Students and citizens alike shuffled up the stairs of the Easy Street Cafe to Grumpy Daves’s Pub on Tuesday night, all possessing the same need – escape.

Whether it be through laughter or through a pitcher of beer, Grumpy Dave’s Pub Comedy Night provided the patrons with the necessary tools to achieve their cause.

More than 45 people listened intently as a welcoming message came over the sound system.

An announcer advised the audience to “put their cell phones on vibrate and their vibrators on beep.”

Steve Sabo, producer of the Comedy Night and CEO of Inside Joke Productions, seized the stage and made the audience aware of the lineup.

The comedians there included special guest Claude Stewart, newcomer Mike Deskins as an opening act and long-time faucer Chili Chalis as the headliner – all nationally acclaimed comedians.

The comics kept the audience in a continuous uproar with jokes about anything from Burger King to Dual Doppler weather radars, while at the same time expressing their love for their occupation.

And a love for one’s occupation could not be better exemplified than by Chili Chalis, the headliner of the Oct. 18 show.

“I knew Steve (Sabo) and I liked this little room,” Chalis said. “I was also in the area. I’m actually teaching comedy at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He knew I was in the area so he booked me here.”

The class Chalis speaks of is a revolutionary idea in the comedy world, as the idea of actually teaching comedy is a relatively new theory.

“The course is a six-week course and then they have a graduation night where they can invite their friends and family.

“At this graduation, they can present about five minutes of material that they have learned,” Chalis said. “Class is a good place to start because it saves a lot of time. I tell them about the mistakes I’ve made so they don’t make them.”

Chalis has a long list of noteworthy career opportunities he has been graced with since the start of his stint as a comedian in 1979.

Chalis was the former head writer for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and a contributing writer to the “Mother Goose and Grimm” comic strip.

Regardless of former or current jobs, Chalis is totally content with his chosen profession.

“I love it,” he said. “I also loving teaching. It is a new path for me, but I want to do it until the day I die. I’m writing, and doing stand up, and I get to come to great places like Bowling Green.”

The audience also enjoyed Chalis’ stay in Bowling Green. Shawna Neal, senior, was in attendance at the show.

“This was a fantastic show,” she said. “Everyone should come see at least one, because you will get hooked. This is the best thing to do in Bowling Green, especially on a Tuesday night.”

Chalis isn’t the only person gracing the stage under Grumpy Dave’s watchful eye.

Sabo is committed to bringing in nationally-known acts every Tuesday, and this Tuesday, is no different as The Mighty Jer Dog – noted for work on “The Bob and Tom Radio Show” – will be barking jokes at a venue near you.

“Jer Dog lets the audience dictate the show,” Sabo said. “He will start something, see the reaction, and mold his show around what his audience is reacting to, even if he didn’t originally intend for it to go that way. He’s one of those guys who you don’t know what he’s going to do.”

Sabo is also committed to bringing the best of the best to Bowling Green, as he has lined up some shining stars in the realm of comedy for upcoming appearances.

“We try to get a different type of comic every show we have,” Sabo said. “Chris Burnes and Steve Bruner – who had his own Showtime special – is coming. This is the only place where professional comics are brought in every week with TV, radio and writing credits.”

For these reasons, Sabo encouraged everyone to come to Grumpy Dave’s Pub and experience a comedy night.

“Stand up comedy is unappreciated,” Sabo said. “It is the only true art form anymore. Everything else has gone incredibly corporate – music, TV, movies – people are editing it down.

“With comedy, the person on stage stands alone. Comedy is the last medium where people can say what they mean without recourse. It can be anything you want it to be at that moment,” he added.

Comedy nights at Grumpy Dave’s start at 9p.m. and are located right above Easy Street Cafe. The cover is $5, but with a valid student ID, the price is reduced to $3. This show is for ages 18 and older.

More information about upcoming shows and events can be found on Steve Sabo’s Web site, www.stevesabo.com.

Those interested in obtaining more information about Chili Chalis’ comedy seminars can learn more at www.chilimax.com.