Posts Tagged ‘Comedy’

Laughter is a great way to close out February 2010 and MAD-TV alumni Bobby Lee is set to deliver at Pipeline Cafe Friday February 26^th and February 27^th, performing at 7PM.  A native of San Diego Bobby Lee mines his Korean heritage and ‘goofy’ looks for humor delivering lots of laughs with insightful observations as well as delightful impersonations.

On the screen Bobby Lee has channeled Connie Chung and Kim Jong Il, as well as creating original characters such as ‘Blind Kung Fu Master’ the World’s worst interpreter “Bae Sung”Johnny Gan.’  and without argument his funniest character the comically inept movie critic ‘Bobby Lee has popped up in many films, notably “Hardbreakers,” “Kickin’ It Old Skool,” “Killer Pad” and “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle,” and one can only hope that he gets a starring role and soon.

Pipeline Cafe, at 808 Pohukaina St (get directions, continues its tradition of bringing top name comedians to Honolulu. For tickets call 1-877-71-GROOV (47668).  Do not pass up this opportunity to laugh at the antics of Bobby Lee.

In the mood for comedy?  Then run away to Kauai where the new theatre company, Oceanside Productions, presents “The Complete History of America (abridged).”

The show is a ninety minute romp from pre-settlement America to the unsettled politics of modern America.  It was penned by Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor whose “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)” delighted residents & visitors alike on Kaua`i resulting in two sold out shows.

“The Complete History of America (abridged)” was a smash London production with a lengthy run, winning rave reviews wherever it has played.  It will be played on Kaua’i by a pair of local favorites, actors Ross Martineau and Jeff Demma, along with veteran actor Nellie Foster.  “The Complete History of America (abridged)” is set to begin Thursday February 18 2010 at the Aston Kauai Beach at Maka’iwa and is set for February 19, 25 and 26 and March 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 and 26.

Tickets are $35 and available via www.oceansideproductions.com.

Escape the midweek blues with laughter when comedian Loni Love appears at The Pipeline Café (805 Pohukaina St, Honolulu, HI) Wednesday January 20 2010 at 7:30PM.  A versatile actress with a growing list of credits on stage, television and on the big screen, Loni Love has been named by Variety Magazine and Comedy Central as one of the top ten comics to watch while the magazine Campus Activity honored Love as its’ ‘Top Comic for 2009.’

Born in Houston, Texas in 1971, a Detroit Michigan native, Loni Love has earned a loyal following of all ages for a recurring role on Nickelodeon’s ‘Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide,’ correspondent work for CNN’s ‘D.L Hughley Breaks The News’ covering President Barrack Obama’s Inauguration, and the ‘Dr Oz Show.’ Loni Love is a regular on the E! Network’s ‘Chelsea Lately,’ has made appearances on ‘The Late Show with Jay Leno’ and ‘The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn,’ and many more shows.

Loni Love is also quite smart, working as an engineer for IBM before breaking into comedy, her resume lists an amusing assortment of talents in addition to stand-up: basketball, golf, tae bo, cooking, and playing the French Horn and Flute.

Loni Love is taking a break from her usual venue, colleges & universities, to appear at The Pipeline Café, a whirlwind schedule that has her at Truman State University on January 15^th and Nichols State University in Louisiana January 29^th. Tickets for Love’s show are $20 & $40 plus the usual fees.  One is also encouraged to scope out Love’s colorful website.

January 2010 is shaping up as a Month of Legends here in Honolulu.  Elton John and Al Green will be providing music & song and Bill Cosby will be generating laughter at the Neil Blaisdell Center Friday January 15 2009 for two shows; 6:30 and 9:30 PM.

Philadelphian Bill Cosby born on July 12 1937 began his comedy career in nightclubs throughout the US of A and Canada during the early 1960s establishing a friendly laid back persona that was a jarring contrast to an increasingly turbulent era. Cosby snagged six Grammy Awards for best comedy album from 1965 to 1970. Cosby broke racial barriers appearing as an espionage agent on I SPY on American television from 1965 to 1968.  No one had ever seen a ‘black’ actor portray a genuine hero especially with such nonchalance & suave bravado, a performance earning Cosby three Emmys.

Cosby concentrated on his career as a nightclub comedian and movie actor for a number of years, with only an occasional foray into television land with specials and short lived variety shows, before returning to television in the mid 1980s.

Disgruntled by the lack of positive role models for minorities, Bill Cosby once again broke barriers with The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992, breaking a long standing television tradition of ‘broken black families’ usually poor & struggling, instead Bill Cosby played a doctor whose wife was an attorney, raising five children, comfortably upper middle class, the Huxtables remain a beloved American family, all barriers stripped away, a staple of syndicated television.

Bill Cosby left high school before earning a diploma, enlisting in the US Navy in 1956, though he did snag a high school equivalency degree and an athletic scholarship to Temple University, dropping out during his sophomore year to pursue his career as a comedian.  Comedy has obviously earned Bill Cosby an education; he was awarded a Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts in 1977 and in many circles he is as famous for teaching valuable life lessons as he is for delivering laughter, often laughter is the vehicle for those important lessons.

An odd bit of trivia, Bill Cosby has a fascination with the letter E, often attributed as a nod to Excellence, a list of his children will attest: Erika (b. 8 April 1965), Erinn (b. 23 July 1966), Ennis (15 April 1969 – 16 January 1997), Ensa (b. 8 April 1973) and Evin (b. 27 August 1976).  Sadly son Ennis was murdered in 1977, to honor his son, Bill and his wife Camille established “Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation in their son’s memory to fund teachers of students with learning disabilities.”

Bill Cosby’s comedy show should prove a tonic for the post Christmas blues, those seeking tickets are directed to Ticketmaster via 1-800-745-3000 or via Ticket Master.  For additional info about Bill Crosby scope out Bill Cosby’s Biography, or his IMDB article and everyone interested in learning how to be a better father should seek out his wonderful book Fatherhood released in 1986.

One of Honolulu’s most delightful Holiday Traditions returns to the C’est Si Bon Ballroom at the Pagoda Hotel (1515 Rykroft St) on Friday December 4 2009.  Comedian Frank De Lima’s Christmas Show is always a delight for the entire family complete with family friendly hours.  The fantastic Pagoda Prime Rib & Crab Legs Buffet at 6 PM, followed by Frank’s show at 7PM. Frank’s show remains a bargain a mere $50.00 for Adults, or those age three to ten, $25.00.  Reservations are a must, contact the Pagoda via 808-948-8370 or go to their website www.pagodahotel.com.

Frank De Lima is one of Hawai’i’s living treasures, entertaining the Aina for more than thirty years (ever since he was in diapers), creating a wild array of comical characters, crafting musical parodies delighting tourists & locals alike, with the musical duo of David Kauahikaua and Bobby Nishida, De Lima has headlined nightclubs, performed numerous sold-out concerts locally and on the mainland US of A, Emceed events throughout Hawaii and Frank has produced numerous audio & visual works. As of 2009 Frank’ has released three videos and 13 comedy albums, 11 of which have won the coveted Na Hoku Hanohano Award.

Are you looking for that perfect Holiday gift?  Give the gift of education by supporting Frank De Lima’s Student Enrichment Program.  “You can also make a difference in the lives of Hawaii’s students. For a $1,000 donation to the Frank De Lima Student Enrichment Program, Frank will deliver a first-rate, 30-minute performance for you and your guests. Please contact Frank at 808-521-4529 for more information,” or scope out http://www.frankdelima.com/speaker.html.

Friday November 27 2009 be prepared to give your laugh muscles a complete workout when Gabriel Iglesias brings his comical tales & charismatic facial contortions & comical voices to the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Gabriel Iglesias, AKA Fluffy or Pichau, is one of the hottest comedians around. Though often billed as a Latino Comedian Garbriel’s comedy crosses all nationalities and is truly driven by his unique perspective as a person who is fat and not afraid to admit it though he does redefine fat as being one of five or six levels: big, healthy, husky, fat, fluffy and “damn,” plus a sixth level you will have to discover by exploring his comedy.

Gabriel Iglesias was born in San Diego thirty two years ago, found his way to Los Angeles/Long Beach, and broke into the comedy scene early in the decade of the double zeros. Currently starring in a Comedy Central Special, “I’m Not Fat I’m Fluffy” debut November 8th, Gabriel Iglesias has appeared on episodes of “My Wife & Kids,” Showtimes’ “Resurrection Boulevard,” while his stand-up has been featured on shows as diverse as BET’s “Comic View,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Good Morning America,” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” In 2005 Iglesias won a Kid’s Choice Award for the Nickelodeon Show “All that.” Gabriel Iglesias comedy is a true delight, the mark of a genius who composes clever concise stories with a rich pay-off narrated by a versatile voice, unique facial contortions and perhaps not so surprisingly graceful body language. His performance at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall ought to be a much needed comedic shot in the arm this holiday season. Priced at a modest $35 for reserved seating, you can purchase tickets at Neal S. Blaisdell Center Box Office or via Ticket Master phone, online or outlet locations.

Readers are encouraged to scope out this article as well as his site. Don’t pass up this opportunity to see Gabriel Iglesias Friday November 27 2009.

When you find yourself in the middle of a hectic work week take a comedy break. Seriously, laughter is the best remedy for the midweek blues.  Outrageous good fun is on tap at The Pipeline Café (805 Pohukaina St) Wednesday, November 11, 2009 when writer-comedian-actor Bruce Vilanch performs.

Bruce Vilanch is the jokester behind some of the liveliest quips at the ‘Oscars,’ a versatile and entirely original entertainer whose long association with Singer Bette Midler earns him status as ‘kamaina.’  Recently shorn of thirty years of facial hair, Vilanch retains the shaggy blond mop and hulking figure that in of itself provides a visual punch line to many of his antics.  Never ‘pretty’ Vilanch has always been pretty darn funny whether tossing off quips as the center square on the 1998 version of Hollywood Squares or as himself in several movies (catch him in the grossly underrated ‘Ice Pirates’ – 1984).

Bruce Vilanch started his career as a feature writer for The Chicago Tribune, using his status to smooze with celebrities; he met a struggling nightclub singer and told her that she needed to talk more to display her penchant for comedy.  Bette Midler took his advice, they became the best of friends, and Bruce went on to write her first big Broadway show ‘Clams on the Half Shell’ in 1974.  Vilanch co-wrote ‘Divine Madness’ for Ms M, as well as ‘Diva Las Vegas’ and her self titled television show in year 2000.

But Bruce’s most potent punch has been writing for the Academy Awards Ceremony since 1989, working with hosts as diverse as Whoopi Goldberg, David Letterman, Billy Crystal, and others, winning two Emmys along the way.  Naturally the Emmy telecast has also engage Bruce’s services as have The Tony’s, The Grammy’s,  and just about every other award show on the tube.  Vilanch is a lively and tireless performer whose shows are said to be simply fabulous.

Tickets & other information via Pipeline Café 805 Pohukaina St. Honolulu, HI USA 96813, Email: jedroa@yahoo.com Phone: 808-589-1999.

For more info, a special tribute to Bruce Vilanch, “the man who put the F U in funny,” scope out http://www.wegotbruce.com/about.htm.

Amidst an economic crisis of epic proportions people need to laugh and that prescription for laughter can be filled at Honolulu’s famed Laughtrack Theater at 1123 Bethel Street in the heart of the Arts District. Friday August 21st marks the first ever collaboration between the Cherry Blossom Cabaret (CBC) and the Laughtrack Theater Company (LTC), together they intend to ‘send-up’ the current economic turmoil, locally as well as nationally and internationally, a Global Outreach of Laughter.

Honolulu’s Laughtrack Theater is both a school and a theater, training students in the art of improvisational comedy, encouraging students to spread the joy of laughter, making its debut on Friday September 5 2008. Kim Potter and Shannon Winpenny are the co-owners & key instructors at the Laughtrack, Hawai’i born & bred, each separately found their way to Chicago where they learned the fundamentals of comedy, collided and decided to collaborate upon their return to Honolulu, You can check out their story via http://laughtracktheater.com/history.html .

The Bethel Street Bailout Revue promises to be a vaudeville style program with comedy interspersed with song & dance, in the style on an early 1930’s film; ‘singing, talking, dancing, burlesque, improv!’ There will be two showings, 8PM and 10PM on Friday August 21 and again on Friday August 28th.

Admission is a steal: a mere $15 general admission.  Bring a donation of canned goods (SPAM would be most appropriate), and pay $12. In the words of their flyer, ”Bring Canned Goods to Donate, Bring Canned Beer (and more) to Drink (BYOB for 21 and older).” When bringing beverage, do not forget it is customary to brink a bottle of wine or ‘hard’ liquor for the players (Opening night etiquette calls for Champagne & Whiskey)!

Tickets can be reserved in advance via info@laughtracktheater.con or by calling 808-384-3362.

Book Lovers Rejoice – - – the Fourth Annual Hawai’i Book and Music Festival will be held on the grounds of the Honolulu Hale on May 16th and 17th from 10AM to 8PM.  Sponsored by the Bank of Hawai’i, along with a whole bunch of terrific co-sponsors, the Hawai’i Book & Music Festival just keeps getting bigger and better.  It is a celebration of books and music providing an excellent opportunity for folks to meet & mingle with many of their favorite authors as well as introducing folks to books & music of every description; new books & titles, old books & titles yearning to be rediscovered, whatevers!

This is one of those events that the entire family will want to attend.  There will be exhibits by publishers & authors, lots of talk story & music, poetry readings, comedy and panel discussions by authors & editors & others versed in the art of the spoken and musical word.

The festival has expanded for 2009 with two evening concerts from 5 to 8 PM.  The retailing giant Target presents Jake Shimabukuro on Saturday May 16 2009, while Outrigger Hotels sponsors KANI KA PILA and a 6-Band Competition.  But you do not have to wait to be entertained; there will be exciting activities throughout the event, such as “NEW! HAWAII CHORUS SHOWCASE: 8 spectacular choruses Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus, Windward Choral Society, Sweet Adelines, Sounds of Aloha, Honolulu Gay Men’s Chorus, La Pietra, Iolani, MidPac.”

One of the most popular pavilions is the ‘Talk Story Stage’ where one can watch/listen to many of Hawai’i’s best story tellers, among those listed for 2009; Jeff Gere, Tita Cathy Collins, Ed Chevy, Nyla Fujii-Baab, Sandra MacLees, James McCarthy, Lopaka Kapanui.  There will be also be playwright slams, poetry and more.

The Hawai’i’an Culture & Language Pavilion will feature the “Akaka Bill, Origins of Hawaiian Literacy, Haena, Hawaiian Blood, Native Men Are Made Mythology, “ along with Fiction & Non Fiction Hula and Chant.”

There will also be a Keiki Stage where the terrific comedian/actor Billy Sage will read Dr Seuss, which in and of itself is reason to celebrate, check program for time.  The Keiki Stage will also feature “8 Musicals, Comedy Improv, No Sweat Shakespeah, 2 Ukulele Demos, Fight Choreography,” and “Terrence Knapp/Willows in the Wind.”

Various Hawai’i restaurants will have food booths where one can buy ‘grinds’ and for those in need of a caffeine fix Starbucks sponsors an ‘open air Festival Café.’

There will be plenty of new & old books for sale plus the Bank of Hawai’i hosts a Book Swap wherein the past thousands of books were exchanged. In fact there is so much fun to be had that readers are encouraged to scope out the website for the festival: http://www.hawaiibookandmusicfestival.org/home.html.

Now here is ‘the kicker.’  All of this fun is free!  Yea, yea, you might have to pay for a book and a plate lunch, but all the rest of the fun, the poetry slams, the talk story, even keiki rides & activities, all of this is FREE!  Occasionally Tax Dollars get well spent!  Not only is the event free but there is free parking close by and naturally the Honolulu Hale Civic grounds are easy to walk to or to get to via bus.

This is one Festival that you will want to attend.

As an earlier article said, there are plenty of reasons to run away to Maui during the month of March — so much stuff that it requires a second article to get through the middle of March to write about the terrific comedy, music, talk, and visual arts at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, One Cameron Way, Kahului, Maui. For All Events (except the free ones!) contact the MACC Box Office via 808-242-Show (7469) or check out their cool web site at http://www.mauiarts.org/.

Laughter is a terrific tonic during troubled times. Comic Augie T brings his wit & wisdom to the McCoy Studio Theater 7:30 PM Friday March 13 2009. Part of the MACC’s on-going Local Voices Series, Augie Tulba has earned a solid reputation as a comedian with his many concerts, CDs, a rep verified by Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and a Hawai‘i Music award for his comedy recordings. With support in part by National Endowment for the Arts, State Foundation for Culture and the Arts, County of Maui and KAOI Radio Group, Augie T’s show is a steal for $25, or half price for children 12 years of age or younger.

Laughter continues the next night again at 7:30PM at the McCoy Studio Theater, Saturday March 14 2009, for this act this writer will rely on the quote issued by the Maui Arts Website. “Manhattan Mama’s Coconut Cabaret :UNITARD, Take your mind off the tanking economy with an hour of irreverence and caustic comedy! UNITARD, the wildly twisted, brilliantly outspoken, hilariously fecund tested, ready, now comedy trio returns with an all new show. Mike Albo (the Underminer), Nora Burns (Nellie Olesons) and David Ilku (Duelling Bankheads) aka Unitard are bringing their latest loose-lipped comedy show to the McCoy Studio Theater. Come for cocktails in the courtyard, stay for druggy celeb impressions, fashion psychics, YouTube take-offs, evil social commentary and political dish. “Go see this!, a satirical triumph with no time to apologize for it’s hipness” – Boston Globe.  For more information: www.neocomedy.com . “ All of this craziness for $20.00 a ticket (adult content).

After laughter, ‘Talk Story & Music’ is on tap for Sunday, March 15 at 5PM at the McCoy Studio Theater, when the MACC Local Voices series presents ‘Home: Inside & Out.’ “Lono Padilla of Maui, Robert Ke‘ano Ka‘upu of Hawai‘i Island, and Chadwick Pang of O‘ahu—all of whom are hula-trained, musically-educated, and firmly grounded in Hawai‘i,” present  “Through hula, music and narrative the audience sees the world through the eyes of three young Hawaiians, born and raised on three different islands, who have come together in Honolulu. A series of vignettes explores the connections to “home” in the deepest sense of belonging and identity, within the backdrop of place, family, friends, values and emotions.” Home: Inside & Out is made possible through The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian Visual and Expressive Arts Program through a generous gift from The Ford Foundation.
Once more a great deal, $20.00 for a ticket to what ought to be an enlightening as well as entertaining evening.

And just when one figures that terrific entertainment can’t get any more inexpensive, the Castle Theater offers up two FREE concerts featuring the rising young talents of Maui. Monday March 16 one can enjoy the Lahainaluna High School Band at 7pm, and on Tuesday March 17th the Baldwin High School Band. Wow!

Just to satiate all of the senses, beginning on March 15th through April 30th, on Tuesdays through Sundays, from 11AM to 5PM, the Schaefer International Gallery presents “Crosscurrents: Jun Kaneko and David Kuraoka, two master artists of the ceramic revolution, who share a long friendship and a love of clay. Kaneko (who created the sets and costumes for the opera Madam Butterfly) exhibits a range of media exploration, with drawing, painting, ceramic and glass. Kuraoka crosses boundaries through mysterious surface effects created through pit-fire, countered with smooth wheel-thrown porcelain, glazed tile and cast bronze forms.” Admission is Free.