By Leah Garcia
If you’re craving some big belly laughs, why not enjoy some of Pinellas County’s live stand-up comedy clubs where some up-and-coming stand-up comics (and famous folks) perform at Coconuts Comedy Club, Burger-ish Bar & Grill and Spitfire Comedy House in St. Pete; SideSplitters Comedy Club and Tampa Improv in Tampa. Keep your eye on these local jokesters!
Kenny Garcia
Born and raised in the Lower East Side of NYC, Kenny Garcia has been performing stand-up comedy across the nation and internationally at major clubs and festivals for 12 years and counting and has now made St. Pete home. “I have two goals on stage — have fun and get better,” he says. “I’ve been able to travel the world and tell jokes. It’s been a really rewarding journey.” Garcia’s comedy has been described by industry peers and comedy crowds as lively storytelling with a few exaggerated truths sprinkled throughout. Catch Kenny performing at Florida Cane Distillery on November 12 and Dark Door Spirits on November 13. More shows can be found on his Instagram at
@iamkennygarcia or on iamkennygarcia.com
Dylan Vattelana
A Richmond, VA, native who’s made St. Pete home, Dylan Vattelana is the winner of NYC’s Broadway Comedy Competition and a regular on the Bob and Tom Radio Show, and on JLTV. When he’s not performing across the nation, Vattelana is a regular at Coconuts and other local clubs. “I originally started doing stand-up for the same reason every comedian does: a crippling need for attention and a desire to be liked,” he quips. “Thankfully, I outgrew one of those things… I think. I have no ulterior motive on stage other than silliness and I’m very proud of that.” His schedule can be found on his Instagram/Twitter @dylanstandsup.
Jay Legend
Originally from Chicago, IL, Jay Legend is one of St. Petersburg’s funniest young comics. Legend was inspired to do stand-up as a means to share his natural inclination and desire to make others laugh. Having worked with national headliner acts such as Preacher Lawson and April Macie, Legend is most excited about November shows with Tampa local Cam Bertrand, running November 18-22 at Side Splitters in Wesley Chapel. “We’ve got a really tight-knit comedy community and I’m proud to be a part of it,” says Legend. “You receive an authentic version of me on stage – nothingI do is pretend.” Upcoming shows can be found on his Instagram @jaylegendcomedy.
Kye Saunders
Kye Saunders is an up-and-coming young comic from Brandon and performs regularly in the Bay Area and across Florida. After her first open mic, Saunders knew that she had found the great creative love of her life and has been a part of the local scene ever since. Through comedy, Saunders explores where she is and has been as a young woman. “My hope for when people leave one of my shows is that they feel a little bit lighter,” says Saunders. Upcoming shows can be found on her Instagram at @kyesaunders_.
Christina Galston
St. Pete born and raised, Christina Galston has spent her life honing her unique cross-cultural upbringing into a powerfully honest sense of humor and razor-sharp wit. Her first comedy credit was being voted her high school class clown in 2004. Since then, she’s gone on to create laughter on MTV Tres, Comedy Central, and on the Wasted Wisdom podcast on Spotify. “The most rewarding part of comedy is when people connect to your messed up stuff,” she says. “Like, when I get messages from fans saying hearing my most vulnerable moments and crazy stories helped them out of dark places.” A regular at Spitfire Comedy Theatre and other local venues, Galston’s upcoming shows can be found on her Instagram/Twitter at @freakinjewrican.