Entertainers

Michele Balan was one of the four finalists on NBC's 2006 "Last Comic Standing," and she is "The Last Woman Comic... "

Voted one of the "Top 10 Comics" by Backstage Magazine in 2004, Michele Balan is a brash, New York Stand-up comedian who has performed on Comedy Central as well as in top comedy clubs, theatres, festivals and on cruises all over the country.

Often told she was naturally funny, the Brooklyn native left a high-paying executive position at a computer company to pursue comedy – even though comedy has never proved as lucrative – and she has been performing ever since.

She got her start as a "Female female-impersonator," doing lip sync impressions of Bette Midler. Now people tell her she is like a "Female George Burns with many one-liners." Michele's career hast taken her from The Improv in Los Angeles to Caroline's on Broadway in New York City, and from the Montreal "Just For Laughs Festival" to the "Dinah Shore Women's Weekend."

Michele has shared the stage with Kathy Najimy, Jennifer Holiday, Taylor Dayne, Harvey Fierstein, Bruce Vilanch and Nell Carter. In 1999 she recorded a CD at The Improv in Los Angeles which features Nell Carter singing a song parody that Michele wrote.

Michele recently recorded the critically acclaimed DVD entitled "LIVE, Just Barely" at the famed Joe's Pub, home to the public theatre and performers like Joan Rivers, Eartha Kitt and Leslie Gore, for who she just wrote a comedy segment.

Poppy Champlin is a veteran comic whose sharp wit and intuitive jokes can penetrate the heart of any discerning audience's funny bone. Poppy erupts onto the stage with a hip, fearless and in your face style of comedy that can persuade any crowd to come along for a ride that is highly personal and completely relatable. Rapid fire jokes mixed in with her skewed take on life, topped off with a few short comedic songs, keeps her audiences laughing and coming back for more. Poppy is not a sadist, but she is most happy when she leaves her audience screaming, crying and doubled over in pain...from laughter.

Her stand-up pedigree is flawless; from VH-1, to A&E, Oprah Winfrey and The Joan Rivers Show to her latest gig on Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen and traveling with Olivia Cruises where she has earned a reputation of being one of the fastest witted female comediennes on either coast.

Graduating from The University of Rhode Island with a BFA in theatre, Poppy set out for Chicago where she attended the famed Second City Comedy Troupe. She refined her chops in Chicago opening for such comics as Ray Ramano, Denis Leary, Bill Maher, Bill Hicks and Rosie O’Donnell.

When Poppy hit tinsel town, she continued to study acting at the Larry Moss studios and has since put up her critically acclaimed One Woman Show, "A Chocolate Sandwich."

She was a staff writer for FOX’s Show Me The Funny.

She wrote, starred in and produced, a comedy pilot called News you Can't Use–think Tracy Ulman takes on the News.

Poppy currently can be seen performing her comedy, in the HBO Documentary “All Aboard Rosie’s Family Vacation” as well as, hosting her own popular comedy show; “Cocktails and Comedy” at the infamous GirlBar in West Hollywood.

Ever increasing her visibility, she performed for over 25.000 people in the closing ceremonies of the Gay Games in Chicago. She has performed for troops in both Japan and Korea. She was invited to perform in South Africa, at The Cape Town Comedy Festival. And, Poppy produces her own touring troupe called, Queer Queens of Qomedy, now in it's third year.

Poppy tackles tough subjects with ease. In this comedienne’s hands we can laugh at life’s most formidable perils... and laughter that ravages fear is the best kind of all.

Kate Clinton is one of America's brightest political comedians. This humorist-monologist's agenda includes political material as fresh as the daily news, savvy send-ups of modern family relationships and illuminating perspectives on life as a gay American. Kate's first book, "Don't Get Me Started," was published by Ballantine in 1998. Based on past and present monologues, it's filled with thoughts both insightful and riotous. The audio companion was named "One of 1998s Best Audiobooks" by Publishers Weekly. In addition, she writes monthly columns for The Progressive and The Advocate in which she waxes by turns comical and philosophical about the state of our nation and those who have put us in such a state. She has written pieces for the New York Times and George magazine among others. Kate served as a writer on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" during its rollout period in 1996.

She has appeared on "Good Morning America," "Nightline," "Entertainment Tonight," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," "The Roseanne Show," "The Arsenio Hall Show," "Leeza" and numerous news and talk shows on Comedy Central, Lifetime, Oxygen, MSNBC, CNN, and C-Span.

Raised by a wild pack of Jews, otherwise known as her mother and siblings, Dana Goldberg is a force of nature on stage. From Last Comic Standing at the Tempe Improv to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dana is spreading her quick wit and playful stage presence across the world. Hailed as one of the new "Queer Queens of Qomedy" CURVE Magazine raves, "She's smart, cute, and seriously funny." Girl4Girl in Seattle calls Dana our "triple threat."

Dana has performed at numerous festivals including "We're Funny That Way Comedy Festival" in Toronto, Canada, "The Lesbian and Gay Comedy Festival" in Dearborn, Michigan, "The Comedy Festival" in Las Vegas, Nevada (produced by HBO and sponsored by TBS), "The Fringe Festival" in Edinburgh, Scotland; and is co-producer and host of the Southwest FunnyFest.

Goldberg also performs for mainstream crowds across the country in comedy clubs such as The Tempe Improv, Caroline's on Broadway, Bonkerz Comedy Club, The Comedy Cellar in NYC, and Catch a Rising Star.

Dana continues to combine her gift of humor with humanitarian efforts raising thousands of dollars to fight HIV/AIDS, and joins GLBT communities and organizations across the country to raise national awareness in the fight for equality. She has worked with several national organizations including the Ms. Foundation in NYC, We're Funny That Way Foundation in Toronto, Canada, and Bas Bleu in Phoenix, AZ.

Dana Goldberg is a crowd favorite where ever she steps onto a stage. From Olivia Cruises and resorts to Cocktails and Comedy in Los Angeles, fans are lining up across the country to catch her routine. As the youngest child in a single parent household run by a Jewish mother in which two out of three kids are gay, Dana helps keep most of the comedy venues and half of the psychotherapists in the country in business.

Julie Goldman deals with the art of stand-up like she's got nothing to lose. Goldman is a crackerjack stand-up comic whose romping pop style and perfect timing allow her to wrest the uproarious from the serious and send her audience careening toward side-splitting bliss. Call it feminist or lesbian humor if you want, but the great thing about Goldman is she transcends all those terms and shows us that we're all in this together. She is very now and an absolute must see.

After a succesful first season of THE BIG GAY SKETCH SHOW on LOGO—Julie is back in Season 2 better then ever. Catch her impeccable impersonations of Liza Minnelli, Kirstie Ally, Suze Orman, Ethel Mertz, and oh so many more anytime you want!

Catch Julie online at www.julie-goldman.com and her brand new comedy attack - JULIE GOLDMAN's OFFENSIVE WOMEN. Eve Ensler (Vagina Monologues and V DAY) has come on to co produce and after a sold out weekend in NYC The Offense will launch again this summer in NYC and LA.

Mimi Gonzalez owns the comedy road. A road that’s lead across the seas to Baghdad, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo; during the hot times these countries were defended by American soldiers. Mimi’s curiosity and drive often take the form of writing and performing. San Francisco was the launching pad from which Mimi shot into a stand-up career that now includes comedy clubs, festivals, colleges, cruises, freelance journalism and random acts of publishing.

She’s on LOGO for the “LA Women’s Fest” and “One Night Stand Up.” She got her start in television on the “Today” show as the “Funniest Person on Wall Street.” Her performance for an audience of 200,000 at the March on Washington resulted in a featured spot on Mo Gaffney’s Comedy Central show, “Women Aloud.” Look for her on “Ellen,” “Que Loco,” “Funny is Funny,” and “Latino Laugh Festival.”

“Side-splitting ... a strong, high-spirited comic.  Great observational material ... feminist material both funny and accessible to every one in her audience. One of the ten stand-out stand ups in New York City.”

- Backstage Magazine NY

“Funny, sexy, sharp, positive...a great ambassador of sexual tolerance. Mimi Gonzalez is a comic, life-affirming force.”

- Provincetown Magazine

“Mimi delivers a kind of meta-standup routine, at once critiquing and employing the same battle-of-the-sexes jokes that male comics have built their careers on…”

- San Francisco Bay Guardian

Few entertainers can command a stage like the indefatigable, Sweet Baby J'ai. She is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer, arranger and actress who has toured the world with her distinctive sound. Although J'ai is known for her energetic stage presence and powerful vocals, some critics describe her as a "jazz singer", a "soul singer", others as a "blues singer" but all agree that this versatile singer-songwriter is a "storyteller". She can't be contained by one genre of music.  Talented both as a vocalist and musician, she takes unconventional instruments, the washboard and spoons, and claims them as her own special sound. As one critic pointed out, "This ain't no backyard hoe down ... she will have you swooning before the concert is over."

When your mom gives you such a memorable name as "Sweet Baby," odds are you’re gonna end up in the entertainment industry.  Sweet Baby J’ai continued the family business after sneaking into Kansas City jazz clubs as a kid. With an uncle who worked as a bassist for Billie Holiday and a cousin who played guitar with Dizzy Gillespie, J’ai was constantly surrounded by the music that would become her career.  She has been featured many times on Olivia Cruises, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Playboy Jazz Fest, Casablanca Music Fest, Tokyo, Jarkata and a host of festivals, concert and club venues throughout the world.  She has shared the stage with Herbie Hancock, Joe Sample, Jill Scott, Etta James, Melissa Etheridge and many more; her velvety vocals gracing jazz, soul, and R&B songs. You can check out a dose of her latest cd, Introducing J'ai Michel on this trip designed to soothe your savage beast or feed it!

Here's a sampling of what critics are saying:
"Her voice is part cream, party honey and all soul." -New York Times
"Sweet Baby J'ai will no doubt be considered a legend in her own time ... She is by any critic's opinion, the real deal!"  - LN Magazine
"She proved it on all of us in the 1920's lesbian love story, Prove It On Me ... a flawless performance and spine tingling soulful vocalist ..." - Tolucan Times
"Show-stopper ... a sensational performer" - Durango Herald
"Extraordinary ... a stunning performer." - Jazz Now
"Swinging ... powerful ... and haunting." - Los Angeles Times

Jessica Kirson’s unique style and captivating stage presence captures the attention of audiences and club bookers everywhere she performs. Her wide variety of characters brings a diverse energy to her routine.

Once you have seen her amazing talent, it is easy to understand why she was selected to perform at the Hamptons, Toyota, Marshall’s Women in Comedy, Comedy Central’s South Beach and HBO’s Las Vegas comedy festivals. She has been featured on various television shows including, Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and “Fresh Face,” Nickelodeon’s “Sixth in the Suburbs,” Noggin’s “LOL,” “VH1’s “Awesomely Bad” Shows, Oxygen’s premier game show “Can You Tell,” Bravo’s “The Great Things About Being,” The Women’s Television Network’s “She’s So Funny,” NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” Seasons 2 and 3, NBC’s “Last Call With Carson Daly,” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” This fall she can be seen on Showtime’s “White Boyz in the Hood.”

Jessica can be seen at clubs and colleges all over the United States receiving rave reviews. Between her hilarious characters and amazing crowd work, she will be wowing audiences across the country for years to come.

(demented singer/songwriter/comedian/Britney Spears body-double...)

Picture the triangulated love child of Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, and Karen Carpenter... and you've got Lisa Koch. An irreverent Seattle singer/comedian, Koch ("Coke") is a deliciously twisted mix of comedy, theater, and demented songs. She has 4 solo recordings, is one-half of hilarious sketch-comedy duo, Dos Fallopia ("My Breasts Are Out of Control""), and is an alumnus of cult quartet Venus Envy ("I'll Be A Homo for Xmas").

Lisa has co-written such warped shows as "The Carpeters: Uncomfortably Close To You," "Two's Company, I'm a Crowd," and "Ham for the Holidays: Swine, Women and Song." She also finds time to work as an actor, appearing in "The Vagina Monologues," "Dirty Blonde," and as the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz" (5th Ave Theatre). She performs regularly on Olivia Cruises, is touring her one-woman cabaret show, "Return to Planet Lisa", and is the composer of a new musical about Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas ("27, rue de Fleurus"), premiering Off-Broadway in March 2008. Koch's latest CD ("Tall Cool Drink") contains the viral hit, "I'm a Middle-Aged Woman." (www.heylisa.com)

"...reminiscent of the uproariously tacky mishmash once beloved by the Divine Miss M..."

- Out Magazine

"Hearing Seattle's Lisa Koch is one of life's wickedest pleasures..."

- Curve Magazine

"Koch seems to have that sense of joi de vivre that makes her instantly likeable. She's an out lesbian with a universal appeal..."

-Washington Blade

Elvira Kurt, voted Funniest Female Comic at the Canadian Comedy Awards, continues her modest quest for worldwide comedy domination with a hit series, "Elvira Kurt: Adventures in Comedy," on Canada's Comedy Network, not one but two specials on Comedy Central and the animated series "Reality Chick" on the Oxygen Network, for which she is the voice of the title character, an eight months pregnant feminist superhero.

As for film and theater, Elvira has performed in "The Vagina Monologues" and appears in a documentary appearing on HBO called, "We're Funny That Way." Her successful one-woman show "Viva Elvira!" debuted in Los Angeles and Toronto. As a Second City alumna, Elvira's training has served her well. Her Gemini nominated hourlong special, "Big Girl Now," also nabbed the Gold Award at the Worldfest International Film Festival. She's had stand out appearances on HBO, VH-1's "The List," Showtime, A&E, PBS, Lifetime, two CBC Comedy Specials, pilots for CBC and Second City and countless special and guest appearances, hosting and co-hosting on various benefits, comedy, awards and talk shows.

Not surprisingly, Elvira's universal appeal has also made her one of the hottest and most in-demand college acts in the country. She's been nominated as both U.S. College Comedian and Entertainer of the Year.

No slouch in the writing department, Elvira has contributed to the CBS pilot and HBO special for Ellen DeGeneres, written for Canada's No. 1 comedy show, "This Hour Has 22 Minutes," and all the Canadian award shows (film, television, music and of course, hockey) one of which was nominated for a Gemini for best writing. In her "Comics!" special, Elvira wrote a spoof called "I Love Ethel" in which Scott Thompson of "The Kids in the Hall" played Ethel to her Lucy. She's penned a lighthearted look at economics for the prestigious National Film Board of Canada ("Economix") and a Discovery Channel special, which she also hosted about women and the Internet ("Wired Women").

ZOE LEWIS hails originally from England but now makes Provincetown her home. She's toured all over the world picking up musical influences and stories, plays anything from the piano to the spoons and is affectionately known as "A BAND IN A BODY!" She's a mixture of swing, folk, acoustic funk, latin jazz and her fast-paced lyrics poke fun at modern society, praising the rambling delights of childhood, secret worlds and wandering love.

Her song SMALL IS TREMENDOUS received much commercial success and can be heard on ads for MINI PRINGLES and TJ MAXX. Another of her songs: SHEEP was part of a PUTUMAYO compilation and became #1 in the children's satellite radio charts. She's also written the soundtrack for a new documentary on the VAGINA MONOLOGUES.

She's toured with JUDY COLLINS, RICHIE HAVENS and NANCI GRIFFITHS and her last 2 albums are on the JUDY COLLINS Wildflower record label. She has a brand new release entitled A CURE FOR THE HICCUPS.

Vickie Shaw returns to Olivia with her slow paced (she's southern), incredibly endearing, (she's southern), sharp, don't mess with her (she's southern!), comedy. Vickie doesn't have to go far from home for material - as a recovering SoB (Southern Baptist) and out lesbian mother, she's successfully raised two sons (one of whom is married and just gave her a "perfect baby granddaughter"), has a teenage daughter still living at home, and a "husbian" in Sgt. Patch. Yeah there's enough material there to fill a few hours. Vickie has performed in almost every State in the US, and had headlined in too many venues to list here but trust us, this girl's been around.

Roxanna is a beloved member of the Olivia family. Her debut with Olivia was on an Alaska cruise in 1992. Since then, she's joined us several times a year! Her brilliant comedy, writing, musicianship and singing endears her to audiences everywhere. A woman of many talents, Roxanna is a mother, high school teacher, producer, writer and director. Her past credits include work with Dolly Parton, Kirk Douglas and many others. The late Phyllis Hyman, and more recently, Suede, have both recorded Roxanna's song "Remember Who You Are." Whether you are seeing Roxanna for the first time or tenth time, she always makes you laugh and warms your heart.

Curve Magazine calls Karen Williams "...a laugh riot!" The Sydney Morning Herald proclaims that Karen Williams is "ferociously funny, with perfect pace, timing and structure."

Karen Williams is the hottest comedy star on the horizon -- with an awesome personality, stunning good looks, and a sterling reputation for delivering laughs each and every time! Currently booking her “HEALING WITH HUMOR – FREEDOM FROM FEAR” NATIONAL COMEDY TOUR dedicated to victory over sexual violence, Williams is using her celebrity status to raise awareness and to work for social justice using humor and healing!

Ravenous for a little wry repartee? How about some sumptuous stand-up brimming with perfectly seasoned wit? Serving up another tasty treat, All Out Films and Andrea Meyerson -- producer of the legendary and award-winning comedy documentary “LAUGHING MATTERS” -- now presents “KAREN WILLIAMS: I NEED A SNACK!” a delicious live comedy special by one of the most outstanding lesbian comics in the country. Filmed live to a sold-out audience at Hollywood's Knitting Factory, Williams fires off irreverent riffs about computers taking control of our lives and the Internet reinventing our intimacy. Celebrating 25 outrageous, outspoken and out-and-out fabulous years of being in the funny business, Karen Williams is all out hilarity in high heels that will have you constantly craving for more! Go to Logo Online to watch all six wickedly funny segments plus insightful interviews!

Karen is a comic craftmaster, a gifted actor, a multitalented writer, and an inspirational lecturer, whose HaHA Institute attracts clients from the public and private sectors, and colleges and universities. Armed with her "healing with humor" philosophy, Karen is a modern-day alchemist, whose audiences revel in her cathartic laughter, and whose peers consider her a comic's comic!

As a solo entertainer, Karen Williams delights fan-filled audiences from San Francisco to South Beach to Sydney, and is a comic favorite with Olivia, known for its signature womens’ cruises and resorts.

Comedy writer and former television host of the New York variety show, "In The Life," Williams' humor writings appear in numerous anthologies, including "Joke Stew" (Andrews McMeel Publishing); Revolutionary Laughter" (Crossing Press); "Out in All Directions" (Warner Books); and "Out, Loud & Laughing" (Random House).

For bookings: 216-313-0333; Karen_william89@hotmail.com and visit HaHA Institute for humor education/tour information

This dynamic young comedienne hailing from London via Nigeria has taken the comedy world by storm since her debut. In a few short years, she has become one of the most sought after comics in the country, making numerous appearances on Television, radio and the big screen.

This former lift/elevator engineer's Edinburgh debut saw her described by the Scotsman Newspaper as "A British rival for Whoopi Goldberg- Lively and exceptionally funny"

From there she went from Strength to strength, securing herself as team captain on Blouse and Skirt, a BBC2 panel show that ran for 3 years. Gina developed a cult following who loved her cheeky wit and bombastic delivery. So much so, that she was able to complete a 30 date sellout tour along the length and breadth of the UK in 2000 and 2001 with more to follow.

Her infectious personality and observations on everything from TV programs to the worldwide image of Nigerians has wowed audiences not just in the UK but in places such as America, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa, as well as all over Europe.

Gina is currently residing in Los Angeles, where she has been wowing American audiences, becoming the 1st ever British comic to perform on Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam.
She is definitely a talent to be reckoned with!