LAS LOCAS COMEDY CELEBRATES FOUR YEARS OF ELEVATING LATINA VOICES WHILE STILL THRIVING DURING A PANDEMIC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Info:
Janice Rodriguez
Las Locas Comedy
773-330-2520
[email protected]
laslocascomedy.com
Las Locas Comedy Celebrates Four Years of Elevating Latina Voices and Is Now Thriving During a Pandemic
While COVID-19 continues to devastate the comedy industry nationwide including comedy clubs, live sketch shows, and independently-run stand up shows that use currently closed bars and nightclubs as their venues, comedians and show producers have had to find new ways to perform online and make their shows stand out in a now crowded virtual marketplace. Las Locas Comedy has successfully met that challenge and now celebrates its 4th year of comedy with an all-online platform.
Chicago, IL, February 9th, 2021 – Las Locas Comedy celebrates four years of Latinax standup comedy with Las Locas Comedy Presents: ¡The Cuarto Anniversary Show! on Saturday, February 20th, 2021 at 8 pm (Central Time) on Zoom. The show has an all-star lineup of Las Locas Comedy fan favorites including the creator of Lady Laughs Comedy, Dina Nina Martinez, and Lincoln Lodge cast member Stephanie Weber.
While the move to virtual stand up comedy during the COVID-19 pandemic has been met with both praise and criticism, Las Locas Comedy has taken advantage of opportunities that the physical boundaries of a “normal” world do not allow, including booking out of state comedians and celebrating their anniversary virtually.
Founder and producer, Janice V. Rodriguez, believes it is imperative to keep moving forward despite, and sometimes in spite of, the limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think it is more important than ever that we’re out here making people laugh while continuing to talk about important issues. Embracing the online format has allowed us to reach more people in different areas across the U.S. and stay active in the community versus just going dark because we can’t meet in person. It’s important that we’re still talking to our community through comedy,” said Rodriguez. “In this political climate and with the specific issues facing the Latinx community today, we thought it was really important to give a voice to Latina talent as well as have a platform where we could discuss important current events and cultural issues through comedy,” Rodriguez added.
Their loyal following of “#Locas4Life” has not gone dark either and their efforts to adapt to the new normal have paid off. Their first virtual show in September drew an audience of over 60 people, comparable to sold out, in-person performances. Their ticket sales have proven time and again that there is a market for comedy written by and performed by Latinas. “It was so refreshing to see women of color on stage putting on a hilarious set and filling the room with such positive energy,” says one fan in a review on the group’s Facebook page. “It’s a must-see show and I plan to spread the word and keep going to shows to give my support.”
Aiming to shatter the white male narrative that continues to dominate the standup comedy scene at large, Las Locas Comedy boasts primarily Latina lineups at the grassroots level. The producers recognize Latinas are neither first nor alone in the fight for representation in standup comedy, so they also make space for “Honorary Locas,” other women of color in comedy, on their lineups. Las Locas Comedy believes this unified front in the fight for representation creates a positive ripple effect in the comedy scene, propelling underrepresented talent to national comedy clubs and beyond.
Tickets to Las Locas Comedy Presents: ¡The Cuarto Anniversary Show! and booking information are available at www.LasLocasComedy.com. Follow Las Locas Comedy on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube at @laslocascomedy for more “Loca” content.
About Las Locas Comedy
Las Locas Comedy is a Chicago-based monthly comedy showcase centered around Latinas and female comics of color. The show was founded by comedians Janice V. Rodriguez (janicevrodriguez.com) and Soli Santos in 2017 to provide a platform for Latina comedians and female comedians of color. The debut show was standing room only and their popularity has continued to grow with each subsequent show. It is currently produced by Rodriguez and comedian Jess Martínez. Las Locas Comedy received the inaugural Lady Laughs Comedy Award for Best BIPOC Show, has been Chicago Reader Recommended and dubbed a “Must See Comedy Event” by Red Eye.
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