Local comedians brew up laughter at Fretboard Comedy Jam

Columbia, Missouri – The scent of freshly brewed coffee is a familiar welcome at Fretboard Coffee, yet on the second and fourth Fridays of each month, visitors experience an added treat – the sound of laughter. Columbia’s local comedians Harley Bushdiecker and Trevor Smith are the hosts of the Fretboard Comedy Jam, a twice-monthly event that has been successfully brewing up laughter and light-hearted comedy in the heart of the city since its inception.

The Origins of The Fretboard Comedy Jam

Bushdiecker and Smith, both veterans of the Columbia comedy scene, initiated the Fretboard Comedy Jam in late 2023. Having met at the Eastside Tavern years earlier, where Smith performed his first comedy show, the duo understood the potential of comedy as an art form and as an inclusive social medium. After reaching out to Fretboard Coffee with their idea, the event kick-started in November, transforming the coffee shop into a vibrant hub where audiences could enjoy their favourite beverage whilst indulging in the antics of local and visiting stand-up comedians.

A Unique Comedy Experience

Unique to the Fretboard Comedy Jam is its interview-style format. After comedians deliver their performances, Bushdiecker and Smith conduct on-the-spot interviews with them, drawing laughter as they provoke spontaneous, witty conversations. The hosts use this interaction as an opportunity to extract director’s cut-like commentary from the local comedians, cultivating a rich dialogue between performers and audience. As Bushdiecker aptly puts it, “it’s like a director’s cut” of the comedian’s performance.

Building a Thriving Comedy scene in Columbia

The duo’s vision for the Fretboard Comedy Jam aligns with their broader goal of creating a thriving comedy scene in Columbia, akin to those in St. Louis or Kansas City. The hosts foster an inviting atmosphere at the Jam, where audience members can even toss their names into a bucket to perform impromptu sets during the event. Prospective comedians receive encouragement and a platform to showcase their talent, and the event aids in dissolving any anxieties associated with performing stand-up comedy.

Comedians from around Missouri and even out-of-town performers grace the stage during the Jam’s special out-of-towner nights, further diversifying the range of comedic styles and narratives presented to the audience.

Comedy as catharsis and community-building

Alongside fostering a growing comedy scene, Bushdiecker and Smith emphasize the therapeutic aspect of comedy, citing it as a powerful outlet for both performers and audience members. The hosts believe that comedy’s ability to bring light to personal struggles and shared experiences can help individuals realize that they are not alone. “Comedy comes from tragedy, comes from trauma,” Bushdiecker explains. “Just as any audience member might be going through something, surely there’s a comedian going through that same thing. And they might just be sitting there and then all of a sudden they have a new perspective on something they otherwise were sad about.”

In essence, the twice-monthly Fretboard Comedy Jam, more than a stage for humor and jest, serves as a haven of catharsis and community-building in Columbia, infused with laughter, echoing bittersweet life stories, and, of course, the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee.