There’s a place where popular videos of cats and twerking meet, and it’s not YouTube. Today, Happy Tuesdays at The Loft Cinema presents “Viva la Viral,” a comedy show that highlights strange videos from the Internet.
Happy Tuesdays is a free comedy series scheduled for every Tuesday at 9 p.m., and divided into four different shows: “Behind the Screens,” “Tell Me Something Good,” “Viva la Viral” and “Lonely Hearts Club.”
In The Mooney Backlot Bar and Lounge, located directly behind Theater 3 at The Loft Cinema, attendees can share a few drinks and laughter with Tucson comedians.
“It’s kind of like a little secret club,” said Bridgitte Thum, local Tucson comic and host of “Lonely Hearts Club,” which is held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Thum added that Happy Tuesdays is different than stand-up comedy, as each show has an intimate atmosphere.
“What we really like is how the audience is encouraged to participate in the show,” Thum said, adding that audience members can chime in with comments.
Comedians who choose the themes of their weekly show are not tied down to the specifics and have a lot of freedom in deciding what they will present to audiences, Thum said.
“If you feel it, you can go with a theme, but we don’t lock people down and say, ‘Oh this show is going to be about cheese,’” she said.
This week’s show, “Viva la Viral,” aims to showcase everyone’s favorite viral videos. Local professional comedian Pauly Casillas will also make an appearance at Tuesday’s show.
In the spirit of the holiday, Halloween costumes are encouraged.
Henry Barajas, host of “Viva la Viral,” said he chooses random and crazy videos that make him laugh — this week he plans to share a Spanish video of a man doing yoga with his chihuahua.
The event is as much for the comedians participating as it is for the audience, Barajas added.
“I’m just basically entertaining myself and my friends,” he said. “I try to make it like ‘Tosh.0’ but in Tucson.”
Barajas said that the tone of the show depends on how he feels at the moment.
“It’s kind of like always documenting where my brain is,” Barajas said, “I want people to get an idea of what kind of screwed-up person I am and force it on everybody.”
Thum said Happy Tuesdays began as a completely experimental project, and that she had no idea that the audience would react so positively. The show started about six months ago, and has since become a staple at The Loft.
“Each show has its own flavor,” Thum said. “If anyone comes to any Happy Tuesdays show, they’re going to have a good time.”
Follow Casey Knox @Knox_Casey
