On January 20 ‘Give a Hoot’ comedy club, the first ever full-time comedy club in Montgomery County, will launch at La Mexicana in Gaithersburg with a twofold mission: to show patrons a great time, and to give back to the local community. According to the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, ‘Give a Hoot’ will give 50% of its proceeds to local charities. In addition to comedy shows, the club will also feature murder mystery and hypnotist acts.
Per the press release: The brainchild of co-founders Irwin Weinstein and Ken Watter, local comics who have collectively produced and performed in over 1,000 shows, Give A Hoot comedy club aims to fill an entertainment niche in the region – offering access to some of the East Coast’s most beloved comics on a predictable and accessible basis.
“I realized that Montgomery County didn’t have the type of venue I’d seen when doing shows in similar communities across the country,” said Weinstein. “We saw an opportunity to create a club where locals can enjoy top-notch performances from some of the finest comedians in the country, while also serving a bigger purpose.”
With more than 20 years of experience in the industry between them, Watter and Weinstein are eager not only to share their love of comedy with the community, but to give back in other ways as well: a portion of the proceeds of every show will benefit a local nonprofit organization. Coordinated by Weinstein’s wife, Courtland Shaffer-Kelly, Give A Hoot has already partnered with Comfort Cases, Stepping Stones Shelter, A Wider Circle, and The Arc of Montgomery County to provide support following their first shows post-launch. “We are grateful for everything Montgomery County has given to us, and we want to give something back,” said Watter.
Give A Hoot will host 8pm shows most Friday and Saturday evenings. Guests can enjoy dinner and drinks during each show courtesy of La Mexicana Restaurant, a Mexican eatery boasting authentic recipes and a festive atmosphere, which will share space with Give A Hoot. Located at 16143 Shady Grove Road in Gaithersburg, Give A Hoot offers ample free parking, is conveniently located right off I-270, and is within walking distance to the Shady Grove Metro station.
While comedy is their first love, Watter and Weinstein have broader plans for what Give A Hoot can ultimately offer patrons. “We hope to explore entertainment options that are not regularly featuredin most venues,” said Weinstein. Potential offeringsinclude hypnotist shows and murder mysteries.
To learn more or to buy tickets to an upcoming show, visit www.giveahootcomedy.com. Nonprofit organizations interested in partnering with Give a Hoot should contact Courtland Shaffer-Kelly at Courtland.giveahootcomedy@gmail.com.
Featured photo courtesy of the Gaithersburg Germantown Chamber of Commerce
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