Hub City Comedy: Where laughter and awkwardness collide

When most college students hear the word “comedian,” the first name that usually comes to mind is Dane Cook. This is rightfully so; he is a master of witty one-liners, and to attend a Dane Cook show, although not in keeping with a college student’s budget, is on many collegians’ bucket lists. As a more economical alternative, Hattiesburg’s own Hub City Comedy partners with small-time comedians to serve a slightly different humorous dish: one best paired with a glass of beer and a touch of cynicism. Best of all, it will only cost you five bucks.

On Sunday night, I had the privilege of attending an event sponsored by NOLA Comedy Hour at the new and improved Thirsty Hippo in downtown Hattiesburg. The line-up included Hattiesburg natives Corbin McDavitt and Brittany Purvis along with touring stand-up comics Matt Wayman, Cyrus Cooper, Andrew Polk and Eric Ngarney. Considering that I am a sorority girl whose only brush with comedy is when “Mean Girls” airs on Comedy Central, I didn’t have the slightest clue what to expect during their performances. But, like most bar acts, the drinks started flowing, the good vibes started radiating and the laughter started swelling.

The line that separates the generic, famous comedians from small-time, touring comedians is embodied in one word: awkward. Not the kind of awkward when you see a girl with her skirt tucked into her pantyhose; rather, the kind of awkward when you witness your widowed grandmother having a lengthy conversation with her Persian cat. The lines and stories being thrown out on Sunday night were not the precisely scripted dialogues that one would expect, but this genuine rawness embodied a natural awkwardness that made the jokes much more relatable and much, much funnier. From big beautiful women to first time Adderall use to the worst sex you have ever had, each comedian dished out unique stories that were so inappropriately relevant to our generation, you would think the comics ripped each topic straight from a college student’s Internet browsing history.

The best part about this event was that it brought together people from all demographics into a fun and comfortable environment by the cohesive force of laughter. Once the comedy hour concluded, I felt a sense of community with these people; I shared an original, entertaining experience with complete strangers who, despite all of our outward differences, found humor and happiness in the same things.

To learn more about local stand-up events or comedians, visit www.hubcitycomedy.com or “like” Hub City Comedy on Facebook.