By Lani Churley:
During his youth, Dan Mahoney was kicked out of five different schools. His attempts at being funny to gain attention did not amuse school administration. It would appear they couldn’t take a joke. During one of his regular trips to the principal’s office, he was asked, “Mr. Mahoney, you’re back here again? What do you think you’re some kind of comedian?” The answer would turn out to be a resounding yes.
Dan Mahoney is in fact a comedian. His style has earned him industry acclaim and a loyal following. He has survived drinking, dating, corporate life and cancer – and reflects on these life experiences on stage through his unique brand of deliberate, steady-paced observations.
Originally from Buffalo, Dan has been performing stand-up comedy for over a decade, grinding out his craft in New York City for the last three years. But when choosing where to record his new CD, “MAN HONEY,” he decided his hometown of Buffalo made more sense, and that Ani DiFranco’s Babeville was just the right venue.
Q: Where did your love of comedy originate?
Dan Mahoney: Growing up, laughter was king in my house. My dad has always been a brilliant joke teller. I was always the class clown, looking for attention. I wasn’t big. I wasn’t a great athlete. I wasn’t particularly good looking. But I could get laughs. And I was always getting in trouble for trying to be funny.
Q: When did you first start to perform stand-up comedy?
DM: I first stepped on stage in 1998 at the Buffalo Funny Bone in the Boulevard Mall.
Q: What led to your decision to record your new CD, “MAN HONEY,” in Buffalo?
DM: I originally wanted to do it in NYC but venue and crowd were the driving force behind the decision ultimately. I’m going back to my roots to do my first CD in front of a hometown crowd of family and friends. This city has great locations and smart people who like to laugh. Comedy is defined as tragedy + time. With all this city has gone through, Buffalo is a comedy town.
Q: What type of audience would appreciate your comedy style?
DM: My style is observational with a twist toward the absurd. I appeal to a younger crowd for the most part. I bomb regularly at nursing homes and kill at kindergartens. But my comedy resonates with all generations. One of my favorite quotes is by Victor Borges: “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”
Q: What have been a few of your recent accomplishments as a stand-up comedian?
DM: In 2011 I earned coveted spots in both the Boston and New York Comedy Festivals. And for 2 years I produced a weekly comedy show in the East Village of NYC called “Haiku.” I’ve performed around the US and Canada. I performed a show to benefit the “Wounded Warriors” in Washington, DC which was extremely difficult and rewarding at the same time. The show started with a 10 minute video of horrific war images and the casualties they produced, set to dramatic music then they raised the screen and introduced the first comedian…me. People were still crying when I got on stage.
Q: Other than your upcoming CD recording, where else can folks find good stand-up in the city?
DM: Monday nights at Canvas 1206 on Hertel Ave and Tuesday nights at Nietzsche’s, the longest running comedy room in Buffalo. Both of these events are organized by Buffalo’s own Kristen Becker. On Wednesday nights you can go to Mark Walton’s Comedy Room upstairs at Goodbar. There are other shows that happen monthly or one offs such as O’Connells on Kenmore Ave produced by Tony Rizzo…a fantastic dinner show.
Here’s a QR Code to purchase tix directly from your phone:
Dan Mahoney Live Stand-Up recording
Live his NEW CD “MAN HONEY”
Live his NEW CD “MAN HONEY”
March 15, 2012 @ 7:30pm
Babeville 9the Ward
341 Delaware Avenue (Corner of W.
Tupper)
Tupper)
$10 presale / $15 at the door