Now, you might be thinking to yourselves, "Jeez, that Sonnjea person doesn't do anything but pimp H2G stuff." And of course, you'd be right. But the thing about our monthly shows at Hot Java and First Fridays is they are FREE, which basically means one of two things: Either I am the worst pimp ever because I forget to charge, or we just really, really like you.
Turns out, it's the second one. The bottom line is, we love improv. We love watching it, we love learning it and we love performing it. And we especially love sharing it with our Long Beach friends and neighbors. Hot Java could make a bundle off their back-to-back comedy weekends (Laugh a Latte the 3rd Saturday of the month, H2G the 4th). But they don't, because they are also committed to providing free comedy for the community. Same with Elise's Tea Room, who hosts monthly improv as part of Bixby Knolls' First Fridays Art Walk.
See? I keep telling you we're givers! Sure, you could go to Vegas and have a great time. But you'd spend a fortune, get sunburned, do stuff that's illegal, immoral or just plain creepy and have to come up with creative lies to tell your boss about why you look like a homeless person on Monday morning. With H2G presents Last Laugh Saturday, you'll spend maybe three bucks on a coffee, do nothing to increase your risk of skin cancer, watch people make up hilarious scenes about doing stuff that's illegal, immoral or just plain creepy (with none of the shame and self-loathing that comes from doing it yourself) and no one will give you loose change and judgemental looks on your way to work Monday.
Look, there's nothing wrong with Vegas. But it's also nice to stay in town, check out the local talent and save a buck or two. This Saturday, July 23rd, 8 p.m., Hot Java. And Friday, August 5th, 7:30, Elise's Tea Room.
That still leaves you plenty of time to do the creepy stuff. You're welcome. And please don't feel the need to share.
By Sonnjea Blackwell
