Carlease's
 
Bits 'N Pieces
Free Comedy Showcase in Long Beach
December 2008

Greetings! 
 
Welcome to Carlease's Bits 'N Pieces. 
This ezine is for comics and fans of stand-up comedy. 
I am the producer and host of a comedy showcase at Hot Java Coffee House in Long Beach every third Saturday of the month at 8:00 PM.  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 two years!!
I have been interviewed by several local publications and have appeared on The Paula McColm show on UTV/Charter Communications.
There is no cover charge; just buy a cup of coffee, a pastry or a sandwich and be sure to tip your baristas.
 
 
Hot Java cake
 
 
NEXT LAUGH-A-LATTE
Saturday, DECEMBER 20, 2008
at
HOT JAVA COFFEEHOUSE
2101 E. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90803
562-433-0688
Showtime 8:00 PM

Comics featured this month:

Jeff Leon
Vern James
Johnnie Walker
Breeze
Erin Shauer
Jen Wilkinson
Donna Christjaener
Henrietta
Jason Dudey
and
a special tribute to Christy Medrano by The Funny Ladies of Color



***SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!!***

Laugh-A-Latte now has a sign language interpreter!! 
We welcome Tom "HOT FINGERS" O'Malley to the team. He's in demand all over town so shoot Tom an email at capriasl@aol.com to make sure he's on for the show you would like to attend. 

Pictured below: 
Tom O'Malley (left) and Tony (a very special Laugh-A-Latte fan!!)


Tom O'Malley and Tony
Current Projects

BLOGTALKRADIO.COM

Click here to listen to Carlease's True Hollywood Story!!

(This is a 30 minute interview)

Celebrity Sightings

Todd Bridges and T'Keyah Crystal Keyman


 Here I am amongst the stars (Todd Bridges and T'Keyah Crystal Keymah) once again at The National Black Theatre Festival.
 
 
(photo from my private collection)

Comic of the Month


IN LOVING MEMORY

CHRISTY MEDRANO

February 27, 1970 - November 21, 2008


Christy at the beach


I want to scream, "Enough!, Stop it already! Why are my friends leaving me!!!"  But I guess that would be selfish now wouldn't it? So to deal with the pain, I'll focus on Christy Medrano's life and not my feelings of loss, anger and emptiness. 

I met Christy when we were both performing stand-up with The Funny Ladies of Color in the early '90's.  She looked like she just stepped out of a hip-hop video.  Pants hanging low, short hair, very little make-up (she didn't need any), 23 years old and fiesty!. Her material was fresh, hip and as cool as she was. I went on to pursue other aspirations and hadn't seen her for a few years until our friends Sherri's bridal shower.  This time, to quote Mary J. Blige, " now don't mess with me baby, I'm grown!"  My little hip-hop friend had on a beautiful flowing dress, heels, was wearing make-up and carrying a purse! That young lady I met at the L.A. Cabaret was now a grown woman!! Over the years we've shared many a meal, a million laughs and a few games of Scrabble at our friend Lydia's celebrating birthdays, holidays and other milestones in our lives. One such milestone was my 50th birthday party at Shutters On The Beach.  Christy was there to celebrate with me even though she had been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier that day. In the year that followed, her friends and family stayed very close to Christy as she went through her surgeries and treatments. She recovered, life was good.  While continuing to work on her documentary, she took the stage again as a comic.  A little over 3 months ago, in August, she was diagnosed with leukemia due to the chemo treatments she received over two years ago!!  Two days before she made her transition, she had a bone marrow transplant. She remained fiesty throughout all of this, but how much can one body take?  She had had enough.

WE MISS YOU, WE LOVE YOU AND WE WILL ALWAYS LAUGH WITH YOU CHRISTY!!


"C Level", the documentary produced by Maeve Murphy, Chris Deichl and Christy Medrano, follows Christy's fight against breast cancer.  This documentary is nearing completion and is particularly open to in-kind finishing donations such as audio sweetening, color correction and appealing graphic titles.  For in-kind services, please contact Maeve Murphy at maeve@clevelthedoc.com and/or Chris Deichl at chris@clevelthedoc.com.

 

Christy at Hot Java

Here's Christy (right center) in the very first Laugh-A-Latte line up, January 20, 2007

The December 20, 2008 show is dedicated to her.

In This Issue
Current Projects
Celebrity Sightings
Comic of the Month
When Are The 2009 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
 
 
MY NEW WEBPAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
THANK YOU,
BARB GOTTLIEB!
CLICK HERE FOR A SNEAK PREVIEW:

When Are The 2009 Shows?

 
Every third Saturday of the month

January 17
February 21
March 21
April 18
June 20
July 18
August 15
September 19
October 17
November 21
December 19
 
SHOWTIME
8:00 PM
Comedy Tip of the Month
 
This month I have question for you. 
How are you living?

As I look back over this past year which includes the passing of two of my dear comedy buddies and the way we (family and friends) chose to honor and celebrate their lives, I begin think about how I want to be remembered.  What legacy will I leave when I'm gone?  What will people say about me?  If I want them to say I was happy, then I need to shine now.  If I want them to say I was generous, then I need to give now. If I want them to say, "she always made me feel so good", then I need to be joyful now.
I invite you to examine your own life and whatever it is you want to be remembered for, live it now.  Don't wait another day to show love, book your dream gig, travel around the world. Imagine the life you want, then go live it. Let your life be a celebration from beginning to end.
In the words of Aunt Ester in August Wilson's GEM OF THE OCEAN, "You live right, you die right."

LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST and LET'S BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER
 
 Email your questions about stand-up comedy to bitsnpieces@roadrunner.com and I'll answer them in the next Comedy Tip of the Month !!
 
 
THE TRUTH IS IN THE JOKE
Looking forward to seeing you at Hot Java. 
Be prepared to Laugh-A-Latte !!
 
Carlease!



HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
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