CARLOS MENCIA AND HAPPY KANSAS CITY B-DAY TO STANDFORDS!!!

TKC: Big night for our pal Craig . . . Check the deets:

Craig Glazer: Stanfords Turns 41 With Carlos Mencia

Stanford and Sons turns 41 this week. We celebrate with one of the best comics today, Carlos Mencia. Mencia has been coming to Stanfords since Westport in the mid 90's. Carlos has done it all, movies, tv series, specials a comedy household name. Carlos is best known for his tv series, 'Mind Of Mencia' and movies like 'The Heartbreak Kid' with Ben Stiller. Mencia is live on stage this week, Thursday through Saturday night.

Its been a long and storied run for Stanford and Sons. It all began in Westport in April of 1975. Stanfords was Westport's answer to Houligans smash hit restaurant and bar on the Plaza. Stanfords gained national attention early on with many of the Republican National Convention candidates and media stars hanging out there during the event. The location became a see and be seen spot where on a given night you'd see George Brett or Len Dawson eating out or even a Bob Gibson and occasionally film stars in KC in town for awards or promotions. The list is endless.

Shortly after the restaurant took off, Stanfords decided to open a comedy club upstairs. Early comics included KC's David Naster, Louie Anderson and a young m.c/doorman Sinbad. The comedy club got national attention when Robin Williams took the stage in the early 1980's.The word got out that there was a 'hot' comedy venue in Kansas City. What followed was a list far too long to name everyone of first time up and comers to Kansas City. Bill Hicks, Jerry Seinfeld,Ellen Degeneres, Sam Kinison, Dennis Miller, Jeff Foxworthy just to name a few. Later the second wave of new stars took over the 90's, Lewis Black, Larry the Cable Guy, Pauley Shore, George Lopez, JJ Walker and again just too many to name. By the late 90's Stanfords was a 'must play' club for comedy stars on the rise, Katt Williams, Kevin Hart,Lisa Lamponelli, Louie CK, Dave Attell and Daniel Tosh. Many became weekly regulars on Stanfords go to station 98.9 the Rock with Johnny Dare. Dare would have the stars call in often for updates on their careers and in studio when at Stanfords. The comics would be on late night shows like The Tonight Shows with stories on Stanfords. Attell did two of his first four 'Insomniac' series from the club. Louie CK has pranked Stanfords on his tv series as well.

As Stanfords moved to Legends and Overland Park, many of the current big names began to play the clubs. Stanfords had a young open mic star, Nikki Glaser who is now killing it with her own show on Comedy Central, Jim Jefferies and T.J. Miller, again just to name a few.

Stanfords housed the original huge Red Friday events with Joe Montana and the Chiefs hung out in Westport during the 90's almost nightly in the nightclub. Stanfords brought a 'touch' of Hollywood to Kansas City. We could write a book about it the stories and the stars are endless.

Today the new restaruant and comedy club is located in Overland Park at Rosana Square, 119th and Metcalf. Now just short of two years in the new location. With two stages and rooms on the weekends. Again bringing in names we know and as well as up and coming stars.

Come join us this week to see a master comic, Carlos Mencia. He never fails to rock the room. Call for tickets 913 4007500 or go online, stanfordscomedyclub.com. Hey we even brought back 'flower pot bread' to the restaurant. It's been a long run from Westport to Legends now Overland Park. Only the Comedy Store in LA is older with the same family owning it, the Shores. See you there.
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