Capital city is filled with laughter when students choose to get their "haha's" at the only two comedy clubs near campus.
Both in Lansing, Connxtions Comedy Club and The Comedy Zone offer patrons a chance to see big-name celebrities and have a laugh at the same time.
"Everyone needs a good laugh," Jackson resident Sabrina Aiken said at Connxtions. "When I come here, I look forward to laughing so hard I feel like my guts are gonna fall out."
Connxtions, 2900 N. East St., in Lansing, the older of the two clubs, opened in 1984.
Since then it has featured Saturday Night Live cast members, including Kevin Pollack, television comedians such as Christopher Titus and Louie Anderson.
"We see college students here usually Wednesday and Thursday nights because those are college nights, with $2 admission with a school ID, and drink specials," Connxtions manager Mark Irish said.
Connxtions offers shows at 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. It also has shows at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
In a regular week, employees serve about 1,000 people, offering them two full-service bars, serving everything from coffee to alcohol ice cream drinks.
The staff also dishes up a menu of hot appetizers, including nachos and homemade cheese dip.
The other Lansing comedy club is based inside Tripper's restaurant and is much younger. The Comedy Zone, 350 Frandor Ave., opened in October 2003 and has hosted the likes of Pauly Shore, Aries Spears and Ralphie May, winner of the comedy-reality show, "Last Comic Standing."
Comedy Zone general manager Stacey Robinson said although employees don't see many college students, she hopes to spread news about the club throughout campus.
The club seats about 1,000 people per week, but holds up to 300 per show. The Comedy Zone is open Thursday for a show at 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday for shows at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
"The diversity of having the club inside Tripper's can bring a lot of people in here," Robinson said. "They can have dinner beforehand and then they can see a show.
"After the show, the doors open to Tripper's and there's usually a band playing there and we have pool tables. It's kind of like one-stop shopping for a night out."
The Comedy Zone has a full bar in addition to offering patrons the full Tripper's menu inside the club.
Though Robinson and Irish think they each offer something unique, those at the funny-spots said there's not much difference.
"Connxtions is all right," Lansing resident John Simmons said. "The stage set-up is pretty nice, with a lot of lights and the club's logo on the wall."
