indigenous peoples day

Joey Clift has not only dedicated his life to doing some of the most insane, imaginative bits and concepts on stage (ranging from an entire talk show about cats to finishing Sufjan Stevens’ States project to taking a bamboo stick to the back), but as a proud member of the Cowlitz tribe, Clift has pushed for visibility and representation for native and indigenous talent in comedy and elsewhere. Over the last several months, the importance of BIPOC representation has finally come to the forefront and it’s crucial to keep that going.

For years, he has put up a big showcase highlighting native and indigenous talent at UCB as well as upping their visibility and representation through his own lovely comedy career (see this short film).

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Clift got to handpick a list of 25 Native American and indigenous performers for Illuminative that gives a bigger, deserved spotlight to the likes of Brian Bahe (Tohono O’odham Nation/Hopi/Navajo), Kaitlyn Jeffers (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (Dakota)), Monique Moreau (Cree/Saulteaux), Jana Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux Tribe), Lucas Brown Eyes (Oglala Lakota), and many more.

So, please go check the full list here and check out all of their work.

September 30, 2019

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comedy show, indigenous peoples day, joey clift, los angeles, native american

Joey Clift is back again for his wonderful Ghost of Christopher Columbus Theater Smudging Spectacular at UCB, that will come just in time for Indigenous Peoples Day (the day that has officially been recognized over Christopher Columbus Day in Los Angeles).

This night will be a special night showcasing great Native American comedy including:

Stand Up From
Kaitlyn Jeffers (Sisseton-Wahpeton)
Monique Moreau (Saulteaux Cree First Nations)
Jana Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux)
Jim Ruel (Ojibwe)

Characters From
Tai Leclaire (Mohawk + Mi’qmak)
Timmy Mayse (Cherokee)

Storytelling From
Taylor Orci (Sandia Pueblo)
William Jehu Garroutte (Cherokee)

Reading Excerpts From Her Book Bury My Heart at Chuck E. Cheese’s
Tiffany Midge (Standing Rock Sioux)

A Short Film From
Joey Clift (Cowlitz)

Native Weekend Update With Jason Grasl and Darrell Dennis
Featuring Jason Grasl (Blackfeet), Darrell Dennis (Secwepemc) and Lucas Brown Eyes (Oglala Lakota)

A Sketch Written By Erik Fritts (Ojibwe)
Starring Benny Wayne Sully (Sicangu Lakota), Kyla Garcia (Taíno), Shannon Joy Rodgers (Cherokee) and Erik Fritts (Ojibwe)

Hosted by Lucas Brown Eyes, Jana Schmieding, Joey Clift

Also, if we our memory serves us correctly, there is a very fun bit with a “ghost of Christopher Columbus”.

Don’t miss out and get tickets here.

October 7, 2018

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comedy show, indigenous peoples day, los angeles, native american

Depending on how you look at things, tomorrow is either Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day (officially recognized by LA in place of Columbus Day).

In honor of the latter, there will be a Native American comedy showcase jauntily titled The Ghost Of Christopher Columbus Theater Smudging Spectacular and put together by themed show innovator Joey Clift (he pulled off doing a cat themed talk show for quite some time), who is himself Cowlitz.

The rest of the line-up is as follows:
Stand Up from:
Jim Ruel (Ojibwe)
Darrell Dennis (Secwepemc)
Kaitlyn Jeffers (Sisseton-Wahpeton)
Jana Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux)

Characters From:
Jason Grasl (Blackfeet)
Timmy Mayse (Cherokee)

Storytelling From
Taylor Orci (Sandia Pueblo)
Lorna Silva (Lenca)

Videos From
Joey Clift (Cowlitz)
Kelly Lynne D’Angelo (Tuscarora)

Featuring A Sketch Written By Carolina Hoyos (Quechua Inca)
Starring Carolina Hoyos (Quechua Inca), Jason Grasl (Blackfeet), Rainy Fields (Muscogee Creek), & Jenny Marlowe(Ojibwe)

Featuring A Sketch Written By Vladimir John Perez (Taino) and Carly Garber
Starring Vladimir John Perez (Taino), Myrone Sumner (Tsimshian), Leigh Wulff (Taino), & Shannon Joy Rogers(Cherokee)
Hosted by Jenny Marlowe (Ojibwe), Joey Clift (Cowlitz), Lucas Brown Eyes (Oglala Lakota)

Also, tickets are only $5. So, get in on tickets here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, screenings, open mics, maps, and more can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Joey Clift Highlights 25 Native American Comedians for Indigenous Peoples’ Day