Everyone knows Lake Norman is great
for fishing, swimming or jet skiing.
Soon it could be known for something else: laughter.
The maiden voyage of the Lake Norman Laugh Liner
is slated for Friday. The comedy cruise, designed
for use by corporate or private groups, could soon
change the definition of Lake Norman from fun to
funny.
The Laugh Liner is the brainchild of Mooresville-based
stand-up comedian Sid Davis, Barney Barnum and Capt.
Gus Gustafson.
According to Davis, he and Barnum knew each other
from their participation in Toastmasters.
“Barney always told me I needed to meet Capt.
Gus,” Davis said.
Davis did meet Gustafson at a Mooresville Chamber
of Commerce meeting less than a year ago. They made
plans to meet for coffee and discuss Barnum’s
idea of the two collaborating at a comedy venue.
Considering the humorous banter that developed almost
instantly between Davis and Gustafson, it seemed
like a match made in heaven, or at least on Lake
Norman.
Once the partnership was formed, the only obstacle
to bringing comedy to the area was finding a venue.
“We discussed rooms and venues all around
Lake Norman,” said Davis.
There was some debate until Gustafson mentioned
the Championship Yacht, a boat docked at Midtown
Sundries in Cornelius. With space for 125 people – 60
of them in a showroom on the vessel – it was
the answer to their comedic dreams.
The idea instantly struck a chord with Davis.
“I immediately went back 25 years in my memory,
when I worked for an insurance company,” he
said. “They flew me to a training session in
Boston and we went on a Boston Harbor cruise after
class. It was the best time. There was a lot of laughing
and it was all we talked about the next day.”
Davis realized there was nothing like that on Lake
Norman. He, Barnum and Gustafson decided to change
that.
Although Friday’s maiden voyage will be mainly
a promotional event for members of the media, event
planners and friends, it’s all in preparation
for what the Laugh Liner will bring to Lake Norman:
a sense of humor.
In addition to Davis, who has performed on the local
comedy circuit for over five years and has recently
done his routine at clubs in Los Angeles, Matthews
comedian Julie Scoggins will perform on the cruise.
Described by Davis as his “comedy mentor,” Scoggins
is a headlining performer who has appeared on both
the “Bob & Tom Radio Show” and “Bob & Sheri.”
Gustafson will also get into the act, as he and
Davis plan to bring their humorous banter to an audience.
“We play off of each other so well,” Davis
said.
Food for the cruise will be catered by Midtown Sundries,
and Davis says the menu will include easy-to-eat
food perfect for mingling on a boat.
“We have heavy food that’s not going
to blow away,” quipped Davis.
The Laugh Liner will also include a cash bar.
Soon, Davis and company hope to be booking groups
for the Laugh Liner left and right. Davis says they
will aim to have cruises on weeknights, but won’t
rule out days or weekends, although they will have
to work around Midtown Sundries’ other bookings
of the Championship Yacht.
Aside from an opportunity to be entertained by some
gifted comedians, the Laugh Liner also provides a
chance for groups to experience that entertainment
on a more personal level, as Davis, Barnum and Gustafson
will make a point to find out exactly who they’re
performing for.
“Part of the package is Gus, Barney and I
working the room,” Davis said. “After
a couple of cocktails, you find out the dynamic of
the group.”
That potentially juicy information will come into
play during the show, making each Laugh Liner voyage
a unique and personalized experience.
For Davis, entertaining groups of people who know
each other is more fun than doing his routine for
a room full of people who have never seen each other
before.
He’s looking forward to the opportunity.
“I’m excited about it,” Davis
said. “It’s going to be one of those
things that goes beyond my expectations.”
Davis is also excited about entertaining his parents
on the Laugh Liner’s maiden voyage. They’re
coming all the way from Tucson, Ariz. for the cruise.
“They get the who’s come the farthest
prize,” he said.
If the first cruise is a success, Davis could be
looking at spending a lot more time on Lake Norman.
He hopes that’s the case and says he looks
forward to putting a high caliber of comedic talent
in a very different sort of venue.
“I am just so excited to put something new
out there.”
The Lake Norman Laugh Liner departs from Midtown
Sundries, located at 18665 Harbor Side Drive, Cornelius.
If you are interested in booking your group event
for “Lake Norman’s Favorite Comedy Vessel,” please
visit www.lknlaughliner.com or call (704) 677-2699.
Gus Gustafson, a.k.a. Captain Gus (back, with hat),
Sid Davis (right) and Barney Barnum are the
masterminds
behind the Lake Norman Laugh Liner.
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