Melrose Comedy Event Returns on October 5

Melrose Comedy Event returns to Knights of Columbus, this Saturday, October 5, with a fresh lineup of New England's best stand-up comedians. We sat down with host, Kevin M. Quigley, to learn more. 

Q: Congratulations on your first Melrose Comedy Event this past April! For those who missed it, what can they expect this time around?

Quigley: Everyone had a great time at the first Melrose Comedy Event (MCE) — I'm enthusiastic about the future! This time around, we have a stacked lineup from New England, Los Angeles, and China. What's great about MCE is that it brings together comics from all different backgrounds, with unique perspectives and comedic styles. But the one thing they all have in common is that they are HILARIOUS! April's audience clamored for Melrose's young-gun prodigy, Sam Rossi, so he will be performing again with an even longer set. And Melrose comedian and TV host, Julie Nolan, will be making a special guest appearance. With myself included, that's three generations of Melrose representing!

Q: Who are your influences in comedy and where have you performed lately?

Quigley: That's a tough question because most of my influences come from lesser-known comics in the local scene. As far as big names go: Norm MacDonald, Mike Birbiglia, Hannibal Buress, Paul Fortunado, Anthony Jeselnik, Bill Burr, and of course, Mitch Hedberg. Actually, one of those guys is just a kid from my kindergarten class. Miss ya, Paul! This summer I've been snagging up stage time wherever I can, like Comedy Studio in Somerville, as well as spots in Cape Cod, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Q: You recently chatted with Melrose Comedian, Julie Nolan, during her first Podcast, Open Mic? What was that like?

Quigley: I had a lot of fun with Julie on Open Mic! She's a great host. In general, comedians love to talk. Chatting for an hour under the pressure of creating funny content really sharpened my comedic muscles.

Q: Have you made a connection for partnering with any local non-profits yet?

Quigley: We haven't officially partnered with any local non-profits yet, however, MCE donated April's event proceeds to Follow Your Art Community Studios (FYACS), Melrose's new community art center. MCE's mission is to bring comedy—a relatively contemporary art form—to Melrose, so MCE's and FYACS's missions really align. Also, I was thinking that if I kept all the money, the IRS might get mad, and my mission also involves not getting audited. If there are any local non-profits interested in partnering with MCE, they can reach out to me at kevin@melrosecomedyevent.com.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to accomplish with Melrose Comedy Event?

Quigley: Ideally, we'd love to have as many regular events as we can, and keep the ticket prices low, so everyone has access to the fun. There's no shortage of talented comics in the area, so I'll always be able to keep the lineups fresh and diverse. And not just in terms of representation, but in terms of comedic styles and perspectives. As I previously mentioned, we'd love to partner with a non-profit to expand our audience and give back to the Melrose community.

Q: Sounds fun! When is the next "Melrose Comedy Event” and where can people get tickets? 

Quigley: Our second show is this Saturday, October 5, 8:00PM (doors open at 7:30PM), at the Knights of Columbus at 23 West Foster Street in Melrose. I’ll be hosting, and we’ll have acts by Mike Dorval (Boston Comedy Festival), Kathe Farris (Boston Comedy Festival), Josh Filipowski (The Howard Stern Show), Michelle Sui (Second Place in 'Funniest Person in Massachusetts'), and Joey Kuriki (The World-Famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles) ... plus special appearances by local Melrosians, Sam Rossi and Julie Nolan! Purchase your $15 tickets in advance at melrosecomedyevent.com or $20 tickets at the door (21+).

Q: What’s the best way for people to follow Melrose Comedy Event and stay informed? 

Quigley: Like "Melrose Comedy Event" on Facebook to follow along and find out more information. You can also email me at kevin@melrosecomedyevent.com, especially if you are interested in performing or partnering!