SEQUIM — A veteran of kid comedy herself, Kelbi Folkerson Tite wants to bring belly laughs to big kids as well.
The owner-entrepreneur of Kelbi’s World in Sequim’s Rock Plaza at the Old Olympic Highway roundabout with Sequim-Dungeness Way, this weekend debuts clean, alcohol-free professional live comedy for adults.
Her first act — comedian and Tri-Cities native Brad Upton — hits the stage at her store this weekend.
Folkerson Tite said she has been told that those who drive and drink while watching comedy acts at other venues are worried about being arrested for driving under the influence.
Her solution: Hit a comedy club where soft drinks are sold, have a good laugh and keep your driver’s license.
“Instead of getting busted for DUI, come to Kelbi’s World to bust a gut,” Folkerson Tite quipped.
Kelbi’s Comedy Stop shows start at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the shop, 10115 Old Olympic Highway.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door and may be purchased by calling 360-681-7625, or visit the store in Rock Plaza. You must be 18 or older to get in.
By clean comedy, Folkerson Tite means no vulgarity or “F-bombs” dropped in any performance.
“When they use the F-word and vulgarity, to me that’s not funny,” she said.
“In the old days, comedians didn’t do that and were flippin’ funny anyway. Some are so vulgar that you don’t want to bring anybody because it’s so offensive.”
Upton, past winner of the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, recently appeared at Caesars Palace as part of the HBO Comedy Festival.
Upton’s stuff is still pretty spicy and suggestive, a search for his YouTube.com video clips reveals.
Upton writes about everyday life, a long-term marriage and anything else that pops into his head, according to promo material put out by Port Hadlock comedy promoter, Steve Strout.
“It’s going to be a fun, alcohol-free environment,” Strout said.
He has signed up five other comedy acts for Folkerson Tite — Dax Jordan, Ron Osborne, Susan Rice, Wally Walter, Kermet Apio and Gabriel Rutledge.
Upton has been in comedy concerts with the Smothers Brothers, Joan Rivers, Rita Rudner and Tim Allen, and his CD, “Smart Guy, Stupid World,” is played regularly on Sirius XM satellite radio.
Folkerson Tite comes from a show business family of stunt performers.
She was a performer at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif., and has worked in Las Vegas, where she was a “living statue” — a street performer at The Venetian resort and casino.
Her Kelbi’s World for kids has had initial success, she said.
If Kelbi’s Comedy Stop attracts an audience, she said she will open her own comedy club.
“It’s all about the love and the laughing,” she said.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
