Carlos Rodriguez almost doesn’t believe that he gets paid to do what he does for a living.
The Sacramento-based comedian that was born and raised in the Capitol City believes that it’s almost unfair that he makes money from getting up on a stage and telling a room full of strangers about his day and the unique experiences that he has along the way.
On Saturday, April 27, he’ll get the chance to do just that at Strings Bar and Grill in Manteca as the monthly headliner for the Deaf Puppy’s comedy showcase. The show is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m.
“The smaller towns are golden – they’re extremely fun crowds and they’re appreciative,” said Rodriguez – who has performed in Manteca before. “They’re glad to be out and they’ve got the babysitter and after a while it’s pretty much like batting practice – they’re there to have a good time and that’s what they do.
“It’s crazy sometimes at shows like that to think that I get paid to report my day to drunk people, but I love it.”
Tickets for the show are $10 and can be purchased at Strings Bar and Grill – located at 680 N. Main Street – in advance, or at the door until they are sold out.
Last week Rodriguez performed at an event organized by Deaf Puppy comic Nick Larson in Downtown Stockton. He has known Chris Teicheira for years – dating back to a road show that he did at the Fat Cat in Modesto with Jason Resler.
While he performs regularly throughout Northern California, Rodriguez says that he feels a special kinship to comedians from the Northern San Joaquin Valley – Modesto, Manteca, Stockton, Lodi – because those who grew up in the area all watched the same news on television.
The crowds, he says, are almost identical – hard-working people who are looking forward to coming out to a show on Saturday night, cutting loose, and having a good time.
And when the crowd is into it, Rodriguez gets opportunities that he doesn’t always get when he steps out onto stage.
“It’s a chance to add-on and write things on stage,” Rodriguez said. “Sometimes something you say kills, and it’s a chance to build off of it and try something new and before you know it you have a full-fledged bit all ready that you can take somewhere else and it was born out of that audience.
“It’s fun getting the chance to do that – when the audience is involved in that way and you can just keep building.”
The monthly comedy showcase at Strings Bar and Grill, located at 680 N. Main Street, is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, at 8:30 p.m. Joining Rodriguez on stage will be featured acts Chelsea Bearce and Scott Powers, and the event will be hosted by Chris Teicheira.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.
