Off the Stage: API Comedians Talk About Comedy and Race August 17, 2006

Off the Stage: API Comedians Talk About Comedy and Race

Thursday, August 17, 2006
7:00-9:30pm
Japanese Cultural & Community Center
1840 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
rsvp @ http://www.thirdthursdays.org/rsvp.php

Ever have that nightmare where you are the only Asian person in a bar somewhere in the middle of nowhere America? Now imagine being on stage trying to make everyone in the bar laugh at your jokes. It might seem like an impossible task, but every year more and more young Asian Americans are popping into the world of stand-up comedy and drawing a strong fan base. With the success of rising star comedians like Dat Phan, winner of the first season of NBC's Last Comic Standing, and now with "Asia Street Comedy" on the International Channel -- the first Asian American comedy show of its kind on television -- it is clear that race-infused comedy is becoming one of the main ways that people are introduced to the Asian American experience.

Come and hear from our panel of Bay Area-based comedians who will share their experiences being young rising comedians in the stand-up comedy world. Find out how, or if, they incorporate their API identities in their routines and what goes into making those decisions. The panel will also attempt to explore the broader topic of race-based comedy and where some of the fuzzy lines are with regard to comedy and stereotyping.

Panelists include:

* Nitin Kant
http://www.nitincomedy.com/
Co-Host of
The Mock Cafe

* Tapan Trivedi
http://www.indiancomedian.com
Organizer of:
Pundits With Punchlines

* Ali Wong
http://www.aliwong.com

Pricing Plan:
recommended donation w/dinner: $10, $15 or $20
recommended donation for program and refreshments only: $5
no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
donation supports refreshments, room rental, and any honoria or fee waivers

Questions:
questioncomment@thirdthursdays.org

To RSVP:
Please fill out the rsvp form @ http://www.thirdthursdays.org/rsvp.php by Tuesday, August 15th at 5pm.

Schedule:
7:00-7:15PM: Registration
7:15-8:15PM: Panel Discussion
8:15-9:15PM: Dinner & Discussion Groups
9:15-9:20PM: Wrap up & Shout outs*
*If an organization you work or volunteer for has an upcoming event or opportunities to publicize, you can do a shout out. At a future event, we may ask you to update us on event or opportunities you presented.

Official Website: http://www.thirdthursdays.org/upcoming.php