Carlease's
 
Bits 'N Pieces
Free Comedy Showcase in Long Beach
February 2008
Dear  
 
Welcome to Carlease's Bits N Pieces. 
This ezine is for comics and fans of stand-up comedy. 
I host a comedy room at Hot Java Coffee House in Long Beach every third Saturday of the month at 8PM.  The show is called Laugh-A-Latte and features a versatile blend of your favorite gourmet stand ups.  Some are seasoned comics working out new material, some are new going up for the first time, and others are returning to the stage cause they just can't stay away. Let's not forget the fans...we have been brewing up a packed house for one full year!!
I have been interviewed by several local publications and appeared on The Paula McColm show on UTV/Charter Communications.
 
There is no cover charge, just buy a cup of coffee, a pastry and be sure to tip your baristas.
 
 
Hot Java cake
 
 
LAUGH-A-LATTE CELEBRATES ITS
 
 
ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY
 
As promised, we celebrated our 1st anniversary in grand fashion, Hot Java style.  As you can see Vanessa and Ken outdid themselves and purchased this beautiful cake (pictured above) and allowed us to the bring the funny til 11:45PM!!!  I want to thank them for my gorgeous orchids, Italian scarf and Hot Java mug.  Wow!!  Laugh A Latte now has it's own specialty drink called the Car-Latte.  Come on down for a drink special available only on show night.
For a complete eye witness report on all of the evening's festivites , please visit my friend's blog at www.myspace.com/djzenway  I didn't even have to pay her to say all those wonderful things!!
 
I must confess that I was on a high not only due to the anniversary, but I had 4 extremely important people visiting from the east coast that weekend.  My cousins, who happen to all be musicians were here for the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) convention in Anaheim.  Three of them are brothers (two drummers and a saxophone player) and the four of us first of all, had not seen each other at the same in over 20 years and secondly probably had never seen each other without our parents being in the room. The last time I saw the youngest, Steve, he was "my little cousin Stevie".  Now he's a 6 ft., 40 year old grown ass man!! (I just hired him and his wife to design my website....we're keeping it in the family). I hadn't seen the oldest, Chip (yes, a brotha named Chip) in quite a while, but kept in touch with Darryl, the one in the middle because he's been on the west coast frequently touring with many artists we know and love. 
 
Carlease, Darryl, Chip and Steve Dixon
Carlease (seated) and from L - R
Chip, Steve and Darryl Dixon
 
 
Darryl Dixon and Dave Watson are the founders of Chops Horns who have played with the likes of Parliament Funkadelics, Sugar Hill Gang, Sting, The Police, Christina Aquilera and Alicia Keyes and on Saturday, January 19th, they played at Laugh A Latte!!! And...they got jokes!!  They literally blew the roof of the sucka and if you weren't there...shame on you! 
 
Chops Horns
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Darryl "Cool Notes" Dixon and Dave "Can't Stop 100 Watt" Watson play at Hot Java
 
 
You can see Chops Horns on Feb.22 (check your local listings for time) on The BET Honors where they will be part of the house band behind Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Jill Scott, Neyo and Gladys Knight.  All horn arrangements are by Darryl Dixon and the show's musicial director is Ray Chew.
Want even more CHOPS??
Visit their website:  www.chopshorns.com
 
 
Our next Laugh A Latte is Saturday, February 16th and features the stand up comedy of:
 
Robert Murray
Beverly Haut
Cynthia Levin
and two headliners,
Mike Neubecker
and
Henrietta
with your fabulous host, CARLEASE!
 
 
 
Carlease's
Upcoming Television Apperances
 
Sweet Nothing
 
April 2008
Hallmark Movie of the Week
"Sweet Nothing In My Ear"
CBS
 
Sweet Nothing In My Ear is a touching story about a couple's difficult decision regarding a cochlear implant operation for their Deaf son.  Marlee Matlin plays the mother, Jeff Daniels is the dad and Carlease Burke portrays Jennifer Kramer, principal of the Deaf school their son attends. 
Tune in and watch her work!!
 
 

Celebrity Sightings

Laugh A Latte Comics
Carlease with Alice Walker (she wrote The Color Purple in case you didn't know!)
NIA Collective -  Nov. 2007
In This Issue
Upcoming TV Appearances
Celebrity Sightings
Where Is Hot Java?
How Do I Get A Spot?
When Are The 2008 Shows?
Comedy Tip of the Month
Carlease!
sexy light blue 
Car - lease' (n.) - talent built to last; option to buy
 
Bits N Picees Productions
310-663-3044
 
 
***COMING SOON***

Where Is Hot Java?

2101 E. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90803
562-433-0688
 
Myra & Jeff
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                          
 
      
How Do I Get A Spot?
 
We're booked 'til July 2008!!
Booking now for:
July 19th
August 16th
September 20th
October 18th
November 15th
December 20th
 
Call or email:
310-663-3044

When Are The 2008 Shows?

 
Every third Saturday of the month
 
SHOWTIME 8PM
Comedy Tip of the Month
 
By any means necessary.
Willing to go to any lengths.
Go the extra mile.
How far will you go for success in your career?
This month, Stand Up Dad Mike Neubecker will travel a few thousand extra miles for some stage time. Mike and I met when I hosted ComedyFest in Detroit, Mich last year.  I was instantly drawn to his energy, his spirit and his warm personality.  After telling him about my room at Hot Java, he said he would love to perform there.  I thought he meant the next time he was on vacation in So Cal, so imagine my surprise when he emailed to tell me that he was coming to Long Beach specifically to do my show.  I said, "Dude.  It's just a workout room."  His reply? "So, it will be my West Coast comedy debut." 
<silence>
 
Mike has been doing stand up since 1998 and lately his act includes material about having an openly gay son.  His appearance at Laugh A Latte will be a "first" on many levels.
 
So think about your career.  What doors are you willing to open for yourself?  Are you worth the investment of the time and money it takes to market yourself and put your talents in front of people who can hire you?  Now I know everyone can't just jump on a plane and fly across the country to do stand up, but what can you do this month that you've never done before? Maybe it's something you've thought about but that inner voice said, "Nah."  Let your outer voice shout, "YES!" and go do it!!!  I dare you.
 
Come out to Hot Java this weekend and Laugh A Latte with Mike or check him out at www.myspace.com/standupdad
 
 
Mike Neubecker
 
 
He's inspired me to start a new column,
COMIC OF THE MONTH
For February 2008, it's
Mike Neubecker!!
 
 
Email your questions about stand up comedy to [email protected] and I'll answer them in Comedy Tip of the Month !!
 
 
THE TRUTH IS IN THE JOKE
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If one of your New Years resolutions was to stop by and Laugh A Latte, then I'll meet you at Hot Java in 2008.
 
Carlease!