Local comic to appear at The Canyon

Craig Shoemaker When Comedy Central comedian Craig Shoemaker takes the stage at The Canyon club on July 11 there will be plenty of Conejo Valley humor. The Westlake Village resident uses area news in his stand-up routine, opening the show by reading The Acorn's crime section.

"I grew up on the 'corner of crack and homeless' in Philadelphia, and here in the Sheriff's Blotter it says someone stole a pack of cigarettes from the front seat of a car," Shoemaker said.

"Anyone that lives here knows what I'm talking about. I love the sense of humor out here. People don't take themselves seriously except for a few Little League moms, and they're also in my act."

On July 11, Shoemaker's friend, singer John Oates, will open the show with an acoustic set before the comedian's appearance.

The Canyon was the site of Shoemaker's Comedy Central Special, a live comedy series, a TV pilot and a benefit show. Shoemaker first performed at the venue five years ago.

"My agent told me it was in Agoura, which to me might as well have been New Zealand because I thought it was so far," Shoemaker said. "I drove 20 minutes up the road and was here already. That shocked me."

He didn't think his show would draw an audience out in Agoura.

"It oversold by 1,300 people," Shoemaker said. "Turns out this area for some reason follows me."

Shoemaker was named Comedian of the Year by ABC's American Comedy Awards, earned two Emmy awards and a Toastmasters honor, and has appeared in television and films, including "Scream 2," "Safe House" and his own production of "The Lovemaster," which won best film honors at the Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles. He has published two children's books.

Shoemaker is working on a comedy TV pilot in New York with actress, comedian and talk show host Whoopi Goldberg, a longtime friend.

"She has taken time to help me in getting further," Shoemaker said. "She's awesome. She got me on Comic Relief, which was a big break for me."

Shoemaker is working with Michael Beckwith of "The Secret" on an Internet site called "The Laughter Channel," to debut this summer. The channel will feature comedy performances, webisodes, shorts, "anything that will make you laugh," Shoemaker said. The pair also runs The Laughter Store, based in Oxnard, which sells humorous merchandise.

Shoemaker formed Laughter Heals.org, a nonprofit organization, and is producing a documentary about the healing power of laughter.

The comic lives in First Neighborhood with his wife, Mika, and two sons, Justin, 11, and Jared, 5. The couple are expecting a son in September.

Shoemaker purchased his Westlake Village home four years ago but didn't become a permanent resident until October, when he and his family moved from Sherman Oaks seeking good schools and quality of life, he said.

"Westlake Village is a very healthy community. I love the feel to it. I never even heard of a greenbelt. I never had a street with a court or place at the end of it," Shoemaker said. "It's such a great feeling when you can feel safe and supported by neighbors and actually hang out with neighbors, which we do."

His sons inherited his comedic flair, Shoemaker said. Jared recently emceed his preschool graduation.

"We laugh it up, believe me. I have a family of clowns," Shoemaker said.

His signature character, "The Lovemaster," was created out of Shoemaker's childhood experiences. He describes himself during his school days as a "geek."

"The girls would all use the 'f' word—you know, 'friend'— and I hated it," Shoemaker said. "I started channeling the Lovemaster, and I couldn't believe the reaction from the girls. The Lovemaster gives them the Lothario that they seem to be asking for. He came out because of all the girls who shot me down and my prom date, who made out with another guy during the prom."

Shoemaker believes comedy helps people with wellness through laughter. He said audience members often approach him after shows to describe how his comedy has gotten them through health challenges.

"We actually stress that people in the caregiver business go to more comedy shows because they need an outlet," Shoemaker said. "They are surrounded by illness, death and disease."

Shoemaker travels 30 weeks a year but hopes he'll be able to stay home more as other initiatives he is working on blossom. His top market is Los Angeles, where he performs about 17 times a year.

Shoemaker said he loves bringing joy to people.

"I really do dig the aspect of what laughter does to people," Shoemaker said. "It's not about me anymore. It truly is the best medicine. Just open up and say, 'ha.'"

Shoemaker got his start in comedy during high school while working as a clerk at a law firm.

"I did impressions of people in the lunch room, and this guy says, 'Hey, you want to perform between sets for our band?'" Shoemaker said.

He began doing stand-up. While attending California University of Pennsylvania he performed for fraternities, local nightclubs and the university president. He transferred to Temple University, earning a communications degree.

Shoemaker said he is most proud of being a good husband, father and friend.

"I really enjoy my friendships and am happy to be developing new friendships in the area," Shoemaker said.