CEMVO's Comedy Showcase 2009

CEMVO's Comedy Showcase

CEMVO Working to Raise the Profile of London's Thriving Black and Asian Comedy Scene

The Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO), the charity with the greatest expertise in raising the issues of British minority ethnic communities, is delighted to have won funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund to deliver their project 'London's History of Comedy'. The project will be run as part of the Mayor of London's 'Story of London' festival running throughout June.

The project looks directly at how London, as a unique economic and cultural hub, harbours a thriving and diverse Black and Asian comedy scene. In spite of producing many stars and successes as well as rare and interesting takes on contemporary culture, the contribution made to British comedy by Black and Asian performers still struggles to find recognition.

This project will bring recognition to performers from minority ethnic communities. In particular it will address the interesting question of how experiences of migrating to, settling in and living in London have been drawn upon by comedians to perform comedies that have changed as the city evolved.

Struggles and successes of comedians who have made a name for themselves in British comedy will be explored in a documentary DVD- produced in collaboration between professionals and volunteers. This DVD will provide a unique account of the diversity of London's Black and Asian comedy, especially the humour around experiences of settlement.

The project will culminate with CEMVO's Comedy Showcase, a free entry celebratory comedy event to be held from 7pm until 11pm on the 29th June at the Comedy Cafe in Shoreditch, London. Acts include Andi Osho, a young female performer from Stratford and winner of Nivea Funny Women Award 2007; Prince Abdi, 'Britain's only Somali stand up comedian'; Felix Dexter, a well known and well loved comic with several years of experience under his belt; and Shazia Mirza, an internationally renowned performer who delights audiences with her frank and witty accounts of life as a young Muslim woman in Britain.

The doors open at 7pm - please arrive early to avoid disappointment. For information about booking your free tickets, please contact-

Comedy Café
66/68 Rivington Street London EC2A 3AY (Nearest tube: Old Street or Liverpool Street)
T: 020 7739 5706
F: 020 7256 1242
E: info@comedycafe.co.uk

For information about the project or how you can get involved please contact -
Holly Davey (Project Officer)
CEMVO
Boardman House 64 Broadway Stratford London E15 1NG
020 8432 0086
Holly.davey@cemvo.org.uk