‘Stand Up, Chow Down’ serves laughs and local flavors at a new festival experience

Photo Courtesy of Don't Tell Comedy

With belly laughs and bellies full, the audience roared with laughter as each comedian’s punchline landed in Anaheim’s Packing District. 

Anaheim’s inaugural “Stand Up, Chow Down” event, held the weekend of April 3 and aimed at foodies and comedy fans, gathered residents across Orange County to eat and giggle all in one place. 

Starting the night off in the Packing District, attendees were able to grab ramen, donuts, drinks or even jambalaya before walking over to the surrounding locations to catch their choice of the headlining comedy shows. 

Powered by a number of sponsors and partners such as Pepsi, Don’t Tell Comedy, Visit Anaheim, Yelp and more, this event brought together a community to enjoy local culinary and top comedians. 

Each comedy show was held at specific locations within a 3-block radius to the Packing District and each ticket holder was emailed the morning of the show with the corresponding secret venues. 

One of the headliners, Rosebud Baker, brought her audience to Unsung Brewery for the show. 

Baker is a comedian and writer known for her dark humor, mostly notably recognized for writing for “Saturday Night Live.” Whether in a group or riding solo, people lined up outside the brewery for Baker, food in hand, antsy to grab another beer inside before picking their seats for the show. 

Angela Nguyen, a nearby resident from Santa Ana and comedy fan, waited excitedly for Baker. 

“Her dark humor drew me in,” said Nguyen. “I think she has a way of taking depressing topics and making it funny. Some of her stuff is relatable, too.” 

Nguyen told The Panther that the comedy events she attends do not typically have such a variety of food offered. 

“This is something different. I think it is convenient to get food and be able to bring it here and watch,” Nguyen said. 

Another audience member, Marcos Camacho, a local Anaheim resident, also spoke highly of the event.  

“I love stand-up comedy. I love dark humor,” said Camacho. 

Camacho was attending for the comedy itself as a big fan of stand-up. 

“I am trying to do a fun thing every day until my four-day weekend is over,” Camacho said. “I saw this being promoted on Instagram and Facebook, and I thought to check it out since I’m in Anaheim anyways.”

Unsung Brewery filled the seats from front row to back and listeners let out their chuckles for the opening comedians. 

Joseph Garcia was the host for this specific location, and was the first comedian on stage. 

Garcia offered a variety of unique jokes ranging from his childhood with a teen mom to other stories of living with new roommates. 

Following Garcia was Kat Bird, who hilariously depicted experiences from her dating life and even her gynecologist. 

Lastly, Jesus Trejo brought the openers to a close with topics of peanut butter and his wife’s pregnancy journey. 

Baker was then introduced and brought the show home with all the expected laughs from her dark humor and satirical nature. 

Using personal experiences from her own pregnancy, her divorce, trying to date at the age of 40 and even trying to make other mom friends, there was not a silent audience member in the brewery. 

The crowd roared with laughter, wine and beer in hand, slapping their knees at career jokes and clapping loudly in their seats after other punchlines about therapy.

Whether locals attended this event on a date night or came alone for a good time, Anaheim provided a great experience for all as the hub for laughter, food and drinks.