Picture this: a bar packed with people, all spread around a room adorned with antler decor that eventually leads you to a dimly lit stage with a painted crescent moon hanging against the wall, smirking at you, preparing you for a night of inevitable laughter.
It's a scene that recurs every second Tuesday night of each month for what has become known as The Bellwether Variety Show.
A show built for laughs, The Bellwether Variety Show started in October 2011 by Auburn alumnus Rivers Langley, who has since moved to California to pursue his comedic passions, leaving the show to a new host and funny man David Dettmering.
The Bellwether variety show is held at Bloodhound or 'The Hound,' a family owned restaurant, bar and live music venue off Tichenor Avenue in downtown Auburn.
With an open, easy-going atmosphere and food served until 2 a.m., The Hound was exactly the type of venue for The Bellwether Variety Show to expand to.
Dettmering is equally passionate about the show and the opportunity it gives for local artists who like to get up on stage.
"If people haven't been here, I think they'd be surprised at the level some of these people are working at," Dettmering said. "I've definitely seen people on TV who aren't as funny as some of the people we have come in."
Every month, there is an array of comedic stylings from performers from all around the East Coast. There are a few veterans, but new people come in every week to try it out. There is no audition process; if someone hopes to perform and there is enough room for them, they can.
An up-and-coming performer, River Morris, said the show helped him develop his own personal comedic styles and the various things that inspire him for his performance.
"Inspiration for my jokes comes from a lot of things," Morris said. "Most of it comes from real life experiences. I see the things that happen around me, and I try to laugh about it."
Another performer, Scott Howard, said performing on stage is an adrenaline rush.
"It usually keeps me wired for the rest of the night," Howard said. "Now that I've bombed a couple of times, I can shrug it off and still enjoy myself afterwards."
The laid-back attitude of the performers and the eclectic group that gathers to watch every month are a few of the reasons Dettmering said the show is so unique.
"I think people like to come out and laugh," Dettering said. "Especially when you're going through college. For the college-aged kids, everything is uncertain right now. Things that are staples in all of society aren't staples anymore. So people going through school need a break and need to laugh."
Dettmering also stressed the importance of finding new local talent in aspects other than comedy.
He said "one of the things I've lacked on is the 'variety' part of the show. We need anything-carnival people, contortionists, fire breathers; doesn't matter what it is. If it fits fire code, then we want you on stage."
Dettmering said he hopes to add a bit more variety to the predominantly comedic show, opening the floor to any musicians, dancers, actors and any other talented artists that hope to perform.
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