“It’s been scientifically proven that laughter is good for you,” said Rahmein Mostafavi, owner of Cool Cow Comedy.
The 38-year-old who studied theatre at George Mason University then performed with the Shakespeare Theater Company in Washington D.C., and in “Shear Madness” at the Kennedy Center, never imagined he’d one day be a stand-up comedian.
“I’ve always been a performance guy, but I had to pay the bills,” Mostafavi said. “I got out of theater in order to support my family.”
He moved to Stafford with his wife and three sons, and began work as a tradesman in Manassas. He later picked up stand-up comedy as a hobby.
“I wanted to get back on stage and stand-up comedy was a way to better control my hours,” Mostafavi said. “It’s a whole different universe from theater acting, but luckily working on “Shear Madness” gave me some of the improvisation skills I need when I ‘m doing standup.”
To practice his new hobby, Mostafavi crashed Open Mic Nights meant for musicians. When it came time to validate his stand-up act, he realized there weren’t any true comedy venues around, so he set out to change that.
He asked the Courtyard Marriott Fredericksburg Historic District in 2011 if they would be willing to host a comedy night, and Cool Cow Comedy was born. The name comes from the way one of his young sons once tried to say “Holy Cow.”
Mostafavi books comedians and usually hosts the show. He saves his own stand-up act for other venues, which are posted on his website.
“The reputation of Cool Cow Comedy is very important to me. I am thorough about who I book,” Mostafavi said. Mostafavi delivers big names – comedians who have performed on Comedy Central, Letterman, O’Brien, Kimmel, and Ferguson, for example. “Even with credits to their name, I make sure the comics I bring in can deliver good solid comedy. We give our audience a true comedy club feel.”
Cool Cow Comedy hosts one show a month at the Fredericksburg Marriott, 620 Caroline St. The company has grown, and now books regular shows in Arlington and Lorton, Va., and Rockville, Md., as well. Dinner and drink service is available during the shows. Tickets are usually $15, depending on what comic is performing. Follow the schedule at www.coolcowcomedy.com and on Facebook.
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