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'Fluffy' to headline Ice House comedy club grand reopening

the ice house comedy club

After Buss hired her as general manager of the team years later, she assembled the roster that led the Sparks to a championship victory in 2001. For all the years she was involved in the WNBA, Toler says she and Buss always had a great working relationship that allowed her to grow in her career. The legendary Ice House Comedy Club, which has been closed since 2019 for renovations, will be opening next year on February 9, the owner of the club confirmed.

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“First of all, we’re shooting for a grand opening, a public grand opening of February 9th. The reason for that is we want to make sure that everything is finished. We should actually be finished with the building the first week in January. However, we also have to train our staff and make sure that everything works.

Ice House Comedy Club in Pasadena Announces Date It Will Reopen After 3-Year Shutdown

“It’s a little easier for me with the club because the Ice House has a legendary history. My phone rings off the hook when people want to perform,” Toler said. “But I don’t know anything about a club, I’ve never managed a club,” she told Buss over the phone when he first offered her the job. As an original draft pick for the Sparks when the team started in 1997, Toler was the first player to score a basket in WNBA history.

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“When you’re almost the pinnacle of sports ownership, what do you do? And my dad and I used to sit around and say, what we need to do is buy a variety club and have comics and magicians and maybe a singer, come out and just really have a really great evening. And we used to talk about that literally for the last 40 years,” he recounted. The upgrades include new glass doors and relocating the club’s main entrance from the alley to the front of the building. It also features what’s sure to be a popular photo opportunity for fans as a huge polar bear statue is situated just inside the club.

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Since the club originally opened as a live music venue in 1960, Buss also plans on bringing live music back, too, with weekly jazz, reggae, pop and country nights starting in the next few months. After looking into several spaces, Buss decided to purchase the 63-year-old Pasadena venue, which is dubbed as the oldest comedy club in the country, from longtime owner Bob Fisher. Originally opened in 1960 as a folk music venue that occasionally hosted comedians, the Ice House transformed into a stand-up comedy club in 1978. Buss brought back the laughs in February and plans to broaden the club’s offerings with live music and other events in the future.

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Buss is a lifelong fan of comedy, and he has said that he plans to keep the Ice House as a premier comedy venue. “I’m really excited about what this club’s gonna be,” he said. Since being hired as general manager of the Ice House, Toler sees the world of comedy clubs and sports franchises as synonymous when it comes to bringing in sponsorships, succeeding at marketing and acquiring talent. Holding himself to a higher standard because of his father is nothing new to Buss, who grew up in the midst of one of the world’s greatest sports dynasties. His father’s notoriously outside-the-box methods of running a team made him a genius and impossible to predict. A regular at the Comedy Store, the Improv and the Laugh Factory, Johnny said he and his dad always talked about opening their own club together before Jerry’s death in 2013 at 80.

the ice house comedy club

As fans of comedy, Johnny and Jerry had seriously discussed opening a comedy club together in the past. So after purchasing The Ice House in 2019 — and giving it a $4 million facelift during a three-year closure, mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic — Buss finally has the club he and his father had always dreamed about. While laughter takes center stage at The Ice House Pasadena, food and drinks play a supporting role in enhancing your overall experience.

Since 1960, it has been a premier destination for comedy lovers, hosting renowned comedians and emerging talents alike. The Ice House in Pasadena, one of the oldest comedy clubs in the country, is back and better than ever! Celebrating over 60 years, the club has been a staple of the comedy scene since its inception in 1960. However, the pandemic forced the club to close its doors for almost three years. Fortunately, the club has undergone a transformation under the new ownership of Johnny Buss, the oldest son of the late Lakers owner, Jerry Buss.

Although it just opened, the club already boasts a packed schedule with well-known comics. After Cho’s opening night, comedian and podcast host Adam Carolla sold out the stage on Feb. 23. Former “Saturday Night Live” star, comedian and radio host Jay Mohr headlines two shows on March 30 and actress and comedian Maria Bamford hits the stage March 31. The lineup of performers booked to appear can be seen on the club’s website, icehousecomedy.com. PASADENA, Calif. — One of the oldest comedy clubs in the country will celebrate its grand reopening Friday after quietly relaunching in February.

The Ice House Cometh: Tickets For Jam-Packed Comedy Lineup Go On Sale Tuesday - Pasadena Now

The Ice House Cometh: Tickets For Jam-Packed Comedy Lineup Go On Sale Tuesday.

Posted: Mon, 06 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Fashioned after the Lakers’ Chairman’s Room at the Kia Forum, the swanky private spot at the back of the Legendary Room is awash with classy crimson vibes. A giant chandelier anchors the lounge with plush couches, vintage chairs and top-shelf liquor where celebrities who sneak in can enjoy the headlining show through reflective glass and surround sound without being hassled. There’s even a private smoking room within the VIP lounge where Dave Chappelle might occasionally pop in to light a cigar.

the ice house comedy club

Indulge in a delectable array of appetizers, entrees, and desserts, meticulously crafted to satisfy your taste buds. From classic comfort foods to innovative culinary delights, the menu at The Ice House Pasadena has something for everyone. Pair your favorite dishes with a selection of refreshing beverages, including handcrafted cocktails, fine wines, and specialty brews.

Since taking ownership, Buss has made some significant renovations to the club. He has also brought in a new management team, led by Penny Toler, a former Los Angeles Sparks player. Toler is committed to making the Ice House a welcoming and inclusive space for all comedy fans. The festivities will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by tours of the entire venue, food samplings from The Ice House menu, and a bartender demo showcasing some of the club’s signature cocktails. As customers enter, interviews and photos will be conducted with Johnny Buss and guests, capturing the excitement of this special occasion. For Margaret Cho, the club’s first big headliner to perform Thursday night, the details in a comedy club make the comic’s experience and the fan experience feel like they’re being taken seriously.

Information on our events calendar is provided as a free service for the public, and events being displayed are not endorsed by Playhouse Village Association, unless otherwise noted. We strive to ensure that the information is as complete and accurate as possible; however, due to circumstances beyond our control, event information may, on occasion, change or be omitted. If in doubt, check with the organizer of an event to confirm its information.

Young stand-up comedians in SoCal gather to perform at the renowned IceHouse of Pasadena! Don't miss the chance to see the rising stars of the comedy scene. Yes, parking options are available near The Ice House Pasadena. You’ll find convenient street parking as well as nearby lots for easy access to the venue.

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