Headlines September 29 – October 3

Dennis Gaxiola traveled around the world while he was in the U.S. Air Force. Now, he travels the world doing a job that’s really dangerous: stand-up comedy in front of a live audience. A Sacramento-native of Mexican heritage, Gaxiola is a veteran performer with shows around the nation and overseas.

He has taken the stage at The Punchline, The Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, The Ice House, The Improv and even the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City. “Showtime at the Apollo in 1999 was the highlight of my career. I was shaking like a leaf. It was amazing to be at the Apollo thinking about all the people who had performed there before me” says Gaxiola.

Dennis has been able to perform with some of the best comedians in the business. Guys like Jamie Foxx, Damon Wayons and Paul Rodriquez. When describing Gaxiola, Rodriguez compares him to comedian Dennis Miller. “Dennis Gaxiola does the more political stuff,” said Rodriguez. “He does a lot of bits that are very timely right now about immigration and the choices America has to make.”

“Dennis reminds me of Carlos Mencia, except that Dennis is actually funny” said one of the staff writers at Cringe Humor. “He does racial stuff, covering almost every race in a way that’s funny but not blatantly hurtful. I really enjoyed his set and hope to see him again.” Gaxiola says, “I am from a multicultural family. I have one brother-in-law that is black, another who is Jewish and a son that is half-black. I am Mexican, my wife is Filipino and some of the in-laws are white. That means I can tell stories that everyone can relate to.” Dennis Gaxiola’s goal is to make the entire audience laugh, no matter whom they are or where they are from.

Gaxiola has performed on television on NBC’s Friday Night Videos, the Apollo Comedy Hour, Black Entertainment Television’s Comic View and Galavision’s Que Locos. “I was on Comic View seven or eight times and they continue to replay the shows, so sometimes people recognize me,” he said.

Click Here To Watch Dennis’ Video on YouTube!

Recording July 30th For One Night Only!

Sacramento comedian John Ross will be recording his debut CD/DVD at the Sacramento Comedy Spot.  Armed with only an Omnichord and/or  microphone, John Ross takes the tragic trials of his own life and transforms them into a peculiar, yet genuine presentation.

John Ross has been featured at clubs all over the West Coast, including, The SF and Sacramento Punch Lines, The Purple Onion, Laughs Unlimited, Seattle’s Comedy Underground, The Bagdad Theater, The Crest Theater, The LA and La Jolla Comedy Store, Pepperbelly’s, and The Tempe and San Jose Improvs.  Ross has also produced and hosted many projects in the Sacramento region such as, “Oddly Americana,” an interruptive, three man, stand up show, “Comedy from the Couch,” a uniquely formated stand up/talk show and  “City Beat Comedy,” a comedy on the streets game show.

For complete show information and tickets for John Ross’s CD Recording please follow this link to the Sacramento Comedy Spot website!

Second and third place were decided via coin-toss at the judges table, with Second Place going to Ellis Rodriguez and Third Place to Mike Betancourt. Rodriguez took the stage with a clear and auspicious plan: win the ladies, win the house. Mission accomplished, Ellis. Betancourt took quite the opposite approach of charismatic alienation. The only way to feel offended by Betancourt is if you didn’t feel like a target to Sacramento’s own version of Joe Rogan.

Other notable performances include Mikhail “The White Russian.” With a widely cross-cultural perspective and effortless audience-report, Mikhail is one Russian you shouldn’t feel guilty about keeping an eye on. In fact, I encourage it. Veteran comic Rick Pulido also showed off his muy grande cajones by stepping outside of conventional stand-up during the first round to attempt the commitment-driven character of Robot Prop Comedian. The late Andy Kaufman would be proud, Rick… Come to think of it, Tony Clifton has been making appearances recently… And Pulido was wearing sunglasses… Nah! Couldn’t be.

Congratulations to all the winners! The Inaugural NorCal Lightning Comedy Competition hosted by Jennifer Rutherford was sponsored by Good Times Events and The Cool Crowd. Special thanks to Tre Restaurant and Lounge and the secret panel of judges who shall remain nameless.

Photos by Aljohn Tabion

Support Your Local Comedian AND Be a Part of History in the Making!!

Click Here For Discount Offer!

Sacramento Comedy Lovers who have seen Keith Lowell Jensen perform know that he is funny.

What you might not know is that Jensen is the atheist comic on The Coexist? Comedy Tour, the writer, director and star of the indy documentary “Why Lie? I Need a Drink” and was recently a guest on George Lopez Tonight where he participated in a skit with Chris Rock. In the past year he has performed with Norm Macdonald, Doug Stanhope and Tom Rhodes. He  appeared with Will Durst at The Crest Theater on May 8th.

Jensen’s first CD “To The Moon… Live at Luna’s”, recorded in April of 2009, has garnered critical praise and brisk sales. Now, he’s ready to do it again with a whole new, road tested set.

With the working title of the new CD, Cats Made Of Rabbits you can be in the audience as this live CD is being made!

The VERY funny Chazz Hawkins (who also performed with Doug Stanhope) will also be performing! A great duo!

By special arrangement, SacramentoComedy Lovers get a reduced ticket price of $10 and as there are only 80 seats total being sold, we are guaranteed that pricing only for the first 20 tickets sold.

There is a special link for SacramentoComedy.Com readers so, please go to this link.  Hit begin order then enter “sacramentocomedy” and hit “See additional prices”

Headlines March 27th For One Night Only!

This week we have the unique talents of John Ross. This inovative and creative comic has been working at comedy clubs and college campuses throughout Northern California. His unique style draws on his experiences from fatherhood, city life and his religious background. We will also have one of Sacramento’s best up and coming comics, Khuani Malone. His act is one that you just have to see to believe. Don’t forget we also have some of the areas comics coming out to surprise you with their talents in guest sets.

Cafe Nostra is El Dorado’s best place for comedy in an intimate setting. This is a FREE SHOW, and Wine, Beer, Coffees and Goodies are served!

Head on over to El Dorado’s premier comedy club (ok, maybe the only one in El Dorado Hills) and check out the wonderful comedy at Cafe Nostra!

January 2 Only!

Comedy from the Couch.
Starts at 8:00 PM $8.00

Three comedians do alternating stand-up sets and hang out on a couch on stage. Comedy from the Couch brings the green room to the stage. Find out what comedians say to each other backstage. 3 Comics. 1 Couch. Hosted by John Ross. This week: Ben Feldman, Candy Churilla and Stephanie Paul. Funny, Funny People!

Anti-Cooperation League.
Starts at 9:00 PM $8.oo

Anti-Cooperation League is a long form improv show featuring your favorite Sacramento Comedy Spot cast members. Watch as they creatively weave improv scenes together in a fast paced, high energy, improv comedy show inspired by an audience member’s wallet or purse!

Exclusive Discounted Pricing Only Through SacramentoComedy.Com!
Both Shows – Only $10.00!

One Night Only! December 3rd

This show features only dirty, raunchy comedy! If you want it clean, stay home and watch tv….

You’ve been warned!

Click here for Reservations and to buy tickets!

Tell them you saw it on SacramentoComedy.Com!

A Sacramento Comedy Video Interview

Join Sacramento Comedy.Com as we interview local comedian Mike E. Winfield regarding his upcoming magical night on December 4th. Winfield is debuting on Comedy Central, headlining at Tommy T’s and apprearing on Sacramento’s Good Morning show. Never mind that he is also the featured headliner on the national comedy website Rooftop Comedy for the week!

So, sit back and enjoy as Kul Black interviews Mike about his material, his career and the drama that becomes part of his act.

Tapan Triveti headlines Tommy T’s to benefit* the Sacramento Food Bank One Night Only! November 18

*(Admission: 2 canned food items)

Tapan grew up in India and moved to the U.S. when he was 22. Aside from blondes, redheads and premarital sex, he discovered stand-up comedy. Pushed to the celebrated Houston Laff Stop stage at the insistence of his friends on an open mic night, he killed his first time. And then bombed 7 times. He kept plugging on ’til he was a Finalist in the Funniest Person in Houston competition.

Tapan has done shows for the U.S. military in Japan and Korea. He has performed with comedians like Dave Attell, Tom Rhodes, Bobby Slayton and Debbie Gutierrez.

And before you ask—yes, he does have his Green Card now!

Click here for Reservations and to buy tickets!

Tell them you saw it on SacramentoComedy.Com!

Over thirty years later, Finney’s hard work has not only prevailed, but it’s sent him around the world, rubbing elbows with some of the most famous comedy and magic acts of the 80′s and 90′s. Finney also was fortunate enough to own his own comedy club of a number of years in Arizona, while stacking up numerous accolades in the process.

In what might be the  most notable accomplishment of his career, Finney his being honored by The World Magic Awards as one of the top magicians in the world later this year. The show will be aired on Fox in November of this year. In 1985 he was also honored by Siegfreid and Roy with the Silver Lions Head award for his work in magic.

After leaving Woodland, Finney spent 2-3 years in Sacramento before moving to Phoenix, Arizona where he eventually ended up working as a bartender. As a bartender Finney ran into a local patron, Bob Shaw, who would perform a few tricks to “wow” the other barflys. “I remember thinking that if I could learn those tricks, I would probably make a few extra bucks in tips,” Finney said. “After a while it just came easy and I was able to sell myself with magic.” “I had the gift of gab and I really loved what I was doing,” he added.

Following that, Finney met a man by the name of Jack Sutherland. Sutherland ended up taking Finney under his wing and teaching him the tricks of the trade. ” This guy became my mentor,” said Finney. “To this day, every show I do, he shines through me.”

“After eight or nine months I started thinking of doing magic professionally,” Finney explained. ” A lot of doctor and lawyers would come to the bar to watch me do tricks.” “Before I knew it I was doing private parties at their homes, making more than I did tending bar.”

Finally, Finney began performing at restaurants for a short time, before landing gigs at clubs. “Chuckles in Tempe, Arizona was the first club I worked at as the house emcee,” said Finney. Following his stint as Chuckles’ emcee, Finney was encouraged to go to LA in 1982, where he took a few weeks to audition for every club in town. “I wasn’t home a week before the phone started ringing,” he joyfully explained. “Within four years of doing comedy and magic I was able to buy my first home.” “I was flying everywhere,” he added. ” It was like dreaming all of the time.”

Since the late 80′s through early 90′s Finney has busied himself with mostly corporate and charity events, including his own event called the Dry Heat Classic, a three day golf event that benefits The Micheal Finney Foundation and the Arizona Rotary Gift of Life.

His foundation’s sole purpose is to raise money for children. To date, his foundation has raised more than $600,000 for local charities and doesn’t show any signs of “disappearing.”

Michael Finney truly is one of the greats in the business, and one of the greats in life. As evidence of that, Michael’s parting words were, “I would not be who or where I am today if were not for my wife Lori, who is from Sacramento and went to Elk Grove High School. We have been married 32 years. She has been with me from the beginning and is the water that keeps my boat afloat! Her unwavering love and commitment to our relationship is beyond words.

Alongside his fundraiser at Woodland High Scool, Finney will performing later this year up at the Colusa Casino on December 17th.