ontario transplant who now calls Vancouver home, is the youngest performer headlining for Yuk Yuk's, won a Canadian Comedy Award for best stand-up newcomer in 2007 and has appeared at the Just For Laughs festival.
"He's kind of got a redneck take on modern culture," Dyer said of McEnery. "He's from a small town in Ontario and has an amazing take on pop culture. He melds small town with uptown."
Vancouver's Easton is a comedian and actor who has appeared in such films as The Butterfly Effect and Final Destination 3. He won the Phil Hartman Award at Humber College in Ontario for best student in the year 2000 and has headlined for Yuk Yuk's for a number of years.
"He's more of an urban guy," Dyer said. "Kind of a white guy who thinks he's black. It's exciting to have him in Squamish."
Doors open for the event at 7:30 p.m., with the show kicking off at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at The Living Room in advance or on the day of the event.
