Black Student Union Comedy

By Andrea DiScipio
Collegian Correspondent

Deon Cole and Cocoa Brown are coming to the University of Massachusetts tonight to present their comedic styles.
“BSU has been organizing a comedy show every year, and it has been a success every year so we want to continue the tradition.” said Casimir Maziarz, event coordinator for the Black Student Union.
Tonight at the Campus Center auditorium, the two talented comedians from the Black Comedy Tour will perform, hoping to bring big laughs from the student body. The comedians will share their wit and talent with the UMass community. A couple of local acts will also be performing at the show.
Deon Cole is one of the most requested comedians in the nationwide club and college circuit. Not only is he a successful comedian, but also a successful actor who has appeared on MTV’s “Short Circuitz” and “Wild N’ Out.” He can also be found in the 2002 film “Barbershop,” as well as the sequel “Barbershop 2: Back in Business” (2004).
As for his comedic career, he has done stand-up on Comedy Central’s “Laffapalooza,” HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam,” BET’s “Comic View,” NBC’s “Showtime at the Apollo,” “BBC’s “The World Stands Up” and STARZ’s “First Amendment.”
Deon also attended the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen and the CanWest Comedy Fest in Vancouver. He was a featured comic at both events.
In addition to being a finalist in NBC’s “Stand-Up for Diversity Showcase,” Deon won BET’s Robin Harris Award for “most original comic” as well. He has participated in several tours such as the “Cole-Cola World European Tour for the Troops,” the BET “Comedy Tour,” “The Def Jam Tour,” “The Budweiser Superfest R. Kelly Tour” and the “Mary J. Blige Tour.”
Deon Cole can be recognized for the charisma he brings with him every time he steps onto the stage.
Along with Deon Cole, Cocoa Brown is another immensely talented individual who has developed a fulfilling career as a stand-up comedian.
Her energetic facial expressions that accompany her enthusiasm are just some of her trademark qualities. She has the ability to relate well with her audience, because whether she’s telling a story about herself, a family member or if she’s talking about real life experiences in general, Cocoa will produce a humorous moment.
Brown has performed at the “Kennedy Center Honors Richard Pryor,” as well as the “Def Comedy Jam Tour.” She’s a member of the Washington, D.C. sketch comedy group, “Comedy Sportz,” and after just seven months in the comedy business, she won the “Washington Comedian of the Year” award.
Cocoa Brown was a fan favorite on the “Who’s Got Jokes” competition on TVOne, in addition to establishing nine consecutive seasons on BET’s “Comic View.” On BET’s “Comic View” she was voted “funniest female” twice. She appeared as a featured comedian on the STARZ in Black comedy series “The First Amendment,” produced by Martin Lawrence, and Comedy Central’s “Comic Groove” with Tracy Morgan.
She recently filmed a new BET comedy show, “One Mic Stand,” hosted by Kevin Hart and will also be appearing on the 2008 season of HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam.”
Cocoa Brown has acquired a group of loyal and adoring fans who not only respect her comedic talent, but also love her vivacious spirit.
The Black Student Union Comedy Show Presents Deon Cole and Cocoa Brown. They will be showcasing their comedic talents tonight in the Campus Center Auditorium at 8 p.m.Tickets are $5 for college students, and $8 for the general public.
Andrea DiScipio can be reached at adiscipi@student.umass.edu.