Multi-talented McNulty

Jennie McNulty has a Master’s degree in Kinesiology that she uses to present a motivational exercise seminar, a natural talent for comedy that she brings to audiences all over the world with both her stand-up act and her improv troop, and a love of sports that has lead to her playing strong safety for a professional women’s tackle football team. Somehow, the hysterical and popular lesbian comic still found the time to answer some of Cherry Grrl’s questions and help our audience learn more about her very impressive life and career.

Cherrygrrl.com (CG): Your bio says that you graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Kinesiology. How did that lead to comedy?
Jennie McNulty (JM): What? That’s not funny? Actually, it led to a job in a research lab and I was working with a guy there who was similar to me in a lot of ways and it seemed to me that he was going through an early mid-life crisis and I thought: “That’s me in 10 or 20 years.” I had always wanted to do something in the entertainment field and I thought, “No one’s gonna come in here and say, ‘You there, with that white rat… come with me I’m gonna take you to Hollywood and make you a star.’” So, I thought I should do something about it. I’d always thought I was funny so I thought I’d try comedy. I went and watched about four weeks of open mic nights and saw some pretty awful stuff and figured I could do at least that well, so I gave it a try and, fortunately, I had a good set. And it took off from there.

CG: Do you think that your very academic background has made you a better comedian?
JM: Without question. I wish I’d studied harder, actually.

CG: What’s your favorite part about being a comedian?
JM: Gosh, that depends on the day. Sometimes it’s plain unadulterated ego and it feels good to have people laughing and clapping and saying nice things to me. Sometimes it’s the opportunity to make a statement and get your point across in a way that makes people listen (laughter is not only the best medicine but, frequently, the only way people will listen…it makes things more palatable). But, my favorite part about being a gay comedian is being out and showing people it’s okay. It’s okay if you’re gay and for those who think they don’t like or don’t know gay people – “Well, here I am, you’ve just been laughing with me and I’m gay and I’m not so bad, right?” People all know gay people whether they think they do or not and if they knew (and, especially, liked) “a gay,” it might change their mind. So BE OUT!

CG: What are some current projects/shows that you are working on?
JM: Well, I’m working really hard on my video blog: “Jennie McNulty Presents: Walking Funny With…” It’s a walking talk show where I take a walk with my guests and encourage the viewer to download and walk along. I’m trying to get people out there moving a little bit and getting in better shape (and thereby rationalizing the 7 ½ years I spent in school). I’m trying to get sponsors for that (“helllooooo, anyone out there listening”). And, I’m trying to get it out there and seen by as many folks as I can. I really, really love doing them. They’re so much fun to shoot. I get to hang out with my pals and meet new and interesting women and try to get people moving. I’ve gotten a bunch of letters from people who’ve started walking or running and lost weight, etc. It’s been very, very rewarding.

I’m touring with my improv troop, “Queer On Their Feet.” It’s myself, Diana Yanez, who tours with Margaret Cho and stars in “Spanish For Your Nanny,” and Jason Dudey - who’s been on LOGO TV. The format of our show is each of us doing some stand up by ourselves and then we all play improv games together. It’s a fun, fun, show. We just got back from a couple of nights in Arizona and had a blast.

CG: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
JM: Oh, that’s a tough one. It was fantastic to finally get on TV on “One Night Stand Up” on LOGO, so from a professional stand point, that’s pretty high, but without a doubt, my most rewarding shows are the ones I do for the military. I have been to Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Japan, Serbia, Bosnia, Macedonia and elsewhere. Every night I’m told, “Thank you for taking my mind off of where I am.” These people are so amazing. They are doing their job so honorably and professionally even if they don’t want to be there - as some, quiet frankly, do not. AND their “job” is getting frickin’ shot at!! (Forgive me for ending in a preposition…I’m upset). They are the coolest, most amazing people who are serving our country in such a noble and admirable way. As for the “gay thing,” I have to do “don’t ask, don’t tell” shows - however, from the minute I get on the base until I go home I’m wearing rainbow earrings, necklace, bracelet, hat, everything - so the soldiers who need to know, know. And, I don’t change pronouns; I just don’t talk about relationships. It’s the only place that I’m not out onstage. And, actually, there have been a couple of times that, in the course of playing with the crowd, I “out” myself, but I don’t do my “gay material.”

CG: What motivated you to perform for the troops?
JM: I had done Korea, Japan, etc. before and they were a blast…I guess I shouldn’t use that adjective - they were really fun. But this was all before 9/11 so, for those earlier shows, it was just a really fun gig and a chance to see the world and entertain our troops who, even then, were still making a big sacrifice for the country. But since 9/11, it’s still been really fun, and still a chance to see the world (Iraq is in all the travel books, you know) but now I feel like I’m kinda doing my part – helping those that are puttin’ it all on the line… And, for those military folk out there, please don’t think I’m equating my “service” with your “service.” It’s a very little thing I can do to make their job easier – even if it’s for a day. But it’s what I can do. I couldn’t do their gig.

CG: Who do you consider funny?
JM: Wow, that’s really hard and gonna get me in trouble… Steve Martin was/is my all-time favorite but, of comics today, I love Suzanne Westenhoefer, Kathleen Madigan, Erin Foley, and Julie Goldman. I think Stephen Colbert is a comedic genius; a comic named Jimmy Pardo cracks me up - there are just so many, I’m totally forgetting a bunch of peeps… And, of course, Sarah Palin – she’s a hoot!

CG: Why do you think it is that so many lesbians seem to go into comedy?
JM: Because we’re funnier… kidding. I guess a lot of lesbians like to be the center of attention…and we’re funnier.

CG: Sports and exercise seem to be important to you – how did you get involved with playing professional football?
JM: Well, the football came about at Long Beach Pride. I’ve loved football all my life and I was at LB Pride in ‘02 and saw The California Quake booth. I never knew there was a Women’s tackle football team, and I have always wanted to play so I thought I had to go to the tryout. It was at 8am in LB and I am soooooooo not a morning person but I thought, “What the hell, I’ll go, have a great day throwing the ball around and get some material out of it and - seven seasons later - I’m still playing…who knew?

CG: During the IWFL season is it hard to balance your stand up and your football games?
JM: Yes it is. It takes up sooo much time. I try to book my gigs around it but I just miss a lot of football. It sucks but, until we’re getting paid several million dollars a year to play, I gotta take the comedy work.

CG: What’s next for you in your career?
JM: Well, hopefully, getting “Walking Funny With…” out to more people; more comedy shows; more improv shows and having fun. That’s the main thing. We’re only on this little spinning globe for a second, ya gotta have fun.

For more about Jennie visit http://www.jenniemcnulty.com and www.myspace.com/jenniemcnulty.

Michele Balan’s 20-Year Overnight Success Story

Anyone who watched Michele Balan on the hit NBC talent show Last Comic Standing in 2006 learned some things about her through her many live routines. For one, she’s a true New York comic - with an attitude and wit that can only come from being born and raised in the city. Secondly, she’s hysterical. Michele made it to the final four of her season and beat out every other female comic in the competition. And last but not least… Michele is a lesbian – although some fans may have missed that little detail about the veteran comic as she only mentioned it once in a short and humorous reference to her boyfriend’s being angry with her for being gay. But Balan doesn’t hide that part of herself from her audience, she just has a lot of material that doesn’t relate to sexuality or appeal only to lesbian crowds – which is why she has seen her career expand greatly among all groups since her time on the reality program. She doesn’t just write about any one specific subject more than another and she can entertain various different types of people with her talent. When Cherry Grrl met up with the comedian recently in her hometown of NYC though, she did have one particular topic on her mind above all others. Sadly, she had just lost her 11-year-old dog, Lucy, and was clearly upset and exhausted from the emotional ordeal. Her love of dogs is one thing about Michele that you wouldn’t have learned from her time on Last Comic Standing. You also most likely didn’t realize in watching the performer that she was once climbing the corporate ladder working in an office every day or that she’s such a determined comic that she has performed immediately after a car accident – from a wheelchair. One thing that both the TV Michele and the Michele that took her time to talk to Cherry Grrl over lunch definitely do have in common though – besides their sense of humor – is how nice they are. New York attitude is present but so is a genuine kindness… even if it’s mostly just about dogs.

As is the story for most comedians who have struggled in the very competitive industry, success didn’t come overnight for Michele Balan. After years of working at a computer company and reaching the level of Account Executive of Sales, Balan quit to begin her career as a comedian. When discussing the important decision to leave her high paying job Michele seems to have no regrets. “ I just didn’t like – honestly – working in an office. I was there a long time and I started doing comedy and people were like, ‘wow you’re funny – you should do it.’ But I was like, ‘how do you make a living at this shit?’ But I wanted to get out of my company anyway and - I don’t know – I had a moment where I just couldn’t see myself 9 to 5 going in every day for the rest of my life.” What she describes as her “twenty-year-overnight-success story” began with her doing lip- syncing impressions of Bette Midler. From there she worked the bars and clubs and paid her dues among other up-and-coming talents including Suzanne Westenhoffer. She describes the difficulty of getting stage time and having to bring in audiences as being among the challenges of the trade but recalls some creative ways to get what she needed. “I used to go to AA and grab people to bring them to my shows. I told them I would drink if they didn’t come. I was like ‘I’m gonna pick up if you don’t come!’ I got like 10 people.” Although, she adds that she also went to AA to get clean and sober, not just to get audiences. “ I stopped drinking for 14 years, but I now drink again. I say that ‘I used to be a friend of Bill’s, now I am an acquaintance!’”

Things didn’t seem to get that much easier for Balan even after the bookings started coming in. With her new career came a decreased sense of security. As she explains, “now I’m in a different place where you don’t know if you’re going to work and you may never work again. And if I don’t work – I don’t get money. You don’t get sick days. If you don’t show up, that’s the end. I once had a gig and I had a car accident on the way so I went in a wheelchair. These people that hired me expected me to be there, so I went. In pain. On drugs. So I said, ‘fuck it – wrap it up. I’m going.’ And I had to go to two different places that weekend and they were rolling me around in the airport wheelchair where it was like, I was in real pain, and the guy was like, ‘where ya going?’ and I was like, ‘I gotta go do comedy!’ Of all things.”

Throughout the ups and downs of her career, however, Balan has established her strong persona as a New York comic. Born in Brooklyn and currently living in Manhattan, her style and routines are definitely influenced by her surroundings. When asked about what keeps her in the city though, her response is less about the many wonders of the Big Apple and more about her dislike of change. “I’m still living here because I don’t like change. I’m very bad with change. Anything can happen really - even a minor change just bothers me. I like things staying where they are – nobody move. I mean chances are if I was born in Indiana I think I’d still be in Indiana. Although I don’t know if I would be a comic in Indiana. I wouldn’t have that ‘what happened in New York’ to me. But I mean I congratulate people who can get up and leave their hometown and come here, to this crazy life. And I tell ya – people do it all the time. And I’m like – I moved from Brooklyn to Manhattan. That was my big escape. I was born in Brooklyn, I came to Manhattan. That was it. That’s how courageous I am.”

Regardless of her fear of change, however, Balan was able to leave her life in New York and travel out to Los Angeles to take part in a television show that would put her in front of millions of people live once a week. She credits her time on Last Comic Standing as being a huge boost to her career but isn’t too fond of the structure of the competition - where comedians of all different styles and backgrounds are compared to one another. “I had tried out the year before and the year I got selected I didn’t want to go. I thought the show was stupid,” she explains. “I mean, being a comedian, it’s like apples and oranges. I mean my season it was me and Josh Blue, who has cerebral palsy. I mean how do you compare the two of us? He’s a young boy with CP and there’ s this older Jewish woman. I mean is that not an apple and an orange?” Furthermore, Balan feels that it wasn’t really the audience deciding the winners of each show and that she knew she was going home when she did because of the make-up of her fellow contestants who were still remaining. “I mean, my season you had Roz, me, Ty, Chris, and Josh. Roz was the first to go so you look at it – she was a black person. Certainly Ty couldn’t go the week after. You certainly can’t send away two black people. You can send away two women though –nobody seems to give a shit. So I went. Chris Porter, who I know had powerful management, wasn’t gonna go and it wasn’t going to be Josh Blue – we all knew from day one that he was going to win it all. So I knew, I mean just by looking around – well it ain’t gonna be Josh, it ain’t gonna be Ty, Chris is connected with his management – so I knew I was going when I went because that was the choice that it had to be. So I don’t know how much America really gets a vote.”

One group that definitely voted her way throughout the season though was the lesbian community. Following her not-so-big-reveal of her sexuality many women got the confirmation that they needed and began supporting the comedian. When asked whether or not it was intentional on her part to come out with that particular joke she explains, “Well it wasn’t that it was or wasn’t intentional. My material is pretty much all gender anyway. Even when I do the gay shows, I might have some stuff I throw in about the girlfriend or whatever but for the most part my act is my act – and it crosses over. I’m one of the few lesbian comics who does that. And I hate that term – ‘lesbian comics’ – to me lesbian sounds like a job. Which is it a lot of the time anyway if you ask me.”

Overall though, Michele is grateful to the show for helping her to cross over into more mainstream audiences. “I mean my career has completely doubled since Last Comic, especially with the straight market. Now I’m headlining comedy clubs and I’m doing cruises and casinos and it put me on the map. I already had a lot of shows in the gay community but it really helped me to break over to that other community. But I mean lets face it – doing a gay show is a lot more fun. It’s like a Jew performing for the Jews as opposed to the Jews performing for the Germans. You know what I mean? But, you know, it’s the career.”

And it’s a career that has taken her all over the world and to places that she says she never would have gone otherwise. “Last year I did a RSVP Cruise. It was a riverboat cruise up the Danube River to Budapest, Prague, Vienna, Bratislava – I mean when would I be in Bratislava? I mean seriously. And to get paid for it?” But the travel has its downside too, as she explains. “The traveling is ridiculous - especially now. I mean years ago they treated you with respect but now it’s like you’re cattle. A bunch of cattle going on the plane. And you can’t bring a bag, they don’t want you to bring a bag on the plane. It’s like – where do you think we’re going? Nudist colonies?” The worse of it came recently for her though during her trip to Southwest Funny Fest in Albuquerque, immediately following the heartbreaking decision she was forced to make to have her dog put down. “I had these shows and I get off the plane hysterically crying because I loved her to death,” explains the animal lover, who donates to various animal charities each month. “And I’m thinking – do you think I want to be here and have to do comedy? But I do it – because it becomes a job. You know, my job is to move away from my life and I did two great shows and then I just couldn’t wait to come home. And of course the plane that I was on had to make an emergency landing and it went off the runway and I didn’t get home for 14 hours. People were all scared. I was just pissed. I was like ‘I just want to get home. My dog died. I don’t give a shit about this fucking plane.’”

But there are no regrets for Balan in choosing her career and she definitely enjoys performing. “People come up to me and say ‘God, I really needed that laugh.’ I mean it really is a great feeling when the room is screaming and clapping for you. I used to get attention when I wore a bathing suit when I was young and good looking so now I can only do comedy to get that.”

So she plans to continue working and entertaining audiences for as long as she can or, as she explains, until she is collecting SSI. After that? “I want to open a place for dogs, ‘Michele Balan’s Red Woof Inn.’” With a continually expanding career that includes acting jobs and a possible reality show called Michele Balans Not on the D List – She’s Not Even on Craigslist, the comic hopes to make enough money to go off, relax, and have another dog like Lucy. “Lucy spoiled me. She came trained. She was like a self-cleaning oven - a self-trained dog. She was like a little human in a furry body. And my friends would say ‘you know, they are not all like that.’ She never even barked – I was like, ‘I don’t think my dog has vocal chords.’ And she never chewed anything. Except I was dating this woman who didn’t like dogs and we would go see her and Lucy would chew her stuff. Never chewed anything of mine but we went there and she chewed. She told me ‘no good’ - and she was right.”

For more about Michele and information on her upcoming performances visit her at http://www.comicbalan.com.

Last Comic Standing photo by: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank.

Laughable Lesbianism - and More - with Amy Tee

Let’s face it - sometimes being a lesbian isn’t that funny. The drama, the heartbreak, and well… the women – can be hard to handle at times. Amy Tee – the rising comedic star out of New England, however, has found a way to laugh at it all and help her audiences escape from the trials and tribulations of their relationships and beyond. She uses her own life experiences – which do include the girls – and delivers unique and hysterical comedy that is appealing to gay and mainstream audiences alike and quickly earning her a spot among popular comics nationwide. Cherrygrrl.com had the chance to ask Amy a few questions about her talent, career, and where we can find her next.

Cherrygrrl.com (CG): How long have you been performing stand up comedy and how did you get started in it?
Amy Tee (AT): I have been performing for about five years. It was always something I had wanted to try and cross off my life list. One of my very dear friends suggested I take a stand-up class with her at a local community college. I did and six weeks later I performed my first five-minute set I wrote and was instantly hooked!

CG: What types of subjects make it most often into your routines?
AT: I mostly write about what’s happening in my life at the time. They say the best comedy comes from tragedy…with that being said I have written about my marriage, now divorce, and back out being single and dating again. Girls are a wealth of material.

CG: What is it that you like about being a comedian?
AT: One of my favorite quotes is: “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” That pretty much says it all. There’s nothing better than to have people laugh at something you have written.

CG: What’s the hardest part of being a comedian?
AT: Questioning if what I write is gonna make somebody laugh. At the end of the day, that’s why we do what we do.

CG: How is the comedy scene different in New England from other parts of the country?
AT: Well, there is only one Bangor Maine so the dental coverage jokes only go so far! Seriously though, regional references can be hard but lesbian dating is pretty universal. Just being aware of that is half the battle.

CG: Who are some other comedians, either currently performing or not, that you particularly admire or respect?
AT: There are so many great comedians around and I have had amazing opportunities to work with some truly talented people. Some of the comics I really admire are Suzanne Westenhoefer, Kathy Griffin, Jennie McNulty, Sarah Silverman, Dave Rattigan, and Kate Clinton.

CG: Why do you think there is such a strong presence of lesbian comics on the scene?
AT: I think there have always been a lot of great lesbian comics flying just under the radar. Ellen’s coming out helped bring us into the mainstream and gay marriage has been such a hot topic in the media that it brought us more to the forefront. The political climate has been kinda intense for a while; I think we were all overdue for some humorous input.

For more information about Amy visit http://www.myspace.com/amyteehee and http://www.amytee.com. Upcoming performances include:

Nov 9th – NJ, A.N.G.E.L. benefit for suicide prevention.
Nov 14th - NYC, Gay & Lesbian Center, Laughing Matters DVD Premier
Nov 15th – NYC, Gotham Comedy Club
Nov 29th – Bradford, MA, The Roma Restaurant
Dec 13th – Providence, RI, Sunset bar and Grill

Dana Goldberg Was Born To Be a Comedian

Dana Goldberg is the kind of comedian that you just know truly enjoys what she does. She makes people laugh and she does it with a positive and fun approach where her audiences laugh with and about her as she shares stories about her own life and family. On stage she is confident, yet adorable, and her jokes are intelligent and fresh. In an industry that is difficult for any performer, and even harder for a lesbian, Dana has made a name for herself in the LGBT community and beyond. Cherrygrrl.com recently got to know more about the funny lady from New Mexico and discussed her career, her humanitarian efforts, and how she really feels about Sarah Palin.

Cherrygrrl.com (CG): When did you first realize that you were funny?
Dana Goldberg (DG): I’m not sure I was the one to realize I was funny, but apparently my kindergarten teacher told my mother I was the funniest five year old she had ever met. I was always the class clown, but I didn’t try any kind of stand-up until my senior year in high school. I won the talent show with a five-minute stand-up routine and my mother’s hopes and dreams of me becoming a doctor went right out the window.

CG: How long have you been performing as a stand-up comedian?
DG: I started in 2003, so that puts me at about… six years? I finally quit my “day job” last May. I was a bartender for almost 11 years. I’m glad to see that chapter of my life closed so I can focus on the things that really feed my soul. I got a little tired of the drunk men asking me what my husband does for living. “He dresses like a woman” always confused them just enough to end the conversation.

CG: What is it about comedy that you enjoy the most?
DG: Oh my gosh, I LOVE connecting with people, making them laugh. I love the incredible rush when I’m killing on stage. I like being able to take people away from their every day lives, even if its just for an hour or two. We live in an incredibly crazy time right now. Watching Sarah Palin speak actually frightens me at this point. I think what offends me the most is that people actually think we’ll vote for her just because she’s a woman. Are you kidding me? After she gave her first speech my vagina actually seceded from the United States. I’ve been getting postcards from Canada! “Good luck with the election down South. Love, Vag.”

CG: What are the most common topics that you write into your routines?
DG: I do a lot of material about my family and my past and present relationships. The funniest jokes are the ones about things that really happened. The audience doesn’t really know what’s made up and what’s real, so it’s always funny when people come up to me after the show and ask, “did you really knock her tooth out?” (The answer to that is no by the way… give me some credit). I was raised by a Jewish mother in a single parent household in which two out of three kids are gay. I was born to do comedy…or jail time.

CG: How has your childhood and family affected your comedy and style of performing?
DG: I’m lucky that my mother supports what I do since I have a few jokes in my routine about her. My mother has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and live my truth. Sometimes those are easier said than done, but she actually raised me with the knowledge that I can do anything I put my mind and heart to. I’m a little edgy on stage, so every once in a while I wonder if she’s embarrassed. It’s funny though - I can tell jokes about my mother, rectal thermometers, sex toys, you name it. I was a little worried after one of my more edgy sets, but my mom came up to me after the show and all she said was “did you have to say I was 63 on stage?”

CG: Do you think that being identified as a “lesbian” comedian helps or hinders your career?
DG: I actually wonder about that at times, but at this point, I wouldn’t know what the difference in my career would have been. Its not like I can go “back in the closet.” I perform in a lot of different environments in front of a lot of different audiences. I’ve come to the point in my career where I truly believe the audience doesn’t care as long as I’m funny. Since I’m funny, the fact that I’m a lesbian becomes very secondary. However, I do have to say that the support the LGBT communities give one of their own when they are part of the public arena is outstanding. I love working with Olivia Cruises, performing at Dinah Shore, working the women’s festivals around the country. I will continue to perform in front the mainstream crowds, but I feel most comfortable in front of the gay and lesbian audiences.

CG: What for you has been the most difficult aspect of succeeding as a professional comedian?
DG: I think one of the hardest things is constantly creating work for yourself. There are so many of us out there “trying to make it,” you have to create something that no one else can offer. I’ve been incredibly blessed at this point in my career. My comedy is smart and edgy, I don’t sound like all of the other “comedy club comedians.” I think a lot of the gay and lesbian comics find a voice that is specific to their own experiences. I, like so many other artists, am my own worst critic. I know that I AM the only thing that stands in my way of anything I want to accomplish.

CG: Who are your comedic idols?
DG: I have so much respect for so many people in my field. I’m a HUGE fan of Kathleen Madigan, Page Hurwitz, Kate Clinton, Lisa Koch. There are so many brilliant women that I work with. I don’t know if I really grew up obsessed with anyone in particular, but I remember watching the old SNL. Gilda Ratner was brilliant!

CG: What was your experience on Last Comic Standing like?
DG: LCS is an interesting experience. Its a reality show, so if you remember that going into it, the experience is much more positive. I think a lot of young comedians put all of their hopes and dreams in the LCS basket, and when it doesn’t work out, they’re crushed. I went to the auditions knowing that a lot of people had already been pre-selected to go through. I did a lot of gay material in my sets. I had great sets during the tapings at the Tempe Improv, I just wasn’t chosen to go through. I’m glad I auditioned, but I’m not sure I would do it again if they have another season. We’ll see what my schedule looks like.

CG: What has the highlight of your career been so far?
DG: There are SO many things that stand out over the last six years. One of the highlights will happen this November (how secretive was THAT!?), but one of the definite highlights so far was opening for David Brenner in Aspen this past Valentine’s Day. The man is a comic legend! David and the producers at the Wheeler Opera House looked through thousands of comedians to choose 12 to perform in Aspen for a four-week series called “David Brenner Presents: What’s so Funny?” I guess David actually hand picked me as one of the chosen 12. I was the ONLY gay performer during the series and was one of four comedians invited back to perform in Aspen on December 28th for “The Best of David Brenner Presents.” That is definitely something I’ll always remember.

CG: What is something about you that your fans would be surprised to learn?
DG: I…am actually a little shy (smiling). I know its a little hard to believe, but its true. AND, I can juggle.

CG: Tell us about some of your humanitarian efforts and how and why you got involved with them?
DG: I am the co-producer of the Southwest FunnyFest in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It’s a comedy event that raises money for a local non-profit charity that is in need of funding. Over the last three events, we have raised over $10,000 for the AIDS Foundation in Albuquerque. We are doing a two day event on March 13th and 14th 2009 called Comedy and Chords. We are bringing down some of the artists I met during one of my Olivia Cruises trips, including Natalia Zukerman and Catie Curtis. The event will raise money for breast cancer research (www.southwestfunnyfest.com). I have worked with dozens of organizations around the country to help raise money with my comedy. I had the amazing opportunity to meet Gloria Steinem when I performed at the Ms. Foundation Comedy Hour at Caroline’s in NYC. The experiences I’ve had just because I have the ability to make people laugh have been incredible. It’s important to me to give back to the communities that support me. I think we all know that laughter is a great way to bring people together for a good cause.

CG: What are your goals for the future of your career?
DG: I think my goals change from day to day, but I definitely have a few things up my sleeve. You can be sure I’ll be releasing a DVD in the next few months.

CG: Where and when can your fans see you perform next?
DG: I’ll be spending two weeks in Turks and Caicos with Olivia Cruises and Resorts from October 25th-November 8th. I have a few private events in November, and I’ll be in Aspen on December 28th at the Wheeler Opera House. My schedule next year is already starting to fill up. 2009 is going to be a GREAT year. I can feel it…

For more information about Dana visit her at www.danagoldberg.com and http://www.myspace.com/danagoldberg.

From Convent to Comedy – Kelli Dunham Laughs Her Way Through Life

Out lesbian comedian Kelli Dunham has had a very eventful and interesting life so far -full of unique meetings, experiences, and travels. And most of that occurred before she became a professional comedian touring the country making people laugh. The self-proclaimed “dork gone wild,” who trained to become a nun and almost ended up married to a preacher in the bible belt, recently discussed with cherrygrrl.com her life, influences, and future goals for her career.

Cherrygrrl.com (CG): How did you first get involved in comedy and how long have you been doing standup?

Kelli Dunham (KD): I have been interested in comedy since I was a kid. The walk home from the bus stop was 5/8 of a mile, and I often stopped to tell the cows jokes along the way. They weren’t such a bad first audience! My first time on a stage was 2001, but it wasn’t until 2004 that I was working every weekend and had started to find my niche.

CG: You have experienced and done a lot of interesting things in your life so far – from growing up in a small town, your time in a convent, world travels helping those who are less fortunate and nursing school. How have all of your experiences shaped you as a comic?

KD: I think whatever you do as a person helps you as a comic because you have more raw material to draw on. Even if you aren’t actively joking about one aspect of life or another, it all provides perspective, and comedy is all about perspective, providing a new verbal slant, often on something fairly mundane.

CG: If you weren’t working in comedy what do you think you would be doing?

KD: I think that if I hadn’t found comedy I would have tried to get back into the convent. I might have had to break in though, I am not sure they would really want me at this point!

CG: You have published four books so far – are there others in the works and if so what are the topics?

KD: I have a few different books floating around in my head, but nothing contracted right now. Exciting things in the works though!

CG: Who do you consider your biggest influences to be?

KD: Kate Clinton, Eddie Izzard and Chris Farley are my comic influences.

CG: Your calendar lists that you have a new column called “Jersey Fresh” debuting in Out in New Jersey Magazine. What’s that all about?

KD: I’ve written a regular humor column on and off for the past ten years. The original incarnation, “Trippin Out,” appeared in Philly’s Au Courant for two years and won three Vice Versa awards. This time I’ll be writing for Out in Jersey, which I consider one of my home states. Since I travel so much between Philly and New York, I spend lots of time in Jersey!

CG: What’s your favorite part of doing a show?

KD: Well, the actual doing it is the most awesome part, when the show seems to take on a life of its own. It’s like a romance, with the crowd, going back and forth, seeing where the audience is on any given night in any given situation.

CG: Where do you hope to see your career go? Film? Television?

KD: Well I used to say that I doubted that the “Kelli Dunham Show” will be debuting any time soon, since I don’t see many folks who look like me on TV. Even in gay specific programming it seems like folks are looking for more mainstream (i.e. not genderqueer) appearing talent. But things are changing, and now it seems more possible.

The advantage of a TV show would be the ability to make a living and not have to travel every weekend. That would be great, but I would miss the live performance aspect and meeting so many interesting and inspirational people on the road.

CG: What would your advice be to aspiring lesbian comedians?

KD: Be funny! And don’t back down from challenging material. As outsiders, we have something unique to say, relish that unique perspective, it’s one of our gifts to the world!

For more information on Kelli visit http://kellidunham.com.

Kelli’s next performances are:

Sep 26, 2008 - Nolose-interactive Workshop: Improv meets activism: The nuts and healthcare advocacy
Northampton, MA
www.nolose.org

Oct 4, 2008 - Poly-Pride Picnic and Rally
New York, NY
http://www.poly-nyc.com/pride.html

Comedic Newcomer Bridget McManus Serves Up a Humorous Turn Live and Finds Her Voice

BY HARRIET KAPLAN

She prowls the stage with hyperactivity bobbing and weaving. Her body is in constant motion as she talks abut her awkward childhood. How she struggled with varying weight gains of 12 to 200 lbs. Yo-yo Dieting is fodder for the act. Making fun of herself and transforming that pain into unabashed liberation created immediate punch lines and comic relief mined from real-life experience.

This was the catalyst for brief set Bridget McManus delivered at a recent standup show at Hamburger Mary’s in West Hollywood, CA. As one of the emerging stars of the latest Laughing Matters documentary, the raven-haired performer, also a lesbian, talked about being a weirdo kid that dressed in costumes as varied as Indiana Jones, Pac Man and Wonder Woman for Halloween. From there, she transformed herself into a slimmer hottie who confessed to be attracted to older woman “cougars.” She even used her sardonic humor to detail sitting through an entire Journey concert with one. McManus described and painted a livid picture of hanging out with both wasted youth culture and the middle-aged bygone era rockers in the parking lot when she could no longer endure the music.

Jumping from one topic to the next and switching gears with a rapid pace is in line with her favorite comedian and one that has influenced her style, Eddie Izzard. “He constantly surprises me and I love his randomness,” explained McManus. “Stand up is competitive and I feel that my lesbian ‘voice’ allows me to stand out in a very male dominated industry. My best material usually originates from my life experiences. There is something funny about tragedy - like telling my mother that her second daughter is also gay.”

As a child, McManus had her first taste of cutting up and provoking laughter in the family as a four-year-old running around the house telling jokes into a turkey baster pretending it was a microphone. “I loved watching episodes of Laverne & Shirley and the Carol Burnett Show. I wanted to be just like Carol when I grew up. Carol is my hero.”

After dreaming of becoming a comedian for 23 years, she took the necessary steps to make her goal a reality. “In January 2007, I complied a list of open mic ventures and went out to clubs every night of the week trying to craft three minutes of material, which seemed like a lifetime. Now, a year and a half later, I’m working on my second 45-minute show, ‘Hold Still, I’m Almost Done.’”

McManus said being asked to participate in the Laughing Matters project was a quick process that happened right on the spot. Also, having it shown at Outfest in Los Angeles over the summer has been a stepping stone and highlight in McManus’ burgeoning career. “While performing at Hamburger Mary’s I met the Laughing Matters director/producer Andrea Meyerson,” McManus explained. “Andrea watched my five-minute set and invited me to be in the documentary that very night. The filming was painless and I really enjoyed my one-on-one interview with Andrea. During the stand up shoot, the other comedians and I ran around prepping for our performances so I didn’t pay too much attention to the cameras. They were just an obstacle while I was stretching, doing headstands, and tuning my tambourine.”

McManus is philosophical about what Outfest means to her as a lesbian and a gay comedian but can’t deny the impact and opportunity the event has presented in terms of visibility. She recognizes the chance to reach a bigger audience and manages to look at the range of opportunity to the point of absurdity with a tongue planted firmly in cheek.

Every year I attend Outfest and I love what the film festival stands for. I’m very proud to say I was a part of two screenings this year, Laughing Matters and 3Way. Next year my goal is to be in five films. Oh, and to cure world hunger. ”

Bridget McManus will debut her 45-minute show, “Hold Still, I’m Almost
Done” December 4th at M BAR in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. To find out more about Bridget, visit www.myspace.com/bridgetmcmanus.

Los Angeles native Harriet Kaplan is a music journalist that has been published in Music Connection, BAM Magazine, L.A. Village View and www.bluerailroad.com. She has reviewed club shows for local unsigned bands and singers for over 20 years. In addition to this specialty, Kaplan has written about established rock, pop, and R&B acts and performers including Melissa Etheridge, Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks, The Go-Gos and Hall & Oates. To contact Harriet regarding upcoming events and reviews write to her at Harriet@Cherrygrrl.com.