By Mikey Eckstein

We are happy to announce the return of the Detroit Comedy Jam at the brand-new Cambria Detroit Hotel. The four-show event on March 8th & 9th will feature John Stamos, with Detroits own Mike Binder, Heather Jay, along with the one & only Howie Mandel.

This is up close and as personal as you are going to get!

We had a chance to catch up with Mike Binder to discuss this exciting news. Here is a bit of our conversation:

ME: What area did you grow up in?
MB: Detroit 7mile and Livernois and then we moved to Birmingham when I was in fifth grade.

ME: What are 3 or more of your favorite restaurants to dine at in the Metro Detroit/ Detroit area?
MB: American Coney Island, Lafayette, Coney Island, and Onassis Coney Island.

ME: What is your favorite Detroit venue to see a show at?
MB: Royal Oak Theatre

ME: What is your favorite Detroit venue that you have performed at?
MB: Little Caesars Hockey arena (coolest job I ever had though was opening for Miles Davis at Pine Knob when I was 21.)

ME: What was the 1st film project that you were involved with and at what age were you?
MB: Coupdeville and I was 29 years old.

ME: What was your 1st “stand up” gig in the Detroit area?
MB: The Delta Lady in Royal Oak, and The Blind Pig in Arbor.

ME: You're “revamping the Detroit Comedy Jam” series March 8th and 9th at the brand new Cambria Hotel in Detroit , can you tell us a little bit about what people can expect?
MB: It’s going to be a great night of comedy and music and laughter. Myself, Howie Mandel, John Stamos, Heather Jay and a few surprise guests.

ME: Where can people get tickets?
MB: www.detroitcomedyjam.com

ME: How long have you had a working relationship working relationship with Howie Mandel?
MB: We’ve been friends over 40 years. He’s one of the greatest guys I know. We all started together. He, Dave Coulier, Tim Allen, Jim Carrey all playing Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle and the Comedy Corner in Windsor, and Yuk Yuks in Toronto.

ME: Do you expect to see some Detroit legends at the Cambria at the shows?
MB: For sure. It’s going to surprise a lot of people who we bring to these monthly shows.