One of the oldest cliche’s in the book – laughter is good medicine. We as Indian People pride ourselves on not taking ourselves too seriously, about being able to laugh when we’re down, and about how laughter has gotten us through some pretty lean times. I’d agree with all of those things – but it led me to thinking: WHERE ARE OUR INDIAN COMEDY FESTIVALS?
Week after week in the summer time I see ad’s, facebook invites, tweets about all of the amazing music festivals/gatherings that are taking place across Indian Country. No doubt, the music scene is “older” and more established than an Indian Comedy scene, but i think that a comedy festival would be a good first step to raising the profile of “our comedy” in Indian Country (not to mention getting it out into the mainstream).
There have been some small steps (not dismissing what’s been done by saying that, just in terms of the “larger” idea) made in this regard. Back in 2004 the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival produced, “Welcome To Turtle Island”. It was a night of standup with Gerry Barrett, Don Burnstick, Howie Miller, Art Napolean, Don Kelly, Craig Lauzon, Dave Mcleod and the great, Charlie Hill. It was taped for television and from what I understand – sold out very quickly. I was there – I went to the show. It was a great evening of Native and Non-Native people laughing at our stories, jokes, and world view. The world needs more of it – this show made me want to switch from being an improv/sketch comedian to a standup comedian. It changed me. It changed my work. Big time kudos to Al Rae and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival for having the vision to do this show.
Down south of the US border, the legendary – Charlie Hill (my all time favourite, and personal comedy hero) has a put together a killer team of comics from the States to tape a Native American Comedy special called, “Indian Slam – Goin’ Native, No Reservations Needed.” This show airs in Novemeber and features Hill, Howie Miller, Larry Omaha, and the Powwow Comedy Jam guys (Jim Ruel, Vaughn Eagle Bear, JR Redwater and Marc Yaffee). Again, a HUGE accomplishment and will certainly do amazing things to raise the profile of our “laugh artists” – but who wants more?
I do.
The idea is simple. Book the cream of the crop from Indian Country. Book the venues. Promote it. Hype it (you wouldn’t need too – it hypes itself…kinda like the “SLAP CHOP”). Sell the tickets. Travel. Do shows. Laugh. Inspire. Share. And repeat. To get real fancy – package it up with a camera crew and sell it as a documentary or as one show, or, an episodic series. Easy. Truly.
Someone must see this vision out there – are we ready to do this?
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I am ready…I just don’t have any money to pay anyone!!
Seriously, I’ve had the same ideas.