LA VIDA LORI: Music, comedy headline Chillicothe nightlife

CHILLICOTHE – Ah, the smell of fried cheese is almost in the air! The Ross County Fair is upon us but before you head out Ohio 104 to the land of livestock, greasy food and dust covered carnival rides, there are some things you need to check out first.

Saturday: The Crosskeys Tavern is cranking out the music with two groups to choose from. Stephanie Stanley and Bill Scherer will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. then locals Cari and Ryan Owen along with Nicole Musgrave, aka The Pawpaws, will be pickin’ and a grinnin’ for you from 9 p.m. to midnight ... on instruments. Pickin’ on instruments. I don’t think anyone does that in public anymore with cellphone cameras around the way they are.

Tuesday: It will be all about me and Steiner’s Speakeasy as I host the August installment of Comedy Night. Join me in welcoming Carlin Hagerty, Rob Wilfong and Ray Price for an evening of laughs. Well, Rob and Ray are funny…Carlin agreed to stay away from my bedroom windows if I allowed him to be on the show.

First Capital Rotary brings you the final First Thursday event of the year, “Taste of Chillicothe” on Aug. 6. Entries this year will be from all over town including both Kroger stores. For a $3 band cover and $1 food sampling tickets you can’t go wrong with this one. Crossroad Station will perform and all proceeds are for charity. And really aren’t we all sitting on the edge of our seat wondering who will win the “battle of the Kroger locations?”

The following night, Friday, Aug. 7, go downtown again for the music of Thomas Dirk at Steiner’s Speakeasy. Music begins at 9 p.m. but ladies feel free to go in early, grab a cocktail and watch Dirk set up. Like I told his momma years ago, “You do good work, ma’am.” Add to that he is one of the most talented singer/songwriters in our area and the delicious beer selection at Steiner’s ... oh wait, there I go getting distracted again.

Then, Saturday, Aug. 8, Tara follows Thomas Dirk with the music act My Brother the Bear. We established a few weeks ago that Daniel is not a real bear but he is a really cool guy whose “music comes with a flourish and flair and a touch of whimsy.” Everyone needs a little whimsy in their life. On the same night, John Yancey & Katy Large will be at Patrick’s Pub starting at 10 p.m. This is a no cover show and, Katy, I finally got you in the column, so no more harassing me via text message. Ha ha, we are friends, it’s OK.

And for those of you who can’t get enough of me, or the county fair, please know that the two will be combined. My clean, family friendly comedy show at the Ross County Fair is at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. Join me as I welcome some of the funniest folks in the state to the fair bandstand. Bring a lawn chair, the show is almost two hours.

Throne, if you see me out and about I am juicing. People who juice are not happy people. Fact. I will be smiling, just don’t push it. I may arm wrestle you for a fried cheese at the fair.

Lori Graves is a local standup comedian/juicer. This combination alone should be enough to send people screaming in the night, but the editor still feels confident of his chances in the aforementioned arm-wrestling contest. Oh, and contact Lori with your events at lorigcomedy@gmail.com