Thu. Nov 14th, 2024

And I tried not to take them all home ❤️

Imagine sitting front row at a comedy show when you hear an unexpected heckle — a series of playful meows echoing from the back of the room.

“Oh, is that Pebbles?” the host asks, unfazed.

You turn your head to spot the source: a small gray kitten bouncing mischievously through the audience. No, it’s not a dream. You’re at Zoomies — a stand-up comedy event hosted at the Brooklyn Cat Cafe, where an audience full of adoptable rescue cats roams freely during the show.

On the first Friday of each month, the back room of the Brooklyn Cat Cafe becomes a unique venue for both humans and felines to enjoy comedy. With a rotating lineup of comedians, dozens of cats and kittens (all looking for homes) wander around the room, creating an occasionally chaotic but definitely entertaining night.

I gingerly made my way over a handful of dozing cats and took a seat in one of the venue’s folding chairs, settling in next to a friendly brown and white tabby. Staff encouraged guests to pet and interact with the cats, and I wasted no time giving my new feline companion a few ear scratches.

As I eagerly awaited the show, I couldn’t help but be excited. As both a comedy fan and an avid cat lover (yes, my own cat has an Instagram), a comedy show featuring adorable cats was the ultimate draw — and thankfully, Zoomies didn’t disappoint.

The comedians, however, had their work cut out for them. The cats weren’t exactly the most well-behaved audience members. The best performances were those that embraced the chaos. Cats stormed the stage, began tussling with each other, swatted at the microphone cord, and even made their way into the laps of audience members. Pebbles, a repeat offender known for her attention-seeking antics, became a running joke, with comedians trying to predict what she’d do next.

Pebbles, it turns out, is a bit of a diva — but a lovable one. According to the Brooklyn Cat Cafe, she can get overstimulated and has learned to set her boundaries, showing affection on her own terms. They believe she’ll grow into a sweet cat once she finds her forever home.

Though the venue’s setup wasn’t as polished as a traditional comedy club, the show still had plenty of charm. I left the event feeling entertained and covered in cat hair. My only regret? Not taking Pebbles home with me. But hopefully, at the next Zoomies show, she’ll meet her perfect match.

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