Absolute Comedy - Jason Blanchard & Mike Paterson

From February 25th to March 1st, Ottawans looking for something a little different can spend a night in stitches, busting a gut with Montreal native Mike Paterson and Toronto resident Jason Blanchard.

For as little as $5, patrons at Absolute Comedy on Preston get a night of pure laughs with these two gentlemen, with the usual commentary of everything from relationships to family.

What makes both men so successful in their acts is their ability to engage the audience. While Paterson chooses to make a personal connection with members close to the stage, Blanchard opts to avoid the one liners and tell a story that most would believe could never possibly happen to one man.

With what he dubs "power comedy", Paterson is a barrel of laughs, often using himself or the lucky patrons at the front of the stage for his jokes. Although the evening started off slow, it was long before the audience grew comfortable with the night's host (Wednesday is also ProAm Night) and accepting that his style of comedy stayed away from the typically offensive themes that can often be heard in a comedy club.

And this seem to be the theme of the night for the pros as Blanchard took the stage. When the ex-wife came up, it was surely on the minds of everyone in the room that it was time to hear the revenge of the comedian ex-husband. Instead, Blanchard chose to speak about his cats, which surprisingly kept the audience going for the length of his routine and proving that Blanchard was truly capable of living up to the title headliner.

While the amateurs varied from the extremely funny to the not-so-entertaining, the mix was enough to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, not from suspense but from the sheer fact that its hard to keep your seat, rolling on the floor.

Tonk and the Honkys - CD Release Party

In a modestly filled Zaphod Beeblebrox on Wednesday night, Ottawa-based band Tonk and the Honkys released their first album.

I was skeptical about the band the first time hearing them play. The skepticism was sparked by not knowing what to expect, and perhaps a little of the tired cliche that you should not judge a book by its cover. With the bearded stand up bassman, the rockabilly lead singer, and meek drummer, it was easy to be skeptical of the kind of rock that would come from such a combination. These fellows proved, however, that modesty does not have hinder a performance the minute the guitars were plugged in and the amps were turned on.

This blues-inspired trio brought a different sound to the table, showing influence from many genres including punk, rock, and soul. With the bass laying down the rhythm to some great songs, the lads knew how to work the crowd. While the audience was closer to the smaller side, the energy was large. What makes their show so successful is the passion that comes through their musicianship.

Because there are many influences that come through their music, Tonk and the Honkys have a little something for everyone. Whether or not you were there to see them specifically, it was hard not to tap your toe or look up from your table when these guys let loose. The band grabbed the attention of the crowd and held it with the passion they brought to the stage. Slowly the mingling crowd moved from their scattered stations to the back of the bar in front of the stage. Devoted fans and naive bar-goers alike were suddenly mixed on the dance floor, encouraging the band for more.

While you may go into the show with no expectations, you'll leave with the same respect for this trio as you would for any number of seasoned musicians. From their more subdued mellow sounds, to their rocking riffs, Tonk and the Honkys proved that three is certainly not a crowd.