BELLEVIEW, FL (352today.com) – The Joke Joint in Belleview came alive Saturday night with a full slate of performers, building toward a marathon headlining set from Vince Taylor. While the evening had its share of quirks, it ultimately delivered what audiences came for: a night of laughter, energy and connection.

The night kicked off with a musical twist as Doreen Daniels, a one-woman band, opened with guitar, violin and vocals. Her set, while a departure from pure comedy, set a lively and engaging tone for the night, showing off her versatility and warming up the crowd.

Host Alex Soto followed, blending short bursts of stand-up with audience banter and video clips. His set leaned on multimedia humor and improvisation, a choice that divided the audience but kept the energy in the room. Soto’s biggest strength was his ability to keep things moving – especially valuable since Vince Taylor’s arrival ran behind schedule.

The first official comedian of the evening, Jason Edgar, delivered a short but promising set. As a newer act at the Joke Joint, Edgar’s time was brief, but his enthusiasm and delivery kept the laughs coming, marking him as one to watch.

Next up was Hollywood Fried, a comedian with a larger-than-life stage presence. His act mixed raunchy humor, bursts of improvised interaction and even some “magic” bits performed with Soto’s help. Hollywood leaned heavily into adult humor, but his timing and energy won over much of the audience, drawing loud laughs, claps and playful shouts.

Clarise Kentwood shifted gears with a more relatable set, focusing on family life, marriage and sibling dynamics. Her material struck a chord with anyone who has dealt with household chaos, and she kept the laughs steady with her grounded, observational style.

Aaron followed with one of the most physical performances of the night. His material about cultural differences in BBQs brought the house down, enhanced by exaggerated voices, facial expressions and movement. Audience interaction became a key part of his set, keeping the crowd fully engaged.

Then came the main event: Vince Taylor. Performing for nearly two hours, Taylor’s set was equal parts polished material and raw improvisation. His ability to shift between planned jokes, physical comedy and spontaneous crowd work showed why he’s a veteran headliner. The audience was locked in – laughing, clapping, yelling responses and sometimes interrupting outright. When heckling grew too rowdy, Taylor handled it with both wit and firmness, proving his command of the room.

As with any live performance, the night wasn’t without its unique touches. The speakers packed plenty of volume, ensuring no one missed a punchline, and the intimate setup – though leaving extra space at the back – gave audiences up close access to the comedians. The food was simple and budget-friendly, making it easy for guests to grab a quick bite without distraction.

The overall experience was a lively, unpredictable and memorable showcase of talent.

The Joke Joint continues its eclectic lineup with upcoming shows, including a Pink Floyd Tribute Night on Sept. 6, OMG it’s WICKS on Sept. 13, Jimmie JJ Walker on Sept. 27 and Michael Winslow of Spaceballs fame on Oct. 25.

Also on Oct. 25, the venue hosts the NCW Wrestling: Monsters, Music & Mayhem 5.5, complete with hayrides, contests and larger-than-life action in the ring. Later that evening from 12-6p.m., guests can experience the Spooky Dookie Horror & Fantasy-Fest, a family-friendly event featuring vendors, live wrestling and comedy at 8pm.

For those seeking laughs, music and lively crowd, the Joke Joint remains one of the Belleview’s hidden gems.