Looking for a laugh this weekend in Oakland? More than 60 comedians take the stage at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts through Feb. 15 for the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition and Festival.
Oakland comedian wins delayed 2020 competition
The festival opened Tuesday night to handle “Unfinished Business.” The 2020 Finals showdown featured five comedians whose championship round got delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
East Oakland comedian Mario Hodge took first place. The contest also featured Derrick Keener, Justin Lucas, T Ray Sanders and Anderi Bailey. The 1995 champion Don “DC” Curry hosted.
Preliminary rounds kicked off Wednesday night and continue on Thursday. Each round will include more than 15 comedians.
Semi-finals will take place Friday night, hosted by 2011 champion Insane Wayne. Oakland’s own Luenell, a 1993 contestant, will host Saturday. The final six comedians will compete for the 2026 title on Sunday night.
‘A rite of passage’
Founded in 1986 by Tony Spires, the event has helped give Black comedians and other comedians of color space to develop their craft and gain exposure when opportunities at mainstream clubs were limited. Since the first showcase in 1987, the festival has moved from San Francisco to Oakland’s Alice Arts Center (now Malonga Casquelourd Center) and other venues.
Event organizer Erroll Jackson called the festival “a rite of passage for some of the biggest names in comedy.” Past participants and winners include Jamie Foxx, Chris Tucker, D.L. Hugley, Mike Epps, and Sheryl Underwood. “People will not want to miss seeing that next big thing right here in Oakland,” Jackson said.
Without a dedicated comedy club in Oakland, the event provides a unique space for comedians from across the country and the world.
Cathy Adams of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce said events like the festival boost local businesses. “They also provide a platform for diverse voices, continuing comedy’s legacy as a powerful form of storytelling, connection, and community building.”
Tickets range from $52 and $63 for the preliminaries and semi-finals, and $80 to $110 for the finals.
Be the first to comment