Comedian Flip Schultz performed at the first SLO Comedy Festival in 2011. Schultz is back on the festival lineup this year with an updated act.
Allison Montroy amontroy@mustangdaily.net
Want the abdominal workout of a lifetime? Try an entire weekend of jokes and laughter at the third annual SLO Comedy Festival, starting Thursday night.
The festival showcases 40 comedians from around the country in 20 different shows at venues such as The Graduate, Creekside Brewing Company and Mo|Tav. Comic Flip Schultz said he is one of many comedians who will be returning to the festival for the third time.
“One of the great things about the festival is that as much as it is about showcasing new talent, it’s also about bringing back comics who have been there,” Schultz said. “It’s also just a great time. Schultz has done other “more high-profile” festivals in the past, but called San Luis Obispo’s “the best time you could have.”“(The other festivals) were all wonderful — but SLO … There’s great talents, all friends, rooting and supporting each other,” Schultz said. “And the vibe around SLO is so positive and welcoming, it just feels like one big party that all our friends got invited to. It’s cheesy, but it’s the truth.”
Schultz, who will have four performances throughout the festival, said he is excited to try out his newest stories in the festival alongside his older, “more popular jokes.”
“I make my living always writing, updating my act,” said Schultz, who equated creating his new jokes with getting a new toy. “Just like you can’t wait to play with the new toy and show everybody, I can’t wait to perform it and share with everybody.”
Schultz said his comic personality can be compared to Robin Williams and Bill Cosby — but with an individual twist.
“I don’t have a preferential style, it’s just me,” he said. “I’ll talk about something to set up the joke and then act out the story. I like telling where my life has gone the last few years.”
Economics junior Kolby Hatch said the appeal of good stand-up comedians is the ability to “take things in people’s lives, put them together and make it funny.”
Hatch, who is also co-manager of Cal Poly’s stand-up comedy group Smile and Nod, said while students may be used to largely famous comedians such as Louis C.K. and Aziz Ansari, going to a festivals such as this provides “the opportunity for seeing something totally awesome.”
But Hatch warned to “expect the unexpected.”“There’s a lot of comedians out there,” Hatch said. “Good comedy — you know it when you see it — and bad comedy, you know when you see that, too. So with something like this, it can be a hit and miss. The beauty comes when you find a good comedian.”
Schultz said, though, students would enjoy the “guaranteed great comedy” in town.
“I’m a few years out of college, but I remember the stress and just needing a break,” he said. “But the bottom line is: Who couldn’t use a laugh?”
The festival will kick off with seven comedians doing stand-up acts in “Tap the Funny” at Tap It Brewing Co. Thursday at 7 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at Boo Boo Records and online. Most tickets are $20 per show, but many of the shows offer a $5 student ticket with I.D.
