SCENE OF THE CRIME by Natasha
I hopped out of my business suit and into my comfy jeans and a sweater just in time to catch 21 Commerce's comedy night.
The show starts every Tuesday at 8 p.m. It's been going on for six weeks now and has amassed a following of 50 peeps. Not bad for an early weeknight.
A word that describes this program is one that you don't hear often: It's free. However, you won't find me complaining about paying for things at 21 when Tyane's Bambi eyes greet me at the door and Sherril the manager is mixing the vodka in the cosmos and the firewater in the pink Cadillacs. Sara the bartender always has a butterfly or a flower in her hair. Gentlemen: Have you noticed that only hot little pixies work here now? If not, pay attention, you idiots!
The best part: You know there's some truth left in the world when you run into your student body president from college drunk after a day of skiing turned boozing at the lodge.
But back to the comedy.
A flurry of local comedians step up before the headliner (a few too many if you ask me) in open mic fashion. Here are some of my favorite jokes from them:
"Tacoma has really come a long way. It was once known as the ass crack of the Puget Sound; now we've been upped to armpit status."
"I've been permanently 86d from the Puyallup Fair. No one told me that you couldn't sit on those foot massagers."
"I once dated a guy that had so many gaps in his teeth it looked like his tongue was in jail."
The headliner for the evening (which changes every Tuesday) was James Heneghen, a self-deprecating soul who focuses on obvious things like his inability to get laid and that his ears stick out. Of course, as a finalist in Seattle's International Comedy Competition, he had some interesting musings:
"Seattle is exactly two bowls north from Tacoma, depending on traffic."
"Guys don't get excited about getting married unless they're gay or Tom Cruise."
"We went to Iraq because George W could spell it. Afghanistan gave him trouble."
"Apparently, people with herpes like alotta sports because they never show the dirty strippers in those Valtrex commercials."
"21 Commerce is a great place. Now I just have to get back to my car to make sure I still have a CD player."
All kidding aside, 21's comedy night is great for those of us who live in the corporate warrior world or who just have to get up early during the week. You can get good food, some laughs, a healthy buzz on, and be tucked in to bed by 11 p.m.  Ahhhhh.
Sweet dreams.
Comedy Night, Tuesdays, 8 p.m., no cover, 21 Commerce, 21st and Commerce, downtown Tacoma, (253) 272-6278.

Tell me where you like to party right here.