The Deck set to host the very first Geelong Comedy Club

Geelong’s first official Comedy Night is getting ready to unleash some of the regions best comedians in an intimate space, on level 1 at the The Deck Geelong.
The brains behind the Geelong Comedy Club is none other than Jake Budge; a Geelong lad who having overcome shyness, years of bullying and an intellectual disability, has since been performing stand-up for years now, amounting to well over 100 stand-up gigs and becoming one of Geelong’s favourite comics.
“I’ve been doing comedy for about three years and I’m heading into my fourth year,” Budge explains. “I’ve actually been running comedy nights here and there, but then I started coming to The Deck and performing for the music nights, where I met Ross and Jarrad [The Deck venue managers], and we thought ‘why not run a comedy night here?’
“At the moment there’s no regular comedy nights in Geelong. There are once-off comedy nights, but we want to really run them professionally in that New York Comedy Club style. We’re hoping to get some big names,” Budge continues. “We’re just trying to work out who people would like to see. The aim of the night is instead of people going to Melbourne to see someone perform, you can just come here – we’re trying to create that.”
Kicking off yesterday, the very first Comedy Night saw YouTube funny dude and all round cool guy Aaron Gocs, ‘the classic stitch up guy’, take to the stage sharing his wisdom and a few funny stories for all. Alongside local supporting acts, the team have already locked in RAW Comedy 2017 winner Zack Dyer and Melbourne-based comedian and Triple R ‘Breakfasters’ host Geraldine Hickey for their upcoming nights.
“The idea is that someone will attend one week and have a good time, and while they might not know the next comedian, they will come along for something to do on a Wednesday night – if you like comedy of course,” Budge explains. “We really want to create a friendly space for all different people to come along to and enjoy some laughs. You might be used to one type of comedy, but you’ll be introduced to other types of comedy that night as well.”
While Gocs’ comedy involves short, quirky stories and anecdotes, covering a range of material that he observes happening in this wacky world of ours, the much-loved veteran of Melbourne’s Comedy Festival Hickery is known for her dry wit and love of sport, as well as self-deprecating charm and Dyer offers up his own form of candid, not least quirky life perspectives. This means each comedy night is guaranteed to be a whole new experience.
As well as MCing the night, Budge will be behind the bar stirring up Budgey Smuggler Cocktails that will be served during the night. With a name like that, this cocktail is fitting to a good time and some serious laughs, making it the perfect drink of choice for this night of comedy.
It’s just $5 entry, so round up a crew, pop in early for Parmi Night and head upstairs for some hump day laughs and a round of Budgey Smugglers.
The next show will be at the Deck Geelong, 2 Gheringhap street Geelong from 7:30pm on Wednesday February 21. For table bookings call (03) 5229 5504.
Written by Talia Rinaldo