'I'll say yes every time': Norfolk continues to bring national comedy acts to town

NORFOLK, Neb. – A northeast Nebraska community continues to strengthen its reputation as a small-town comedy haven.

The District Event Center in Norfolk hosted former Saturday Night Live star Tim Meadows, along with fellow nationally touring comedians Sal Calanni and Glen Tickle, on Thursday and Friday night.

Meadows joked with the audience about the size of Omaha’s airport, along with Norfolk’s hefty drive from said airport, while engaging with the crowd on a variety of topics.

Calanni, an Ohio native who came with Meadows from Los Angeles, said it was his first trip to Nebraska.

“I looked it up, Norfolk, because I didn’t know about Norfolk,” Calanni said. “What I think is, as different as everybody is in America right now, a lot of people come out to comedy and they’re pretty cool…Small towns are nothing new to me. People like to laugh, so if you’re funny, it doesn’t matter where you’re at, really.

For New Jersey native Glen Tickle, who has performed at the Great American Comedy Festival in Norfolk and the Wayne Chicken Show, it was decidedly not his first trip to Nebraska.

“I did more shows in Nebraska last year than in New Jersey, where I live,” Tickle said. “That feels like poor planning on both our parts. I don’t know, I keep getting asked to do stuff here. I have a fun time every time I do it, so I’ll say yes every time.”

The District Event Center’s comedy series has brought numerous national headliners to Norfolk, while the Great American Comedy Festival also brings legendary acts to Madison County in honor of hometown hero Johnny Carson.