George Lopez - Mexi-CAN
October 19, 2008
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George Lopez’s career has been outstanding, and every so often when I watch his stand-up routines I hear him credit that he is one of the few Mexican comedians who can say they hosted their own sit-com. He’s right. In 2005 he broadcasted the hit show “George Lopez” of which he is the co-creator, writer and producer. The show now airs on Nick At Night.
Most of Lopez’s comedy is based on his childhood, growing up in a poverty stricken family living in Mexico with his other siblings. To the average person these stories would be sad, but Lopez has a way to turn them into hilarious puns that will make you laugh and laugh. His execution of the jokes really creates the essence of his performance, with those slap stick poses, sounds and looks he gives while throwing a punch line.
His story is an inspirational one as well, proving no matter where you come from, if you work hard, and are determined enough you will achieve your goals; and he has done just that with a Grammy nominee in 2004 for his CD “Right Now Right Now.” his television appearance on HBO’s, Inside the NFL from 2003-04, and he won the 2003 Imagen Vision Award, 2003 Latino Spirit Award for Excellence in Television and the National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Award. George Lopez broke the race barrier by being the first Latino to host a spot on the Keystone Morning Radio Spot owned by Clear Channel. Another accomplishment by this fantastic comedian is he authored a best selling book “Why You Crying,” an autobiography of his life.
Today Lopez is just as busy acting in movies such as: “Balls of Fury” and most recently released by Disney “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” which he is the voice to the gardener’s dog.
To me, George Lopez is one of the funniest comedians of our time, I adore his show and he’s proven to be one of the most successful Latino performers of the 20th century. He had a line in his show “George Lopez.” where Max said I can’t and George Replied…. “Max your Mexi-CAN not Mexi-Can’t.” and he certainly lives up to that very quote each and every day.
Lynne Koplitz at the Tampa Improv
August 4, 2008
I love to laugh, that’s one of the reasons I enjoy patronizing comedy clubs as much as I do. Life is too serious for all the drama, sometimes you need a break to just sit back and laugh and that is exactly what I intended to do when I went to the Tampa Improv on Friday July 25th to see the headliner “Lynne Koplitz.” Over all I had a wonderful experience, the food was great and so was the performers for the most part; meaning 2 out of the 3 shined.
The Opening “BOMB” Act
The opening act was about 15 minuets or less and honestly it was way too long. I could not wait for that lady to get off the stage. I can’t even remember her name that’s how unimpressed I was with her. Throughout her act, she stood there after telling a joke waiting for some kind of laughter or response, yet all you could hear was the sweat dripping off her face splashing onto the stage, oh and maybe some crickets chirping. Can you say “awkward?” Her entire bit was about bashing Republicans, who filled most of the room, and voicing her hippy ways upon us by bashing religion, glorified same sex marriage, and war jokes all within her show. She would’ve made Pelosi proud had she been there. I don’t know what part of California she came from but her act did not go over well here in Tampa. My advice for her, choose better topics to joke about and don’t use the comic stage to voice your radical liberal opinions, thats what a protest line is for.
The “Featured Act” - John Rathborne
The featured act of the night was John Rathborne. He was actually amusing, a pleasure to watch on stage. His goofy looks, his sharp one liners would easily catch you off guard. I personally loved when he would tell a joke that these two guys in the front row didn’t get, he would try to explain the joke to them sarcastically! My favorite bit of his from the act, was his smoking jokes. ”Ah.. You smoke Camel Lights, so that’s like… I know I’m still going to get cancer from this, but I am in no rush to obtain it.” I love it. The people loved him too, his act lifted the spirits of the crowd, shocked from the opener.
The “Headliner” - Lynne Koplitz
Finally the headliner took stage: Lynne Koplitz. Here is a fantastic comedian whose gorgeous and funny at the same time. Lynne’s act was based on the woman’s point of view with sex and the family life of today. She effectively took real life situations from the past and present and told the joke without lying; the truth is what made it so funny! Men and women alike could easily relate to her truthful comedy and laugh. Quite honestly, with all the male comedians picking fun of the women with sex, it was a nice reprieve to hear a woman’s point of view and joke around about the men!
Another part of Lynne’s act was based on her childhood here in Florida and her mom’s carefree parenting style. She brought to life what parents did back when she was little, like lock the kids up in the car while shopping. If you did that today you would go to jail, back then it was not uncommon, nor illegal… Lynne made great humor of those exact type of situations.
Lynne Koplitz was a great act to watch, she made me laugh throughout the act. The beauty of Lynne’s performance is that she effectively takes things we do everyday, and shows us how funny we actually are doing it. She compares how simple yesterday was to today, making you laugh at how critical and complex we made our lives to be. A brilliant act, and someone I would love to see again next time she rolls through the Tampa Bay area.
A Blast From The Past - Tampa Theatre
July 31, 2008
Sometimes we all wish we could just get into a time machine and go back to the good ole days, forget the present and return to a simpler time. Until they invent such a device, the closest thing we have here in the Tampa Bay area is the nostalgic Tampa Theatre.
Tampa Theatre opened in 1926, and was considered one of the premier theatres in the Tampa Bay area. The designer John Eberson was a master designer of theatres and made only a few around the USA. Having this jewel in our backyard helped put Tampa on the map.
You’ll see from the moment you step foot inside this theater that it is a work of art. Gargoyles loom around the theater walls, the sky glows stars before the show, the ornate furniture still remains in the theater which is of the time period, and the grand marble steps when you enter will take your breath away. Today it’s one of the only two deck theaters still standing, and one of six John Ebersons still in use. Little has changed since Tampa Theatre opened its doors back in October of 1926.
The theater was built in the silent film era, so it’s no surprise that “Ace of Cads,” a silent film, was the first motion picture on their square silver screen. During the life of Tampa Theatre, Disney bestowed the honor of premiering “101 Dalmations.” Premiers are something every theatre dreams of having at their establishment and Disney, one of the biggest names in entertainment today, chose Tampa Theatre to have one.
Unfortunately with the urban sprawl away from downtown Tampa, and theaters started to have multiple screens in one establishment, Tampa Theatre lost its luster throughout the 1960s and 70s. Within this time, the theatre would close, and remained abandoned for quite sometime. Like most theatres back then, demolition was inevitable, but the citizens of Tampa realized what they had and fought to keep the wrecking ball from destroying this beautiful work of art.
In 1973, the City of Tampa took control over the dilapidated theatre and started to restore the palace back to its original glory. In 1978, the theatre was back to its ways, showing independent and nationally acclaimed movies. It also set a standard on theatre restoration for the rest of the country.
In 1988, Tampa Theatre was deemed a historic landmark, an honor not many places are bestowed and now forever ranks as one of the oldest operating theatres in the US, protected by this historic preservation act.
Today Tampa Theatre is run by a non-profit organization. They have independent movies and plays and they continue to bring back the old classics that once played on the square screen in their “Summer Movie Classics” series. The mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ, which was recently completely restored, plays before each movie as an added treat for patrons, it really is a sight to see and hear. Tampa Theatre is good, clean, wholesome fun for the whole family, in a museum-like atmosphere which is a work of art in and of itself.
Angel Out With a Bang
July 27, 2008
For years we watched Criss Angel do death-defying stunts on his A&E show, “Mindfreak.” He pushed the limits of life and bodily endurance with his intense illusions, but now he is ready to call it quits for television, and he will do it right here in Florida.
On Wednesday at 10:56 pm, he will perform his last televised act, live, at the Spyglass Resort in Clearwater, which is set to be imploded — with Criss Angel inside. The act is intense and the escape must be meticulously planned. Angel must first escape from police-issued stainless steel Smith-Wesson handcuffs, pick three door locks, and run up four flights of stairs to the roof. Once on the roof, he must grab a rope ladder dangling from a helicopter which will fly him within 1000 feet of the building for safety before the detonators explode, imploding the hotel. He must do this all with 4 minutes. Criss says his goal is to do it within 2 minuets and 30 seconds to have a “safe” act.
Succeed: he will take his place among the illusionist greats; fail: and he will be covered under 4,500 tons of concrete and meeting the real angels. Either way, an estimated 10,000 people will be on Clearwater beach to witness a miraculous escape or grotesque death of a magical icon.
The stage is set, the anticipation rises as the last ever Mindfreak show will be filmed right in our own backyard. If you can’t make it to the beach, you can watch the stunt LIVE on A&E at 10:00 p.m.
Side Splitters Comedy Club - Tampa Starts To Laugh
July 17, 2008
Since the early 1990s, Side Splitters Comedy Club has been one of the premier places in Tampa to enjoy stand up comedy from both amateurs and professionals alike. The walls are filled with the comp cards of these numerous great performers. Side Splitters Comedy Club even was the birthplace to a few popular comedians, most notably Larry “The Cable” Guy. This was the feat that helped turn Side Splitters into the club it is today.
It wasn’t long before the owners realized the potential this club had, not only for the Tampa Bay area but aspiring comedians too. For years they held an open mic night, where anyone who brought in some of their own people could get on stage and perform. This was later revamped by the owners of the club to be a competition that would make Side Splitters Comedy Club the number one spot in Tampa for amateur comedian’s to develop.
Now the Open Mike competition is a 6 round contest that birth’s one winner who receives a $1000.00 prize pot. This competition is also heavily scouted for comedians who show they are ready to take their act to the next step. If a comedian looks like they have an organized act, write their own material and are moving toward a professional status, Side Splitters will host a special event for them called the “Stand Up Stand Up Comedian Competition.” Similar to the Open Mic, the winner will still get a $1000.00 prize, but they also get a paid gig in another city.
Side Splitter’s doesn’t stop there for amateur comedians. They created a workshop that the owner says takes the comedians from “soup to nuts.” In other words, they will make comp cards, show how to hold the mic, and stand on stage, help tighten up the act and learn promotion and networking.
So with the development of these programs and workshops, Side Splitter’s Comedy Club is the place to be if you are an inspired comedian looking to break into the market. Before you decide to jump in, they gave us some simple tips to follow that will make your start easier and will be information needed down the line anyway.
- Get yourself a website, if not a website at least a MySpace page. Everyone is on the Internet; it’s a great way to promote yourself. Without one, “you might as well be dead.”
- Have some tapes of some of your act. Taped at your home, or something you have done on stage preferably, this will help the booking agent see where you stand, and what your act is about.
- Don’t be shy to promote yourself.
Tommy Blaze - Side Splitters Comedy Club
July 16, 2008
A veteran of the comedy stage, Blaze has appeared in every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse, and doghouse in the country.
In addition to comedy clubs, private corporate events, casinos, cruise ships and colleges, Tommy was a series regular on the nightly comedy series, The Newz, appeared in the hit show Friends, and has starred in the movies Rumpelstiltskin and Viewer Discretion Advised.
His comedy is opinionated, thoughtful, controversial, and admittedly one-sided. If you are married, single, divorced, parents, gay or lesbian, confused, young, desperate, misguided, lost or easily offended, then you need Tommy.
Tickets
July 17, 2008 8:30 PM
July 18, 2008 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM
July 19, 2008 6:00 PM, 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM
July 20, 2008 7:00 PM
Buy your tickets in advance at www.sidesplitterscomedy.com or at the door. Prices are $16.50 for preferred seating.
Tom Simmons - Side Splitters Comedy Club
July 9, 2008
Tom Simmons
of Comedy Central and BET!
July 10 - 13
Tickets on sale at the box office or online at www.sidesplitterscomedy.com
Experiencing a Tom Simmons show is like watching your best friend entertain you with today’s top headlines and issues. He has appeared on Comedy Central, Showtime, BET, NBC, and has written for numerous comedians. You will see the entire gambit of comedy, the energetic, the detailed story, cleverness that is quick and effecting all with a sheepish grin and a disarming edginess that leaves attentive audiences knowing both the man and themselves a little better. Quite simply, Tom Simmons is one of the funniest comedian you have never heard of. All three of his CDs are played regularly on both XM and Sirius and are available on iTunes.
Tampa Improv - Return Of The Average White Guy
July 2, 2008
This week at the Tampa Improv…
Return Of The Average White Guy
Staring Roy Johnson & Al Romas with special guests… Patrick Melton & Mike McCarthy
7/2 - 8:00 PM
7/3 - 8:00 PM
7/4 - 10:30 PM
7/5 - 7:30 PM & 10:00 PM
All shows are 21 and up except Friday at 10:30 PM, 18 & up. Tickets are $14.00 for full menu showroom. Tampa Improv is a non-smoking facility. No admittance 1/2 hour after the show starts.
Purchase Tickets: http://www.symfonee.com/improv/tampa/attractions/index.aspx
The Tampa Improv is located at:
1600 E. 8th Ave
Centro Ybor
Tampa, FL 33605
Chris Rock at TBPAC for Two Shows
July 1, 2008
Former star of Saturday Night Live, movie star, and stand up comedian extraordinaire Chris Rock is coming to Tampa for July 2nd and 3rd at 7:30 p.m. at Carol Morsani Hall at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in downtown Tampa.
His new act, “No Apologies World Tour,” has been getting rave reviews and has plenty of new content with topics touching (and slamming) politics, culture, and anything else that he deems worthy of stabbing fun at.
Tickets are $55.50-$99.50 and can be purchased at TBPAC, tbpac.org, or 813.229.7827.
Lyrical Hip-Hop Takes Center Stage
June 25, 2008
The amazing husband and wife choreography team, Napoleon and Tabitha D’Umo, are taking the hip-hop routines on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” to an all new level. What is completely different about their routines is that they are no longer just tricks and hitting hard; they mean something. There is a story to be told, emotions to be felt, and a floor for viewers’ jaws to hit.
Each week, my favorite routines have either been their contestants or included their contestants. One week it was a soldier leaving his wife to go to war, another routine was a pair doing a jailbreak, and a husband leaving his wife to go to work, but it was breaking her heart.
Tonight was the first time I had heard the term, “lyrical hip-hop,” but it struck me as a profound category. Some of my favorite routines on the show have been the free-style genres, like jazz, hip-hop, Krump, and the occasional contemporary. What was always lacking from hip-hop and Krump was any sort of audience connection, other than pushing pants lower and turning ball caps to the side and screaming wildly. I admit that I can get plenty riled up with a great hip-hop, but it’s purely for the “wow” factor and the energy level. Emotions are cool, though.
The hitting is still there, and the popping is just as strong as any dance routine, but there is an emotional bond between the performers and the audience. Gone are the days where the viewers will be satisfied to have seen a bunch of hot tricks and steps strung together…
That’s how it is in my book anyway.
