Hawaii Tribune-Herald Island Beat Thursday, January 5, 2017 11 asked if I wanted to try it. I was really nervous and it was really hard. I think if I hadn’t gotten laughs that time I probably wouldn’t still be doing it.” Encouraged by the laughter, Apio kept going. “For the first couple of years, you’re just trying to learn how to write jokes,” he says. “I did some observational comedy and a song parody. But the stuff I always worked hardest on was about my own life because I cared about it more.” At 21, however, Apio didn’t have all that many life experiences to draw from. So, at the start, his comedy was more about the opinions of a 20-year-old: touring on the road, hotels and air travel. Since then, Apio has traveled around the world with his comedy — to 47 states, Canada, Israel and Hong Kong — and has appeared on Comedy Central, National Public Radio and Sirius/XM Radio. He also was crowned king at the Great American Comedy Festival, which takes place in Norfolk, Neb., the hometown of Johnny Carson. “The Great American Comedy Festival was one of the biggest things in my career because they bring in comics from all over the country,” Apio says of winning the prestigious competition. “When you’re not as well-known as some of the other comics, you’re just happy to be there. It was a big deal to be a part of something that big.” Seattle, he adds, has been a great home base for an artist like himself, but of course, he still misses Hawaii. “I miss the people and the food the most,” he says. Apio will be welcomed back to the Hawaii stage in the company of seasoned comedians Silano, Dynamite and Kaufman. Since graduating from Laughtrack Theater’s Improv Comedy in 2010, Silano has been a regular in the Honolulu comedy scene. He’s played with several improv comedy teams and performed improv, sketch and stand-up comedy throughout Oahu. His debut comedy album, “Library Mafia,” was a 2015 Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominee. A few months ago, Silano relocated to Portland, Ore. This show will be his second comedy tour on the Big Island. Dynamite first attempted stand-up comedy at a talent showcase in 1999 while in college. In 2004, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime (where he gained most of his comedy knowledge and experience) working for nearly nine years as the opening act and occasional promoter for Augie T. Within that time, he toured throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the West Coast and internationally in Guam and Saipan. He has opened for several big-name artists, including Jim Gaffigan, Bill Burr, Eddie Griffin and the Beach Boys. Dynamite currently produces two weekly comedy shows: Comedy U on Wednesday nights at Anna O’Brien’s and the longest-running Friday night comedy show in Chinatown, Jose Dynamite & Friends at O’Toole’s. His album “Something Smells Funny” is a culmination of years of hard work creating original material, with subject matter ranging from racism to the relationship he has with his local girlfriend, experiences as a parent and grandparent, religion and much more. Kaufman, who is enjoying a brief residency on the Big Island, will share his form of social commentary with audiences as well. Taking a stoic, philosophical view toward his life, Kaufman’s stand-up act is like an orator standing in the Forum of ancient Rome using humor as a means of speaking to his fellow countrymen as the empire declines. His act is about the chaos of life, overconsumption in modern times and the lack of leadership. “As I’ve produced nearly half a dozen comedy tours in 2016 that’s included Hilo, I’ve noticed a lot of familiar faces and return fans,” Dynamite says of his shows. “My hope is to continue to bring the highest caliber talent at the most affordable price to the Big Island.” APIO From page 2 Laugh it up What: Kermet Apio Comedy Tour, with Noah Linsk, Bryan Rupp, Jose Dynamite, Anthony Silano and host Simon Kaufman. When: 9 p.m. today at the Hilo Town Tavern and 8 p.m. Friday at My Bar Kona. Tickets: All shows are for patrons 21 and older. General admission is $20 presale, $25 at the door. To purchase tickets for the Hilo show, visit CD Wizard. For the Kona show, visit My Bar Kona, Oshima Surf or Matsuyama Food Mart or purchase online at www.brownpapertickets.com. Kermet Apio’s Hilo show is set for 9 p.m. today at the Hilo Town Tavern. Courtesy photo
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