A star lineup of local Latino comedians invite you to ring in the new year at Brava Theater, where Marga Gomez, Lydia Popovich, Chris Storin, Monica Palacios, Baruch Porras-Hernandez, and Betty Pazmiño will put on the fourth annual New Year’s Eve Comedy Fiesta.
Party-goers can expect raucous progressive humor from acclaimed comedians, followed by the opening of a lively dance floor, where dancers will toast to 2016 with free champagne, enjoy some munchies and party favors, and bust moves to the beats of DJ Lucha Grande.
Proceeds from the evening benefit the Brava Theater.
Here are some thoughts from five of Brava’s NYE comedians Betty Pazmiño, Monica Palacios, Lydia Popovich, Marga Gomez and Baruch Porras-Hernandez on the past, present, and brunch (interview via Marga Gomez):
Q. Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?
Betty: This year I resolved to not swear while driving. I think that lasted two blocks.
Monica: I’m going to vacuum in 2016, and I really mean it this time.
Marga: Yes, easy ones. My goal is to not open any cans of worms or read the online comments section.
Lydia: Architect your life so there really ain’t shit to resolve on NYE besides what shoes to wear.
Baruch: Eat more flan.Q. How did you get started as a comedian?
Baruch: One night on Valencia street a group of drunk people hugged me and said “you’re that comedian guy! I LOVE you!” I corrected them and said, “Oh no, I’m a writer.” And they said “Ewww, a writer!?! How sad…” and walked away, so I decided to be a comedian.
Q. What is the toughest audience you ever had?
Betty: A class of preschoolers.
Marga: I have this recurring dream that the audience won’t stop texting and I’m naked.Q. What are your thoughts on having an all Latino comedy show at this time in the Mission?
Baruch: We need it right now, especially in the face of aggressive gentrification and displacement. I was born in Toluca, Mexico and grew up in the East Bay, but if I wanted to feel at home as an immigrant, I would go to the Mission for some Mexican love and flavor. When I moved to the Mission in 2011, I dove into it, did shows at Galeria de la Raza, worked at Philz, got a job at Modern Times, even worked at Brava Theatre as a house manager. The Mission was my home, but then after four years of getting along, our roommate decided to kick my partner and I , who are both artists out of our room so he could rent our room to a guy who works in tech for a much higher price than what we were paying.
So now I live in the Lower Haight, I miss the Mission every day.Betty: As a teacher/educator in SFUSD for the past 30 years, I have seen the massive exodus of Latino families from our public schools in the Mission and all over the city. Brava’s Comedy Fiesta is a way to keep the Mission District’s authentic flavor alive and thriving.
Marga: At first I thought it would be fun. I didn’t think of us as Latinos really, just six very attractive comedians. Then I watched the first GOP debate and realized we’re taking jobs away from non-latino comedians. We’ve got a lot to prove on New Year’s Eve. If I don’t get laughs I will probably self-deport.
Lydia: I am thrilled to share this night with an incredibly talented group – each of us are so unique but we are all connected as Latinos. And we all know…. Ain’t no party like a Latino party – bring your abuelos, bring your drunk tías, bring your primos…bring everyone.Q. Betty, you are hosting the dance party after the show. Do you have any special dance moves you want to share?
Betty: My special dance moves are in development on my kitchen floor at the moment. They are a mixture of The Lambada with a little hit of Chubby Checkers’ “The Twist” and Celia Cruz’s “La Negra Tiene Tumbao” all done to sexy salsa suelta beat, tu sabes? DJ Lucha Grande will be spinning for us. He’s a highly respected leader in our Latino community and makes great parties happen every time he puts the needle on the record. ¡A BAILAR!
Q. What Mission brunch spot can you recommend to our NYE party animals?
Lydia: La Palma Mexicatessen, then Elixir – Let’s face it, brunch is really about drinking. So why not cut out the bullshit and get to work. Fall through La Palma and get a breakfast burrito. Eat half of it sitting outside at the patio tables. Wrap the other half and then head on down to Elixir. Sit at the make your own Bloody Mary Bar for a few hours. Later, when you reach into your bag and find the other half of the burrito you forgot about you’ll be praising my name. You’re welcome. #brunchhard
There’s also San Jalisco – Mexican sit down restaurants are frequently overlooked by taqueria obsessed San Franciscans. It’s a shame, because Mexican brunch is one of the most amazing experiences ever. This spot is great. Try Huevos Divorciados or the Machaca. Wash it down with a michelada served in a mug the size of your skull.
Show details:
Thursday December 31, 2015
Doors open 8pm. Show starts 9pm.
Tickets start at $35.
2781 24th street (between York and Hampshire)