Students filtered into the Grand Valley State University Cook-Dewitt Center to listen to members of the Comedy Club and a special guest speaker in “Cloudy with a Chance of Sonny.”

This open mic event is the second that the comedy club has put on this semester and the first for guest comedian, Sonny Pandit, to attend.

Pandit has been in comedy for about a year and a half, since he got started by performing stand up at Louie’s Trophy House Grille in Kalamazoo. Since then, he hasn’t been able to shake the act and comedy is now a large part of his life.

He usually centers his bits on growing up as an Indian, his romantic life, every day occurrences and working at a liquor store.

“I have a really strange, weird-ass life,” Pandit said. “I try to even make the dark situations funny. Comedy is like a therapy.”

Pandit enjoys fellow comedians Louis CK and Russell Peters, but enjoys listening to local talent such as his friend, and GVSU alumni, Casey Stoddard, who won the Funniest Person in Grand Rapids competition in 2011.

“We’re really excited to have Sonny here,” said Comedy Club Vice President, Jarrett Weber.

Many members of the comedy club opened for Pandit, along with Stoddard, including club president Aric Pike, who has been doing comedy for three years, Jarrett Weber, Joe Stahura, Dan Schindler, Luis Valencia and Vince Persichetti performed. Persichetti already made his comedic reputation known by being the creator of the infamous Grand Valley Meme’s Facebook page.

The comedians talked about subjects all across the board from sex to partying to romance to politics. Members waited backstage with their notes ready for the show to begin.

Pandit opened his bits by interacting with members of the audience in silly conversation followed by his anecdotes such as his bucket list, racial profiling, weight loss, adventures with his girlfriend and Facebook pranks gone bad. Students doubled over in their seats laughing at every anecdote that was told.

“I thought Sonny did a really stellar job,” Pike said. “He did awesomely as usual and did not disappoint. He is a great guy and a better comedian and we were thrilled that he would come to Allendale to perform for us. I hope everyone else enjoyed him.”

The comedy club was created last winter and became an official club in January. Pike says that students can expect a lot more from the club in the future including more open mic nights.

“We are hiring comedians to come in and entertain the students, which will cost the students nothing,” Pike said. “Also, next semester, we are planning on having a huge event so keep your eyes peeled for that.”

For more information visit the club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GVSUComedy and be sure to keep your eyes open for fliers for upcoming performances from the comedy club.
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