Native Comedy Jam
June 14, 2021
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 7 and 9 PM
Cube
Programmed by guest curator Andre Bouchard
Please note, these peformances may contain mature language.
These performances will last approximately one hour with no intermission.
*Run times listed here are based on information provided at this time and are subject to change.
$25 general admission
$10 students with ID and youth 18 and under
15%-25% subscription discounts available
Available as an add-on for subscription packages
Native Comedy Jam brings together three veteran comedians at the heart of today’s Native comedy resurgence. Join us for an evening of legendary laughter with Jim Ruel, Marc Yaffee, and Ernest Tsosie.
Having worked for decades in all major comedy clubs, on television, and in movies, these uncles of the comedy craft have paved the way and are shaping the future of Native comedy on TV and in film. Now, they’re bringing their stories and charming auntie-approved humor to you, with jokes so delightful even the eagles are jealous of their soaring wit.
Whether you’ve been laughing with them for years or finally got the invite, take a seat, because when these uncles get together, you’re in for some serious fun. Don’t miss out on a night filled with joy, good-natured teasing — no one is safe! — and a great time for everyone. Come laugh with us!
About the Performance
Native comedy is having a moment. This has been in the making for some time. Five years ago, I read the book We Had a Little Real Estate Problem by Kliph Nesteroff, a book that, among other things, highlighted the hard work of Native comics on stages across the U.S. Since that time things have shifted for the better, and Native comics are finding a more receptive audience for their craft, largely in part because of the emergence of the sitcoms Reservation Dogs and Rutherford Falls.
Comedy was brought up in conversation after conversation in the many meetings I did around Virginia Tech and in the community. In this show we find three comics that have been working to break barriers for decades and through their hard work have trailblazed for the current wave of Native comics.
— Andre Bouchard, guest curator
About the Comedians
Jim Ruel
Composers, conductors, and performers — such as Lalo Schifrin, Pino Donnagio, Giuliano Taviani, José Carreras, Giuseppe Tornatore, Carl Davis, Steven Mercurio, Marcello Rota, Christian Lindberg, and Vladimir Cosma — repeatedly come back to Prague to either record with the orchestra or perform in the beautiful Smetana Hall at Prague’s Municipal House, the home concert stage of the orchestra. Highlights from recent concert seasons include a European tour with the legendary Ennio Morricone and a Prague concert with Anna Netrebko.
Marc Yaffee
In the studio, the orchestra has worked on recording Plácido Domingo and Vittorio Grigolo’s Christmas album, also collaborating with Ennio Morricone on his score for the western film The Hateful Eight, directed by Quentin Tarantino. Morricone won an Oscar for Best Original Score for his work on the film and the soundtrack was recorded live and launched by Tarantino, Morricone, and the orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in December 2015.
Ernest Tsosie
In the studio, the orchestra has worked on recording Plácido Domingo and Vittorio Grigolo’s Christmas album, also collaborating with Ennio Morricone on his score for the western film The Hateful Eight, directed by Quentin Tarantino. Morricone won an Oscar for Best Original Score for his work on the film and the soundtrack was recorded live and launched by Tarantino, Morricone, and the orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in December 2015.
This is the first performance at the Moss Arts Center for Ruel, Yaffee, and Tsosie.