Your joke is in the mail

On Monday, 5/18, I received a magazine in the mail. Now, this is not a magazine that I subscribe to, but it was addressed to me. It is Parents Magazine. I got a good chuckle out of it and found it to be interesting that it arrived in my mailbox 4 days after my girlfriend broke up with me. Was there something she didn't tell me?... I joked. The came Tuesday, and again, there was another Parents Magazine waiting for me in the mailbox. Already the next issue!

Is someone playing a joke on me, I thought. Two days in a row, really? Did I get really drunk again? Is this because they know I just got a new four-door 2008 Honda Civic and that means that I am looking to start a family? (look at the magazine on the left "Best Car Bargains for Families").... And ya know what? I still haven't thrown them away. Maybe I can get a MILF this way! Hey, there is a 20% coupon to Gymboree inside. I can't let that go to waste, can I? Okay, yes I can. I went to the bank today and my roommate waited in the car. I didn't even roll down the window for him... maybe I should look more at these magazines.

A fellow comedian says goodbye

The Bay Area Comedy world lost a good friend today. Known as "Crazy Boy" to many of us, Marvin Rodriguez was a comedian with a huge heart, passion, and energy.

I performed with Marvin at various open mic nights and he was always a fun guy. He suffered two heart attacks and survived them both. Today, I learned he passed away from Cancer.

Back when I ran an open mic/showcase at the El Patron Restaurant in East San Jose, Marvin asked if he could come and headline the show. I told him to stop on by. His material ended up killing that night and had everyone in the place laughing. He would come by again and it was always good to see him. He gave me the opportunity to perform at his CD Recording Show at the Quarter Note in Sunnyvale. I accepted the offer. The Quarter Note was packed that night. Nobody can ever say that Marvin did not promote his shows. He promoted the hell out of them and you couldn't ask for anything more as a booker and as a fellow comedian.

You will be missed Crazy Boy, rest in peace.

The April Gilroy and Morgan Hill Shows

The monthly comedy shows that I produce and host were this week at The Gaslighter in Gilroy on Wednesday, April 29th, and Morgan Hill Playhouse on Thursday, April 30th. Both shows went great. The comedians I had on the bill with me for April were Jim Panetta, Beth Schumann, and headliner Kenny Kane.

Both shows went really well. Kenny Kane even got a standing ovation at the end of the show on Wednesday. It was well deserved.

I have known Jim Panetta for a while now. We both started our comedy careers around the same time and performed many shows together at The Gaslighter that used to be in Campbell. He was only 16 years old then and now he is still just 21. It is always cool to see people get early starts in stand-up. It will definitely prove to be in his favor. I appreciate Jim's comedy greatly. Having worked with him before, I understand his comedy and where he is coming from. A lot of people are shocked by the edgy material that comes from his mouth, but this is a guy who has lost his father and has a mother who has been to rehab on more than one occasion... oh, and he also dropped out of high school. Jim's set is based on truth and his motto his "The Truth is Said in Jest." He has always been one of my favorites to work with and watch him grow.

Beth Schumann and I go a ways back as well. I met her while I was doing my courses at the San Francisco Comedy College and have performed with her at other bay area venues along the way. She is a quirky personality that I always enjoy watching perform and definitely high on the list of my favorite female comics.

As for Kenny Kane... I cannot say enough good things about him. The man is a huge ball of energy. Think along the lines of Robin Williams type energy with some of the crazy antics of Jim Carrey. The man knows how to get the audience involved. I met Kenny for the first time a couple years ago when he did the Morgan Hill show and rocked it then. Go check out Kenny Kane perform sometime if you get the chance and you will know exactly what I mean.

Kenny Kane and me in Morgan Hill

In May, we will have another great show. Mickey Joseph will be the headliner. Come on and check it out if you can. Just be sure to get there early as the shows have a good chance of selling out! Visit www.gilroycomedy.com or www.morganhilcomedy.com for more info!