Funniest night of our lives
“The Funniest Night of Your Life” is coming to the Crouch Auditorium stage on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. as part of the Weston County Concert Association’s 2018 lineup, and if you haven’t jumped on board and become a member of the Weston County Concert Association, this is the time to do it!
Next Thursday evening’s show will feature ventriloquist Todd Oliver and Irving the Talking Dog, and promises a night of hilarious family fun — at a ridiculously low price for one show, let alone the full slate of entertainment available to you as a member over the long winter months that lie ahead.
Although this is the second event of the concert association’s season, season passes are still available and if you don’t take advantage of the opportunity to laugh with Oliver and his talking dog, you might end up crying real tears over what you missed. (I’m not kidding, check out their YouTube videos.)
Ventriloquism began as a childhood dream for Oliver, according to his biography, and he admits that how he decided to become a ventriloquist may be “unusual.”
“As a kid, I was infatuated with those little wooden-headed dummies! They can get away with saying things that everyone is thinking, and they always have a charming way of making it funny.” Oliver said. “I was 10 years old when I received my first ventriloquist dummy on Christmas morning. Three days later my father died of cancer. The little ventriloquist dummy helped me deal with my loss and sadness. I also discovered that little character could make other people happy too.”
While growing up in Minneapolis, Oliver spent time at the local library reading everything he could find on ventriloquism, magic and show business. He began his career as a volunteer, performing his act for free.
“I would take city buses to nursing homes, hospitals and schools. I carried my dummy in a suitcase, and folks thought I was running away from home,” Oliver said. He noted that his audiences back then were great teachers, and that he received a great education from his free performances.
“After high school Todd toured schools, clubs, one-niters, and went around the world on a cruise ship,” his biography states. “Then came 20 years of showboats in Nashville, TN and Branson, MO. Needing to constantly offer something new to audiences, Todd came up with an idea that changed his life.”
That idea was introducing his Boston terrier Irving as one of his “dummies.”
“One day I was looking at my dog and thought I bet you would have a lot to say if you could talk.” Oliver said.
Seven months later, Irving premiered as America’s real talking dog.
After the introduction of Irving to the ventriloquism world, Oliver appeared on national television. He performed on David Letterman’s “Ventriloquist Week” and appeared twice on “The Tonight Show.” Other appearances include “The Today Show,” Craig Ferguson’s program and two Walker Texas Ranger episodes. In 2012 the team of Todd and Irving was a top-four finalist on “America’s Got Talent.”
Oliver is now touring the country, living his childhood dream.
“Making families laugh together is the goal,” Oliver said, and that sounds like something my family can get on board with.
The concert series is a great way to work some culture into our kids’ lives, and this show is the perfect opportunity to get them excited about concerts!
Season tickets for the Weston County Concert Association’s 2018-2019 season are still available and can be purchased the evening of the show. Membership costs, according to President Jan Ellis, are $40 for adults, $10 for students and $85 for families.
“It is a pretty good deal, even if you don’t go to all four local shows,” Ellis said, reminding us that membership includes shows in both Hot Springs and Belle Fourche at no additional cost.
It’s another reason there’s no reason to say, “There’s nothing to do here.”
Here are the shows still on tap this winter for season ticket holders:
Crouch Auditorium, Newcastle
Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m.
Elisabeth Von Trapp
Sunday, May 12, at 7 p.m.
Holy Rocka Rollaz
Belle Fourche Community Center
• Saturday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m.
American Troubadour, Jeff Dayton
• Sunday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m.
Triple Play
• Sunday, May 12, at 3 p.m.
Sons of Serendip
Mueller Civic Center, Hot Springs
• Thursday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m.
Tapestry: Tribute to Carole King
Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Rapid City
(Additional fee at the door)
• Monday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Black Market Trust
• Monday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Masters of Soul
• Sunday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m.
Band Stand Boogie: The Diamond