Ex-computer guy launches comedy club just for laughs
Unlike some other bay area clubs, the Comedy Zone Cafe in Palm Harbor won't double as a theater.
By AARON SHAROCKMAN
Published April 15, 2004
PALM HARBOR - What's so funny about North Pinellas?
Who knows, but Carlos Fernandez is about to find out.
Fernandez, a 38-year-old former software executive, is launching a new comedy club in a strip mall along U.S. 19.
Comedy Zone Cafe opens today in the former My Gym children's playhouse near Hooters north of Alderman Road.
From the outside, the club might seem funny sitting next to a pizza restaurant down the street from a Wal-Mart. But Fernandez, who has toyed with the idea of opening a comedy club in Pinellas County for the past year, said the spot on U.S. 19 in North Pinellas is perfect.
"Palm Harbor is a great location," said Fernandez, chewing on some french fries at Hooters on Wednesday. "How many cars drive past here every day? They all see our sign. And if they didn't, this area is underserved anyway."
There are already comedy clubs in Clearwater and St. Pete Beach in Pinellas County, and there's one opening in Pasco County this May. But those three all borrow spaces from other businesses. In Clearwater, for instance, Coconuts Comedy Club uses a second-run movie house as its headquarters every Friday and Saturday night.
In New Port Richey, Dee Etta said the Angel Cabaret Dinner Theatre is starting a comedy night on Fridays because of popular demand. The theater sold out single shows it hosted in February and April.
"People have been asking us for it," said Etta, who owns the dinner theater with her husband. "They think it's fabulous."
For now, at least, North Pinellas is not exactly famous for its contributions to the comic arts. There are a couple of exceptions. One is Jim Breuer, a former Saturday Night Live regular known more for his Goat Boy character than for being from Palm Harbor. Another is SNL's bit a few years back in which one goth-teen slacker tells another, "Tampa's pretty sinister too! It's at least as sinister as Clearwater, or Tarpon Springs!"
With the new Comedy Zone, Fernandez and his partners aim to create a club devoted exclusively to laughs.
Unlike the occasional clubs in Clearwater and New Port Richey, the Comedy Zone won't be doing double-duty as a venue for community theater or movies, Fernandez said. Wednesday, workers were putting the finishing touches on the club, building the stage and stocking the bar.
"Everybody's not going to walk away laughing at every joke," said Steve Reynolds, 38 and a partner in the club. "But there's going to be something for everyone, and I think people are going to have a good time."
Shows run Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. This weekend's act is Al Ernst, a country comic who has been on HBO and Comedy Central. Other scheduled comics to appear in the next month include Mo Alexander, Dale Jones and Shaun Jones.
They may not be recognizable names to everyone, but Fernandez promises that all are gifted funny men.
The Comedy Zone is part of a network of 60 clubs around the country. The Comedy Zone brand helps attract big names to even a small venue like the one in Palm Harbor, which seats 175 patrons and employs 11 people.
"We have consistent A-room talent," Fernandez said. "And a couple times of year, you're going to see headliners playing our club."
For instance, Comedy Central comedian Dave Chapelle is working six Comedy Zone shows in Charlotte this weekend, Fernandez said.
"This is what we do," Fernandez said. "Every detail, from when you get your food to the lights in the club, is geared toward producing the best live comedy experience possible. We want to make it the funniest night of your life.
"And we want you to come back."
Tickets for the shows cost $10 on Thursdays and $12 on Fridays and Saturdays. Along with a full bar, Comedy Zone serves a menu of finger foods and specialty drinks, costing from $4 to $7. For more information, visit the club's Web site at www.comedyzonecafe.com or call 727 787-6247.
