Teakakez Comedy Lounge is at Zanzi’s in Oakland on July 5

Teakakez-Comedy-Lounge-poster, Teakakez Comedy Lounge is at Zanzi’s in Oakland on July 5, Culture Currents Local News & Views

by The People’s Minister of Information JR Valrey, SF Bay View Oakland Bureau

Teakakez Comedy Lounge is the premiere monthly comedy showcase in Oakland, which goes down every first Tuesday of the month at its new location, Zanzi’s, in downtown Oakland. Some of the hottest comedians from Northern Cali, as well as some of the most talented comics passing through the area, come to this event to grace an Oakland stage. 

The dynamic duo of Pam and DJ have done a superb job at putting together a quality monthly event that comedians and the crowd can get excited about. Check out Pam and DJ as they talk about moving to a new home base. 

JR Valrey: When is the next Teakakez Comedy Lounge? Where? 

Pam and DJ: The next Teakakez Comedy Lounge is Tuesday, July 5, 2022, in downtown Oakland at Zanzi’s, located at 19 Grand Ave., Oakland.

JR Valrey: What made you feature the women comedians that you are featuring? Can you tell us a little bit about them?

Pamela and DJ: Teakakez Comedy is all about inclusion and we pride ourselves on featuring our local and Northern California comedians and artists. On this particular show, we wanted to give a nod to some of the funniest females in the business: 

Shenise is making waves up and down the 707 and 510 with her brand of in yo face comedy. Neshima Ford is becoming one of Oakland’s best kept secrets, silently destroying comedy stages one by one. 

We are teaming this dynamic duo up with one of Hollywood’s newest powerhouse comedians, Tacarra Williams. She was featured on NBC’S “Bring the Funny” and can currently be seen on Snoop Dogg’s new show streaming on Peakcock, called “It’s So Dumb, It’s Crimnal.” 

In a male dominated industry, we wanted to shine a light on these amazing funny females and to show that there are also female comedians who are holding their own out here. In the words of James Brown, “This is a man’s world, but it wouldn’t be nothing without a woman or a girl.”

JR Valrey: What made yall give the comedy show a new home? Can you talk about Zanzi’s?

Pam and DJ: Thanks to the Bay Area for showing up and showing out. We found ourselves growing and gaining momentum in our show attendance. Although we had a wonderful partnership with the Moxy Oakland downtown, our previous location, we were growing and required more space. 

Zanzi’s is the newest hotspot for music and culture downtown. They bring international musicians to Oakland every week, and there is standing room only at every show. The owner of Zanzi’s was familiar with our hustle and open to our vision. He provided us with a new home that matched our energy and supported our future aspirations for our “Ultimate Comedy Show Experience,” Zanzi’s Oakland is now the new home for Teakakez Ultimate Comedy Experience, on every first Tuesday of the Month.

JR Valrey: What makes a good comedian?

Pam and DJ: This question is a bit hard to answer because comedy is subjective to your individual brand of funny, but we believe that these are some of the key elements:  Believing in yourself, being relatable, timing, delivery, as well as being able to read your room, your audience.

JR Valrey: How would you describe the vibe of the Bay Area comedy scene?

Pam and DJ: Our Bay Area comedy scene is a mirror image of our culture. It’s full of diversity, hunger and hustle.

JR Valrey: Who are two of the best comedians that you like that are emerging out of the Bay? Why do you like them?

Pam and DJ: Teakakez Comedy Lounge is all about uplifting our Bay Area comedians near and far, and there are too many to narrow down to only two. We have a plethora of comedians who are emerging in their own right, and we support all of them. Keep your head on swivel because they’re coming in hot!

JR Valrey: What kind of crowd comes to your comedy shows?

Pam and DJ: We have a variety of supporters. Most of our supporters are good hard working people that enjoy comedy just as much as we do. They vary from the blue collar worker, getting off work to enjoy a good laugh and a beer, to the CEO business owner coming to celebrate that new contract, grab a drink and enjoy a good laugh, to the independent entrepreneur coming to blow off some steam and enjoy a good evening of laughter, food, music and fun. As you can see, our crowds include any and everyone who enjoys comedy!

JR Valrey: What do you want people to get from y’alls comedy show?

Pam and DJ: We want everyone to enjoy a brief get-away from the everyday stresses of life. Also we want everyone to support and recognize some of the hottest and funniest comedians from the Bay Area and Northern California. If you didn’t know who they were when you got there, you damn sure gonna know who they are when you leave! Our Teakakez motto is “support Bay Area comedians”

JR Valrey: How could people get more information?

Pam and DJ: Follow us on social media:

IG: www.instagram.com/teakakez_comedy

FB: Teakakez Comedy

JR Valrey, journalist, author, filmmaker and founder of Black New World Media, heads the SF Bay View’s Oakland Bureau. He can be reached at blockreportradio@gmail.com or on Facebook. Visit www.BlackNewWorldMedia.com to read more.