Comedy festival to feature Tony Rock and more

Comedian Tony Rock will be a featured performer at the annual comedy festival tonight in the Donald Tucker Civic Center at Florida State University.

Rock said he knew he had to get involved, especially during Florida A&M’s homecoming week.

“FAMU is historical, and it’s homecoming,” he said. “If I want to do it, I want to do it big.”

Rock, along with the other featured comedians such as Bill Bellamy and Sommore, will be hitting the stage at 8:30 p.m. Rock feels humbled to be performing with such established comedians.

“It’s an honor,” Rock said. “I’m a young Jack, and it’s cool to be asked to come and perform with people I’ve idolized and emulated when I was coming up.”

Charlotte Brown, director of marketing at the Civic Center, believes the turnout will be great.

“The box office has been selling a number of tickets, and we have been receiving calls throughout the day,” Brown said. “Tickets have been bought in advance, and I know once people start entering Tallahassee there will be last-minute purchases.”

Getting mentally prepared for the festival comes as second nature for Rock because he performs on stage daily and loves comedy.

“Stand-up is my first love,” Rock said. “If I go two days without being on stage, it just isn’t right.”

Along with participating in the comedy festival, Rock is adding more to his career ventures.

“I just got out of a meeting with Russell Simmons about the All Def Digital Comedy,” Rock said. “It showcases urban comics breaking into the industry. I also will be working on the second season of Apollo.”

Brown believes attendees will not leave the comedy festival disappointed.

“We always have a great turnout, and I think they’ll be fairly entertained,” she said.

Rock feels that this comedy show will be different than past comedy shows during FAMU’s homecoming.

“This will be the best damn comedy show FAMU will have, and I personally guarantee it,” Rock said.

The Civic Center at FSU is located on 505 W. Pensacola St.