Shenanigans and Tomfoolery: A Comedy UYE

$ 5.
There’s a lot of things I can get for $ 5. I can get a meal at In-​N-​Out. I can buy a pint of froyo at Golden Spoon. I can even go to the OC Fair (read my review on OC Fair on how I did that).
The best way, however, to spend $ 5 is to attend Val’s UYE.
$ 5 got myself, my wife, and Bonnie E. into the event and we had a splendid time. Domino’s pizza, various snacks, soda and water were all included — in conjunction with hilarious improv, stand-​up, and sketch comedy. We laughed so hard, our heads ached on the car ride back home. Ever laugh so hard that it hurts? That was it.
I’m in Long Beach — the perfect halfway between LA and the OC. I wouldn’t mind setting up something like this with Val in the OC.
I’m officially a fan. I’ll be there at the next UYE. :0)
*I’m gonna put «not good for kids» since the realtor in the sketch scene was getting showered on her face while on her knee…
THANK YOU VAL! WE HAD A BLAST!

$ 5= $.78 + 2 cent tip= 4 ½ times the fun.
MAPLE SYRUP!

pizza from the home of the noid
filled bellies along with snacks
as the crowd sat on hard chairs
and watched in anticipation.
basketball hoops overhead
made for useful props
as comedy geniuses
filled this crowd with laughter
the ever surprising moments of the improv
left us wondering what would come
after hookers, cameras, and pennies
as we laugh about maple syrup and pasta sauce
=D
Thank you to Mary B for the last minute pre-​show musical entertainment and to Val for getting everything together and introducing us all to these hilarious groups! Val, stop stressing about your UYEs, you know its going to be fine, lol!
$ 365 raised for the community center while we had fun and laughed? That’s a good night!
Can’t wait to see these improv artists again!

Having already seen previous performances by Nation of Improv and Robert Downey Jr. Jr. at the Saturday! Saturday! Show, I knew that this UYE should not be missed. I was already a fan :)
The highlights of my evening:
— every single sketch by Dead Honkey. Particularly the FOB’s taking pictures, maple syrup, and the badminton routine
— the improv set of RDJJ, particularly when they were playing chess and intimidated the other team by sticking chess pieces up the a@#! I was laughing so hard: D
$ 5 donation to the Studio City Recreation Center for a two hour comedy show? Not too shabby for a lazy sunday evening! Nice work, Val :)

Valerie your altruism always shines and, you always do things for the better good and are pure.
Well done!

Tsk tsk Valerie, you were being such a good host, you didn’t make time to introduce me to any of the hot comedians.
You know how I like my men funny like I like them:
Legal-​Aged (preferably 21+ or in their 30’s)
Mature
Blue-​collared
White-​collared
Educated
Street-​savy
Stylish
Rugged
Shaggy
Kind
Sexually-​naughty
Unpredictable
Smart
Random
Loyal
Hairy
Smooth
Buff
Skinny
Bearish
Short
Tall as this list
White
Yellow
Black
Brown
H%#@, some men could be tanned-​orange or martian green and I’d still _​_​_​_​them out if they were funny enough.
But I forgive you because:
–Those Asian sketches were hilarious. RAWR to cuteness.
–Those black guys were tall, sexy, or both. My eyes were pleased.
–That white comedian was a good amount of dorky and funny. Two-​words: Turned. On.
–We both wanted to make out with someone by the end of the night.
–The event was for a good cause.
–There was a birthday celebration.
–Mary B was pretty good (though the speakers were a little loud).
–You didn’t sleep much the night before to support me.
–All the Unilocalers that came to support you. An impressive amount.
Improv isn’t my cup of tea but I’d come out again to feel the sense of community for a community cause. Yay to pre and post parties! I had a good time.

Val C’s mother refers to sex as «hokus pokus». You know the daughter of a cool lady like that is gonna know comedy. And she does.
I’ve surrendered my wrist to Val before. Letting her drag me around town to various comedy shows. Val C. and her discerning eye for talent knows no limits.
Without her influence, I’d be stuck at the Laugh Factory, loathing my fifty dollar watered-​down first, of the «two drink minimum» forced upon me. Staring at the egregious ticket price for my entry post-​epic time spent waiting in line. Ruing the day I’d let myself enter an auditorium rife with lush tourists who think that «nachos supreme» is gourmet Mexican fare.
Meanwhile ‘nachos’ are-​a-​crunching from all directions. At the jaw-​dropping purchased-​price of only $ 75. (United States dollars) per nacho. Doing ANYTHING but laughing. (Maybe even cryin a little.)
Val finds the underground venues with the freshest talent. Should she become an agent? Not long ago we were in Silver Lake together. In the ballroom/​basement of a retiree-​frequented restaurant, laughing till we cried. While a Jew fro-​sporting 7 foot comedian made love to the microphone with the most hard core gangsta rap this author has ever heard.
To the beat of Notorious B.I.G. Gangsta rap about what you say? From a seven foot dude sporting a kick-​ass Jew fro? A bumble bee that got on this comedian’s ever lasting nerve. Can you even picture that? Like I said, Val can spot talent.
I’d never seen an improv group perform prior to Val’s Shenanigan’s & Tomfoolery event. I surrender the wrist and get belly laughs on the cheap by surrendering said wrist to Val.
This girl killed herself for us. She took meetings, scouted locations, shopped, researched, put up with ten kinds of drama, delivered to her like ten swift uppercuts to the temple and then some.
She bought food and drinks, stressed out, passed out and put a lotta love and Val C mojo into this event. All the while making sure that ‘WE’, her friends and fans had a good time. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the proceeds from this event went to a worthy cause. *See above ‘fans’.
Speaking of stress and uppercuts, Val’s opening musical act canceled last minute on her. With two days notice and zero rehearsal yours truly filled in and borrowed Val’s jazz bass playing friend for a jam session.
Sunday near Moorpark & Whitsett. Val and friends set up borrowed chairs in the recreation room at the Studio City community Center. Carried bags of ice, borrowed coolers, eats, treats n drinks for everyone.
I strapped on my solid mahogany hollow body and played a little Sly & The family Stone. I got off quick to make room for better talent.
Improv, as I learned thanks to this event, is where a bunch of funny people get together and use the situations gained from audience participation to make live comedy happen. The viewers are personally involved.
Jokes about us, the room, the towns we grew up in, and the ALWAYS funny, hookers that work for spare change hookin. Especially funny when the hooker is a comedian who looks to be about 9 months pregnant. By the way, if that didn’t make ya laugh, you may need to get your funny bone checked babe.
Val brought us all together again. As always, for a good reason. As always, a good time.
If you didn’t get a chance to thank her personally for throwing all this together, you can start by making sure that you are already following her reviews. Because the girl that drags several hot comedic forces together (who are used to playing sold out shows BTW) to perform for our sorry asses for FREE? Is a girl who knows what the hell she is doing when she puts five stars next to a burger place too folks.
The party kept going, but I should have stopped at the comedy show. Karaōke bar down the block filled up with Unilocalers post Shenanigan’s. These Unilocalers can SING! Way better than me FYI.
You probably already know this about me, but I should NOT drink. I have no inhibitions to lose and I am already WAY too friendly. I only had 3? But on an empty tummy. (Had to cram for this hawt gig that I had!) I am a total alcohol amateur. I’m told I danced on the bar?
Did I dance with you? Thanks hunky guys! You are great.:-) Did I lose my cookies near you? Remind me what happened? Apologies. I’m told I fell down. *crawls back under rock of shame* And there you go. I am also willing to go a long way to get laughs. These ones at my own expense.;-)
Val, thanks. Great job. Your hard work is appreciated by me and many. And all the kids at the recreation center that benefit from your generosity.
Well
freaking
done
Val.

This was my 2^nd UYE, I saw nearly everyone I remembered meeting from the first UYE and met some cool new cats as well.
As others have said this was definitely $ 5 well spent. The money went to a local Rec-​center/​park. The park actually looked rather nice and the building portion of the rec center wasn’t bad either… you could tell it was older construction, but a lot of its character is still preserved. I almost felt like I was in the auditorium at my old elementary school.
As for the event itself, the music was great Mary B’s band, the comic acts were great (Dead Honkey and Robert Downey Jr Jr). My mind escapes me for the stand up guy’s name, but his devil sticks tricks were pretty slick. I would say I hope some of the ladies in the house dropped their numbers but the guy did say he had a g’f.
The after party was a blast too, although I wished more of our group signed up for karaōke (self included as I think I could’ve wrecked a few songs after a few more rounds)
As for the survey, if they’re little kids I’m going w/​what Dave Chapelle said «Betta not bring yo’ kidz!!!» but if they’re in the teens, they would’ve loved it.

*** Big shout outs to Val C and Co for this fundraiser. ***
Val C organized this event on Unilocal to benefit the Studio City
Recreation Center, which has several programs for the kids.
Val has no kids so this event struck me as especially selfless.
She got several comedic acts to voluntarily perform here for our
amusement. In ret’n, a $ 5 cover charge that goes to the Center.
(Definitely the best $ 5 that I have spent all this year, bar none.)
And thx to several other Unilocalers who helped her to entertain,
cleanup, manage the audience, serve free drinks and food.
Hopefully the Ctr will spend some $ on A/​C … hot up in ‘er!
*** This was a uniquely awesome experience. Kudos. ***

Valerie C could run for president after the awesome event she coordinated tonight. I am a fan of Daniel L, Mary B, Ching T, Jay W, and Katie B but tonight I think Val was #1. No parking fee and free pizza, sweets, drinks and a very funny comedy show for $ 5. Plus we also heard free music while we ate and socialized before the comedy acts and we socialized after the event.
Mary B started us off and received much applause for her soulful sound and kick-​butt guitar. Out of all my plutonic female friends Mary B may be the most entertaining. I can see why many people like Mary B so much. She performed at least 4 songs and I jammed to all of them.
I liked the first group the most as they made me laugh out loud the most. They performed a skit improve style which had so many twist and turns and odd humor. Then a group named «Dead Honkey» performed and did things you just have to see, I will not spoil it for you. Then the Robert Downey Jr Jr group finished off the night with more great laughs and a finale so smart and well planned.
The park itself was just as beautiful to me as the previous reviewers mentioned. I saw many families enjoying the park on a Sunday afternoon. The park was a very peaceful setting with playground area and a great recreation area with stage for performers.
On the day before my new mathematics class and new level of exercise I am happy to enjoy a great time here.
A great comedy
Such beautiful Melody
Luv everybody