Performing in Harlem NY reminds me ....

My first trip to America I was 12 my parents took me and my brother to NY and Disney World. To my surprise, thinking back about it, I already had pretty good English, and I couldn’t wait for someone to talk to me so I could talk back in a cooler language than Hebrew. Homeless people, strangers, anybody really..
So we rented a car my dad was very excited about, i don't know what the fuck it was, but he took so many pictures with it that it made my childhood look bad. 3rd day in America, I feel like I’m in my home land, people talking the right language, weather ain’t bad and I could find pants my size. Heaven.
My brother was giving directions on the map, which is prob why we got lost every 2 seconds, (no GPS, 16 years ago!), and my dad was just excited to drive the car (never mind we weren’t getting anywhere) and pay toll at the bridges. It was like 7pm, somehow (somehow my ass, it was my brother) we made it to Harlem. Now for me Harlem was where all my heroes live (2pac, biggie, my future husband) I got all excited.. My brother freaked out, started yelling in the car: EVERYBODY DUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My mom acted cool and told my brother to relax, my dad was chilling behind the wheel, I was like, you fucking lost your mind???? Getting shot in Harlem is so much better than exploding on a bus! I’m not missing this one out. We got out of Harlem shortly. I was a bit sad. Gang bangs seemed to have more sex appeal then terrorist bombers.
The trip wend good. We flew to Orlando, Florida. I throw up all the way to our first hotel. I might have over did it with the free food on the plain. I get like that with free food. The good news, I got to meet Goofy, I think I was in-love with that dog for a couple of years so that was a first dream coming true. I loved America, people kept saying please, thank you, excuse me, being polite and shit. I was like wow, manners. I kinda wanna live here.
Performing in Harlem does give me hope that maybe some day we could have some kind of peace on this earth.
Keep Your Head Up!
R

Being thick dosen't help in Urban Rooms.My Experience.

Last night I did an “Urban Room” meaning very few white people. Okay, none. I think there were about 100-150 in the audience, the stage was high, I got called off guard and ran to the stage while chewing some chips. I looked at the stage before I went up, and looked at ALL THE PEOPLE, and then looked at the mirror (it was right behind me, I didn’t actually looked for one), then I told my self, start praying now that this wouldn’t be a BAD JOKE.
I got up first, right after the host. First thing I said:”don’t feel awkward I’m white, actually looks can be deceiving, I’m Jewish, that’s even worse.” So that was a good start. Self hate always work. Then I went off to my martial, which allot of ppl asking about if I adjust my jokes to the crowd? I do have some black jokes I’m more excited to do with black crowd but most of the jokes are about me so I just do me. Maybe 5 years in comedy I’ll have enough jokes to all types of people. Don’t hold your breath.
Before the show I wrote all the jokes I wanted to do on a note. Not the whole joke you know, just one word to describe it. It helps me remember. Plus I wanted to do some new jokes.I remembered most of it, some of my jokes weren’t a hit but some got a few claps and hard laughs. And honestly to perform in front of a group of people I only got to see on TV while I was growing up, and make them laugh, even tho we prob have very little in common, felt really good. Of course I get nervous before I get up on stage, but once I’m up there and looking at ppl in the crowd it goes away. And at some point you get use to talk to a big bunch of people. The point is to have fun.. and make some bitches laugh.
I did about 15 min. I didn’t end with a hard laugh which pissed me off a little but there’s really nothing I can do about it now. Allot of comics refuse to do “Urban Rooms”, I’m not sure why, stage time is stage time. Yeah it could get nasty but bottom line it will only get you better. I never had that separation about what kind of crowd I would like to do a show with, for me u’all AMERICANS and color is just ur issue. If you funny you funny. And doing comedy for me is allot about delivering a message so I’m sure all humans can relate to what I say.
How do I feel about my set? Well all the comics that went after me killed every second on stage, there were only 4 more after me (All men) , each did about 25 min, all of them have their “hour special”. So I’m trying not to compare myself to other comics that have been doing it for years, but this way I know it ain’t the crowd.. (Sometimes we blame the crowd), but yeah it was good for where I’m at with my comedy. There’s always room to get better, sharpen ur jokes, and work on delivery. And all the jokes that didn’t work on this room doesn’t mean they don’t work at all. I killed with those jokes in a 400 “all kind crowd”, so yeah, I do believe in finding your crowd, and stick to whatever you think is funny. But if it never works let it go… : )
BTW the show was in Staten Island. I’m not sure what the place called. I’ll find out.
This is it for 2day. Already 2 weeks in New York and I’ve been on 35 different stages. (open mics and shows).
It’s easy to do the things you love <3
Pease

How does it feels to bomb at a open mic when all the other comics killed?

WELL, I tried to get up at the Duplex(Suddenly Stand-up on Wednesday) twice already, once it was my first time and I actually got there at 7:00 which is when the show started.. So I wasn’t able to get up, the list was full. Then I came back the next week at 5:00 thinking I’m early.. I was wrong! I was on the waiting list or whatever it’s called. Which sucked but whatever I still had a show that night. But anyways, the thing about this mic is that it SEEMS like everyone are killing up there.. I personally found a couple of very funny comics and was impressed so I figured it’s a great mic. The atmosphere is awesome, usually it’s packed, and the host – I think Michael is pretty cool. SO 3rd week I got there, motivated, ready to do this mic! So I got there at 4:00, when the bar opens.. (ya don’t get there at 3 nobody’s there) and then I went back home because wtf am I gonna do for 3 hours?? I didn’t wanna do other mics and rush or whatever. Which I guess looking back it was possible. But anyways, the regular host wasn’t there, 2 comics hosted instead, they both are very funny, my opinion.. ! and it was fun. The thing is that nobody knows me since I just moved here from Los Angeles, so I’m still walking in the dark.. I guess. So the way they do it is even if you’re second on the list (like I was) it doesn’t mean u going up second.. They chose when to get you up. I got up around 8:00. After I introduced myself.. I got a little discouraged. But got over it.
So I went up, first mistake, opened with a new joke. And I don’t know at some point I wanted to say so many words in so little time so everything sounded like a mess.. I think 2 min in I had a joke coming. I think I was so focused in the crowd that I lost focus in my jokes. I got a couple of giggles, which is fine when everybody else get the same, but that wasn’t the case. I almost felt like I had to introduce myself like it was a support group. So I did. My death jokes didn’t go so well, which is alright, it’s a gay bar. Oh and my rape jokes. So yeah I think dark shit ain’t the best jokes to open with . Sometimes you can really feel when comics judge you. But it’s cool I do it too. Bottom line, it was a good experience. Did I feel great after it? Fuck no I felt like shit but if it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger.
So yeah it wasn’t the best experience for me, but I do think if you become a regular then u’ll get allot of love back, because most of the comics there were very comfortable and weren’t even telling jokes just venting and they still got a good response. SO, fuck yeah I’m going back there, I will say this, I do think when there’s new comics then it’ll be awesome to show some support and put them up early. That’s my opinion.

Shabbat Shalom :)
R
xoxo

5 mics a DAY... HOW???

Yesterday (Monday) I got to do 4 open mics. Which for those of you who know me, know it’s normal for me. The only way to keep a high average of stage time a week is to WANT IT REALLY BAD. I chose comedy over everything else. My hang out places is comedy clubs, and on my free time I’m on facebook. What?
My writing process is a bit strange, my day of writing is Friday. That means I just sit and write fucked up things that bother me or happen to me. I write everyday, but only on the premises level. I develop them to jokes later, mostly on stage..and at home with shit music in the background.
So I meant to finish what I wrote but it’s already 1.30 on a Tuesday, so technically it’s Wednesday.. Today I got to hit 5 mics. I did one place twice “Bar 82” which I got really good feedback which was strange because allot of them were old. But cool. You know? That open mic started at 4!! Which is way too early but I did it, I got out of the house at 3.30.. which is impossible when u have a real job.
Then I went to “Eastville Comedy Club”, started at 6pm (normal I guess), sign up started at 4. I had a great time, I saw a comic from LA which is always exciting.. Then I walked 30 blocks to “$3 Tavern”, started at 8, it was a lottery so I went up around 9pm, nobody laughed from none of my shit, not my problem. Then I went to see a friend at Gotham Comedy Club, at 10:00, she was good. LA comics definitely have different style than NY. I can tell. Then at 10:45 I took I quick cab to the “Pit” which wasn’t’ far from the Gotham. The Pit has a late open mic, starts at 11:00, lottery as well. I gotta say, I was pretty tired, and it’s only 2 min! So honestly get your set in after such a long day in 2 min, was a bit difficult for me. Plus the whole stage thing is weird because the crowd looking down on you, which made me a bit confused, because usually it’s the opposite. But I like the Pit. Mostly on Sunday, I think the stage there is better. There were 34 comics. And some crowd. It’s definitely a great open mic.
I have ALL my sets on CAMERA. I will go over them tomorrow if I have time. I hate watching my self but I got used to it.. it’s part of it. I getting lost much last, and I have a new joke I’m really excited about. I’m very passionate about what I do, and really all I want is to make ppl laugh and GET PAID FOR IT.
G’night.
R

MY first time at the PIT

Just got back from the PIT open mic, my first time there.. Great open mic, very recommended.



The energy was great.

:) Keep updating soon..
Have A Good Week U'all!
xoxo
Ricki

My first week in NY

First week in New York went by really fast. I did about 6 open mics and performed in 5 different places. I get lost all the time, how am I suppose to know where is west if I’m on an Island?
I was happy to find out my jokes work here too. Open mics in New York are great for the only reason that comics actually listen to you during your set. Between LA and NY I would have to say if you start out in LA chances are you’ll give up because most of the time you feel like you’re talking to yourself. Did I really just paid 5 bucks for that? Wow.
LA is way more fancy, fancy clubs, fancy people. Here it’s more about comfort and having fun. Less plastic on the street. Allot of night life, bars, pubs, clubs which isn’t my thing right now. (I’m broke).
To get up here on open mics it’s about 5 bucks, some rude bustards ask for more- Don’t you know comics are broke? Most of the place YOU DON’T GET A DRINK for your 5 bucks. So honestly, if you do a mic, do yo jokes and stop fucking around. And for those of you who don’t do comedy, yes, comedians have to pay to get up and entertain… LA is better on that part.
Girls in NY are funny, I see less black comics, more Jews, I’m not sure how much I like that, but oh well. So far my favorite place to do an open mic is One & One Bar on Sat’s. It’s awesome crowd, very intimate, always (been there twice) packed, and very supportive. (It’s 4 bucks).
It’s easier to get up during the week. The weekend is more difficult because it’s all email sign up and I’m on nobody’s email list so far. SO THIS SUCKS. But oh well I guess I could use the rest.
OKAY, it’s 7:00pm on a Sunday, I’m off to the PIT. You get 4 min and it’s free.

Holla.