How Backyard Comedy Shows Started in Hyattsville

During the pandemic, Kevin Blackerby and his wife were part of a group that hosted backyard bonfires to help neighbors connect safely. One day, he decided to add comedy.

On May 1, 2021, the first Hyattsville Backyard Comedy show was held, giving residents something to do and helping comedians struggling due to the closures of comedy clubs.

“Before the pandemic, I had hosted comedy shows at businesses, so I was familiar with putting shows together,” Blackerby told the Hyattsville Wire. “We asked some friends who had a big backyard if they’d be willing to host, and it worked out so well that we kept doing it.”

Since then, Blackerby has organized more than 15 comedy shows with roughly 45 comedians in different backyards around Hyattsville and even as far as Laurel. Each one features three comedians and lasts an hour and a half.

Four shows are scheduled each summer, about six weeks apart. An average of 50 people come to each show, some from as far away as Silver Spring.

Blackerby took the DC Improv Stand-Up Comedy Course years ago and has performed around the greater D.C. area. He also hosted an open mic in Silver Spring for about three years, which gave him connections to the comedy scene to find performers.

Before inviting a comedian, Blackerby watches their performances, looks at videos and checks out their social media to see if they would be a good fit both for Hyattsville and for the more intimate setting of a backyard show.

The comedians are paid with audience tips on Venmo and PayPal, although on the rare occasion when that’s fallen short, Blackerby has made up the difference himself.

“It’s important to me that the performers are compensated for their work,” he told the Wire.

The final show for this summer will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 5715 39th Ave., featuring comedians Izzy Gelfand, Jamal Russell and Mike Kurtz. Kids, pets, video recording and flash photography are not allowed.

You can learn more about future events on the Hyattsville Backyard Comedy Facebook page.

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