Stand-up at Jacoby Arts Center brings laughter and music to Alton

Four comedians and the musical duo “Charmed and Dangerous” gathered at the Jacoby Arts Center in Alton, Illinois, last Friday to joke about topics from sex to disability, eliciting laughter from Zoomers, millennials and Gen X’ers alike.  

Ben Vogt, event organizer from Jerseyville, Illinois, said he seeks out comedians he has seen perform or done sketch comedy with, and if they recommend others, he trusts them because he knows they’re funny.  

"As long as it's not punching down, you can do pretty much anything,” Vogt said. “I tend to like the sillier stuff. I’m less political, or I don't like longer stories. I like short, funny jokes.” 

Vogt said a comedy show was a change of pace from Jacoby’s typical more serious events such as fine art, jazz brunch and dance recitals.  

“I think it’s just a little bit of a fun time as opposed to serious artistic drama,” Vogt said. 

Cori Stewart, from O’Fallon, Illinois, performed first. She said she does a lot of one-liners and absurdist observational humor mixed with short stories and anecdotes. She said she often covers topics such as the experience of suburban life, as well as being a woman and the parent of an adult child.  

"I think every comic wants connection with the people that are watching them or at a show with them,” Stewart said. “I think they want to make people laugh at some silly things about our shared existence.” 

During the show, Stewart shared observations about the absurdity of guided meditations and suburb names. She also mused about whether it is empowering or being complicit in one’s own objectification to talk about sex as a female comic, ultimately using ridiculous metaphors to tell stories about her sex life.  

Following Stewart was Tommy Moslander, who referenced his time in a wheelchair during his routine, such as when he would aim for peoples’ ankles in grade school. He also talked about his Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World – but due to having a heart condition, he was not able to ride rollercoasters. 

“They told me I had six to nine months and Make-A-Wish said, ‘We can do it in three,’” Moslander said.  

Patrick Brandmeyer also performed, taking many jabs at his appearance as someone who, in his own words, looks like a kidnapper or predator.  

The night ended with a performance by Charmed and Dangerous, a singer/songwriter duo from Granite City, Illinois. They performed their original song, “Awkward,” which will eventually be released on YouTube.  

Stewart said everyone should try doing stand-up at least once.  

“It is exhilarating, and it is a confidence booster and I think that it’s most definitely a great way to learn more about yourself, and it’s honestly a whole lot of fun, too,” Stewart said.