The ad-hoc, drive-up comedy show in the Chilkoot Charlie’s parking lot in Spenard has been a hit the past few weeks.
But Saturday, it was evidently too much of a good thing. Either the comedians were funnier than usual, or the neighbors were more on edge. In the middle of the show, the Anchorage Police showed up and told organizers to knock it off with the wisecracks.
Bruce Schulte, a long-time participant in the local comedy scene, was there to encourage friends, and said the idea of having people honk their horns rather than clap their hands might have been what prompted neighbors to complain. And perhaps the jokes were really just that funny, although there was a lot of untested material, he said.
Alice from KWHL radio was the emcee for the night and was winding up the introduction of the next comedian to take the stage, when police rolled into the show and said the honking must stop and the organizers need to get a city permit if they want to continue the shows.
Since nightclubs and other gatherings have been shut down by order of the government, some churches have offered drive-up services. On Easter Sunday, the drive-up service at Anchorage Baptist Temple attracted a couple of squad cars, which patrolled the parking lot several times to ensure the “Easter worshipers” had spaced their cars six feet apart.
On Monday, most businesses in Anchorage are able to reopen, although with extremely strict social districting rules in place, and limits on customers. This may put an end to the crime spree by local comedic talent, as they once again are able to ply their puns on the indoor stages of clubs … at least the ones that have not gone bankrupt during COVID mandates.
