Quinton McCollum is a believer in “laughter is the best medicine.”
McCollum will be all smiles as he walks across the parking lot from his B&B Bar B Que & Catering to his newest venue, Deep Roots Comedy Lounge and Event Center. Both are located in the Boro Plaza on Walnut Street in Waynesboro.
“I love to laugh and laughter is part of peace for me. I’m an old soul and I want to put people in the frame of mind for down to earth comedy,” noted McCollum, who just celebrated a two-year anniversary at his barbecue business. “The community has been very warm and gracious to us.”
Deep Roots at 118 Walnut St. will open Saturday, May 25, and feature national touring comedian Alex Ortiz as its headliner, as well as performances by Chad Beadle, M, and Kaelin Clements. “It will be a casual, clean atmosphere with PG comedy for adults,” according to McCollum. Doors open at 5, and there will be shows at 6 and 9 p.m.
The venue has seating for 75 and guests will be treated to two complimentary drinks as well as finger foods. “We’ll have water and soft drinks and other snacks for sale. People will be moving about to make sure everyone is comfortable,” he added. Advance tickets, $20 each, will be available at B&B Bar B Que, Pockets, which is adjacent to the comedy club, and from Beadle by contacting him on social media. Tickets are $25 at the door.
Every fourth week Deep Roots will host a major celebrity comedian, according to McCollum, who plans to expand the offerings at the club. “Once it takes off we’ll have open mic nights, “charioke” with proceeds to be donated to a local cause, and bands who play bluegrass, jazz, country, – all genres of music – as well as poetry nights.” The club will be open Wednesday through Saturday and also will be available to rent for private events.
“I am trying to create an atmosphere so people can relax. With the world we live in today … the depression and other mental health issues … we need to put our feet in other people’s shoes. My hope is to bring the community together and find peace in this society,” McCollum said.
His vision also includes organizing a boys and girls center. “We have a mental health crisis and I want to help these kids. There are a lot of broken homes out there. I mentor a lot of kids who have problems and I’m working with other business representatives and pastors about things we want to do in the future.”
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