Club Keeps Bringing the Laughs

Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank marks its second anniversary this month with a weekend of free shows. The brainchild of Barbara Holliday and David Reinitz, the club is located in a former restaurant space in downtown Burbank at the corner of Magnolia Boulevard and First Street. With the help of a $190,000 loan from the City of Burbank, the pair opened the doors to Flappers in September 2010. The venue has met, and in some cases exceeded, expectations, Holliday said. “We have regulars,” Holliday said. “We have people who keep coming back, who stay to have dinner and see a show.” Headliners over the past two years include Bobcat Goldthwait, Mary Lynn Rasjkub, Paul Reiser, Margaret Cho, Chris Kattan, and Sarah Silverman. For the anniversary weekend of Sept. 7-9, performers include Darren Carter the Party Starter, James P. Connolly, and Michael Rayner. Reasonable ticket prices, good food and all-ages shows on Saturday afternoons make the club a destination for entertainment, Holliday said. “People need laughs and alcohol in a down economy.” Holliday and Reinitz have independently produced comedy events for a number of years, including in North Hollywood and The Ice House in Pasadena. They opened the first Flappers location in Claremont three years ago. Reservations are required for the anniversary shows during which guests will be invited to enjoy celebratory champagne toasts and birthday cake. –Mark R. Madler