NUBIAN DISCIPLES 20TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW on Sunday (April 26), 8:30 pm, Yuk Yuks Downtown (224 Richmond West). Rating: NNNNN
Kenny Robinsons legendary monthly All-Black comedy showcase a.k.a. the Nubian show turned 20 on the weekend with an all-star bill that was one of the funniest and most consistent shows of the year. Its the cream of the crop tonight, said Robinson at the beginning of the three-hour night, and he wasnt kidding.
Chris Robinson, whos got charisma and raw talent to burn, killed with a set that took on white people nervously laughing at black comics jokes, how he wishes he were more hood, and his illustration of bad ejaculations, which included a reference to mid-90s R&B and a key scene from Charles Dickenss Oliver Twist.
Patrick Haye, on the verge of major breakout success, delivered a perfect set that included being racially profiled in an Edmonton gun range, how they should have warning labels on alcohol bottles as they do on cigarette packs and his best joke unintentionally intimidating an older white woman while standing in line at the bank. His timing is impeccable and his physicality including big facial gestures reinforces his punchlines without feeling contrived.
Veterans like Ronnie Edwards, Jean Paul and Trixx delivered solid sets. When introducing Edwards, Robinson said 20 years ago there were only three or four black comics in the country.
An example of how things have changed in two decades was the number of women on the lineup, including Keesha Brownie, Zabrina Chevannes and Crystal Ferrier. Ferrier, pregnant and getting laughs about dating, dick pics and her East Indian cousin teaching badly accented English to her students, thanked Robinson for allowing her to make history as the first Indian woman to headline the room.
It was also telling that Robinson, always a brilliant producer, chose Filipino-Canadian comic Big Norm as the final act. You could sense the audience resisting end an All-Black night with a non-black comic? but Norm, a.k.a. Norman Alconcel, won us over with a hilarious set that demonstrated how two things vowel sounds during sex and head movements can reveal what culture someones from. Ingenious.
The audience also got into the action. At one point, DJ Subliminal called up the crowd to show off their moves, climaxing in a dance-off between the elderly, twerking Gloria and the (from the looks of it) professional break-dancer Crypto. And the smooth and polished Robinson, giving away tickets, asked people to display their shoes if they were really proud of them. This doesnt happen in any other comedy room, folks.
If you missed the show, it was being taped for a televised special. Lets hope the best bits make it to air. And heres to another two decades to Robinson and the Nubian night.
glenns@nowtoronto.com | @glennsumi
