Vag night at the Lair

No, it's not a weird 70's porno flick.

It's pretty much what happened this past Monday night at the weekly open mic at the always classy Lion's Lair off Colfax.

It was an experience I'd never had, something that I had never seen. As it grew closer and closer to what could be called show-time, the room slowly filled with comics not bearing things of phallic measure, but vagii. Which I've decided is the plural for...I think you can figure it out.

The surprise echoed throughout the room. Where did all of these female comics come from? Why were they here? What was it about the Lair that could have possibly pulled in more vag than that place has seen in a lifetime?

I dont really know for sure. But what I do know for sure is that it was almost overwhelming.

Timmi Ann Lasley. Heather Snow. Eliz Fenstermacher. Melanie Karnopp. Jill Tasei. Myself. And the illustrious Cougar Carol.

Alright, there were dudes there too. Sam Tallent and Roger Norquist assumed the helm of the lady-laden comedic buffet in the style that is markedly and awesomely their own. Multiple common faces graced both the crowd and the stage. Erik Anker. Elliot Woolsey. Alex Ash. Bobby Crane. Basically, it was a smorgasbord of unintentional gender equality, new jokes from good comics, and weirdness from the rest of 'em. Fortunately for some of us and unfortunately for others, Cougar Carol did not flash her tits this time.

Serious props to the Lair. Like seeing a child grow, I've watched the double L slowly build week by week, drawing a bigger audience, and an eclectic group of comics. It's not an easy room in the way of pulling laughter, but it is an honest one, and I like that vibe. Laughter is earned here.

In a piece of thought that may reek of the Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco, it was exciting to see so many ladies grace the stage and take some chances. Sans nudity. Plus comedy.

I dont know if I wrote this at any point, but after attending New Talent night at Comedy Works a while back, I made the observation that there were actually more minorities than females in the show. Which a) isn't bad--but also b) is not exactly reflective of the demographics of Denver, Colorado. Let's be honest with this one.

And it made me wonder what it is that keeps many intelligent and funny women away from comedy. I've asked a few of my typically outspoken, confident, and very funny girlfriends if they would consider and their response is verbatim "Oh, I could never do that." And no matter what my persuasion may be for the craft, their belief sticks hard.

It's upsetting to me. I think stand-up is missing out. And I refuse to wax and wane on the whys, but if there are any women who are tempted to stand-up, do it. In my experience, I've found that every Denver open mic I've attended has been incredibly welcoming to me, if not overly so. And a lot of the guys I've talked to have quipped that more women are needed in comedy. The support system is there, I think. Perhaps it needs to be more obvious.

And to me, nothing was more obvious of the supports for lady comics than a night filled with them at the Lair.

Happy hump day to all. And to all a good hump.