Have I told you about my grandma...or my girlfriend??

My grandma's foundation needs your support!

My partner V and I having fun at the TWA Hotel in JFK Airport. You should check it out! Dear friends and family, I really hope that this message finds you in upbeat holiday spirits.  There are two things that I want to tell you about: 1) My grandmother's foundation  2) My girlfriend's comedy show! First, have I ever told you how awesome my grandma was? For twenty years, my grandma, Irene C. Hernandez, was a Cook County Commissioner in Chicago. She was the FIRST LATINA in city politics. She passed away in 1997 but my cousins have done an amazing job at keeping her legacy alive.  The Irene C. Hernandez Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing relief to underserved and less privileged families and communities in need. With your help, the foundation can extend services to the families of Irene C. Hernandez Middle School and beyond, offering hope, assistance, and opportunities to those facing adversity. During the holidays, the middle school chooses families that the foundation supports with your help! You can donate by clicking here. Second, if you and I don't follow each other on social media then you probably don't know that I am in love with a wonderful partner named Victoria aka V. We've been together for over three years now. I'm so grateful to be with someone who is also a writer/performer. She is deeply talented and has a critical eye that I trust. She is debuting new stand-up material this Saturday night, 12/14 at 6pm PT at my favorite comedy club in the city - The Crow. I'd love for you to join me for a laugh and meet V if you haven't met her yet! I hope you and yours are having a blessed holiday season! Love, Joe Copyright © 2024 Joe Hernandez-Kolski, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because we're close friends, you're someone in the entertainment industry who I respect A LOT, we exchanged contact info at some point, we did a show together, you signed my mailing list or because you're my dad. (Hi, Dad. We're really hoping to visit you sometime this fall. Let us know what works for you!) Feel free to unsubscribe. Our mailing address is: Joe Hernandez-Kolski 3794 Rosewood Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90066 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

From LA to NYC!

Line Dancing, Comedy and a great cause!

I made this fun video with some friends for Volunteer Blue! Dear friends and family, How are you? I have three fun events coming up. I'd love to see you there! Love, Joe Tonight, Friday 9/20, 7-10pm PT I'm hosting my second Dance MDR event and tonight is Line Dancing! Andrea and Felicity are two of my favorite dance teachers and you're gonna love them! If you're in the Marina del Rey area, come on down and join us! It's FREE! This Sunday, 9/22, 4-6pm PT Yes, a backyard variety show with a pool!  A perfect way to spend your Sunday afternoon! Check out the fantastic line-up here! $25 Thursday, 9/26, 6-10:30pm ET I'll be in NYC hosting a gala for a wonderful organization called L.O.V.E. - Latinas On the Verge of Excellence! Join us for a fun 70s throwback party for a great cause! Copyright © 2024 Joe Hernandez-Kolski, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because we're close friends, you're someone in the entertainment industry who I respect A LOT, we exchanged contact info at some point, we did a show together, you signed my mailing list or because you're my dad. (Hi, Dad. We're really hoping to visit you sometime this fall. Let us know what works for you!) Feel free to unsubscribe. Our mailing address is: Joe Hernandez-Kolski 3794 Rosewood Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90066 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

I ALMOST opened for President Biden!

Join me and Melissa Villaseñor this Saturday!

Y'all registered to vote on November 5th? In case you're not, here's a link. You can also check your registration here! Can I Vote | NASS Now watch me introduce President Joe Biden! Sorta... Dear friends and family, A few weeks ago, I was asked to keep the audience entertained as the stage was prepared for President Joe Biden’s speech at the UnidosUS annual conference held in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, shortly after my speech, we found out that, yes, he had Covid and would not be attending. It was still fun! Thank you to Janet Murguia and the whole UnidosUS team for always trusting me to share my humor and perspective! Click here to watch me explain how choosing a presidential candidate can sometimes be like dating! I also hosted/co-produced a comedy night! Melissa Villaseñor, Vince Caldera and Justine Marino rocked the Hakkasan Night Club! Melissa spoke about her experience on SNL and then she got 800 Latines to sing along with her impression of Mexicana singer Ana Gabriel! The audience wouldn't let her get off stage screaming, "Otra! Otra!" It was truly a special night.  If you're in the LA area this Saturday, August 24th at 10am, I'll be joining Melissa at her morning comedy show titled, "Fresh Coffee, Fresh Bits!" It's happening at Public Displays of Altadena! For tickets, click here Yes, it's early on a Saturday morning. The show is a lot of fun! Join us! Love, Joe I will also be hosting Dance MDR on Sept 6th and 20th! Join me for Salsa and Line Dancing! Copyright © 2024 Joe Hernandez-Kolski, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because we're close friends, you're someone in the entertainment industry who I respect A LOT, we exchanged contact info at some point, we did a show together, you signed my mailing list or because you're my dad. (Hi, Dad. We're really hoping to visit sometime this summer. Let us know what works for you!) Feel free to unsubscribe. Our mailing address is: Joe Hernandez-Kolski 3794 Rosewood Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90066 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

SUMMER HOSTING GIGS!

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Join me, yes, TOMORROW! Saturday, June 15th for the Cardboard Yacht Regatta! For More Info: Kids compete head-to-head as well as parent/child teams as well as ADULTS! Dear friends and family, The summer is here along with some of my favorite hosting gigs! 1) Tomorrow - Saturday, June 15th - one of my favorite events of the year. The Cardboard Yacht Regatta! Join me in Santa Monica and watch kids and adults compete against each other at the Annenberg Community Beach House! 2) The Music Center's DANCE DTLA series! I will be hosting the opening on Friday, June 21st. Come learn Bollywood dance! I'll also be hosting Salsa Night on Friday, June 28th! The series is FREE and downtown! Come dance under the stars! Love,  Joe Some pics from last year's DTLA West African dance lesson! Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

"I don't even tell my wife..."

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Last two chances to see THE ONE are Friday and Saturday at 8pm! Buy Tickets Here This polyamorous audience member had qualms going in, but gives THE ONE an approving thumbs-up! Click to watch the full review! Dear friends and family, Years ago, after my solo show Awake, a friend came up to me and she jokingly said, “How did you get hold of my diary??” I’ve always cherished that. After last Sunday's show, another friend told me, “Man, you say things that I think I must be the only one who feels this way. And you say them in front of an audience. You say things that I think in my head that I don’t even tell my wife.” This is what Ben and I work hard to create. Shows based on truths that I’m scared to say out loud. Cuz we know those are the truths that resonate with people on a deeper level. THE ONE marks our eighth collaboration and fourth solo show. With a wonderful production team, we’ve created a piece that grapples with love, relationships, and self-worth. There are only two more performances. This Fri & Sat at 8pm. It’s a 40min show that we think moves quickly and says what we want it to say. As artists, it's our responsibility to keep our audience’s attention as long as it's requested. Then we go have a drink next door and talk about it. It's all just one big conversation. Please join us! Discount code “truelove” gets friend and fam $10 tix! Love,  Joe Sacred Fools Theatre presents the world premiere of a new solo show THE ONE   When love arrives, what if it's not what you expected? Let's see if Joe's ego can handle change. In his latest solo production, alone and facing 50, Joe meets a woman who he deeply loves and is ready to commit to fully. But, plot twist: she's into polyamory. With a deft mix of comedy and spoken word poetry, Joe's ideas of faithfulness are interrogated as he is introduced to the concept of an open relationship and forced to face the raw truth that this might not be The One he's looking for... THE ONE Written & Performed by Joe Hernandez-Kolski Developed & Directed by Benjamin Byron Davis Produced for Sacred Fools by Scott Leggett Lighting Design: Matthew Richter Projections: Ben Rock Sound Design: Omar Ramos Stage Manager: Rebecca Schoenberg Key Art by Michelle Hanzelova APRIL 12 - MAY 11, 2024 Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm Sundays @ 4pm Tickets available at sacredfools.org Family/Friends discount: "truelove" Broadwater Black Box 6322 Santa Monica Blvd. LA, CA 90038 The use of masks is strongly encouraged. The box office will be able to offer some masks for free but please come prepared. Please stay home if you are feeling ill. Talk about some great quotes from Gia On The Move: THE ONE is… “a tight, emotional, and highly entertaining 40 minutes.” “simultaneously a light-hearted romantic tale and a deep search for love and acceptance.” “a perfect shot of fun thought-provoking theater.” HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Read the full review here! Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

"A perfect shot of fun thought-provoking theater"

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Only TWO weekends left! Talk about some great quotes from Gia On The Move: THE ONE is… “a tight, emotional, and highly entertaining 40 minutes.” “simultaneously a light-hearted romantic tale and a deep search for love and acceptance.” “a perfect shot of fun thought-provoking theater.” HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Read the full review here! Dear friends and family, One of my favorite parts of performing is reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones! Due to the subject matter of this new show (relationships, sex, love, polyamory), I love the conversations that we’re having afterwards! Thanks to everyone who’s come out and the conversations that we’ve had! Folks, you have two more weekends to catch the show and then talk passionately afterwards over a drink! Love,  Joe Special thanks to Sidney Edwards for moderating a Q&A after last Sunday's show which was streamed and watched all over the world! Sacred Fools Theatre presents the world premiere of a new solo show THE ONE   When love arrives, what if it's not what you expected? Let's see if Joe's ego can handle change. In his latest solo production, alone and facing 50, Joe meets a woman who he deeply loves and is ready to commit to fully. But, plot twist: she's into polyamory. With a deft mix of comedy and spoken word poetry, Joe's ideas of faithfulness are interrogated as he is introduced to the concept of an open relationship and forced to face the raw truth that this might not be The One he's looking for... THE ONE Written & Performed by Joe Hernandez-Kolski Developed & Directed by Benjamin Byron Davis Produced for Sacred Fools by Scott Leggett Lighting Design: Matthew Richter Projections: Ben Rock Sound Design: Omar Ramos Stage Manager: Rebecca Schoenberg Key Art by Michelle Hanzelova APRIL 12 - MAY 11, 2024 Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm Sundays @ 4pm Tickets available at sacredfools.org Family/Friends discount: "foreplay" Broadwater Black Box 6322 Santa Monica Blvd. LA, CA 90038 The use of masks is strongly encouraged. The box office will be able to offer some masks for free but please come prepared. Please stay home if you are feeling ill. Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

"A combination of startling honesty..."

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"Joe H-K’s shows are a combination of startling honesty and humor, poetry and physicality. A very special mix." -Ruth Silveira If you can only afford $5, please come this Friday! Or if you feel like donating $50, come this Friday! Dear friends and family, Opening weekend was a lot of fun! I hope that you can join us SOON. Theater disappears very quickly. Come watch how a 50 year-old man navigates ideas like polyamory and, yes, social media's role in dating. This Friday night is our Donate What You Can show where half the ticket sales are donated to the Motion Picture & Television Fund, a very worthy cause! Please join us at the Broadwater Black Box in Hollywood before May 11th! Love,  Joe Sacred Fools Theatre presents the world premiere of a new solo show THE ONE   When love arrives, what if it's not what you expected? Let's see if Joe's ego can handle change. In his latest solo production, alone and facing 50, Joe meets a woman who he deeply loves and is ready to commit to fully. But, plot twist: she's into polyamory. With a deft mix of comedy and spoken word poetry, Joe's ideas of faithfulness are interrogated as he is introduced to the concept of an open relationship and forced to face the raw truth that this might not be The One he's looking for... THE ONE Written & Performed by Joe Hernandez-Kolski Developed & Directed by Benjamin Byron Davis Produced for Sacred Fools by Scott Leggett Lighting Design: Matthew Richter Projections: Ben Rock Sound Design: Omar Ramos Stage Manager: Rebecca Schoenberg Key Art by Michelle Hanzelova APRIL 12 - MAY 11, 2024 Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm Sundays @ 4pm Tickets available at sacredfools.org Family/Friends discount: "foreplay" Broadwater Black Box 6322 Santa Monica Blvd. LA, CA 90038 The use of masks is strongly encouraged. The box office will be able to offer some masks for free but please come prepared. Please stay home if you are feeling ill. Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

My latest solo show is HERE!

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A brand new solo show April 12th - May 11th Discount code for friends is "foreplay" Dear friends and family, I am so excited to announce the world premiere of my newest solo show, "The One!"  This marks the fourth solo show and eighth creative project that my longtime collaborator/director Benjamin Byron Davis  and I have worked on together. We would talk about what’s going on with us, with the world, I would bring pieces for him to read, he’d keep pushing me to go deeper. We’ve created something that is very personal to me and we think it will speak to you! Please join us at the Broadwater Black Box in Hollywood starting April 12th! As with every solo show, it is far from "solo." I am incredibly lucky to have some of the most talented designers working with me! I can't wait for you to see what we're creating! Love, Joe   Sacred Fools Theatre presents the world premiere of a new solo show THE ONE   They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. That’s a lesson Joe may learn the hard way.   In his latest solo production, alone and facing 50, Joe is desperate to find “the one” that he’s going to spend the rest of his life with - while he’s still got some life to spend! Blending poetry and comedy, Hernandez-Kolski’s latest autobiographical show finds him tackling the age-old question... can an old dog learn a new trick? Joe’s search for “the one” may just depend on it. THE ONE Written & Performed by Joe Hernandez-Kolski Developed & Directed by Benjamin Byron Davis Produced for Sacred Fools by Scott Leggett Lighting Design: Matthew Richter Projections: Ben Rock Sound Design: Omar Ramos Stage Manager: Rebecca Schoenberg Key Art by Michelle Hanzelova APRIL 12 - MAY 11, 2024 Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm Sundays @ 4pm Tickets available at sacredfools.org Broadwater Black Box 6322 Santa Monica Blvd. LA, CA 90038 The use of masks is strongly encouraged. The box office will be able to offer some masks for free but please come prepared. Please stay home if you are feeling ill. Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

Wanna see my Law & Order appearance?

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I made my Law & Order debut! (Click on the GIF below to watch the scene!) Dear Friends and Family, I was so psyched to play a role in the Dick Wolf Universe! As soon as I got the script, I knew who this guy was. The character is in the same field that my dad worked in for years, drug and alcohol therapy. I got to ask my dad all sorts of questions to fill out the character! Fingers crossed I get to play Dr. Maurice Acevedo again! Click here to watch my original audition and the final scene. If you want to watch the full episode, you can watch it On Demand or the Peacock app. Search Law & Order episode "Second Chance." From the moment that I walked on set, each and every crew member was the coolest. Friendly and helpful, even at 6am. I happened to be shooting on a Friday which was "Track Suit Friday." All of the crew members were dressed in old school track suits.  The cast was great. Odelya Halevi and I had some mutual friends, including my longtime friend/collaborator Benjamin Byron Davis, so we immediately started chatting in the make-up trailer. Hugh Dancy is just the nicest guy, very open and present while shooting. I had a ton of dialogue and he set me up perfectly for each of my monologues. Something that I thought was really cool happened when we showed up on set for our first rehearsal. I was introduced to Rachel Leiterman, our director, and Jonathan Collier, the writer on set. Rachel said, "Let's just run the lines." Odelya naturally sat down, I stood on one side of the table and Hugh stood on the other. We ran the lines a couple of times and Rachel nodded and said, "I kinda like this set up. It's informal, you all know each other. What if we just shoot the scene like this?" And that's how the blocking ended up for the shoot. Again, one of the best sets that I've worked on. Smiling and attentive even as I was leaving for the day at 10:30am! First scene up and first one wrapped! Not a bad day's work! Joe p.s. I've got a comedy show this Saturday evening on the westside! All new material with a fun group! It says sold out but there will be standing room and probably a seat or two!  Comedy show in Santa Monica this Saturday night! Sat. Jan 28th at 5pm at the Crow Comedy Club in Santa Monica - I found a great stand-up comedy class that really is helping me develop all new material. I'm excited to share it for the first time this Saturday night! And there's a big free parking lot! Click on the pic for tickets! Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

My episode of Law & Order airs Jan 12th!

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Yes, Law & freakin' Order! Dear Friends and Family, First off, I hope that your holidays were wonderfully peaceful. I'm excited that my episode of "Law & Order" is just a week away! My episode is titled "Second Chance" and it's scheduled to air Thursday, Jan 12th! I can't wait for y'all to see it and then I can post pics and talk about it! All I can say is, it was quite a journey to get there. We shot in Long Island City, NY which is a long way from my apartment in Mar Vista, CA. Let me know how your holidays were. I'd love to know how you're doing.  Love, Joe Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

I shot an episode of an NBC show...

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...can you guess which show?? (click on the pic below) Dear friends and family,   I recorded the above video a few weeks ago while I was in New York shooting an episode of an NBC show. Can you guess which one it is? Click here to watch the video. If the episode stays as scheduled, it will air on Jan 5th 2023. I hope that your holiday season is filled with happiness and connection. Love, Joe Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

So...did you vote?

I booked a TV show!

Keeping a secret is easy for me. 😎

A family-friendly show this Saturday!

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Thanks to 24th Street Theatre for inviting me to give this special performance! Dear friends and family,  I am so excited to be giving a special performance this Saturday, Oct 22nd at 2pm at 24th Street Theatre! As part of their Saturday Explorer Series, I will be performing a 45min show titled, "Pieces of Me!" “Pieces of Me” is an abbreviated/updated version of my hip-hop theater piece “You Wanna Piece of Me?” inspired by my personal experiences growing up in Chicago as a Mexican-Polish-American heavy metal headbanger who attended a Black high school. "Dancing to the hip-hop beats that shape our lives and bring us together, Hernández-Kolski explores what it means to grow up as a multicultural hyphenate facing race and racism, confronting social issues, and questioning gender and pop culture." Tickets are only $5 and it's family friendly! There are some mature themes so I'm thinking ages twelve and up. I'm also performing that same night at Spoken Funk at Bear Valley Country Club in Victorville! Click on the pic to buy tickets with a $5 discount. Or just type "POCHO" for $5 off. It's a fun mix of comedy and poetry hosted by the homies Poetri, Juren and DJ Brutha Gimel! I hope to see you at one of these shows. I hope that you're well. Love, Joe   Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

What meeting Michelle Obama taught me...

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That mullet was a thing of PURE BEAUTY. I used to hot oil treat my hair!! Dear friends and family,  I hope that you're staying cool wherever you are. I live two miles from the beach and it's FREAKING HOT HERE so I know that it's even worse in a lot of places. I've got some great shows coming up!  But first... A few months ago, Michelle Obama's Instagram account posted this pic and folks started tagging me in it.  In case I somehow never told you (cuz I pretty much tell anyone in hearing distance), Michelle Obama and I both went to Whitney Young HS in Chicago. She even interviewed me to attend Princeton. This pic was from a college fair event. So what did meeting Michelle Obama teach me? ALWAYS take care of your mullet cuz you never know when you might take a photo with the future First Lady.  Back then, I believed in what my mullet stood for - business up front, party in the back.  Nowadays, I combine the business WITH the party.  Here's a few ways I did that this summer: --Officiating weddings is my new favorite thing! Let me get this straight...I get to make people laugh and cry AND I get to marry two of my favorite people?? When can I do this again?? Here's a pic of me with my goddaughter and her new husband. I was so honored! --I also LOVE hosting stuff like the Music Center's DANCE DTLA series. We entertained thousands this summer as they learned all sorts of fun dance styles from Salsa to K-Pop to Bachata! --And doing voiceover for video games is a great outlet for my pent-up anger. I worked on several major franchises this summer. I can't wait to tell you more! Upcoming Shows! My solo show "Pieces of Me" at 24th Street Theater Solo Festival - Sat Oct 22nd at 2pm - I'll be closing the festival with a special one-time performance of a revised and abbreviated version of my first solo show. (All ages!) Spoken Funk - A comedy/poetry showcase - The same day! Later on Sat Oct 22nd at 7pm, I'll be performing a comedy/poetry set at Spring Valley Lake Country Club in Victorville, CA! DANCE MDR - I'll be hosting Sept 23rd (Hip-Hop) and Sept 30th (Salsa) - come take a dance lesson then practice your moves with a DJ! I've worked with salsa instructor Leslie Ferreira and she's a GREAT teacher! Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

What have YOU missed the most?

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Join us this Saturday and Sunday at 8pm in Santa Monica! Dear friends and family,  When I'm on stage, I have no choice but to be completely present which feels harder and harder to do these days. I'm so obsessed with my phone, social media and all of the five-letter words that I want to use in Wordle. So it feels great to be back on stage! I am in a one act play titled "Park Play," written by Ben Kawaller, directed by Ferelith Young and co-starring Julie Cohn. I get to play Gerald, a man who meets a cute woman in a park and a secret of his gets quickly revealed. It's a wonderful dark comedy that's painful and laugh-inducing at the same time. We'd love for you to come! Not only because it's a fun play but also because the audience VOTES on their favorite piece to get an encore performance! Tickets: Saturday, 4/16 at 8pm Sunday, 4/17 at 8pm Discount Code: 10offbriskla22 Location: Morgan-Wixson Theatre 2627 Pico BIvd Santa Monica, CA, 90405 I hope to see you there! Love, Joe p.s. My godfather recently asked about some of my past video game performances and I'm not sure if a lot of folks ever saw this INSANITY that is linked below! JOE as....LUST? Several years ago, I played a character named "Dylan Fuentes" in the video game "Dead Rising 3." All of the villains were based on the seven deadly sins. I was based on LUST. Enjoy. ;-)  Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

Downbeat 720 press release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: 

City of Santa Monica

Joe Hernandez-Kolski 310.766.5822 joe@pochojoe.com

Youth open-mic sponsored by the City of Santa Monica, now in its twentieth year, is reaching out to a worldwide audience. 

As the Coronavirus continues to affect in-person events, Downbeat 720 will continue via Zoom for the foreseeable future. This creates an opportunity to bring in a worldwide audience of high school performers. (The above photo is from a recent event which included a high school singer/songwriter from Mississippi along with a poet from India.)

For over twenty years, Downbeat 720 has proven to be LA’s premier open-mic for high school youth.  Sponsored by the City of Santa Monica cultural affairs division, twice a month, high school students from all over the city arrived at the historic Miles Memorial Playhouse in Reed Park near downtown Santa Monica. They performed and received positive, honest feedback from professional working artists.  Here's a small example of how students react to the program:

"Downbeat 720 is one of the most magical things I have ever witnessed. It's a space where high school students from all over LA can come and perform their original pieces, sing a cover, read poetry, etc. Everyone was so supportive of each other. It's a place to take risks, to stand onstage and feel comfortable while experimenting and going outside of the comfort zone. It's also a place to meet people who are interested in similar things you are and who will compliment your skill sets beautifully."

--Owen Thiele, Singer

With the quarantine, where students often find themselves isolated in their homes, it’s been incredibly important for students to have a safe and supportive space for self-expression.  Downbeat 720 continues its online platform to offer that support.

Downbeat 720 was created by Justin Yoffe, Ameenah Kaplan, Joe Hernandez-Kolski and DJ Jedi in 2001.  In addition to the students performing, a special guest (a professional artist) is invited to perform for the students.  In the past, we've had Grammy award-winning musicians like Aloe Blacc, Raul Pacheco (Ozomatli), comedian Craig Robinson (“The Office”), Akil the MC (Jurassic 5), poet/actress Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia), MAD TV cast members and a slew of nationally-ranked HBO Def Poets. 

Downbeat 720 has grown to become one of the centerpoints for high school performers developing their talent as poets, singers, musicians, dancers, bands, etc.  In fact, the television version, Downbeat Showdown, won the 2005 LA EMMY for "Outstanding Youth Programming."  To watch a 5min documentary on the program or to see some of our past performances, go to www.youtube.com/downbeat720.

Downbeat 720 takes place over Zoom until its safe to return to in-person performances. It is always FREE and adults are allowed but we encourage them to invite a high school student to either watch or participate. 

The Downbeat 720 Zoom link will open up at 7pm PT when DJ Jedi begins spinning music. The open-mic starts at 7:20pm PT. We run every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. 

Upcoming dates: January 25th, February 8th, 22nd, March 8th, 22nd, April 12th, 26th, May 10th, 24th 

To stay informed, students should follow our Instagram page: 

www.instagram.com/downbeat720

Or contact -- Joe Hernandez-Kolski at joe@pochojoe.com or 310-766-5822

The Downbeat Commandments

1. Respect yourself, the other artists and the SPACE.

2. All styles and skill levels are EMBRACED.

3. Feel free to fall on your FACE.

4. Make sure you’re muted if it’s not your turn.

5. Keep your camera off ‘til you’re ready to go live.

6. Use the chat to hype up your fellow performers . 

7. If you can stay 'til the end, that would be GREAT.

8. Put your cell phones on VIBRATE.

9. Bring a new friend EVERY TIME.

10. We love you and in two weeks we'll SEE YOU AGAIN.

"Angry Abuelo" PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joe Hernández-Kolski

310.766.5822

joe@pochojoe.com 

UnidosUS uses comedy to combat Covid misinformation in the Latine community

As new variants emerge and Covid-19 continues to disproportionately affect Latinos, UnidosUS, the United States's largest Latino nonprofit advocacy organization, is using comedy to keep the community informed. 

“Will Abuelo Get The Vaccine?” is a series of comedy sketches co-created with  comedy writer/performer Joe Hernández-Kolski (Gilmore Girls, HBO Def Poetry) and director Reko Moreno (Bushido Battleground). The videos are built around the relationship between “Angry Abuelo” (a curmudgeon character reminiscent of Archie Bunker from “All in the Family”) and his granddaughter Christina, a highly informed ten year-old girl. Joe Hernández-Kolski says, “Comedy has always been a wonderful tool for telling difficult truths. With the large amount of Covid misinformation in social media directed at the Latine community, we thought it was important to address this topic in a short video format.”

In four parts (including an epilogue where Abuelo raps while Christina beatboxes), we see what happens at Abuelo’s house, from the beginning to the end of Christmas day, as Christina attempts to get her Abuelo to agree to get vaccinated.

Watch the videos here:

http://bit.ly/angryabuelochristmas

Comedy can combat Covid! (but not alliteration)

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Thanks to UnidosUS, we created some fun sketches to address Covid misinformation in the Latine community. Dear friends and family,   Thanks to UnidosUS, I created some comedy sketches to address Covid misinformation in the Latine community. I'd love for you to click above and watch them!  How are you? For me, the past two years have been all about walking a balance beam between....  "You can do this Joe! Get up! Get dressed! Make the most of today! YOU DICTATE HOW THE WORLD VIEWS YOU AND YOUR ART!" ...and... "It's okaaaaay. Go back to bed. You're in the middle of a pandemic!" I was profiled in the Princeton Alumni Weekly about the different comedy videos that I've been creating over the past two years. Please click on the pic to read about my projects including my recent collaboration with UnidosUS. Good luck with 2022. I look forward to creating more art with you in-person very very soon! Love, Joe p.s. What are ya watching? I love that "Cobra Kai" has become an annual binge watch for me and my family over the holidays. Also, earlier this year, I made a fun little video with legendary actor Tony Plana for the UnidosUS virtual conference! Tony, what is a "plenary?" Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

It's live - it's fun - it's outdoors!

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We've created a fun, outdoor show. Must show proof of vaccination! Dear friends and family,  I hope that you're safe and vaccinated. I am a part of a wonderful, outdoor production. It's called "Welcome To The Neighborhood." It's an immersive theater piece that takes place in 1954 - a nuclear missile mishap has sent everyone into underground bunkers for fifteen months and this is our first gathering back together (ya see where we're going with this?) You show up to a BBQ, grab your burger or veggie dog and watch the drama unfold around you. Gia on the Move calls the show, "a madcap hour of backyard hotdogs, intrigue, politics, radiation, and outer space" with "great performances from the entire cast." We have performances for only two more weekends with three shows per day. Like I said, you must show proof of vaccination upon arriving. We hope to see you there! I also flew to DC to host the UnidosUS Annual Conference. For those unfamiliar, UnidosUS is the largest Latinx advocacy organization in the country. Their conference addresses countless issues relevant to the community. Although I was the only one who was in-person, it was a lot of fun to participate virtually with the different panels around the country. You can watch replays here. And make sure to check out our music video collaboration below! We've reached over 8,000 views! Love, Joe p.s. What are ya watching? "The White Lotus?" Did ya like it? I thought it was great! We've reached over 8,000 views! We had so much fun making this video! This video was a lot of fun to make! A homage to our quarantine and to the late, great Eddie Van Halen! RIP Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*