"I would ruin (people’s) weddings on purpose because they were all uptight,” successful comedian Jim Florentine says of his days as a wedding DJ. “I would play Metallica while they were eating. I remember this one bride came up to me, she was like 300 pounds, and I was messing with the lights, turning them on and off. She was like, ‘I don't like the lights on and off,’ so I (said), ‘I figured you were used to it opening and closing the refrigerator all the time.’ ”
Not surprisingly he launched a career as a stand-up comic, but not primarily to crack wise in front of a roomful of strangers. “I’d always thought about doing stand-up and I saw all of my friends who were in bands and all the chicks they were getting,” he says. “I was like, ‘I gotta get on stage.’ I didn’t have any musical talent, so I did comedy because people always told me I was kinda funny.” Florentine performs 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Southgate House (23 E. Third St., Newport, 859-431-2201).
Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Go here to buy tickets.
