Hello readers! In today’s edition, we’re diving back into the world of Richmond comedy and chatting with Patrick Logan, the host of “Another Round of Comedy” at Another Round Bar and Grill in Richmond, Virginia. Patrick is a rising star in the local comedy scene, and we go in on a bunch of stuff — so, grab a seat and join us as we explore the comedic world of Patrick Logan.
Gabriel Santamaria: Alright, we’re live. Yo, how you doing, man?
Patrick Logan: I’m excellent, man. How are you?
GS: I’m like 2 beers deep, but I should be good. So, yeah, man, tell me about yourself. When did you get into comedy? How many years are you in?
PL: I started on May 1st, 2022, so not even two years, but it’s been going really, really well.
GS: Oh, good. How was the first mic? Did it go well, did you bomb, or was it somewhere in between?
PL: It went really well. I did three minutes, and I was the last person on a 30-person open mic at Bandidos. I did some jokes that I had written on Facebook over the years, and some of them did really well, so I stuck with it.
GS: Heck yeah. Well, you’ve definitely been making moves. Have you started hosting shows yet? That’s awesome. I saw you doing some roast battles?
PL: I didn’t see myself doing roast battles, but I did one and ended up winning. So I’m really happy about that. It’s one of the highlights of my comedy journey so far.
GS: What’s different about doing a roast as opposed to a regular set? Do you have to do research on somebody, and are you worried about crossing a line?
PL: There’s more pressure on roast battles, and you can really get embarrassed. I had to do research, and luckily, I knew some of the people I was roasting. For those I didn’t know, I tried to make general roast jokes that would work on anyone from different demographics.
GS: Where was the roast at?
PL: It was at the Virginia Beach Funny Bone, my first booked show at a Funny Bone, and my first trip there. I was really happy about it.
GS: You’re from Smithfield, Virginia, right? Where is that located?
PL: Yes, originally from Smithfield, Virginia, close to Newport News.
GS: Got it, kind of like East Virginia, I guess. What made you laugh when you were growing up, and who were your comedic influences?
PL: I grew up watching Comic View on BET as far back as I can remember.
GS: Shout out to Katt Williams.
PL: Yes, sir. I’m actually going to see him next month, thanks to another comic who surprised me with a ticket.
GS: I could make this whole interview just about Kat Williams but I am not! I digress, though. What can you tell me about it? You started in 2022, I guess, a couple of years ago. That’s when I think Richmond’s comedy scene really started to gain momentum. How did you get into it? What made you interested? What shows did you go see that gave you the balls to get up there?
PL: Well, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, had it on my list for a long time. I decided to check out an open mic at Sandman Comedy Club before it closed. I asked how to get on that stage, and Carlton K told me I needed to get some video footage at an open mic around the city. While we were talking, Tyler Bower was also there and asked if I was coming to the open mic right after this one. So, I went and did my first three-minute set at Bandidos afterward.
GS: What can you tell me about the scene around Richmond? I went to an open mic 10 years ago. Well, to be precise, I didn’t actually go to an open mic; I went to a happy hour where there was an open mic, 10 years ago. It was rough.
It was like the patrons and the comics weren’t getting along. I think the people didn’t know there was gonna be a comedy show. It was one of those situations where they didn’t anticipate a comedy show, but there was one, and they were just people trying to hang out. Then suddenly, there were people trying to do a comedy show. So, it was like that.
Now, 10 years later, there are comedy shows all over the place, which has been awesome to see. What’s it like to actually get into the circuit and watch it grow?
PL: I think it’s awesome. There has been a boom of comedy, and I believe we’re in a boom right now, which is awesome for me. Some nights can be tough, with people not paying attention, but then, you know, sometimes you get a hot crowd that’s listening, and you have the time of your life. So, the scene has really been good to me. There are enough mics for me to get good practice and really work on getting better, and I love it.
GS: Yeah, and there seems to be a good camaraderie among all the comics too. I like that you’re all promoting each other and have each other’s backs. Comedy can be competitive, but it can also be very collaborative, you know what I mean?
PL: Right. I think it works better when people support each other. That’s why I like Another Round because it actually started with the owner wanting to do it once a week. It’s hard to manage a show once a week. Open mic can be managed once a week, but a show, he wanted to do it once a week. So, I do want to make sure I give a lot of credit to the entire Richmond comedy scene. I wouldn’t have that show if it weren’t for a lot of people working together to ensure there was a show every week in the beginning.
GS: Yeah, exactly. Tell me about the show you’ve got coming up, or is it your monthly show?
PL: Yes, Another Round of Comedy. It happens every first Sunday at Another Round Bar and Grill. I love it; it’s a great venue. The owner is really cool; he’s an artist himself, a drummer. They usually host metal shows. His whole idea in getting it started was to ensure comics get paid. So, we kept it as a ticketed show instead of an open mic, and now it’s once a month. I love the venue, the lights, the stage. It’s actually separate from the bar, so it’s a real venue. Afterward, we can hang out in the bar if there’s still a game on, we can watch it. The food’s good. Hosting the show has really helped me as a comic learn how to connect with the crowd, practice improv, and I’ve met a lot of great comics who might come through from out of town and stop by Richmond. I usually try to leave a spot open for someone from out of town who’s coming through. It’s just fun to be in a position to put comics on stage, and I love it. I’m really happy to have this show; it’s a great show.
GS: Hell yeah! So, tell me, everybody starts at an open mic, obviously, and they’re trying to get their first 3 to 5 minutes. Tell me what you’ve learned about hosting, what that taught you, and how it’s become a muscle for connecting with the audience.
PL: Yes. Well, the host is always the first person the crowd sees, and sometimes it can be tough going from a quiet room or people just hanging out to getting them to pay attention and laugh. So, you might not have as hot of a set as you do when you’re in the middle or later in the show, but it really helps the muscle of transitioning from nothing to getting people in the laughing mood. So when I go up there, I don’t really expect to have the best set of my life. But if I can engage them before the first comedian comes on, I’ve done my job. And then, just keeping them engaged throughout the show, not necessarily reading a script, but talking to them, conversing with them. It has really helped me not be a robot. I write a lot; I don’t do too much crowd work. It’s something I want to get into, and this show has helped me get my feet wet with it.
GS: Hell yeah, I mean, I know in comedy, it’s better just the way you talk about yourself. You’re not as big; some people need to go big to get people’s attention. But I don’t feel like you have to do that. You have the confidence to just say what you gotta say. I think I’ve heard some comics talking about it; I remember it was Mark Norman talking about a show where a bunch of well-known comics bombed, and then Nate Bargatze went up and kept his delivery slow, like he usually talks, and he was the only one who did well.
Do you feel any pressure to be more energetic, or do you have the confidence in your act to just stay who you are, you know what I’m talking about?
PL: Alright, it really depends on the room for me. If the energy is already low, I might just be calm and talk like I’m just talking to someone. Then, I’ve done an auditorium or a club, and the energy is high, and I feel like I have to project my voice to the whole room. So, it’s really interesting how there are two different sides of it for me. My energy, I can see in my tapes sometimes I’m just talking, and other times I’m putting on what I would like to say is a spectacular performance. But it really just depends on the vibe.
GS: I got you. Well, heck yeah. What are your plans for the future? Do you have any goals for this year, whether it’s getting to 30 minutes, recording anything, starting a podcast, or any other ways you want to level up this year?
PL: Absolutely. I’m glad you asked. I’m really coming off one of the best weekends I’ve had. Friday night, I did an Apollo-style room where they were allowed to boo you off, and I ended up winning that. It was at The Park in Richmond, hosted by CJ Richardson. So, since I won the weekly, I have to compete on March 1st with other winners, and I could possibly win a good amount of money. On Saturday, my buddy Bryan Williams and I went to watch Nick Deez’s host at the Funny Bone in Richmond.
GS: Shout out to Nick!
PL: Yes, shout out to Nick! He’s a good friend, and he’s done a lot for me. He really inspires me. He introduced me and Brian to Dave Landau, the headliner this weekend, and just a few minutes of standing there, Dave asked if we wanted to do a guest spot. We both said yes at the same time. So, yeah.
GS: Battle to the death after that.
PL: Right, we did. He asked how tight we could make it and gave us both three-minute sets, which is something I’m really grateful for. Three minutes set, 33 of the best minutes of my life. The Funny Bone in Richmond is something every Richmond comic wants to do, I think everybody wants that chance.
Afterward, the GM came up and told us we did good and added to the show. That was one of the best feelings since I’ve been doing comedy, something I’ve wanted. I hope we made a good impression, and I hope it leads to getting some work there. That might be one of the biggest goals.
I do want to practice a 30-minute set; I’ve done a few twenties, and I know I have 30 minutes of material. I would like to do that. Mostly, just keep getting better, making it tighter, and having a good time.
This interview was actually one of my goals. I’ve seen a lot of these with RVA Mag, so I really appreciate you having me. It’s cool to check off a goal today.
GS: I’m glad I could do it. I think I got what I need, man. I look forward to seeing more from you. So, yeah. Everybody come out to Another Round Bar every first Sunday!
PL: Oh, can I say one more thing?
GS: Say more to get it out. Yeah, let’s do it.
PL: This February 4th, this first Sunday is actually the one-year anniversary for Another Round of Comedy. I’ve included some people who really helped in the beginning. The names you will see on the flyer are all people that have helped make this show possible. Some people who helped in the beginning couldn’t be there. Shout out to Lucy Bonino, Kade Wonders, and many more. This is a big and cool thing.
GS: One year! Congratulations. I’m happy for you, man.
PL: Thank you, sir. I really appreciate you allowing me to do this.
Give Patrick Logan a follow HERE
