Vail Comedy Show returns for two nights this week

Vail Comedy Show is flying in New York City based comedian Daniel Simonsen for shows on Tuesday at The Gambit Bar at The Sebastian – Vail and Wednesday at Moe’s Original BBQ in Eagle. The Vail Village show will return to its usual day next month on Oct. 10 when the Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival comes to town.

Daniel Simonsen is a regular at The Comedy Cellar, was part of the Bert Kreischer Tops Off world tour and has appeared on “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert on CBS.

Tickets for his appearances in the Vail Valley are available online at VailComedyShow.com. Simonsen answered these questions in advance of his visit.

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Have you ever performed in the Vail Valley?

Nope, never. I didn’t even know it was a place until I got booked to perform there. But Colorado is sick so I’m psyched to see it. To be honest, several small town places I went to in America I had never heard of them until I got offered to do their local club or show. I guess I’m trying to tell you that I’m not well read. 

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Do you have a favorite Colorado comedy memory? 

My last and only time in Colorado I went hiking with Ari Shaffir and his girlfriend around Red Rocks Amphitheater. In the car on the way they played a lot of songs by John Denver and talked about his greatness. We then checked out his statue. Like Vail, he was new to me, but I’m now a big fan and realized he was a guy I had actually been listening to for years on the radio in Norway without ever knowing exactly who he was. During the day we also stopped by the Amphitheater and just walked across the stage and around the venue. It felt special to me. That place has so much history so it’s almost like you can feel that the spirits of the show business gods are there. Definitely a cool memory. Might have been the best day of my life, actually. 

You are from Norway, what is something somebody in Vail might like when visiting Norway?

We have an amazing frozen pizza called Grandiosa. It’s sold millions of units which is a big part of our national pride. It even has its own Wikipedia page if you wanna Google it and see what the hype is about. We also have brown cheese which most tourists are suspicious of at first but quickly get addicted to. They be having that brown cheese munchies. I also recommend my hometown Bergen, it’s a gorgeous city that is super popular with tourists. The city has its own little set of mountains surrounding it and the views are pretty stunning. So, if you come to Bergen you can get your daily dose of mountains there, too. 

What do you know about Vail Comedy?

I know that Vail Comedy comes highly recommended by different comics in New York. Once I got booked I did some research and all the comedians I talked to have been singing your praises and told me it’s a hot show. They also told me about the Vail Comedy Festival and how awesome it is. I’m excited to go experience the show myself.  

Any major events coming up?

I’m going to Vail. 

You live in New York City but tour nationally, how does Colorado compare to other markets?

Amongst comedians Colorado seems in general to be known for having great crowds. And of course all the surrounding nature and mountains gives it an extra appeal. It’s a nice way to escape society and spend some quality time with your brain. There just seems to be a lot to explore on your off time in Colorado. That’s also another thing comics in New York often mentioned, how great it is for hiking and your soul. I totally get why people wanna live in this part of America. It seems like a good place to enjoy life. So, I was pumped when I found out I was going back. 

How would you describe your comedy?

A mix of joy and suffering.  

What is next for Daniel Simonsen?

First, exploring Vail. Then I’m going straight to perform in Fort Collins and Aurora. After that a bit more touring during fall and the chance to check out other places in America. I’m up for going wherever they will have me. The United States is a fun place to travel. For some reason I always wanted to go to Hawaii. That has always been a dream of mine and is actually a little goal that I’ve set for myself. I don’t know why but it’s just something about how it looks in photos that I’ve always been drawn to, the vibe of it. So, I hope that goal is attainable and that I can have a little vacation there soon. 

Vail Comedy Show will be back in October with Mountain Fresh Comedy Festival.  On Oct. 10 Steven Rogers from “The Late Show” and “The Late Late Show” who tours with Nate Bargatze and Brian Regan will be at The Gambit Bar at The Sebastian – Vail.  On Oct. 11 Leah Bonnema from “The Late Show” and the “Were You Raised By Wolves” podcast will be at Moe’s Original BBQ in Eagle. The festival will finish in Frisco on Oct. 12 with Chris Voth from “Last Comic Standing” and “The Late Late Show.”

Vail Comedy Show will be back in November with Raanan Hershberg who recently appeared on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” and in December with Comedy Central’s Carmen Morales.

Tickets for all shows are available at VailComedyShow.com.