Episode 148
Why the Jones Center is Your New Happy Place!
Kickin' off the morning with a bang, we’ve got Jeff from the Jones Center in the house, and boy, does he have some wild stuff to share! So, I’ve been diving into improv classes there, and let me tell ya, it’s been a blast! But Jeff is not just about the laughs; he’s the big cheese at the Jones Center, where they’re doing ALL the things! We chat about comedy shows, triathlons, and even the Muttminster dog show—yes, you heard that right! It’s like the Oscars for pooches! Jeff spills the tea on all the cool stuff happening, like how any doggo can strut their stuff, whether they’re a purebred or a mixed bag of fur. And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, we talk about bringing in national comedians like J.J. Burrows, who’s gonna light up the stage. If you’re not checking out the Jones Center, you’re totally missing out on a whole world of fun!
Takeaways:
- The Jones Center is a buzzing hub of activity with events happening almost daily, so don't miss out!
- Improv comedy classes are a fun way to unleash your creativity and make new friends!
- Muttminster, the dog show, is set for March 14th, and it's open to all pups, even the not-so-purebreds!
- The Jones Center also hosts professional comedians, giving you a taste of national talent right in your neighborhood!
- Jeff, our guest, has a rich background in comedy, having worked at Second City for over 15 years!
- They say if you're not checking out the Jones Center's website, you're missing out on all the cool stuff happening there!
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Jones Center
- Second City Comedy Theater
- Dry Bar Comedy
Transcript
Good morning.
Speaker A:It's Haystack.
Speaker A:Hey, thank you so much for being here on a Monday morning.
Speaker A:Got a guest in studio this morning.
Speaker A:Jeff is here from the Jones Center.
Speaker A:Now, I've been taking some improv comedy classes out there.
Speaker A:We've been having a great time.
Speaker A:But Jeff, you do more than comedy at the Jones center, don't you?
Speaker B:That's true.
Speaker B:I am the director of programming at the Jones Center.
Speaker B:The comedy is kind of my fun thing I get to do.
Speaker A:So that's what.
Speaker A:That's where you get to bring your passion to your workplace.
Speaker B:That is correct.
Speaker B:For about 15 years I worked at the Second City Comedy Theater in Chicago.
Speaker B:And so this is something that is near and dear to my heart.
Speaker A:My eyes are green with envy, my friend.
Speaker A:I've had such a great time.
Speaker A:So thank you for having me as part of the class.
Speaker A:But as the director of program, you guys are doing a ton of things at the Jones Center.
Speaker B:That is true.
Speaker B:We have something happening almost every day at the Jones Center.
Speaker B:I like to say if you're not checking the Jones Center's website, then you have no idea what's going on up there.
Speaker B:But it is constant.
Speaker B:We have comedy shows, we have indoor triathlon coming up.
Speaker B:We have muttminster, which is a dog show for all dogs.
Speaker A:Muttminster, Yes.
Speaker A:I love that.
Speaker B:Yeah, Any dog can compete.
Speaker B:You don't need to be a purebred or anything like that.
Speaker B:My dog, his cali, who's a 17 year old Chihuahua, will be competing in the oldest dog.
Speaker B:There's a bunch of different categories too.
Speaker B:There's cutest dog, there's ugliest dog, there's best.
Speaker B:I think best trick is one of them.
Speaker B:So there's a lot of.
Speaker B:If you're a dog person, it's going to be an amazing event.
Speaker B:And that's March 14th.
Speaker A:March 14th.
Speaker B:Yes, March 14th.
Speaker B:Saturday, March 14th.
Speaker A:Mine can't do.
Speaker A:Is there a laziest dog?
Speaker A:That's that.
Speaker A:We've got that on lock.
Speaker B:There you go.
Speaker B:That's that oldest dog category.
Speaker A:So I'm going to be completely honest here, and I probably shouldn't say this.
Speaker A:I had never been to the Jones center prior to coming to take improv comedy classes.
Speaker A:And I did not realize how that how large the Jones center is, how much happens there.
Speaker A:There's tons of rooms.
Speaker A:There's lots of activities, whether that's workshops and classes or show you were talking about.
Speaker A:There's a comedy show, not improv.
Speaker A:What we're doing, where you're teaching us how to do Improv, but like professional touring comedians coming in.
Speaker B:Yeah, that's correct.
Speaker B:On February 20th, we have J.J. burrows coming in.
Speaker B:So my advanced improv class will be opening.
Speaker B:They'll do about 20 minutes.
Speaker B:Just get on stage, have some fun.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker B:Something you can aspire to.
Speaker B:And then J.J. will come up.
Speaker B:She's hilarious, national touring comedian.
Speaker B:Bunch of different credits.
Speaker B:We've.
Speaker B:We try to bring in a different national touring act every two to three months.
Speaker B:And we just want the Jones center to be known as a place where you can do it all.
Speaker B:You know, we like to say we're the learn to place.
Speaker B:Whether you want to learn to improv, learn to skate, learn to swim, learn to bike.
Speaker B:We're the place you can come learn to do those things.
Speaker A:You can absolutely do all those things there.
Speaker A:And you were talking about the website.
Speaker A:What is it?
Speaker A:Thejonescenter.org thejonescenter.org I actually have on my calendar to interview JJ to promote the the show.
Speaker A:So I'm looking forward to chat with her.
Speaker A:I've been watching some of her stand up.
Speaker A:She was on dry bar comedy.
Speaker A:So if you're familiar with that, it's all clean, family friendly stuff.
Speaker A:She's.
Speaker A:She's a hilarious southern lady.
Speaker A:Her takes are great.
Speaker A:You're gonna love jj.
Speaker A:There's a lot of programs and learning and stuff like that.
Speaker A:I'd love to run more down, but I need to get back some tunes.
Speaker A:Can you stick around for a few minutes?
Speaker B:Yeah, I'd love to.
Speaker A:Back with more from Jeff from the Jones center in about a half hour.
