A candid photo of eight people standing in a row all wearing t-shirts that read "Localist".

Come for the comedy, stay for the camaraderie, and help support our local economy.

We’re excited to announce Stand Up for Local First, a comedy show supporting La Plata County’s local businesses, non-profits, and community!

Presented by Alpine Bank, this fun event will be staged on Friday evening, April 25, 2025 at the Durango Arts Center. Featuring local talent from Durango Comedy and Lower Left Improv, the night will include eight comedians, improv artists, live music, and a host of local personalities—plus plenty of laughs with jokes that hit close to home.

Be sure to share your gratitude with our generous sponsors that make this event possible!

Purchase Your Ticket

Event Details

Stand Up for Local First promises a night full of laughs and community spirit! Doors open at 6:00 PM for a lively happy hour with live music by Alex Graf and Friends, followed by the comedy show at 7:00 PM featuring 8 talented comedians. A fun twist: three judges will vote on the “Best Of” categories, and you can buy tickets to vote for your favorite comedian. The night wraps up with a hilarious recap from Lower Left Improv—don’t miss out!

Local Comedians & Judges

The event offers a curated, exceptional lineup of comedians ready to bring the house down with hilarious performances as well as three expert judges and a sparkling emcee.

Our emcee for the evening, Shaheen Hangval, is a 22-year Durango local, lifelong comedy enthusiast, volunteer addict, and familiar face on stage. Whether cracking jokes at open mics, bringing laughs at the Follies, or hyping up the crowd as a roller derby announcer, she loves keeping audiences smiling. Offstage, she crafts silver and gold jewelry, adds sparkle with hair tinsel, and helps the community float stress away as a co-owner of Salt 360.

Comedians

Kerry Tahmahkera – A Durango local for over a decade, Kerry brings her ever-present smile and infectious energy to the stage. Her quick wit and feel-good humor will have you smiling from start to finish.

Andy Mathews – A rising star in the local comedy scene, Andy runs the weekly stand-up open mic at The Starlight and delivers fresh, relatable content guaranteed to leave you in stitches.

Chad Peyer – A long-time local favorite, Chad is known for his distinctive comedic style and strong audience connection. As a radio DJ and family man, he brings humor that resonates with everyone.

Andy Rude – A familiar face in Durango’s variety comedy and improv scene, Andy is relatively new to stand-up but already making waves with his sharp wit and fresh perspective.

Ann Joli – A teacher by day and stand-up comic by night, Ann’s humor is both relevant and relatable, offering a hilarious take on everyday life.

Chad Hare – A Durango staple, Chad is a seasoned MC, variety show performer, stage comedian, and radio DJ—when he’s not cracking jokes, he’s keeping busy as a full-time handyman.

Isabelle Fisk – From improv to stand-up, Isabelle is an adventurous traveler whose dynamic and unpredictable style will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Joe Schrag – A Southwest local from Farmington, Joe is a newcomer to stand-up comedy, offering a fresh and insightful take on life in the Four Corners region.

Judges

Bailey Carlson – A local stand-up comic, fantastic MC, and host of EsoTerra’s monthly stand-up open mic, Bailey is a key figure in Durango’s growing comedy community.

Wesley Stein – The founder of Comedy Showcase Durango and the “Next Best Comic of the Four Corners” competition show. He has opened for nationally touring acts like Josh Blue and James Austin Johnson and was featured on the 2018 comedy album “Durango is Funny”. He was also the host of TEDx Durango.

Rachel Frederico – A seasoned performer with nearly a decade in The Follies and past experience at KDUR, Rachel is no stranger to the microphone. As the director of Fort Lewis Alumni Engagement and a local networking queen, she brings charisma and charm to every stage she steps on.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Please share your gratitude with the businesses and organizations that make Stand Up for Local First possible.