Montgomery County’s stand-up scene is on the rise, and Alex Palumbo is helping lead the charge.
The comedian hosts MontComedy, a monthly showcase at the Dutch Tavern in Skippack, bringing some of the best up-and-comers to an intimate basement venue many comics call perfect for live comedy. “The Dutch has a large local draw, and the low ceilings and intimate size really work for what we do,” he said.
Palumbo told Montco.Today, the local scene is “blossoming,” with Pottstown’s SoulJoel’s serving as the county’s biggest comedy hub and a major draw for national acts. That buzz spills over into smaller shows like MontComedy, giving local comics more opportunities to perform.
He got his start at the Comedy Cabaret open mic in Doylestown, inspired by the late-night Comedy Central specials he watched as a kid. Only five months into his own comedy career, Palumbo launched MontComedy to create a space for himself and fellow comics. The move paid off with a summer headliner series that performed to packed rooms.
Palumbo has a simple formula for booking acts for the stage: he has to have seen them perform well at other venues. Recent showcases have featured rising local talent like Raph Aamir and Rasheed Wesley.
For those looking to break in, Palumbo says, “Get out there and do it. Don’t let bombing affect you.”
MontComedy takes place on the second Tuesday of each month. The next show is tonight, August 12, with doors at 6:45 p.m. at The Dutch Tavern in Skippack.
