It’s time to sink or swim at Tapp’s comedy show

A fun and funny time is on tap Thursday at Tapp’s Art Center in downtown Columbia.

The Sink or Swim “No Set List” Comedy Show starts at 8 p.m.

Soda City Stand Up and Tapp’s Arts Center team up for the two-hour show. There is no set list and no prepared material. Comedians are given a random list of topics one hour before showtime and must think up jokes for each topic within the time allotted.

Then, they perform them.

“Third Thursday Comedy at Tapp’s always features a blend of professional and amateur comics,” said Shige Kobayashi, Tapp’s program director. “Local comedians who perform in this series often come up through local open-mic comedy nights.”

This weeks performers are Jenn Snyder, Topher Riddle, Wayne Cousins, Joe Coughlin, Daniel Renedo, Patrick Fowler, Miguel Orsanio and Zack Kennedy.

It’s not a contest – just 5-15 minutes of jokes from each comedian.

“The theme of ‘Sink or Swim’ will encourage the comedians to challenge themselves to find the hot core of their humor and draw from there,” Kobayashi said. “Great stand-up comedy often comes from the vulnerable truth-telling side of human behavior.”

Third Thursday Comedy at Tapp’s is a monthly series of stand-up comedy nights. Each night always revolves around a theme. “Sink or Swim” will be a daring night of stand-up comedy of raw, untested jokes.

Tickets cost $7 on the day of the show. Tapp’s Art Center is at 1644 Main St. Go to www.tappsartscenter.com for more information.

This story was originally published June 15, 2016 at 1:08 PM with the headline "It’s time to sink or swim at Tapp’s comedy show."