A Steinbach comedian is working to grow the local comedy scene. Joel Brandt began his comedy career seven years ago after an unexpected encounter with comedian Matt Falk. Brandt says he was doing some work at Falk’s home when he asked him to review a few jokes he had written. “He waited the appropriate amount of time. I think it was about a week that I was hanging in the balance waiting to hear. And he emailed back and he said, I think this is good enough that you won't bomb.” With that encouragement, Brandt entered the “Funniest Person with a Day Job” competition at Rumors Comedy Club in Winnipeg. “I had never performed anywhere before. Matt told me you should probably try an open mic, see how it goes, and I was too nervous. So, I went from the basement bedroom to on stage at a comedy club.” Brandt says his first show was a success and sparked his passion for stand-up. Since then, he has performed at various comedy events. Wanting to bring that experience closer to home, he joined several shows hosted by the Sidetrack Bandits and eventually started his own open mic night in Steinbach. “Those have gone really well so far. We are entering our second year of bi-monthly shows. I guess partly I was looking for another place to perform, somewhere closer to home. I was having to drive an hour to the city to do four minutes at a club that had eight people in the audience. So, I thought I could perform in front of eight people in Steinbach and not get home at 11 at night.” He adds that the Sidetrack Bandits shows also inspired him. “The Sidetrack Bandit shows are so fun, and they're so well attended, and it seemed like there was a hunger for some more local comedy, so I thought it'd be fun to diversify a little, and try something new.” Brandt says the response from the community has been strong, with open mic nights typically filling the venue and attracting around eight performers each time. “The crowd is great. They're generous. They're having fun. And it's been a mix of people who are doing comedy for the very first time. I think every single show we've had someone do comedy for the first time, which is very fun. And then we've also had a number of people that do this enough where the audience is having some fun as well, watching these guys go up.” Up next, Brandt is hosting a stand-up night on Saturday, October 18, featuring comedians Emmanual Lomuro and Spencer Adamus. “They are both very funny people. They're some of the top couple of funniest people in Manitoba, I'd say.” He notes that both headliners have impressive resumes. “Emmanuel is actually in the contest the year that I was. He placed first that year, and he has just kept the pedal down and he's been performing all over the place. I believe he's performed at the Hollywood Improv,” he says. “Spencer went to Just for Laughs in Montreal a couple years ago. Since then, he's been headlining all over Canada. These guys are pretty legit.” The event will take place at The Public Brewhouse and Gallery at 7:30 p.m. “Tickets are sold at the door, so you got to show up. It's old school. They're $15 at the door,” says Brandt. “So, you'll want to show up early. The place is going to sell out fast. It's a nice little venue.” More information can be found by following Brandt on Instagram at instagram.com/joelbrandt89. With files from Kenton Dyck