Comedy Central New York Series

By Richard Morell
“Central New York hasn’t had a consistent comedy venue since Fat Cats in Washington Mills, which closed in 2005.”  So observed local comedian and marketer Mike Bova, as he spoke recently about the new series of comedy he and Phil Farda initiiae this week at  Club Monarch.  The venue will sponsor seven shows, first Thursday through April.  Farda will host this edition.

The two funnymen have been on the Central New York Comedy scene for a while.  Farda took a hiatus but recently started a comeback, performing together with Pretty Funny People, where he and Bova met.  They agreed they wanted to do some shows.  Their first who was a fundraiser for Stevens-Swann Humane Society, “Furry Funny Comedy,” in August.  Other fundraisers include the following:

Young At Heart Comedy Show (to benefit the Ava Dorfman Senior Center) November 9 & 10

CNY Veteran’s Comedy Show (to benefit the CNY Veteran’s Outreach Center) November 16 & 17

Furry Funny Comedy Benefit ( to raise money for the Stevens Swan Humane Society) December 29

Paesans of Comedy – tentative (to benefit the Italian Heritage Club) December 7 & 8

Bova and Farda discussed the idea for a series with Phil talking to the Hickels at Club Monarch.  On October 4, Andy Pitz will headline. A veteran comic who’s been all over the country, Mr. Pitz was at Turning Stone in late August.  Ms. Deyoe lives in Herkimer and has been in comedy for ten years.

November will feature a ladies’ night: Maryanne Donnelly and Ana Phillips feature, and Jen Remauro headlines.  At each performance, one of seven charitable organizations will receive half the take for the 50/50 raffle. There will be two winners at each show, an organization and a lucky audience member.

Farda and Bova seek four sponsors to be able to put a professional quality videorecording on television.

Club Monarch is located at 16 Erie Street, Yorkville, behind Voss (off Oriskany). Doors open at 7:00, show begins at 7:30 p.m.

By Richard