{"id":46974,"date":"2020-10-15T09:22:40","date_gmt":"2020-10-15T13:22:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=46974"},"modified":"2020-10-15T09:22:49","modified_gmt":"2020-10-15T13:22:49","slug":"on-stage-a-good-time-for-find-some-laughs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=46974","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: A good time for find some laughs"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Ali Siddiq<\/p><\/div>\n

With all the restrictions imposed in an effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, attempting to find a live music show in the area by a national act is a nearly impossible task.<\/p>\n

However, finding a live comedy show by a national act performed locally is relatively easy thanks to the different series presented each weekend by Punch Line Philly (33 East Laurel Street, Philadelphia, www.punchlinephilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Comedian Ali Siddiq will headline five shows in Philadelphia as part of the Punch Line Philly Patio Series from Thursday, October 15 through Saturday, October 17 \u2013 Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

Also, comedian Leonard Ouzts will headline five shows in Philadelphia at Punch Line Philly\u2019s Patio Series from Thursday, October 15 through Saturday, October 17 \u2013 Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 7 and 9:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

This might sound confusing but it\u2019s really quite simple. Siddiq is headlining at Punch Line Philly\u2019s Set Up Stage while Ouzts is headlining at Punch Line Philly\u2019s Callback Stage. <\/p>\n

Punch Line Philly was also scheduled to host Dan Cummins\u2019 \u201cToxic Thoughts Tour\u201d from October 15-17 but those shows have been postponed to September 10 and 11, 2021.<\/p>\n

Siddiq is stand-up comedian, public speaker, and writer from Houston, Texas. He honed his comedic skills when he was in prison and has come a long way since.<\/p>\n

Fans were first introduced to Siddiq when he appeared on HBO\u2019s \u201cDef Comedy Jam\u201d and \u201cLive from Gotham\u201d and subsequently was named Comedy Central\u2019s \u201c#1 Comic to Watch\u201d in 2013.<\/p>\n

In 2014, he captivated audiences with his \u201cMexicans Got On Boots\u201d tale — a descriptive storytelling of a prison riot on \u201cThis Is Not Happening.\u201d His stories continued with his \u201cHalf Hour\u201d special, which premiered on Comedy Central in the fall of 2016.<\/p>\n

Immediately following the premier of that special, Comedy Central offered Siddiq a one-hour special in which he performed for inmates live in a Texas jail. The comedy special \u2013 \u201cAli Siddiq: It\u2019s Bigger Than These Bars\u201d — premiered in February 2018 on Comedy Central. Most recently, Siddiq was a Top 5 finalist on NBC\u2019s \u201cBring the Funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been touring for the last 10 years,\u201d said Siddiq, during a phone interview last week from his home in Houston. \u201cI\u2019m still going out and doing shows \u2013 Cleveland, Dallas, maybe six cities. But I\u2019ve cancelled more shows than I\u2019ve done \u2013 more indoor shows.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my 12th<\/sup> outdoor show. It\u2019s different because I\u2019m usually in a club or an arena. \u00a0The only real challenge to performing outdoor might be the noise factor \u2013 a truck driving by or something like that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started doing stand-up 22 years ago and now I\u2019m in the process of completing my seventh album. The biggest difference from 22 years ago is that my cadence has evolved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Siddiq started selling drugs around the age of 14 and was imprisoned at the age of 19 for trafficking in cocaine. He served six years of a 15-year prison sentence in the\u00a0Ruben M. Torres Unit\u00a0in\u00a0Hondo, Texas. It was a state prison for men with a maximum capacity of 1384 male inmates held at various security levels.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wasn\u2019t too much trouble for my parents when I was a kid,\u201d said Siddiq. \u201cI\u2019ve never done drugs. I got into selling them just running with other kids. I got busted by an informant. I served six years of 15 and was on parole for nine years.\u201d<\/p>\n

A lot of hype has gone into portraying Siddiq as someone who found his calling for comedy inside prison walls but it\u2019s not an accurate portrayal.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat \u2018I started in jail\u2019 thing isn\u2019t right because that\u2019s not where I started doing stand-up,\u201d said Siddiq. \u201cIt started when I was at Just Joking Comedy Cafe for their Apollo Night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually got booed the first time I went on stage because I had on a suit. They were in college, so everybody else had on jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts. I came back two weeks later in jeans and a t-shirt. One day later, the owner asked me to be a host. I was normal, sarcastic and jovial.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn prison, I was just a jovial dude. I was pretty equipped to handle myself \u2013 even when I was on the street. I didn\u2019t have to deal with violence in prison. I was never in a bullying situation. I was a former gang member and a drug dealer. I had already shot people in the face and stabbed people.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was pretty much a self-contained individual. I was formidable when I had to be \u2013 and I\u2019d say funny jovial things. In jail, you don\u2019t let the time beat you down. I knew I\u2019d be getting out and I accepted that it would be 15 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was in prison, the elders talked to me and gave me a different perspective of life. That environment (jail) wasn\u2019t the way I wanted to live. I listened to the elders and prepared myself to get back in society.\u201d<\/p>\n

Siddiq had adapted to society and vice versa. He is now one of the funniest and most respected comedians in America with his own unique style.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith my comedy, I became more of a storyteller \u2013 a griot,\u201d said Siddiq. \u201cI don\u2019t need to do sketches. I have a lot of skill sets \u2013 a lot of knives in my room. At first it was just joke\u2026joke\u2026joke. I learned how to develop observational skills. I developed into giving insights.\u201d<\/p>\n

Siddiq, a devout Muslim, participates in community events throughout the year to show his love and support for his community. For the past 10\u00a0years\u00a0he has donated and helped to feed the homeless with The Houston Food Bank through the Jive Turkeys Comedy Show.<\/p>\n

The veteran comedian has also established a nonprofit for inner city youth called \u201cInk in Me\u201d, aiding youth in their development and enhancement of interpersonal communication through reading, writing, and public speaking.<\/p>\n

Siddiq has developed a desire to help other physically, financially and emotionally \u2013 and the ability to make people laugh. Hopefully, he will be able to continue this for a long time — \u0625\u0646 \u0634\u0627\u0621 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647(Inshallah — God willing)<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Video link for Ali Siddiq — https:\/\/youtu.be\/FokOeBSgKJM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tickets for Ali Siddiq\u2019s shows are $32.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Leonard Ouzts<\/p><\/div>\n

Only 27\u00a0years old, Leonard Ouzts is a distinct rising voice in the world of stand-up comedy. A native of Virginia, his southern upbringing shaped his down to earth, observational comedic style.\u00a0 Leonard was selected as a \u201cNEW FACE\u201d at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs Festival and was most recently named by\u00a0RollingStone.com<\/a>\u00a0as a\u00a0Top Ten Comic To Watch.<\/p>\n

Ouzts made his television debut on Gotham Comedy Live and his late-night\u00a0debut on Conan.\u00a0He also has credits on\u00a0NBC\u2019s \u201cTonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,\u201d Netflix\u2019s \u201cLike Father\u201d and \u201cMaster of None,\u201d HBO\u2019s \u201cAll-Def Comedy\u201d and MTV\u2019s \u201cNick Cannon\u2019s Wild-N-Out.\u201d\u00a0He also plays the role of James (opposite Natalie Morales) on the NBC comedy\u00a0\u201cAbby\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in Chesapeake Virginia,\u201d said Ouzts, during a phone interview last week from his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. \u201cThen, I went to Virginia State University for one year. I was a nursing major.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ouzts explained why nursing was his choice of major and why his college career ended after less than just two semesters.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a reason to study nursing,\u201d said Ouzts. \u201cI was the only guy in class.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got my start in comedy at Virginia State. \u201cI always was funny\u2014always had a smart mouth \u2013 always sarcastic.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt college, the Alphas had a talent show. I signed up for it and got in. Did I want to tell jokes? Did I want to be observational? All that went through my head. Then, I got on stage and wanted to shit my pants.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019ve always been a big-time player. I make big-time plays. I got a standing ovation from my peers who just booed a professional comic a week earlier. After that night, I went to my dorm room and watched comedy 12 hours a day. I learned about comedy \u2013 and then dropped out of school.<\/p>\n

\u201cI auditioned for BET\u2019s \u2018Comic View\u2019 when I was 18. I went to Atlanta and shot the show. And then nothing ever happened. I worked as a server at IHOP for a while and then moved to New York and got an apartment in the Bronx.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ouzts\u2019 break came soon after.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn March 12, 2015 I was on \u2018Gotham Comedy Live,\u201d said Ouzts. \u201cIt was my first time on TV. After that, I got signed by a management company. Stuff kept picking up. I was doing commercials, Comedy Central, did a few films and had a couple pilots.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith my comedy, I can do mainstream. I can do urban. I can do punch line jokes. I got stories. A lot of it is about me. I find out what works and build on it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe funniest stuff is the true stuff. The secret is me. I don\u2019t change. I just do my thing. Either you like it, or you don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Leonard Ouzts — https:\/\/youtu.be\/rVUt7-8bdeo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tickets for Leonard Ouzts\u2019 shows are $32.<\/p>\n

Punch Line Philly\u2019s posted social distancing guidelines are:<\/p>\n

Face coverings are mandatory — Must be worn at all times except while eating and drinking<\/p>\n

Adhere to our CLEAR BAG POLICY — Only the following bags are allowed: Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags (Maximum size: 12″x6″x12″) or Small clutch bags approximately the size of a hand (Maximum size: 4.5″x6.5″)<\/p>\n

Observe and comply with signage and guidelines posted throughout venue.<\/p>\n

Do your part to practice good hygiene (wash your hands frequently, don\u2019t touch your face)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not feeling well, please stay home and get well.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other upcoming socially distanced outdoor shows in the area are still happening while the weather cooperates.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Burning Condor<\/p><\/div>\n

People\u2019s Light (39 Conestoga Road, Malvern,\u00a0peopleslight.org<\/a>) is hosting its \u201cPeople\u2019s Light Drive-In Concert Series\u201d with 49 Burning Condors on October 18.<\/p>\n

Cedar Hollow Inn Restaurant and Bar (2455 Yellow Springs Road, Malvern, www.cedarhollowinn.com<\/a>) will present Matt Sevier on October 17, Kendal Conrad on October 22, Nicki Sbaffoni on October 23 and Jerry Watkins on October 29.<\/p>\n

Stable 12 Brewing Company\u00a0(368 Bridge St, Phoenixville, stable12.com<\/a>) will host Kendal Conrad on October 23, and Rick McSteve on October 24.<\/p>\n

Penns Woods Winery (124 Beaver Valley Road, Chadds Ford, www.pennswoodswinery.com<\/a>) will present Adam McCue on October 17, Paul Wilkinson on October 18, Jason Ager on October 24, Jeff Kessler on October 25, and Hanna Paige on October 31.<\/p>\n

The Bordley House (1520 Tattersal Way, West Chester, www.bordleyhousegrille.com<\/a>) will host Bryan McDermott on October 19 and Ziggy Isaacs on October 26.<\/p>\n

Tuned Up Brewing Co. (135 North Main Street, Spring City, www.tunedupbrew.com<\/a>) will present Clint & Mr. Mody on October 16 and Mr. Mody on October 23.<\/p>\n

Vanessa Collier is playing a matinee show on October 24 at the Candlelight\u00a0Dinner Theatre\u00a0(2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313,\u00a0www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0 With all the restrictions imposed in an effort to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, attempting to find a live music show in the area by a national act is a nearly impossible task. However, finding a live comedy show by a national act performed locally is relatively easy thanks […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46976,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[13400,13402,7426,13401],"class_list":["post-46974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-ali-siddiq","tag-burning-condor","tag-featured","tag-leonard-ouzts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46974","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=46974"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46974\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46975,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46974\/revisions\/46975"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/46976"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=46974"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=46974"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=46974"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}