When Jennifer Hart and Amy Acaya set out to create a new event planning business in Manteca a year ago – The Social Muse – they wanted to come up with something that served as a catalyst for community events and helped bring people together.
And if attendance at their events is any marker, they have succeeded at doing just that.
Now in its second year, The Social Muse has built a steady following of residents and supporters that have come out to do everything from a women’s wine stroll to a “Sip, Hop and Shop” event that helped promote local, independently-owned businesses throughout the area.
This Friday, the company will be hosting its monthly “First Friday” comedy show at Cabana Del Sol that will feature some of the fastest rising local comedians in the area and give people a chance to enjoy dinner at one of the city’s most popular restaurants while getting an extra helping of laughs.
Local comedian and Deaf Puppy Crew member Jason Sohm will serve as the host of the comedy show on Friday night, while Michael Calvin Jr. will serve as the featured act for headliner Carlos Rodriguez.
“First Friday events have been outstanding – every event has been growing in size resulting in sell out shows,” Hart said. “We are hoping to continue the growth and eventually close down both sides of the restaurant at these events.
“It’s a great set up too because Cabana Del Sol has Flashback Fridays every Friday with old school music and dancing, so immediately following the comedy show, people can keep the good times rolling and stay and enjoy some good music and dancing.”
If the first year is any indication, the pair of planners behind The Social Muse have even bigger plans for the next year of business, hoping that the support that local residents have shown the homegrown duo – Hart is a Manteca High School graduate while Acaya graduated from East Union – will continue and allow them to continue to grow the brand into the future.
Plans are already in the works to help organize a book tour for International best-selling author Erica Ormsby, who was featured along with her book “I AM Happy” at the group’s Book Club and Brunch event that drew a sizeable crowd.
According to Acaya, the city has been beyond receptive to the sorts of events that they have brought to the table over the last 12 months, and she believes that things will only improve moving forward.
“We think Manteca is a supportive community – so many of our guests have complimented our efforts to bring positive events to our town,” Acaya said. “We always say good people, good vibes, good times.
“We would like to continue and expand on that going into our second year of The Social Muse. Supporting local businesses keeps Manteca from becoming just another franchise-filled town, so community involvement is key.”
Tickets for the comedy show, which will take place on Friday, Aug. 3, at 8 p.m. at Cabana Del Sol – located at 1124 W. Yosemite Ave. – can be purchased for $15 in advance by visiting comedyatcabana2018.eventbrite.com. Tickets will also be available at the door, but the group is pushing towards presale tickets as a way to gauge interest and potentially rent out the entire restaurant for an upcoming show which would allow them to book even more comics. “Manteca has been outstanding,” Hart said. “I think Manteca has grown and continues to grow in increasing numbers very quickly, so it’s time we create and fill our community with great and positive things to do so people don’t have to travel out of town.
“I think most Mantecans would agree.”
For additional information about The Social Muse, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thesocialmuse.
To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.