By: Darryl Reilly
“I’m not a nurse, I just play one in my husband’s sex fantasies” cracked comedian Patricia Dingsalan who emceed this first comedy night outside the Lower East Side Filipino-inspired café, Kabisera, on November 21, 2020. The event was a fundraiser for Democrat Deirdre Levy’s 2021 Deomocratic primary campaign for New York City Council in Brooklyn, District 35.
With New York City’s theaters and nightclubs closed since March 12, 2020; to halt the spread of Covid-19, this streetside exhibition was a welcome diversion. A microphone “condom,” distanced masked audience seating, and performers’ faces frequently covered, were all signs of the times taken in stride. It was joyous to once again experience the familiar atmosphere of a comedy club for 75 minutes.
If victorious, Ms. Levy would be the first Filipino American elected to the New York City Council. This sense of ethnic pride was affirmed by the roster of comics who were all of Filipino extraction. The animated Ms. Dingsalan got the show off to a perfect start with her wry monologue and she delivered sharp patter in between sets. The bill of uniformly mirthful comedians was comprised of Michael Cruz Kayne, Dominique Nisperos, Wilfred Padua, Josh Riesgo and Marcus Cardona.
Dating during the pandemic, the preponderance of Filipinos in the nursing profession, politics, stereotypical behavior, the immigrant experience and overbearing parents, were among the topics of their often funny and insightful observational material. There were several hilarious asides in the spirit of Don Rickles, as passersby were targeted, heckled and engaged with by some of the comics.
Kabisera opened in 2017; it is owned by Filipino Americans Augee Francisco and Joey Payumo. In April, they solicited donations to fund delivering free coffee and food to hospital workers. In June, they began weekend outdoor pop-up events with Filipino food and clothing vendors, and more standup comedy nights are planned.
Kabisera
151 Allen Street, in Manhattan
https://www.facebook.com/Kabiseranyc/?