CARLY BALLERINI ALI SULTAN franchise stopped donating pies to DCU, he explained that “people were so mad we didn’t have free pizza. So I was like, Okay, I guess we’re the free pizza place. I wish I could say I’m a marketing genius here, but it was just sort of circumstances and keeping an open mind and open network.” That seems to be the theme in Ben’s life. By remaining receptive and adaptable while continuously pursuing comedy, Ben dubs the creation of Denver Comedy Underground as a “happy accident.” The club is an accumulation of his personal experiences and lessons gained on and off stage, from memorable lows — like bombing at a dab lounge in Colorado Springs after an a cappella rapper unexpectedly overtook the intro of his set — to victorious highs — like his work appearing on Adult Swim or having one of his shows voted one of the “Best Comedy Nights in America” by The Interrobang. Even more, he credits Denver — the city itself — to his DIY grit and the club’s ability to exist in the capacity it does today. “I think Denver itself and Colorado as a whole has a very DIY-like bloodline that runs through it both in necessity and value. Denver has very much had to build itself away from being a cowtown and I think we’ve seen that so much within the music and the comedy scene. To me, the quintessential Denver thing is just having to have to make stuff happen. We’re not some small state in the Midwest, but we work like we are, we work like we’re still putting on house shows for emo bands.” Ben said, continuing: “Out here, it really just feels like comedy Disneyland. For both the good and the bad because I think there are a few people who get a little complacent, because who doesn’t have fun at Disneyland? But there’s also really, really high level talent out here. Traveling for festivals and seeing so many different scenes over the years, I think the only people who can consistently beat us pound for pound is New York. But that’s different because of course you’re going to have a few more skilled singers and dancers in the Broadway capital. Same thing with comedy. You’re going to have a few more skilled comics in the mecca of where that happens. But, what we’re doing is strong and a lot of it is on our own. There is no industry here, and we have to either build it ourselves or get so sharp that eventually the industry is like, Oh wow, is this a training camp of Dagestan wrestlers that have just been preparing in the mountains?” 29 There’s a saying that in life that you need two things: thick skin and a sense of humor. It’s safe to say Ben has both. And what’s more, he’s here to share them, his resilient spirit and the elixir that is laughter through a fun, artist-driven, community-centered venue, which is needed more than ever. “Comedy is counterculture. But also it’s this weird time where it’s both counterculture and it’s also kind of like the more common version of theater. Comedy really is, to me, the accessible. It’s what theater used to be. It’s live, it’s so tangibly live that it fits a very cool social and artistic moment right now. That’s the hope anyway.” Focusing on comedy albums and recorded specials this year, Denver Comedy Underground aims to further their reach and provide access to “Denver’s Best Comedy” to people and communities outside of the city. Though, where it’s truly at is the in-person experience: the real people, the real laughter, the real hot free slice of za. Ben concluded, “This year I’m just super grateful to Colorado and to Denver and to the arts and comedy scene for their support and for the people who come and see us, who just come out to watch a great show.” SHOW + TICKETS + MORE: DENVERCOMEDYUNDERGROUND.COM FOLLOW FOR MORE: IG + FB: @DENVERCOMEDYUNDERGROUND
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