Goodbye Cuñados

I’m waving good bye to the Latinx Panel Show!

Every single Cuñados, Cuñadas, y Carnales we ever put up was a blast.

We proved the concept over and over again: get Latinx comics and artists to play trivia games and everyone will have fun, including the audience.

Latinx content from Latinx creators is more important than ever right now.

I know what it feels like to be fetishized for my identity, to have my identity turned into a commodity, and to know the difference between people laughing with me and people laughing at me.

Because of these experiences (which there never seems to be in short supply) I know the importance of Latinx art form Latinx artists. If we don’t tell our stories, someone else will, and they’ll reinforce stereotypes and tired narratives that do nothing to progress our people in America.

So, yes, everytime we did this show it was a story. It was the story of six strangers becoming friends over trivia games.

It’s still a great concept, and I’ll return to it one day when I have the time, attention, and resources it needs to be its best version possible.

Thanks to all the past panelists, and to my origin co-creators, Joe Felix and Andy Lomeli.

Thank you to my latest co-producer, Karla Espino.

Thanks to my special guest co-host, Ammy Ontiveros, for help with this last one.

Thanks to our panelists for this last one: Carmen Scott, Ricky Prieto, CJ Villagómez, and Julio Urquidi.

Thanks to The Pack Theater for this past run.

And special thanks to my sister, Melissa Funes, for the artwork, and for all the help with the social media.

I’m either winning or I’m learning, and I learned a lot on this show.

#improv #latinxcomedy #packtheater #latinxcomedypachanga

Show 51 of 2023

What Does ‘Sublime’ Mean? Find Out This Friday

Piñata Party This Friday, Match 17 at The Ledge Theatre

LA is Latin America, y’all. Ain’t no ifs and or buts about it! 

So once a month I gather my favorite Latinx comics and put up a banger of a show – The Piñata Party! (Because you know piñtas are filled with goodies?) 

Every 3rd Friday of the Month, The Latinx Comedy Pachanga gathers at The Ledge Theater for a night of comedy, poetry, and everything in between. I’ve been trying to use the word ‘Sublime’ a lot more lately, so whatever it is, it’ll definitely be ‘Sublime.’ 

What is ‘Sublime?”

of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe (thank you, Google!) 

So it’s going to be that! 

And we gotta a killer line up to! 

Featuring: 

A character bit from Andres Parada

Stand Up from Darling Izzy, Carmen Scott, Ammy Ontiveros

Poetry from Raul Herrera Jr.

A bit from Victor Bryan Olivas

A sketch reading from Marlando (Marcelina Chavira + Fernando A. Funes)

A character from Karla Espino

Music from St. Trois

Improv from Los Tamales Dulces + A Special Guest! (Los Tamales Dulces: Fernando A. Funes, Julio Urquidi, Gracie Gilb, Maia Villa, Samuel Solorio, Marcelina Chavira)

Hosted by Karla Espino + Fernando A. Funes

It’s going to be an amazing night – join us! 

#latinxcomedypachanga #theledge #latinxcomedy #bipoc #losfeliz #impro #improv #sketch #poetry #music #standup #gente #LA 

My First Show of 2023!

Love these payasos. From left to right: Fernando A. Funes, Jared Lomeli, Elizabeth Covarrubias, Joe Salas, CJ Villagomez, Linzy Beltran.

Show No.1 of 2023 is in The Books!

First show of 2023 is in the books!
Thank you to these payasos chingones for playing on Cuñados, Cuñadas, y Carnales, the Latinx Quiz Show!

And it was awesome to play at the Pack’s new home at The Broadwater!

The Latinx Comedy Pachanga will be back on Friday, January 20th for a special variety show at The Ledge Theater! See you then!

#improv #sketch #standup #quizshow #packtheater #latinxcomedy #latinxcomedypachanga

Show 1 of 2023

Latinx Panel Show This Sunday, May 22 at the Pack Theater

Cuñados, Cuñadas, y Carnales Goes Live This Sunday, May 22 at 10pm.

Latinx Like to Talk

I grew up in a family of chatterboxes – everyone was always talking all the time about whatever.

I don’t know why it’s like that, but I have my theories.

– We live in large, intergenerational homes, so there’s just a lot of people living under one roof

– There wasn’t as many things competing for our attention nowadays as there used to be. And I’m talking pre-TV and radio. Or maybe you had one over the other

– There’s a rich history of oral history because the spoken word is an easy and proven way to keep our family stories alive

– Also, we’re a bunch of chismosos who like to talk shit about each other!

And that’s what we’re going to do this Sunday, May 22 at the Pack Theater at 10pm for Cuñados, Cuñadas, y Carnales!

This is our Latinx Panel Show where we get a group of our favorite Latinx comedians and play trivia games – it’s a lot of fun!

We’re going to have

Diosa
Patrick Lopez
Burrito Lady Pam
Marquez

And hosted by the amazing Andy Lomeli and Joe Felix!

Join us!

#latinxwriter #latinxcomedy #latinxcomedypachanga #npr #waitwaitdonttellme #packtheater #standup #sketch #improv

Really Proud of the Latinx Comedy Pachanga’s Work in 2022 So Far!

Look at all these beautiful Latinx comics!

We’re Crushing It!

Really proud of all the work the Latinx Comedy Pachanga has done this year so far!

Here’s what we’ve done so far:

1). Launched a live version of our Latinx panel show, Cuñados, Cuñadas, y Carnales – we spent a year developing this show on Twitch, so it was great to do it live at the Pack Theater

2). Completed a run of Ka-Blahm-O! shows at Catsby – this show found its voice by becoming a stand-up/solo showcase with just a bit of clown energy and pro wrestling spirit in its veins

3). Had our first Potluck of the year at the Glendale Room, and had a really great “You should’ve been there” time – this variety hour is our longest running show, so I’m glad we put it up

4). Met new and amazing Latinx comics who blew my mind with their talents, POVs, and energies – LA is bursting with so many funny Latinx comics!

5). Was reminded of the amazing talents in the Pachanga ensemble – people have stepped up as producers, performers, writers, and ambassadors, and I’m all for it! I can’t wait to see more of it!

6). We did shows at The Clubhouse, Pack Theater, The Glendale Room, and Thymele Arts*

*To my tocaya, I consider our Fernandx sets mini Pachanga shows!

7). We featured a bunch of Latinx comics from the huge umbrella that is Latinx, and we all supported and lifted each other up!

8). I want to repeat the last point: we showcased a bunch of Latinx talent – The Pachanga will always be about putting up Latinx voices front and center.

As long we keep doing that – and providing as many opportunities for Latinx artists as possible – we’re going to be amazing.

Thank you to all the artists who shared their talents with the Pachanga so far this year, and I’m grateful for your talents and contributions.

And thank you to the venues and audiences who made all this possible!

It’s true: if you build it, they will come.

We got more shows coming up, so stay tuned!

Also, props to Melissa Funes for all the artwork, promotion, social media, and just general amazing help!

#latinxcomedy #latinxcomedypachanga #writer #performer #producer #director #LA #community #packtheater #clubhouse #theglendaleroom #thymelearts