Geoff Whiting, one of Britain’s most successful stand-up comedians graced the Baby Blue Banana stage last night at the Sziget Klub. After thirteen years in the comedy business, Geoff Whiting has worked with such diverse names and talents as Dom Jolly, Reeves and Mortimer and Anne Robinson. He has also worked on TV in programmes such as Celebrity Fame Academy, Young Gifted and Broke, The Big Call and the One Show. MC David Trayford again opened the procedings, and mentioned something that has rang a bell with me - that all of us in the audience are probably very well-known, but not in our home countries. Geoff put on a good, energetic show and he kept smiles on our faces the entire night.

The evening could have been marred by a very unpleasant event, but since this is a positive blog, I will find the silver lining. I want to thank the young Norwegian racist anti-semite that joined our table after the show. Because of his comments, I was reminded that we cannot become complacent in thinking those times are long behind us. I also want to thank Luca for stepping in and claiming to be Jewish to try and deflect some of the vitriol. A rare act of courage and kindness from a virtual stranger.

Oddly enough, I had just completed Dick Gregory's autobiography "Nigger." My friend Frederik had recommended the book to me in college 20 years ago and I finally found a copy. It was worth the wait and worth the read. Track star, drummer, presidential candidate, civil rights activist... and of course stand-up comic, Gregory is still active and ranked 81st on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Standups. The book is extremely well-written, and I do not read autobiographies often. The one thing that stands out, and is worth remembering, is when he says, "I am not poor, just broke." There is a world of difference.

Baby Blue Banana is next bringing comic Paul Foot on August 4th.