Review: Sklar Bros. deliver best McCrory joke at Comedy Zone

When I walked into the Comedy Zone, Jason Sklar (or maybe it was Randy) told me the comedic twins were looking forward to unveiling new Charlotte-specific material. I figured they would deliver the now mandatory jokes about HB 2.

"We're here, we're queer, the governor's not used it!"

That one was okay, but I loved, loved, loved the one about Governor Pat McCrory versus Mayor Pat McCrory. I don't want to spoil it. It's definitely one of the most creative takes on the HB2 debacle.

The Sklar Brothers didn't limit their local jokes to HB 2 nor did they simply name-drop Charlotte places, like most entertainers. They poked fun at everything from Price's Chicken Coop to the plethora of restaurants uptown.

My other favorite was their take on the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

"You get to see what it's like to have Tony Stewart try to kill you."

Or maybe it was the one about the NASCAR Racing Experience. It involved Elevation Church.

At least the first 15 minutes of the Sklar's performance consisted of jokes and observations about Charlotte and Raliegh - the confederate statue in the state capitol.

Then they launched into their more standard material about everything from the Kennedy assassinations to the Golden State Warriors to fatherhood - a daddy strip club. It was easy to tell why Jason and Randy Sklar have appeared on "@Midnight," "Entourage,"  and other shows. They are pop culture encyclopedias about current and past events.

Onstage they finish each others' jokes. Watching them onstage feels like you're listening to a couple of buddies at a bar, interrupting each other as they tell stories. It's a volley of words and laughter.

The Sklar Brothers perform Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Comedy Zone.

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The Sklar Brothers, food truck lineups, live jazz and spoken word tonight

It's Friday! Get out for night of live jazz, good food and spoken word. See you in the streets!

 Food Truck Friday 

Matthews Food Truck Fridays

Friday Night Festival

A Bao Time, Maki Taco, Gyro Twins Truck, Bebo's Mac Shack, Hart's Soda Shop, All-Star Cafe, & Joe's Doughs!

Food Truck Fridays

Light Factory, Plaza Midwood

Other Events Tonight

Celebrity Comedians - Comedians and identical twins Jason and Randy Sklar, known as The Sklar Brothers, debut in Charlotte this weekend. They mix pop culture, sports and comedy. They are regulars on my fave “@Midnight,” and have also appeared on “Conan, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Entourage, Comedy Bang! Bang!,” “Grey's Anatomy” and more.  Various times tonight and Saturday.  The Comedy Zone, Suite B3, 900 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd. Tickets.
 

Cool Combo - The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and The Jazz Room for The Jazz Room at the Symphony. The performance celebrates American jazz legends. They will perform Anthiel’s “A Jazz Symphony,” Gerswhin’s “Walking the Dog,” Schuller’s “Concertino for Jazz Quartet” and Ellington’s “Harlem.” Afterparty featuring live jazz from the Jazz Arts Initiative's All-Star Youth Jazz Ensemble and signature cocktails in the speakeasy lounge following the concert. The Jazz Arts Initiative presents a special pre-concert talk hosted by The Jazz Room's Curtis Davenport beginning on stage at 6:30 pm. Show: 7:30 p.m., Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon St. Tickets.
 

Adult Science - The monthly party Science on the Rocks returns with Geek Out, Freak Out. This month features comics, robotics, virtual reality and more. Capes and Spandex supersets are encouraged. There will be a prize for best superhero costume at the end of the night. 5 p.m. Discovery Place, 301 N Tryon St. $20.

Spoken Word - This a themed spoken-word event with performances focused on the state of the climate including crime, schools, music, domestic violence and climate change. G.O.O.D. Music’s Malik Yusef will host along with Mark Prophet. Charlotte’s J.C., Mason Parker and live bands Quent Young & The Free Will Project and Dee Dray will perform. There will also be live painting. 7 p.m. One-Five-O Studio Gallery, 4825 Ballantyne Village Way, Suite 150. $20 and up. Details.

 Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Review: Nene loves gays, slams haters at Comedy Zone (Video)

Tonight, Charlotte's gay communities wasn't the center of a national firestorm about gender identity and discrimination. Tonight, our gay communities was simply the apple of Nene Leakes' eye and it felt good.

During Leakes' performance at the Comedy Zone, Leakes repeatedly expressed her love for her gay fans who've helped propel her from a one-trick reality star into a national celebrity.

"I have to have gays on my team," she said. "They pump your a-- up."




Leakes didn't show her love for her gay fans by slamming HB 2 or the N.C. state legislature. Her joke about that:
"What ya'll need to say 'bye wig' to is the people who make laws down here. On a good day, I can be a straight up dude. I can pee standing up. Don't do me."

She slammed Trump for insulting "the" gays, but mostly she simply told jokes and stories that expressed how much she valued her gay fans and staff.  Leakes' show wasn't just about gays and lesbians, but she drew such a vociferous gay audience during her Comedy Zone show that I couldn't ignore it.

Leakes kicked off her "So Nasty, So Rude" tour with two sold out shows at the Comedy Zone tonight. I'm not sure where else the tour is going. No other cities have been listed. However, based on her performance tonight and the exuberance of the crowd, I'm sure more cities will be announced soon.

Leakes walked onstage to a standing ovation and immediately high-five fans. Leakes gave fans exactly what they expected, a mix of dissing her Real House Wives of Atlanta nemeses Porsha Williams and Kenya Moore, Leakes' style braggadocio about her wig and her looks, and her response to haters.

I know who Leakes is, but I wouldn't call myself a fan. I'll admit, her profanity-laced show - every other word started with a B - was funny. She had a one-liner about Tyler Perry, impersonated Janet Jackson's IG video about preparing for a family and gave plenty of shout-outs to her husband Greg, who walked her onto the stage.

She was extremely gracious. She started the show by giving high fives to her fans from the stage. She ended the by answering questions from the audience. Upon her exit, she walked through the crowd and posed with as many people as she could on her way out the door.

Fans swarm Leakes after her performance.

 Audience Q&A

Why did you quit Housewives?
I didn't quit. My season was up and I was like b----, I'm not coming back. It was an overly stressful season. I had to deal with Claudia.'s stank-a--"

Why a comedy show in Charlotte?
"I do this s--- everyday. I love to talk s---. I'm a s--- talker. I had nothing to do with it. The first show happened to be Charlotte. I didn't choose Charlotte. Charlotte chose me."

How do you fight being put in a box?
"Ain't none of my s--- boxed."

 F---, Marry, Kill Real Housewives husbands?
"People be acting like I date Peter (Thomas). I don't date Peter. I don't do people with accents."

Maybe not, but she gave Thomas and his bar Sports One plenty of shoutouts on stage. She told the crowd to meet her at the College Street bar after the show.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com

Wyatt Cenac calls Kim Kardashian a privileged porn star

Wyatt Cenac had absolutely no love for Kim Kardashian during his show at the Comedy Zone on Wednesday. In his wide-ranging stand-up show, Cenac completely ripped Kardashian's popularity as a media celebrity. The former writer and correspondent for "The Daily Show" spent a lot of time blasting the sex tape that made Kardashian a household name. His jokes were funny, they were a really a critique of the media and pop culture consumers who are obsessed with Kardashian, but revile the everyday women who exploit their bodies for money. 

Initially, Cenac's stand-up at the Comedy Zone was typical. He offered everyday observations about life in New York and current events. He also reminded me a little of Kevin Hart with his self-deprecating humor about his unruly mane and beard. Then Cenac weighed in on privilege. It was smart comedy, but I would expect nothing less from a comedian with Cenac's credentials.

Comedy, drag show and dance tonight

It's Friiddaayyyy! The Panthers are in the playoffs and all is right with the world. Time to celebrate with a weekend full of a variety of things to do from comedy to tribute bands. My pick is Wine and Dance at Chop Shop. Read more below. Let's get this party started. See in the streets...


Laugh It Up - Jen Kirkman of "Chelsey Lately" fame, brings her self-deprecating humor to The Comedy Zone, 900 NC Music Factory. Various times tonight and Saturday. $18 and up.

Preview contains adult language.

Ultimate Tribute - Hear some of the most popular covers by Billy Joel and Elton John at Face 2 Face - Elton John & Billy Joel Tribute. Doors 8 p.m., Show 9 p.m., The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 Music Factory Blvd. $13.32

Charlotte Rugby Party - Join the Charlotte Royals, our rugby team, for their annual Charlotte Royals Beer Pong Tournament. Play with a partner or solo. Registration starts at 8:15 p.m. Winners receive $50 and prizes. Play starts at 9 p.m., Sidelines Sports Bar & Billiards, 4544 South Blvd.




One-Woman Show - Don't miss drag performer Roxy C. Moorecox in Bang! She performs two full acts of comedy, stories, and live singing (not lip syncing). 8 p.m. Actor's Theater of Charlotte, 650 E. Stonewall St.




Don't Forget

Wine & Dance - Enjoy a wine tasting and a professional dance concert at the annual Wine and Dance presented by Charlotte Choreographers. Featuring: Audrey Baran, Juliana Tilbury Carson, Sarah Emery, Eric Mullis, Amy Tynan of Aerial CLT, Camerin Watson, and Arlynn Zachary. 8 p.m.  Friday and Saturday. $20 and up. The Chop Shop, 399 E. 35th St. Parking onsite.

Classic Soul - Nod your head to classic soul, jazz, funk and R&B spun by DJ DR at Collure: Network, Taste, Listen 2015 Kick Off at Vinmaster Shop, 2000 S. BLVD Ste. 610. Free entry and free parking onsite.

Holla: sipandplayclt@gmail.com