12 names of Kansas City comedy

Kansas City and stand-up comedy go together as smooth as changing a twenty dollar bill with a stripper. You haven’t heard of such a thing happening very often. If you can name one well known comedian from the Kansas City area you are doing fantastic. Eddie Griffin might be the only Kansas City comic name that comes to mind. Kansas City can be a major fly over zone for many well known comedians unless a big venue will pay some money for some of their stage time.

Kansas City has two known comedy clubs and neither of them is anywhere close to the emerging entertainment district in the downtown area. Stanford and Son’s has been around for 35 years bringing in well known comedians that tour nationally, and is currently located at The Legends at the Village West. The Improv Comedy Club located in Zona Rosa, can also bring in some great headliners. These are two great clubs that circulate good comedy but really don’t accommodate and nurse a local comedy scene.

If you really enjoy comedy, and do some extensive research, you might find a few local surprises just under your nose. You might call it the underground comedy scene of K.C., and as difficult as it is to emerge as a big name in comedy performing in the Midwest, there are a few comedians that are making a hard run at it.

Here are 12 “bet ya didn’t know” names in local comedy you might keep an eye out for. A.J. Finney has made a name for himself in local radio and has also become a crowd favorite in comedy clubs and colleges all across the country, As a native comic from Kansas City, A.J. will frequently make some appearances at some smaller venues across town.

The next big thing: Mike Baldwin has twice been named Kansas City’s funniest comic and has a local charm with his audiences, and has been steadily growing in popularity throughout the Midwest. Mike will keep you laughing with jokes about the general topics you find funny while sitting on the couch watching TV and smoking a fat turkey sandwich. He has a style that has been compared to Andy Kaufman and Steven Wright. You should definitely keep an eye on him, big breaks will be happening for him soon.

Lucky Deluxe is a comedy duo of extraordinary talent, and I'm not just referring to her chest, although don’t be surprised if that pops up (or out) during her shows. Lucky has been gracing the local stage for years, blending her style of comedy with her passion and talent for burlesque. When you watch Lucky perform you are getting more than stand-up, you are getting a full show. She has been very kind to local comedians over the years and currently runs a comedy show at the Czar Bar on main street on Tuesday nights.

Up and coming acts: Keep your eyes peeled for these rising talents in the Kansas City area. Local comedians like James Johan, Dustin Kaufman, Comedian Jus Jay, Bobby J, Andrew Tomb, Teague Hayes, Michael Gomez, Alan Grafton, and Jimmy Bones are naming just a few. These underground comedians take the stage, or bar corner night after night to carve out laughs and make a name for themselves.

Stay tuned for more information about each of these comedians in future columns. The night is still young, and somewhere out there is a hard working “bet ya didn’t know” comedian pacing the stage with jokes, and carving out laughter. Go ahead and collect your change from that pole dancer, because comedy is alive in Kansas City.