art forming a l ocal c omedy s cene

The holistic Connection presents “Funny Fridays,” a weekly comedy showcase with host Willi Will 

By Bryce harMon

iN MurFrEESBOrO’S COMEdySCENE hiSTOry OF rECENT memory, there has been Wall Street’s Saturday Night “P.O.P. Comedy Hour” that ran through 2016, and Ambrose Jones III of Last Comic Standing rolled through with local stand-up James Victor Cherry that one night (Feb. 19, 2016). Mayday ran a couple of comedy nights in 2017 featuring area comic Nick Bush, as well as a Comedy by the Pint! showcase in June 2021 pulled together by Murfreesboro comedian Matt Taylor. Taylor and Bush went on to host Liquid Smoke’s Smokes and Jokes series in 2021.

But now, for the past few months at least, Murfreesboro’s The Holistic Connection has presented “Funny Fridays,” a weekly comedy showcase and open mic, which has been a growing slurry of area comedians workshopping some interesting evenings hosted by local stand-up and Holistic Connection clerk William “Willi Will” Bennett, a Nashville-raised kid who attended MTSU. The evenings are set up for nurturing a potential comedy collective and have been attended by generationally diverse audiences, according to Bennett.

Funny Fridays’ roster is an impressive local run-through. Since the showcase’s opening night on Feb. 10, it has involved local stand-ups Mathew Blevins, Comedian Chef Greg, James Victor Cherry, Nic Weir, Logan Teichmann, Joey Goodsong, Tony Capobianco, John Dollar, Marianna Barksdale, Kelsey Dixon, Nick Goulooze, Susan Gilbert, Miriam Kirk, Allie Thomas, Marcus Quit Playin’ Jones and Takela Room. The Pulse knocked on Willi Will’s backyard window to learn more.

MurFrEESBOrO PuLSE: how’d last Friday night go?

WiLLi WiLL: It went phenomenal . . . Because it was the biggest audience we’ve had so far, that let me know that this is something that could be an ongoing thing. It’s a pretty good spot and nice people. The crowd is part of Funny Fridays, too, obviously. you’ve got a sentient crowd over there?

I think that’s exactly what comedy is supposed to be, a conversation. We’re all just hanging out. I’m right here telling you my opinions on things, and stories. I’m making you laugh, the same as if we were all just kicking it, and one of us starts telling a story real quick. So, when you have a crowd that’s conscious of the fact that audience participation and audience reaction is just as important as the jokes that are being told on stage . . . it can be a good thing.

On your first flyer, those are the guys who started with you?

The very first time I had James Victor Cherry headline. He used to open for Kat Williams, so it was amazing I got him down here. He was one of the first people to really show me some support after my first mic set.

[The first flyer] was Matthew Blevins, Chef Greg, and James Victor Cherry, I think. Matthew Blevins did another set this past Friday (March 3). And then Chef Greg has been down two or three Fridays, and he brings his food truck.

Twin Kegs [a Nashville blues and comedy-night dive bar] is a phenomenal place; Kelsey Dixon hosts the open mic down there. I had him headlining. He’s phenomenal. He’s been on at Zanies a few times.

I’m loving this local comedy night developing as it is. I don’t want to get stuck with the same group of people. I want to get as many comedians down here as possible.

It’s a comedian showcase. We’re showcasing comedians from Nashville and surrounding areas, and we have an open mic to bring the community in . . . This is for people. Bringing comedy to the community.

The holistic Connection Presents Funny Fridays with host Willi Will every Friday evening. The holistic Connection is located at 527 N. Thompson Ln., Murfreesboro. For more information, find William Andrew Bennett on Facebook or call The holistic Connection at 615-603-7356.

simply smyrna presents free annual concert and arts festival on June 3

CArPE ArTiSTA’S ANNuAL SiMPLy SMyrNA CELEBrATiON rETurNS to the downtown Smyrna Depot District Saturday, June 3, from 5–9:30 p.m. The event saw over 8,000 attendees in 2022, and organizers have been working to grow the celebration’s reach even more.

This free outdoor community festival celebrates a wide variety of arts, musical styles and food, engaging musicians, artists, artisans, creators and businesses throughout the Rutherford County area.

Artists performing in 2023 include The Ultimate Tim McGraw, Dakota Danielle, Jason Lee McKinney Band, Lance Allen, Derek Pell, Blonde Bullett, Brad Beal, Idle Threat, Elecoustic Soul, BooM, Mark Thomas, Abbi Knell and Growler.

Front Street in the Smyrna Depot District will be pedestrian-only the evening of June 3 as the community celebrates the arts in the community; the event is rain or shine.

The Simply Smyrna Celebration is Carpe Artista’s primary fundraiser and directly supports the operational costs of its programs throughout the year. For more information, visit carpeartista.com/simply-smyrna.