Kevin D Williams has been performing stand-up comedy professionally for over 20 years. He discovered his ability to amuse people while serving in the US Coast Guard and quickly pursued his passions. After being honorably discharged, Kevin performed in comedy clubs across the country and overseas. This versatile comedian was a regular on BET’s “Comic View” and also appeared on “Last Comic Standing” on NBC. Always pursuing excellence, Kevin received a degree in Television Production from Columbia College in addition to studying Comedy Writing at Second City. He is a contributing writer to Humor Mill Magazine and is a regular guest on WVON. Though with all of these accomplishments Kevin’s passion is still comedy. He was recently named “Last Comic Sailing” during Festival At Sea on Carnival Cruise Lines. Kevin describes his act as “adult silliness”. He subject matter ranges from his growing up in the inner city of Chicago to why he hates self check out machines. Whatever the subject Kevin mixes his brand on humor with it and the outcome is hilarity!
Born & brewed in Wisconsin, Social Cig is the ‘Indie-Skate-Rock’ music project of Parker Schultz. Consisting of contagious authenticity, cheery live shows, sticky lyrics, and cultivating an original story with an attitude of gratitude, Social Cig is creating full-circle moments. While leafing through US music scenes with an ambitious DIY approach and writing songs that capture a genuine outlook from a modern-day Midwest cowboy, Social Cig has become a well-rounded grassroots venture.
Home-based in the Milwaukee music scene between open mics, house shows, concert venues, festivals, and historical theaters, Social Cig emerged in 2018. Schultz released his debut album “Prettier in Person” in 2020 and his sophomore album “Nothing Is Ever For Sure And Everything Is Always Changing” in 2021. The project was awarded the “Best Disc We Missed” 88.9 Radio Milwaukee Music Award in 2021. Social Cig’s third album “CHEESEHEAD” was released in August 2022 with the stand out single ‘From Afar’ listed as a “Top 10 Favorite Song of 2022” in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
While growing a national fan base, Social Cig continues to expand its landscape by consistently touring the US and sharing the stage with acts such as Wet Leg, PREP, M.A.G.S., Noah Kahan, Lime Cordiale, Windser, Motherfolk, Kainalu, Dizzy, Miloe, Ax and the Hatchetmen, Landon Conrath, Motel Breakfast, Michael Cera Palin, and Lowertown.
Furthermore, Schultz is the host of the Social Cig Podcast, which highlights guests in long-form easy-going conversations. He has spoken with numerous artists in Milwaukee’s music scene including John Sparrow of Violent Femmes, Wave Chapelle, M.A.G.S., NEWSKI, and more.
Formed in 1994 by George Trevino,Las Cruces began touring the Texas scene, gaining widespread recognition and the interest of Brainticket Records.Thus forging the Debut release: S.O.L. Also Releasing Ringmaster And Dusk. Las Cruces are poised to begin the metal onslaught for the masses as they prepare to Support their New Release “Cosmic Tears” on Ripple Music
SOULTRU
Growing up in Iowa, Soultru was one of 2 boys raised by their Army vet single mother. Living in Davenport Iowa growing up ina rougher neighborhood. Music was a big part of his upbringing, through church and school.
Eventually he started writing poetry to cope with the things around him. At some point realizing that songs were pretty much poetry but sung instead of being spoken allowed.
As their name alludes, Hellbound Glory is well on their way to proving they are a force to be reckoned with in the country music. Fusing superior song writing and hard living characters with a hard-edged country honky tonk sound. The group is known for its instrumental dexterity, while vivacious frontman Leroy and his compadres are also notorious for their down-home, good-old-boy attitude. This type of attitude and song writing chops, to back it up, have won over fans far and wide. Whether they are playing in front of two hundred or two thousand, Hellbound Glory delivers on their performance and leaves audiences begging for more as they envelop the crowd with Leroy’s powerful story telling and showmanship.
Throughout the mid 2000’s, Hellbound Glory began defining their indie Americana sound, before that was even a genre. They were moderately successful, but they never had a breakthrough hit on the country charts. But the new album “Damaged Goods” is set to change all that. Hellbound Glory knew there was an audience for Real Country and they stuck to their guns writing and recording songs full of grit, character and about problems facing rural America.
Paul Abella’s Questionable Decisions is an exciting new ensemble consisting of four of the Chicago Jazz scene’s most unique musicians. All four of these musicians have played in myriad situations across multiple genres, and their flexibility is on full display whenever they start playing. They’re a band upholding a tradition of Jazz as subversive party music. Drawing inspiration from Eddie Harris, Medeski, Martin & Wood, The Bad Plus, and Lester Bowie, they fuse Pop melodies, Jazz harmonies, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban and Funk rhythms, jammy improvisations with punk ferocity.
Or, as one friend once said, “someone’s going to have to invent a whole new genre just to describe you guys.”
Everybody stay calm! Then go nuts, because Animal Panic has arrived. The indie punk trio is a veritable mélange of hard-hitting genres. Punk, grunge, and a hefty dose of indie rock burst from the Chicago-native band.
It takes a unique talent to create a sound that is timely yet comfortably familiar. Toronto’s Jesse Gold manages to seamlessly blend pop music with R&B sensibilities, resulting in a sound that pays homage to an eclectic mix of long-time inspirations (Craig David, Lauryn Hill, John Mayer) and progressive contemporaries (Lucky Daye, Tom Misch, H.E.R.). There’s something for everyone in Jesse’s catalogue: wry songwriting, addictive melodies, silky vocals, and smart production.
Look no further than Gold’s standout track “One In A Million” for an infectious hybrid of them all. Earning a coveted spot on Spotify’s Fresh Finds: Best of Pop 2020 list and high marks from Ones To Watch, Euphoria Magazine, American Songwriter and more, the track perfectly captures what Gold hopes to achieve with his repertoire. “I want to make music to be shared. The kind of songs you send to your friends before the track ends.”
Featuring “One In A Million” and lead single “We Good,” Gold’s sophomore EP arrives this spring. “I worked harder and smarter than I ever have on this record. Making it with such incredibly talented people and learning so much from them all. I pushed myself harder than I ever have lyrically – I made sure that these songs are exactly who I want to be as an artist.”
Penned as a journey of self-realization, reflection and growth, Ausar’s debut LP ‘I NOW KNOW’ set the city’s soundscape ablaze this past summer. Performing at Lyrical Lemonade’s coveted Summer Smash festival, Taste of Chicago as well as opening on tours for Chicago icons like Chance The Rapper, femdot., Joyce Wrice and others, the 26-year-old Windy City wordsmith’s live renditions of his latest record will leave you speechless. Be sure to catch fan-favorites like “Don’t Date Rappers,” “Spoiled” and “Win” live.
When you look at his body of work, it’s hard to not see NE Portland hip-hop artist Donte Thomas as one to watch. Whether it’s battle rap, pop or R&B, working solo or in a group, Thomas always finds a way to stand out. Heavy drive, slick delivery and relatability have kept him relevant for years as he’s built his brand and progressed musically.
Hailing from Rockwood, Portland, OR, Bocha is one of the gifted rappers on the frontlines of the budding Portland hip hop scene. He is a co-founder of Produce Organics, a Portland based brand, and artist collective.
Bronx, NY native, Shari Diaz, switched up her stomping grounds for Raleigh, NC in 2014 where she started standup comedy at Goodnights Comedy Club and Raleigh Improv. Shari Díaz is also a Co-Producer for the first official Raleigh comedy festival called, Oak City Comedy Festival. In 2019, she moved back to NYC to pursue comedy where she has been booked consistently on some of the hottest comedy shows in the NYC and produces comedy shows all over the city.
Her accolades include opening for Gina Brillon, Pauly Shore, Michael Yo, Mark Viera, The Lucas Bros, Shawn Wayans, Maria Bamford, and Damon Wayans. Shari has been performing at comedy festivals around the country, such as, North Carolina’s Comedy Festival 2018 & 2019 in Greensboro, NC, Big Pine Comedy Festival 2018 in Flagstaff, AZ where she won “Best of Fest”, BTF Comedy Festival in Philly 2019 and Dallas Comedy Festival 2019, and DC’s Comedy Festival 2019, and New York Comedy Festival 2019. You can catch her first comedy special on HBO Max’s “Entre Nos Episode 11: What She Said!”.
Christina Galston is self-proclaimed “Jewrican ” and has spent her life honing her unique cross-cultural upbringing into a powerfully honest sense of humor and razor-sharp wit. A master storyteller Christina has been performing stand-up in NYC for 12 years. Half-hour stand-up specials have been a staple of the Comedy Central brand since the 90s.
Venessa is a Colombian-American comedy writer and performer from So. California now based in NYC. She has over 10 years of experience writing, performing, and producing comedy. Venessa is emeritus NY Chapter President of Women in Comedy Org. A StandUp NBC Finalist. Director of ‘FOUL’ the web series. Her work has been accepted into The World Series of Comedy (Boston), The Chicago Comedy Film Festival, Cape Fear Comedy Festival, Brooklyn Comedy Festival, Red Hook Film Festival, Manhattan Int’l Film Fest, and Beverly Hills New Media Fest. She has play writing experience and acting training from a BA in Theater from UCSD. She has studied improv and sketch writing at the Upright Citizens Brigade (LA and NY). She writes and produces content for social media and the comedy festival circuit, as well as performs stand up all over NYC. In addition to hosting and producing a weekly standup show in downtown Brooklyn, she’s now touring with the Hilarious Colombian Americans all over the U.S.
Natasha Samreny is a multicultural military brat who traded in Mormon seminary for solo book clubs at the bar.
Raised by recovering Catholics from different sides of the world, she aligns with anyone who treats garlic as a primary food group.
Samreny got her storytelling start in radio and her sweet codependent nature from too much church in her formative years.
The sexiest thing about Samreny is her cat. She trained at The Second City theatre in Chicago and has performed improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy internationally, including Edinburgh and Camden’s fringe festivals.
Stateside, she’s been seen at The Improv, Zanies, Boston Comedy Arts Festival, NYC Sketchfest, and all of your favorite storytelling festivals — if you had favorite storytelling festivals.
In short, if you’re wondering where she’s from, please keep guessing. It’s Natasha’s favorite game.
Michelladonna is an actress, comedian, producer and community organizer from Queens, NY. She is the creator and host of the I’m Finna Talk (@imfinnatalknyc) workshop/open mic series, which provides free events for Queer Black and Brown creatives in NYC. She is passionate about comedy, art creation and community. She is a student of HB Studio, the Magnet Theater, the Second City, the PIT and an alumna of the MCC Theater Youth Company. In the Summer of 2022, she received the PIT x SNL Scholarship which provides classes and industry showcases. She has also been featured on the HBO series Game Theory with Bomani Jones in Spring 2022. Michelladonna received the 2021 City Artist Corps Grant for “I’m Finna Talk”, making sure to re-invest into the arts and the community. She is focused on sharing her communities’ unique experiences with the world.
JILLIAN EBANKS (Ensemble; pronouns: She/Her/Hers) is thrilled to be a member of The Second City National Touring Company. An artist originally from New Jersey, she was awarded the 2018 NBC Bob Curry Fellowship. Past shows include America; It’s Complicated! at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and The Black History Month Show. She is the co-creator and co-producer of B.A.P.S Comedy. With a degree in sociology she refuses to use, Ebanks hopes all her hard work pays off one day when Ben & Jerry’s asks her to create her very own ice cream flavor. Also, like, an invitation to the Met Gala would be cool. Follow her at @Curlyhairnocare for pictures with hella filters. She is currently represented by Grossman & Jack Talent.
Glorelys “Glory” Mora is a New York-based stand-up comedian, writer and producer. She was born on June 15th, 1990 in New York City and grew up in between the worlds of Harlem and Washington Heights, raised by parents that immigrated from the Dominican Republic. The content for her comedy is pulled directly from interactions she has had with nepotism, racism and micro-aggressions throughout life and while working in the advertising industry. Additionally, she loves to discuss her observations of white privilege, the cis female experiences and social injustices in a ‘pretty’ digestible way for audiences to reflect upon after deep laughter. She is pretty funny.
I was an English major in college, but don’t worry, my parents are still very proud of me.
The common thread through my work has been my love of storytelling, whether that be by managing social media for a brand, performing stand-up comedy, or through my writing.
I have learned and performed in Florida, Washington, D.C. and Connecticut, and if not for COVID-19, Chicago and New York City, too. You can check out my current work on my podcast, The Witty Committee.
Ré Alissa is an R&B artist from Chicago, IL with a sound and look reminiscent of 90’s R&B. The vocalist and multi-instrumentalist uses a combination of soulful vocals and intricate rhythms and harmonies, captivating the attention of anyone who listens. Having worked with and been recognized by artists such as Juice WRLD, Bootsy Collins, Babyface, & Toni Braxton, the skyward R&B starlet is making her way through the industry as a refreshing and innovative force to be reckoned with. With an R&B sound that also incorporates genres such as pop, soul, and hip-hop, she brings exactly what the music industry has been waiting for. Her music take listeners on an intense rollercoaster of emotions— exploring the highs and lows of love, life, and relationships.
Growing up in the Chicago suburb of South Holland, IL, Hosea “Zae” Connie was inspired by all of the R&B greats like Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire and Kool & the Gang – but for years, his personal musical focus was on classical clarinet, his first instrument. Then one day, when he was about 15, he accidentally turned to 95.5 FM on the dial and heard Kirk Whalum’s classic tune “The Wave”. This sparked a passion for urban jazz that led him to discover urban jazz sax masters Kim Waters, Walter Beasley, Najee, Candy Dulfer and Mindi Abair. He played clarinet in band for another year, but hearing their music led him to switch to saxophone – and he has not looked back since. His passion for fusing jazz and soul has led him on an exciting journey of discovery which now leads to his emergence as a solo recording artist.
M’Reld Green is one of thee most dynamic spoken word artist of her generation. M’Reld has been featured on Russell Simmons presents HBO Def Poetry Jam, BET Lyric Cafe and TVOne Verses & Flow. She has shared the stage with a host of celebrated acts which includes Angie Stone, Ledisi, Eric Roberson, MC Lyte and many others. A true wordsmith M’Reld has performed for then Illinois State Senator now President Barack Obama.
Her gifted poetry has allowed her to travel across this country featuring at acclaimed venues such as the Nuyorican Poetry Cafe in New York City to Fly Poets in Los Angeles. M’Reld has shared her work in 33 of the 50 states and continues on touring to add to the completion of all 50 states by early 2016.
Outside of being acknowledged as one of the nations premiere poets, M’Reld is also an ambassador for peace, social justice and youth advocacy. She continues her involvement with Chicago Public Schools. Also she has used her spoken word as a teaching tool for non for profit agencies such as The Black Star Program and Institute for Positive Living.
“Josh Runnels, creatively known as J.ARTiz, is a Chicago native who is a vocalist, writer, band leader, community organizer plus more. Self expression through harmonic vocals, rap and spoken word poetry are the main mediums in which he learned to tell his own story. Residing in Chicago, J. has a heart for curating youth art & edu related programs while also recording, performing live music along with other art collaborations. J. performs multi-facedly from one man, up to 12 people on festival stages blending genres while using versatility in rhyme, poetry and soul vocalism Former male vocalist of “FutureSoul” band , “Loose Loose”, and founder of “MO’ Soul Collective”, J seeks to continue inspiring a larger movement of cultural art, black liberation, higher consciousness and Afrofuturistic inspiration amongst the population of youth/ young adult communities and beyond.”
Justin Famous is a recording artist, producer and songwriter from Maywood, IL, near the westside of Chicago, IL. He has been immersed in music since childhood, often dancing and writing his own songs. That love for music made him the artist he is today. His music style is a unique blend of Hip Hop, Soul and R&B matched with thought-provoking, catchy, uplifting and thought challenging lyrics.
Smokestack Mojos is a Chicago-based blues band specializing in Chicago-style blues Led by guitarist Ricky D, the group boast a rich Brass section and revels in juke joint classics that get the fun flowing and the room movin’!
ASTRAL HAND is a 4-piece heavy-psych band that channels a deeply cosmic mood. By using synth-driven melodies, fuzzed-out guitar riffs, thundering drums, and lyrical themes meditating on interstellar deities, ASTRAL HAND searches for life and love in the universe at large.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, started her comedy career in 2016 those 5 min at an open mic open the doors to tours all over Texas, New York, New Mexico, Los Angeles and Puerto Rico. Her spicy and unfiltered comedy will make you blush but her passion is to make anyone laugh. “If you smile when you hear her name, then she’s accomplished her purpose”.
Irma Ruiz is a former wannabe chola, turned school teacher, turned comedian. Although she’s been kicked out of every neighborhood Nextdoor.com group she’s joined and is banned from 5 Facebook Mom groups, you can still find her performing in comedy clubs, casinos & festivals in Texas and various locations throughout the nation. Her comedy covers motherhood, education, marriage, family and more. She is the producer of the Teachers Gone Bad Show and even though she doesn’t believe in tarot cards, she pretends to in her Tarot Card Comedy Show on VivaLiveTv. Her comedy is not to be missed!
Eliana La Casa is a bilingual Argentinean stand up comedian. She has been featured on Comedy Central Latinoamerica, as well as BBC Radio 4 London’s international live show “Welcome to Wherever You Are”. In Argentina, she performed at Festivals like Cuidad Emergente and Manso Comedy Fest as well as in local TV shows such as “Tipos de Minas”. Since moving to Chicago, she took part of Chicago Women’s Funny Festival, World Comedy Expo and Latina Comedy Festival. As a comedian she has toured Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Mexico and USA, where she was voted Best Stand Up Comedian of 2021 according to the Chicago Reader.
As the daughter of a Puerto Rican mom and a Salvadoran dad living in the South, Aniria lives the “Cultural Bermuda Triangle” daily! Having moved here from El Salvador at the age of 6, the culture shock and the pleasing of 3 cultural expectations lingers in her witty observations.
Because she started her passion for stand up later in life, it quickly became therapy that helped her get through a divorce and juggling a new dating life with raising kids. Now remarried, her repertoire has expanded.
Her comedy expresses the “in your face” truths about cultural differences, dating, kids, sex and how men and women relate.
Aside from stand up, Aniria is also an actor. She got her first break in the Netflix film “Naked” with Marlon Wayans. Other TV credits include NBC’s Chicago Med and Hulu’s The Act with Patricia Arquette. She was also voted Tampa Bay’s 2017 Best Up and Coming Comic by Creative Loafing and she performed at the 2019 Burbank Comedy Festival.
Hyryder strives musically to create an authentic Grateful Dead experience, paying close attention to detail. The band routinely performs “monster” 3 set shows, weaving in and out from one song to the next. While paying tribute to the original compositions, Hyryder indeed craft’s their own unique take on the music focusing on extended improvisational jamming. The band prides itself on its ever changing progressive jams and set lists that are unique to each particular show. Hyryder performs multiple night runs without ever repeating any material giving fans an intimately different experience each time they take the stage.
From experiencing ghosting, heartache and love to discovering her non linear healing journey around sexuality, self love, body neutrality, and addiction; Em Grace untangles an intimate part of herself and gifts you with a mirror. Her deepest intention is to use her music to heal; to connect and unify communities all over the world with vulnerability.
EM GRACE & the Undercuts is an all queer band making ukulele punk, defying the perceived contrast between sweet tones and strong electric waves. Front woman, Em, pairs her electric baritone ukulele with emotionally visceral vocals and is amplified by bass (Sage), and drums (Rachael V.).
Em Grace has independently released two EPs, “Peach Tree” and “Waves of Grief”, which are on all listening platforms.
Em Grace started in 2017 as a solo project and the Undercuts joined in 2022.
We have headlined at The Golden Dagger Chicago and Burlington Bar; performed at Chicago staples Hard Rock Cafe Chicago, Reggie’s Music Joint, Fruit Salad and The Second City. In March and April we’ll be making our debut at Liars Club and Subterranean.
We’ve paid our dues and played at copious amounts of local comedy shows, DIY venues, bars, restaurants, professional studios, apartments, and speakeasies.
