What's Up With Me?

At a recent Curbside Comedy show booked at a independent living facility, I thanked the audience and said, "There's no live comedy without a live audience." And, a woman responded, "We're only half alive." Nothing beats the honesty of the elderly. 

As the seasons change, so does my life.  Shows have slowed down, my reading of Harry Potter has picked up, and the business behind Curbside Comedy is looking stronger than ever. I firmly believe that Curbside Comedy is much more than the two-man show it's currently seen as, but there's belief and there's action. With more time due to the slowdown in bookings, I've refocused my energy to figure out the branding behind the business. While there's always more to think about, I firmly believe the business of Curbside Comedy stands on three pillars:

1. Be Funny

2. Support Up-And-Coming Comedians

3. Support Communities. 

But, as my good friend and funny comedian Alex Richards asked, "What's the plan for Curbside Comedy when the snow starts to fly?" Well, that's just something you've got to learn about by listening to the episode. 

Outside of comedy, I'm launching a Kickstarter for Good News: A Podcast, a show I created that's been listened to in more than 60 countries and featured as a top podcast of the week by Anchor. 

Click here to support Good News A Podcast.

To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, [email protected], or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.

When the byproduct of your goal is raising money for charity, what else can you ask for?

Since the last episode of "What's Up With Me?" Curbside Comedy has surpassed raising $5000 for charity. The charities Trevor Glassman and I have supported so far are Direct Relief, Comedy Gives Back, The Jason R. Flood Memorial, and Newport Mental Health. 

When Curbside Comedy started, the goal was simple: get stage time. In stand-up comedy, stage time is gold. When COVID-19 shut things down, the gold rush was over—or so we thought. Then, up onto my parent's front porch Trevor and I went to perform for less than 10 people (following the guidelines in New Hampshire at the time.) Now, 40 odd shows later and multiple people allowing lawful trespassing in their backyard in return for some jokes, we've helped support local and national communities as a byproduct of trying to find stage time. 

How did we get to $5000? What does it mean to me? And, what's next? That's exactly what I address in this episode. 

A number of people asked me great questions this week. I love answer your questions because they give me a chance to reflect. A large part of this podcast is having an opportunity to sit down, think and check in on myself. This week's questions are: who are some women I look up to in comedy? Shout outs to Lee Lan  (@iwantpomeranians) and Espi Rivadeneira (@espionage921) If I could go back, what would I tell my pre-COVID self? And, what's a funny family story?

The more I think about what Curbside Comedy is and what it's allowed me to do, the more I realize this is just the beginning of a journey. I couldn't be more excited to see where it goes and how much more money it can raise for charity.  I appreciate your interactions and look forward to sharing what lies ahead.

To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, [email protected], or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.

Curbside Comedy has now put on more than 40 shows, surpassed $4500 raised for charity, and been featured on the news twice. To be honest, it's a bit surreal. The whole idea of Curbside Comedy started simply as a way to continue to perform stand-up and develop as a young comedian. Thankfully, it's allowed that and much more. 

All those things listed above are positives that were only made possible due to the pandemic. If the world wasn't overcome by COVID-19, I would have never left New York City. I would have been getting 5-minute spots after finishing my day job. Now, I'm building out a 30-minute set and learning more about who I am as a comedian. 

These are a few personal silver linings in a devastating time. However, the biggest silver lining is the time I've had with family. At the end of Curbside Comedy shows during the Q&A, a typical question is, "What do your parents think of you doing comedy?" Before COVID-19, I wasn't 100% sure. Now, not only am I positive they support me, they've offered up their porch, yard and long-time friends to help me develop my career. On top of that, I got to live with them for four months which doesn't sound ideal as a 24 year-old, but looking back on life, I know those will be invaluable memories. 

This episode of what's up with me, I reflect on this and a few other silver linings in addition to the usual rambles. 

To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, [email protected], or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.

To answer the question: Curbside Comedy brings the stand-up comedy show to you—safely. It's really that easy. If you're within driving distance, and COVID-19 guidelines are followed, Curbside Comedy comes to your curb, cul-de-sac, or backyard and puts on a show for you. To book a show head to my website.

I didn't say his full name, but I should have. He deserves all the credit in the world. I started performing Curbside Comedy with Trevor Glassman, a fellow NYC comedian and New Hampshire native. Together, we've raised more than $4000 for charity through this direct-to-audience mode of comedy. While Trevor's style of comedy is dark, personable and relatable, mine is silly, wordy and observational. Together, we make a show that's enjoyable across the comedy spectrum. 

Like I said, I feel like this is the beginning of something and want to see where it goes. I'd love to answer any questions you have for me about just about anything.  To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, [email protected], or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.

Hey, my name is Connor Kwiecien, and I'm a stand-up comedian. I want to have a life in comedy. In order to do that, I need to make a living. I feel like I'm at the beginning of that journey and want to document it. 

Before COVID-19, I was living in New York City trying to make my way in the stand-up scene. Once the virus came, I left New York to move back in with my parents. After a few months of not performing, my Mom and I were sitting in the kitchen and we came up with the idea for Curbside Comedy, a show that brings the comedy show to you, safely. I was fortunate to partner up with another New York City comedian, and New Hampshire native, Trevor Glassman. Since doing our first show on May 8, 2020, Curbside Comedy has now raised more than $4000 for charity, and better yet, we're finding ways to reconnect communities and bring people together through laughter. 

Like I said, I feel like this is the beginning of something and want to see where it goes. I'd love to answer any questions you have for me about just about anything.  To send me a question, you can connect with me on Instagram, @connor_kwiecien, via email, [email protected], or head to my website connorkwiecien.com.