ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Nationally touring comedian hosts weekly
Cave Creek show
Marc Buckhout ~ Managing Editor
~ 4/7/2010
Mark Cordes has been performing comedy around the country for more
than two decades.
“I quit my real life 23 years ago,” the Carefree resident and former
real estate salesman said.
While he mainly performs corporate events and is currently preparing
for a tour with a 90-minute show dubbed The Spouse Whisperer, in which
he discusses why relationships work, why they don’t and how to make
them better, he also is getting a new project off the ground right
in his own backyard.
“If you want to see live music or check out art that’s not a problem,
but if you’re talking something along the lines of comedy this has
been an underserved area for as long as I’ve been in the Valley, which
is going on 28 years,” he said.
For nearly two months Cordes has been hosting a free comedy show at
Cody’s, one of Cave Creek’s newest restaurants. Owners George and
Laura Duerr recently opened the American Grille with a Southwest flare
at 6032 E. Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek.
With a commitment to entertainment as part of the dining experience
the couple are hosting live blues music on Tuesday and with Cordes’
help comedy on Wednesday.
Cordes said he was intrigued by the idea, to run a show just five
minutes from his house, but was curious what kind of talent pool he
would have to draw upon locally.
“I’ve been a road warrior for so long that I really didn’t know what
to expect,” he said. “Back when I was doing a lot locally you’d run
into the same six comics almost wherever you went. The landscape has
changed. I’ve never been to a lot of the small shows run around town,
but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the numbers of people doing
comedy. In six weeks we’ve put 30 different comics up and there has
really only been one that I wouldn’t invite to come back.”
The response from patrons has been resoundingly supportive.
“Reservations for the show aren’t required, but they’re certainly
recommended,” Cordes said. “The main floor in the room where the stage
is has seating for 150, but we’ve had to turn people away a couple
times already.”
Cordes said the show has already spawned regulars.
“The audiences have been great,” he said. “When you put on a good
show with no cover charge people respond. We’ve had people make their
reservation for the following week’s show right after the one they
just watched finishes. And they’re making their reservations for a
larger number telling me they’re going to bring more friends next
time. What I’ve found amazing is a lot of people had never been to
a live comedy show before. When you live in this part of the Valley
apparently a lot of people aren’t driving down to The Tempe Improv
or other venues to see a show.”
Beyond the dining area Cody’s offers a rooftop lounge complete with
views of the scenic Cave Creek area as well as video monitors showing
the comics performances.
The show is tentatively set to start at 7 p.m., but Cordes said it
has generally been closer to 7:30 p.m.
The Carefree resident will most often plays the role of host, but
said he’ll fill in where needed.
“Every once in a while I’ll headline and do an extended set, but I
don’t want people saying, ‘oh it’s him again.’”
Overall Cordes said the show will generally have five comedians perform.
To this point to experience level of the comedians has ranged from
a year to fellow veterans like Cordes who have 20 plus years of experience.
“We’re really on to something. Anybody that comes out here and doesn’t
have a good time, I’ll refund what they paid to see the show,” jokes
Cordes about the free show.
Cody’s Smokehouse and Grill is located 6032 E. Cave Creek Road, Cave
Creek. For information or to make reservations call 480-575-1101 or
go to www.codyscavecreek.com. For information on Cordes go to www.markcordes.com.