At the same time as the comedy benefit Wednesday for Milwaukee police officer Joshua Albert, a cause of a different color is scheduled.Organizers of the Open Mic Under the Stairs are asking the Milwaukee comedy community to support one of its own – also a recent crime victim.
According to Damon Millard, co-founder of Caste of Killers Comedy Collective, the brilliant Milwaukee comic Ryan Lowe got his car broken into. Among the casualties was Ryan’s backpack containing his notebook of jokes and ideas and an array of paraphernalia (clown noses, beards, plastic army men) Ryan uses in his act.
From Facebook: “This Wednesday please come to the open mic with something to donate to the cause. What cause? ‘HOW RYAN GOT HIS SCHTICK BACK.’ Maybe you’ve got a pair of clown shoes, a big plastic uzi, some over-sized Mr. Magoo glasses, a wig, a big foam cowboy hat, some hand-cuffs, anything that might be only useful in the hands of Ryan Lowe. Thanks for all your support, guys. We have to look out for our own in the scene. “
The free open mic begins at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the Karma Bar & Grill, 600 E. Ogden Ave.
Meanwhile, expect undercover investigators to infiltrate the many open mics around Milwaukee watching for suspects using Ryan’s purloined gags.
Later that same evening, beginning at 9:30 p.m., you can catch the Next Big Comedy and Music Night at the Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave., in Bay View. Admission is $7. The featured band is Perspective Heights. Matty Field will emcee, and scheduled comedians include:Stefan Davis
Tony Tudor
Jake Kornely
Mario Robinson
Sammy Arechar
Ryan Holman
By the way, it turns out Ryan Holman and Damon Millard recently celebrated their respective birthdays on the same day.