The 23rd Annual ‘Third Saturday In August’ (TSIA) Comedy Show is coming to the Renaissance Theatre on Saturday, August 17. But, no, it’s not a Renaissance show, it’s a rental. Sam VanCura rents the theater for his annual one-man show. And no, he’s not the show, but he arranges it, promotes it, and entertains the audience through the comedians he books.
This year’s show features three “hilarious” comedians: Sam Demaris of Houston, TX; Sid Davis of South Carolina; and Scott Henry of Los Angeles, CA.
VanCura is talented at finding talent. Jeff Foxworthy was a comedian Ventura booked before his name was nationally known.
“Now, to my knowledge, he’s made more money than any comedian in history. He’s done it without being crude, so you can do it that way. Larry the Cable Guy was the one of the cleanest guys we ever had.
Ron White, on the other hand, as much as VanCura enjoyed his act was not someone he would hire. “I loved his gig but it’s not an act I want to have on my venue,” said VanCura, “That’s not what my audience is looking for.”
When he and his wife Janet travel, they are also on the look-out for new shows. “Janet found Larry the Cable Guy in Florida long before he became well-known. Whenever we’re out and about, we go to comedy shows in bigger cities. For example, Scott Henry, I found him most recently in Indianapolis, Sid Davis I found on line and then saw him up at Hilarities in Cleveland, and Sam Demaris I found down in San Antonio when I was down for a swim clinic,” he explained.
Yes, VanCura does have a day job. He is the president of Total Performance, Inc. in Mansfield. He is also a swimmer and the swimming coach at Ontario High School.
Putting on a show goes further back than 27 years and so does the name of the show.
VanCura explained that he used to put on one of the “biggest parties in Mansfield,”and called TSIA. He rented the fairgrounds for it. But he stopped holding the parties after he got married. One night at the Renaissance the Temptations were performing, and they had a stand-up comedian from Cleveland named Jimmy Malone.
VanCura thought he was funny, so he talked with his friends and said, “Let’s bring back TSIA but start a comedy show.”
He hired Jimmy Malone and two other comedians and sold 800 tickets. It was successful and every year he comes close to a sell-out. For example, this year, there’s close to 1,100 seat sold with only two weeks to go.
“Here we are 27 years later and I think I’m probably correct in saying it’s the longest running annual show at the Renaissance,” stated VanCura.
On the event’s program, VanCura invites the audience to rate the comedians. The show starts at 8 p.m. and the tickets for TSIA are $25. To purchase tickets, call Sam VanCura at 419-529-0099.
This year’s acts:
Sid Davis: This former airline worker hilariously unloads side-splitting baggage on stage. Sid’s humor is fueled with A.D.D., a wavering ego and a grade school teacher wife who views him as a child left behind.
Sam Demaris: His performances are very fast-paced, very high-energy and will often leave audiences wondering, “Did he just say what I think he said?”
Scott Henry: With a clean, story-driven act based on family and relationships, his brand of comedy is accompanied by observational humor and wacky characters.
