So there I was, finding myself once again in a dark seedy basement room full of strangers, not quite sure what would happen next. Luckily this time, instead of being surrounded by questionable gypsies or sweaty foreigners shouting wagers over virile pit fighters, I was in (arguably) better company.
This was the theater room of Coffee Underground, one of my favorite Greenville conversation spots, and rather than the smell of testosterone and barnyard animals, this darkened room enveloped me with the aromas of creamy warm swirly beverages and smart people. Didn’t know smart people had a smell? Oh, they most certainly do. Try some scenario comparisons some time; you’ll see. Your average pro-wrestling match and your average TED conference have their own unique atmospheres, to be certain.
But I digress…
This particular night, as the lights on the stage came up, Harrison, Jason, and Meg (Ben 
was out of town; fleeing the law, no doubt) took charge of our eager and willing brains, sweeping us up into the magical world of the Alchemy Improv Comedy Troupe. For the next two hours, the team’s sharp wit and cleverly honed banter gleamed. Their dynamic interaction and impressive ability for immediate creativity-on-the-go kept us rocking til the end. In a really interesting conceptual twist, the Alchemy gang has local celebrities come on stage sometimes and tell stories from their own lives, and then the comedy improv scenes are all based on ideas from those tales. Genius!
Tonight’s celebrity was Greenville hero Jay Spivey, creator of Fete Magazine. He came on stage wearing a lovely kilt (complete with fashionable accessories) and regaled us with stories from his rockstar life. A quality weirdo, that one; check out his work. HE knows the proper use of a semicolon; my kind of guy.
When the night was complete, I felt happily full. Though I hadn’t eaten a thing, I was digesting the hilarity and acumen of the last hours, with many of the cleverest jokes still playing tag in my frontal cortex. I felt full with glee that such people as this exist here in my town and are sharing their work every week with anyone willing to descend into their darkened den. They do it every Friday night, and of course, it’s utterly unique every time.
And unlike hanging out with the gypsies, you get to leave with your wallet AND your kidneys! Good times!
your roving raptor,
TimTv
NEED FUN? COME SHARE MINE!
- Thur. April 19 – “Iron & Vine” @ Merge (411 University Ridge in GVL) – 6-9pm – a collection of amazing works from blacksmith artist Ryan Calloway & master-of-drawings Adam C. Schrimmer.
- Fri. & Sat. April 20 & 21 – “Blood Wedding” a play by Federico Garcia Lorca – 7pm @ Fine Arts Center (102 Pine Knoll Drive, GVL) – suggested donation $5 – I have seen plays by these kids before; they’re inCREDible!
- Mon. April 23 – Wasted Wine @ Handlebar in GVL – 8-11pm – excellent music with the added attraction of beautiful bellydancers!
- May 4,5,6 – Albino Skunk Bluegrass Festival @ Skunk Farm in Greer – music & camping & bonfires & REALLY nice people!
