Spade & Spatula was filled to capacity with lovers of comedy for the second First Dibs Comedy night.

Nathan Hazard’s handwritten book made the audience laugh heartily.

Crestline resident Tracey Ellert stole the show with her rapid-fire delivery.

(Photos by Mary-Justine Lanyon)

Comedians filled the night with laughter

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

No one imagined there would be such a huge turnout for the second First Dibs Comedy night at Spade & Spatula in Blue Jay.
The line for the Oct. 14 comedy show was out the door. As the gastropub filled up, the door was closed and a large number of people were unfortunately turned away.
The folks who made it in were enjoying tacos and a variety of drinks as emcee and event coordinator Janeva Zentz opened the evening by asking the crowd to help her pick out her Halloween costume. She elicited huge laughs as she made each suggested costume more her style.
Zentz was followed by Nathan Hazard, who read from his handwritten horror book, “The Rollercoaster,” created, he claimed, when he was 13. The owner of the Littlebear Bottle Shop in Skyforest showed that he has talents outside of choosing wine and other beverages.
Kristy Baltezore gave a short but sweet set and headliner Sofiya Alexandra closed out the night.
It was Crestline resident Tracey Ellert who really brought the audience alive with her staccato delivery of a rant about flatlanders (acknowledging that, not so long ago, she herself was one and did not even know it).
Audience members agreed that Ellert stole the show and found it hard to believe that this was her first standup gig.
Watch for news of the third First Dibs Comedy show, planned for Dec. 3. For more information on becoming part of the show, send a message to Zentz at [email protected].