CSUS hosts a night of stand-up comedy

On Friday night, UNIQUE is presenting a gift to the campus: a free evening of stand-up comedy featuring Jack Gallagher in the University Union Ballroom.

Tickets to the event were originally set at $3 for CSUS students and $5 for the general public. Last week, however, UNIQUE director Dean Sorensen and his staff decided to do away with tickets and offer the show for free.

"We decided to not let ticket prices stand in the way of anyone attending," said Sorensen.

The comedy concert, which will begin at 8 p.m., follows the homecoming bonfire and was designed to celebrate both homecoming and the Union expansion. It will be one of the first events held in the new ballroom, which accommodates up to 1,500 people.

Gallagher, the evening¹s headliner, is a resident of Sacramento whom people might recognize from a series of Crystal Milk commercials, the State Lottery's "Big Spin" television show, and his acclaimed one-man play "Letters to Declan."

The other performers are also locals: Del Van Dyke is from Sacramento and Jose Simon lives in the Bay Area. Both are popular comedians who regularly headline their own shows. Sorensen said that it should be an "hysterical" show.

Because there have been no advance ticket sales to count, UNIQUE has no way of knowing how many people will attend this show. Sorenson is optimistic, however. He estimates an audience of at least 500 people, and hopes to attract students leaving the bonfire.

UNIQUE also hosts another annual comedy show entitled "Stars Under the Stars," which regularly attracts as many as 1,200 people.

"Everybody's welcome up until we fill the room," said Sorensen.