Celebrating a Year of Laughs

About a year ago, legendary comedian Johnny Pizzi and China Blossom brought a whole lot of laughter to town. And it seems to have stuck around nicely.

formerly known as Churckles Comedy Club, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary in North Andover.

"We'e extatic over the fact were going into our second year," Pizzi said. "We're extremely happy with the way things are going. We know we can't be too cocky, with the economy the way it is, but we're happy."

Every week, Pizzi brings A-list Boston comedians to North Andover to give the Merrimack Valley a taste of city comedy club life.

"I have 27 years as comedian, so I have a very good idea what the comedy scene is like," Pizzi said.

On New Year's Eve, China Blossom and Lots of Laughs threw a huge party -- one of the only parties in town, with a DJ, singers and raffles -- and more than 170 packed the place. In fact, Pizzi said they had to turn more than 100 people away.

Pizzi is already planning next year's New Year's Eve party -- and next weekend, and the weekend after that -- so it looks like the comedy is here to stay.

"We’re really trying to go the extra mile and make it a place that you can come and enjoy yourself," Pizzi said. "I've made sure that every show that we had nothing but the best comedians locally."