Author | Filmmaker and Host, Tola Talks
We’re gonna rock the house tomorrow night with these Royally talented women of comedy! If you’re anywhere near Chicago, bring your family for some awesome Stand-up, Storytelling and cool Christmas Caroling. Not to mention a fine solo performance from Violinist Emma Smoler!
Saturday, December 12th from 5-7pm at Two Hearted Queen. Hope to see you there – R
Riddle me this: What takes place on December 12th that includes 12 amazing women who will dazzle the entire family with joy and laughter that doesn’t include alcohol, just awesome coffee and desserts, and doesn’t include men – except me – and is totally free? That’s simple…
The Royal Talent Showcase hosted by yours truly, Rich Tola, at Two Hearted Queen!
Great weather, tons of Yoga, a new talent agency and my own weekly showcase in the first 50 days. What more could I ask from America’s third largest city? I suppose a date with Katy Perry is the veritable cherry on top (no pun intended), but other than that, I’m rockin’ Chicago!
Hope you’re rockin’ your world wherever you are, and here’s a quick update since I arrived in the Windy City only 50 days ago:
Keep pursing your passion and Happy Halloween everyone…and don’t forget your daily workouts – they do wonders to fight those aging affects of good old Father Time! Peace – R
It’s been two weeks since I moved to Chicago to pursue Stand-up comedy and to teach Yoga in the third most populous city in America (about 2.7 million residents). And what a city it is, with more than 50 million visitors last year alone, the “Windy City” has breathtaking historical architecture and world class culture including public art, theater and improvisational comedy, not to mention all the jazz, blues and house music. And don’t forget professional sports, which I should know since I’m currently living three blocks away from Wrigley Field…Go Cubbies!
And if you haven’t seen the s
unrise over Lake Michigan, you should try it sometime. But wait, what about “I Love LA” and 9 years worth of plying my craft and producing 20+ hours of instructional Yoga videos throughout the streets of Hollywood? It’s all preparation for what comes next, and it’s all part of life’s wonderful journey. If you ask me I’ll always say never be afraid to take a chance on yourself, regardless of how scary it may be – or seem to be – to leave behind what you know best, i.e., your comfort zone.
The good news is Chicago’s not too foreign to me because I did spend two years here during my grad-school days at The Kellogg School at Northwestern University. Albeit, I spent most of my time in the comfy confines of Evanston, but of course I did venture down to bars in Wrigleyville, Lincoln Park and Rush Street for the occasional ruckus with my buddies – which you’ll know if you read my wild and witty memoir, Simply Between Millions: From Wall Street to Hollywood.
So never be afraid to LEAP…just make sure your move is well thought-out and even planned, although too much thinking and planning may lead to inaction (not a good thing). And if you make it to Chicago, give me a shout and come take my Yoga class.
Which, by the way, as of today I’m teaching at all 9 locations of Chicago’s premier fitness club, Chicago Athletic Clubs. In honor of National Yoga Month, I’ll be teaching a special class on Sunday, September 27th at the Lincoln Square location. Hope to see you there! Peace – R
Hey everyone…I’m really looking forward to my two shows next week during the 2nd Annual Burbank Comedy Festival being held at Flappers Comedy Club.
Click HERE to purchase $5 tickets to the show on Thursday, August 20th at 4pm (PT) – limited time only.
Click HERE to purchase $5 tickets to the show on Friday, August 21st at 7:30pm (PT) – limited time only.
Hope to see you there! – R
One more day for free tickets to my show this Sunday, the All Men’s Dress to Impress at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank – starting at 9p in the Main Room. Click this link for free tickets: http://flc.cc/1VLYka8 (expires Thursday).
Once that expires, click this link for $5 tickets (expires 24hrs prior to show): http://flc.cc/1IHEKbn
Come eat, drink, laugh and join the fun as I get ready for the Burbank Comedy Festival.
I’ll also be hosting the Open Mic at Tribal Cafe in Echo Park every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month – starting this Monday, August 10th as well as August 24th. Calling all Stand-up comedians, Musicians, Singers & Rappers for a great time to strut your stuff. Sign-up at 7p – first come, first serve – so come early, bring your best 5 minutes and I’ll see you there.
Any questions, email me at: [email protected]
Peace – R
Hey everyone, keep the momentum going and never lose sight of your goals…it works.
Also catch me in the Next Comic Standing competition at the HaHa Cafe Comedy Club in North Hollywood on Monday, August 3rd @ 8:30p. It’s a comedy contest amongst up and coming comics where you get to vote for your Top 3 that will go through to the finals.
Looking forward to introducing one of my favorite trophies from Tola Talks to the show, the Get Your Shit Together Award.
Hope to see you there – R
Great show last week and I’m now getting ready for this Thursday’s show at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank, 10p in the Main Room.
And here’s some more exciting news…I was accepted into the 2nd Annual Burbank Comedy Festival the week of August 16th – 22nd! Performance dates are 8/20 at 4p and 8/21 at 7:30p.
With each performance a Stand-up comedian experiences an epiphany, i.e., a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something. Pretty heavy stuff, I know, but each time I learn something different about myself and my material. And what’s great about performing is that there are no bad performances, just enlightening ones. Whether I bomb or kill-it, it’s a win-win all around.
Kinda like practicing Yoga…every time you hit the mat you evolve your mind, body and soul. At the very least you make progress with your practice, or as I like to call, move up another rung on the ladder of life. Because no matter what you’re trying to master, the overall journey is more important than the individual occurrences along the way.
Have an awesome week everyone and hope to see you Thursday at Flappers! Peace – R
Hey everyone, hope you’re having a great weekend and looking forward to the 4th of July!
Had a blast at the Father’s Day show and getting ready for next week’s show at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank on Tuesday, July 7th from 10-11:30p in the Main Room. Come celebrate your Independence Day in true New York style, i.e., make it last 3 days.
As the great comedian, Louie Anderson said, “It takes about 100 performances (Stand-up) to even know if you’re good”. About a dozen and counting Louie!
Peace – R