Local comedian Aaron Wilson has created laughs at all sorts of venues: open mic nights, casinos, the Tahoe Gal, local restaurants and bars, even at a rogue, underground comedy gig at a Tahoe City candy shop. The next time Wilson steps into the spotlight, however, he’ll be performing at his own gig: the Aaron Wilson Comedy Show.
Wilson’s self-titled shows evolved from a simple desire to just do comedy. After gaining experience performing with Tahoe Comedy North, Wilson started an informal comedy night with friends and wine at Tahoe City Chocolates in the Boatworks Mall.
That gig eventually moved downstairs to Jake’s on the Lake, where Wilson hosted several up-and-coming San Francisco comedians. It was only a matter of time before the Biltmore put the ‘Aaron Wilson Comedy Show’ on their billboard.
‘It just kept snowballing into now … the Aaron Wilson Comedy Show,’ Wilson said.
Wilson’s productions have always been a local event, supported by Truckee/Tahoe residents who fill the audience. But the shows have also developed into a pipeline between San Francisco and Tahoe for breakout comedians who are looking for smaller gigs to headline. Through friends and word of mouth, Wilson has established a network of comedians that he can call up and book for his shows.
‘I do everything. I put the show together, promote, advertise, host … I do everything from beginning to end,’ Wilson said. ‘And I like it. I like doing comedy, but I also like putting the show together, too. It’s like putting on a party.’
Comedy for Wilson is calculated. ‘I’m getting ready to perform, just like a singer or an actor,’ he said. Wilson has always been the funny guy. But he says it was confidence that led him to comedy. ‘I was always just outgoing and not really embarrassed so much to be the center of attention.’
Wilson’s inspiration comes from everyday life: conversations with friends, something he’ll read or think about. ‘I’ll see something or hear something and think, oh my god, that’s funny.’ Before a performance, Wilson will sit down and work out his jokes, narrowing down material, tweaking the wording so it flows, and finally, saying it out loud. ‘Any comedian will tell you the best way to get good at comedy is to get on stage as much as possible,’ Wilson said. ‘That’s the only way to do it.’
Wilson still has a day job, but he sees his comedy becoming more established. His shows have received a lot of positive attention and he intends to continue booking comedians to perform in Tahoe/Truckee.
‘I love it, and I think that’s why I’ve continued to do comedy,’ Wilson said. ‘When you work on a show and on all this material … and you walk up there, it’s just the light and you and the people … It’s so gratifying. It’s got to be like hitting a home run in baseball.’ ~ Julie Brown
Info: $10 cover for both shows, 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18 at the Tahoe Biltmore, Crystal Bay, (800) 245-8667, tahoebiltmore.com and at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19 at Lakeside Pizza, Tahoe City, (530) 583-2000, lakesidetahoecity.com
