This summer, a comedy show at Yoshi’s in Oakland sold out.
A who’s who of Oakland’s Lesbian of color scene came out to see a member of their own, “Tammy Tea Love” headline her own show. Not all the attendees identified with the LGBTQ+ community, but many did.
She graced the stage wearing a bow tie, crisp white collared shirt, a blue sweater and some grey slacks. Dressed to impress with style and humor, she grabbed the mic and delivered jokes. She described herself as a “good kid who did bad things” as the audience laughed.
Oakland has no official comedy club, yet comedians like Tammy Tea Love, Jalisa Robinson, and Marcus Williams are opening for big acts and headlining their own shows and making a name for themselves in the Bay Area comedy scene.
Tammy Tea Love found mentorship with Mo’Nique
Tammy E. Clarke, known as Tammy Tea Love, did not seek comedy, it found her. A chance encounter with a comedy producer led to her going to open mics and houseparties.
While attending a comedian Mo’Nique’s show at the San Jose Improv, she arrived so early that she sat in the front row. Mo’Nique noticed her dapper dress, fresh haircut, and bow tie. When she asked her name, Mo-Nique realized that “Tammy” wasn’t a man and joked about it. They caught up after the show and Mo’Nique invited her to open for her next show that night.
Even though the “aspiring comedian” had less than a year in the comedy game, Mo’Nique invited Tammy on the road to open in other parts of California, Texas, and in Las Vegas.
“Just tell your story because there’s gonna be a gay kid in the audience that is going to be inspired,” Mo’Nique told her. One parent, a dad, came up to Tammy after the show for a video chat with his daughter.
“She gave me permission to be myself on stage.” Tea Love said.
Seven years later, Tammy stays true to herself. Being Black and a lesbian is part of her identity and a part of the jokes she tells about her life on stage. Tammy grew from a two parent household, regularly attended church, and is still gay. Her identity may impact who books her for shows and who doesn’t, she said, but it doesn’t offend her.
“Comedy is a party. “Who do you want to party with?” the two-time Comedy Oakland champion Tammy said. “Sometimes I don’t want to party with you and it’s okay if you don’t book me.”
Her comedic influences include Carol Burnett, Benny Hill, Joan Rivers, Red Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, and Mo’Nique. Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s she did not see a lot of Black comedians on TV shows, but says they had recorded albums. When Def Comedy Jam came out, she was hooked.
For Jalisa Robinson, comedy is community connection
Jalisa Robinson grew up in St. Louis, MO, but began her career in the Bay Area. She originally moved to San Francisco. With a love for live music, she found herself ending up in Oakland for after hours shows.
Robinson quickly moved across the Bay, to Oakland, which she says is more her “vibe.”
Once in Oakland, she looked for something creative to do. As a child, she always wrote poems and stories. In college she studied film and video production. As an adult, worked as a video editor, recorded bands, dabbled in acting, and sang for fun.
With some encouragement from a friend, she decided to try comedy. Seven years later and it has “taken over (her) whole life,” Robinson said.
In a good way, comedy feels like her self-proclaimed addiction.
“It’s my main medium right now. It’s my creative expression,” Robinson said. She believes that when you laugh together you are connecting with people by enjoying the same thing at the same time.
“I think laughing is vulnerable. When you laugh in community, you share community,” Robinson said. “I don’t think we can do that with xenophobia. I’ve been put into situations with others with different beliefs and been able to weave them into the fold.” She has a joke that references people who claim they don’t see color. People loosen up after she delivers it, she said.
Marcus Williams: Engineer turned comedian
Marcus Williams’ comedy career has led him to meet and work with some big names, like Sarah Silverman, Aida Rodriguez, and Loni Love.
He’s performed at Bay Area venues such as The Punchline, Cobb’s Comedy Club, and was a finalist in SF Comedy Competition.
Williams found his way into comedy eight years ago. He did not like his day job as a consultant, but Williams, a structural engineer by training, enjoyed putting a smile on people’s faces. So he enrolled in San Francisco Comedy College.
“Nothing is more healing than comedy,” Williams said. If he’s doing his job on stage, he believes, then the audience has a respite from life’s stressors, the day’s news, or the political climate – at least for the time he is on stage.
Williams talks about his life experience. His identity as a Black gay man happens to be “a reference point he brings to the stage,” he said.
Williams finds that doing comedy is a way “to stand in community with people who are artists.” Comedy has been a positive experience for him to embrace his creativity and learn about different aspects of himself that comedy has unveiled.
Williams performed stand-up in other states and cities too, like Denver and New York.
Comedy Oakland has been the most consistent Oakland-produced show, Williams said. There’s also Wonder Dave’s Mental Health Comedy Hour at All Out Comedy Theatre. Though there is no strictly comedy club venue, he thinks Oakland talent does not receive as much attention as San Francisco.
“We’ve got the talent!” Williams said.
Even without a venue, Oakland has a comedy scene
Oakland has always had a comedy scene, even without a major venue, according to Tammy. Changing demographics has affected a lot of spots that once hosted comedy, such as Dorsey’s Locker. Comedy Oakland and Hella Funny at Fluid 510 regularly produce shows, she said.
Tommy T’s in Pleasanton also showcases a lot of local talent.
Three Black and LGBTQ Oakland comedians are building careers bringing laughter to the stage. Whether they perform in the Town or elsewhere, hilarious comedians call Oakland home, find inspiration here, and represent for the Town.
No matter where she performs comedy, Tammy Tea Love represents Oakland, often sporting her Black Panthers jacket.
The East Bay Fund for Artists 2 grant from the East Bay Community Foundation funded this story.
Tanna Samone was born in “The City” and raised in “The Town.” She has gratefully served both San Francisco and Oakland in Emergency Medical Services and Education. Community journalism is community service. Oakland Voices is an opportunity for her to serve information for and from its residents, her neighbors.
Be the first to comment