How To Do Stand-Up Comedy (Miami Comedy) - Manny Garavito

SPEAKER_01 0:04

This is the Beyond the Story Podcast, a show that goes way beyond the story. Sebastian Br.

SPEAKER_00 0:25

Manny Garavito, what's up, dude? What's up, Sebastian? That was the quickest intro to a podcast I've ever been in.

SPEAKER_01 0:34

Hey, listen, we just get right down to it. We're here to tell the story, okay? There's nothing worse than, hey, welcome back to another episode. My guest this week is uh Fred Simmons. And Fred, let me tell you, Fred invented the thousand dollar bill. Fred goes way back to back to pick up the first five minutes of the podcast interview instead of like, let's just get down to it, which is, you know, great telling, you know, telling that story. So, man, I'm so glad we connected. I've been following uh the Miami comedy scene uh for a minute now, very aggressively over the past 12 months, and and actually connected with a few uh few comics uh in your circle there. And then you and I connected on Facebook. Good old Zuckerberg coming in, guy coming through again. And I was stoked that we did because I really want, and then I saw you post this week that you just rang in celebrating 12 years of doing stand-up comedy. That is a long time of uh being humiliated and also making people laugh. So uh kudos and congrats on that, man.

SPEAKER_00 1:32

Yeah, man, it's been uh it's been a long haul, a lot of work, but uh I'm glad that uh 2021 amidst all the chaos is perhaps our best year to do comedy in the city of Miami. People are dying for a laugh.

SPEAKER_01 1:47

Oh, yeah. It's like you know, it's well we're trying to get out of their house, but to be able to go in life. I think about that a lot too. I go, it's just so great to see this community of Miami comedy really starting to to to expand and grow. There's literally an open mic and show every single night of the week in the city. And and the timing, yeah, I don't think you guys ever could plan that in a million years, but to go, you know, this thing is really going to gain momentum and get some steam behind it um during a pandemic. So congrats on on all the growth on that. Let's back up a little bit. I like to tell people's story of of how it actually started. So pre-comedy days for you, and I guess asking a question like, when did you wake up one day and go, you know what? I I think that public humiliation and telling jokes to strangers is the path that I want to pursue. How how'd that start?

SPEAKER_00 2:42

Well, it started off with uh low self-esteem, and I'm trying to understand myself. No, I think dude, I think exactly what you described blows my mind. Why would anyone want to decide to make strangers laugh? And I and I do coaching now, so I whenever I come across a client that wants to do stand-up, I always ask them, it's like why why would you want to go on stage and make people you don't know laugh? Isn't that crazy? And I I always try to expect like the craziest answers from them. But apparently it's it's some sort of it makes you feel so relevant to be the life of the party or to speak your mind, right? Expression, self-expression is very important, and a lot of people express it in different ways, whether it's you know doing art or writing a book or doing a podcast. People just want to express themselves and stand up comedy is streaking, sure, right? Doing uh OnlyFans, whatever, whatever. But a lot of people one of the ways that they feel actualized is expressing this. So stand-up comedy or doing comedy in general is probably one of the best ways because not only do you express yourself, but you do it in a way that other people can benefit from it by getting a laugh, right? So maybe there's some sort of uh solidarity or some sort of understanding. Um, I mean, what got me into comedy was I remember listening to New York comedians during a golden era in the early 2000s, like Patrice O'Neill, Jim Norton, Bill Burr, when they were relatively unknown, about to blow up. And I was listening to live streams on online on some bootleg website, and I th I I heard their jokes now, like I think about this stuff all the time. And here are these group of guys, they're just talking about it, and it's just so alleviating to hear someone think like you and making and making it funny rather than thinking you're some weirdo for thinking this, right? So I've been following stand-up since I was very young. But when I came across that golden era in New York is when I decided to do it in Miami.

SPEAKER_01 4:41

I just saw that an old clip from Patrice O'Neill. Good night. I don't know what rock I've been living underneath, but man, that is one funny human being. Um so yeah, it's it uh it it it makes sense that you know growing up in that, and is that where you're originally from, New York?

SPEAKER_00 4:59

I was born in Long Island. Uh came to Miami when I was fairly young. My father was a kind of a party guy. And so he came down here as a Latino and started mingling, and so he he brought the rest of the family down. And uh, you know, blessing in disguise. Um you know, if I started doing comedy in New York, I probably wouldn't have the same success for doing it in a place going uphill in Miami.

SPEAKER_01 5:21

Yeah. I'd be done. Let's go to Los Angeles and see if we can kick things off. Right. That's another thing that it's you know, who was I talking to? I talked to somebody randomly on Facebook through a uh a conversation about a podcast or they had messaged me or something, and um they they were a comic. And I always pick comic's brain, and like I did before we started recording here and got to kind of give an idea of what you know my thought process on where I'm at and and my journey to be a a stand-up comic. But um, I always ask questions and and and and and pick their brain a bit to to to figure out what my path is is going to be on here. And I mentioned that I was in Miami, and what really stuck out was the guy who goes, dude, Miami is an awesome city for comedy. And that was so in I'm a Miami guy. I wasn't born here, but seventh grade on. Um, and uh ran the streets of South Beach in high school in my younger years, and uh truly uh I actually I absolutely love this city. So anytime there's something amazing like a comedy scene or people saying that uh was was amazing because he was very intentional about it. I don't know where he's from. He's like Milwaukee or someplace like that. But um it was funny for him to say, dude, Miami's a great, you gotta get out there. There's open mics all over the place.

SPEAKER_00 6:34

It's a great Milwaukee impression, by the way. What's that? Great Milwaukee impression, by the way.

SPEAKER_01 6:39

Oh, I mean, you know, I'm dating myself if I say uh Laverne and Shirley. You know, that that uh yeah, definitely old folks, 42, feeling 25 here. So uh you started this thing 12 years ago, and this was the part-time thing. You had a job, you had like a responsibilities, yeah, and while while still doing comedy, and so what did that all look like?

SPEAKER_00 7:01

All right, so I started in 2009 and I bombed at the improv really bad. It was probably the most humiliating night of my life, and I decided to do it again, and I did a few open mics. At this time, I was working at a at a bank. I was uh I was selling business line of credit to uh business owners, international business owners, and uh, you know, been doing it 10 years, waking up, putting on a suit, going to work, and I just didn't have a way to express myself. Um and I I started really early into professional work life. I mean, I was 18 years old and I I just finished a job at GameStop and switched over immediately to banking. Uh, so I became a teller, then a manager, then I got into the sales aspect of it, and then I don't know, just I just started pursuing that climb the corporate ladder lifestyle, and I was, and I, you know, 401k and pension plan and doing that whole thing. And I never really, you know, felt like I experienced my 20s well, right? Because I was just so focused on working and all that. I mean, I lived pretty lavishly. I had a nice apartment in South Beach, I had a brand new car, that whole thing. But I wasn't really satisfied with the direction that I was headed in life. So at night, since I got into comedy, at night I would go and do open mics and uh just to see what it's like to speak your mind outside of corporate norms. And uh yeah, a lot of things started coming out. And I was like, well, this is a good, this is good. This is very uh cathartic to do. Um, and then in uh 2013, uh, well, late 2012 is is when I decided to quit my job. I graduated with a degree in marketing at FIU, and I said to myself, I'm gonna, I'm gonna start something. Um, little did I know it was a lot harder than I thought. Uh, so when I started MiamiComedy.com, it was a good four years where I was a starving artist trying to understand entrepreneurship business and marketing. You know, you being in marketing, you know that's a very tricky field to get into. And it it it's a lot of intuition involved, a lot of understanding your audience, a lot of mistakes. Uh so around 2018, 2019 is when it really picked up. And then I started kind of almost making a living around that time. And then 2020 came and it I just reset the whole thing. And throughout that reset in 2020, um, when Miami was shut down, I would just go live and I would just convene a community, uh, bring it all together. And in 2018 is also when our documentary came out. So it's 2018 was kind of like the beginning of the success of the website. And so in 2020, I doubled down on content and blogging and podcasting. And then when 2021 came around and Miami, you know, opened its doors in a very we don't care, let's just do this kind of thing.

SPEAKER_01 9:51

Abrupt.

SPEAKER_00 9:52

Yeah, everybody just started flying over here, and it just the this the comedy scene just boomed. Uh, I part my partnerships with people doubled. Um, we we got to Seven Nights a week again very quickly, and uh MiamiComedy.com became you know a very innovative way to not only build a comedy scene, but to also support the comedians in it to get better. And yeah, we're just on the fast track right now. We're definitely accelerating.

SPEAKER_01 10:20

Love it. Love it. So, what's next for growing this thing out? Is it are is this gonna be you guys looking to expand outside of Miami? When I say outside of Miami, brought in you know the Broward Palm Beach area. And I know there's a lot of shows that go on there. I know a lot of Miami comics um often uh do some shows up in uh in Palm Beach and Broward County.

SPEAKER_00 10:41

Yeah, Palm Beach and Broward are doing great. As a matter of fact, the uh the market there, I've done some shows in Broward, and the market there is a little more easier to um you know sell them a comedy show. People in those areas, they're down for that. Yeah, we'll do it. Miami, it's not the market is different, and I think that's why it took a while to kind of establish myself because I it's more than just a comedy show in Miami when I market it. It's it's not really about the comedians, it's really about the experience of people seeing a comedy show in Miami. It's like the people, there's local comedians in Miami, really? Let's go see this. And then they, you know, sometimes they show up with their arms crossed, like, what do you got? Right? Like that whole thing. And so our audience in Miami makes us better comedians because we're already, you know, we're preventing somebody from going to Club 11 or before they go out to some party or something. We're kind of like not the first choice, but we're like the pregame choice. Yeah, right. So when when people come out, we have that kind of market showing up where it's like, all right, there's a couple before they go to Ladies' Night at Blackboard coming out to our Tuesday night show, that kind of thing. And we entertain them, you know, to add a little something to their to their nightlife, I guess. Um, so Miami was a lot more difficult to market to, but because of all those years and all that content that I've created, it's a lot easier to access or to know where the shows are because of the website.

SPEAKER_01 12:06

So some of these, and as you bring that up, Miami wants one thing, okay? Parties. Yeah. That's what we're looking for. I want to absolutely rage for some reason or another, any type of civilized social activity. If it doesn't involve going out at 11 p.m. and coming back somewhere within 48 hours, it's just not really the Miami landscape of entertainment. But the comedy shows are kind of worked into, like, I know there's uh like a Thursday night at Taurus, which is a good night to be at Taurus, fun place to go and hang out, um, but infamous for crowds just completely talking over comics. And and I've heard that. Um, and then of course, you know, anywhere, any anything that's going to be a bar type of environment, how have you been able to mitigate through that? Or, you know, as Grace mentioned to me a couple weeks ago, getting uh a laugh at the tourist is a rite of passage in Miami comedy. And I thought I've been thinking about that ever since she said that because I was like, man, people are dicks, they're just gonna talk right through your set. She goes, Oh, they're ruthless. So, what what's what's been the you know attempt at combating that?

SPEAKER_00 13:16

Well, I mean, I I I've been through that. Um, when I first started Miami Comedy, a lot of people didn't even know we were doing shows in some of these areas that uh rather the venues. But I think I think we branded ourselves where when someone shows up at the venue, they're there for the show. Right? Got it. Even though they're not they're they're pretty skeptical sometimes, right? But they still go for the show itself.

unknown 13:38

Right.

SPEAKER_00 13:38

Uh but in the beginning, I remember like when we started Red Bar about four or five years ago, uh, Red Bar was like people would sit at the bar and like look up at the TV screens while they were up there performing, and they would just like, hey, so uh yeah, the heat, man. Can you believe it? That sucks. So we're trying to like do that. Uh and and but then eventually Red Bar on Mondays became like one of the best shows for comedy every week. Yeah. It's it's really just about a lot of things. I mean, you have to bring in a certain kind of presence, a certain kind of energy, certain kind of host, uh, the messaging, the communication of it. When people arrive, you want to bring the right people that are there for the show and not necessarily there to like have a drink over the show. Right. Um, so it took a while to get there, but once it got there is when I was able to kind of like duplicate it and do it again at another venue up until we reach seven nights a week.

SPEAKER_01 14:32

Right. I would think that it's you know, getting getting some help within, you know, the establishment of, you know, saying, hey, listen, from the hours of eight to ten, we've got a comedy show going on here. Feel free to order drinks and hang with your friends. Uh, but we like to respect the fact that the show's going on. I would imagine that's the only way that you can keep, you know, people at bay, which, you know, the the later the evening gets and the more the drinks flow. I'm sure that becomes you know more of a challenge, but I always find that that's interesting. You go to the improv, listen, you're there to to listen to a comedy show. Yeah, there's gonna be uh there's gonna be a wait staff that comes around, takes orders, and will make sure that you buy those two drinks or more on there, but you're there to sit there and legitimately drink and watch comedy. So um there is no distractions. In fact, if you do talk, it's extremely frowned upon, or you're just begging to be heckled. Um, you know, what one of the two on there. So uh it's been really cool to see how that, you know, how how you've been able to put that hybrid model uh together. I see you guys did something with um Brickle Living's new spot.

SPEAKER_00 15:32

Was that downtown? The uh oh yeah, that show. Wow, this past Sunday was incredible. Um, so yeah, the Tipsy Flamingo in downtown Miami is our Sunday night show. And you know, we were we made history because every time we partner up with that uh last call hospitality group, uh, shout out to them for being great bar owners. They they just know how to put together a bar and they know how to market it. Uh, they're very active in their marketing. Not a lot of venue owners, believe it or not, are very passive in their marketing. They actually see marketing as a cost rather than an investment. But these guys just get it. Like the way they take photos and they bring influencers and the it all blends together with what we do with MiamiComedy.com so well that just when we say this is the night of comedy at this venue, people just flock there. I mean, yeah, Tipsy Flamingo was immediately one of our best nights, and it's only been one show this past Sunday. Um, definitely check it out. Highly recommend the bar if you're a Miami and even if you're a tourist, you would love it. I mean, they they did this thing. I uh a friend of mine got some shots of tequila and they served it with these little uh packets inside of it was salt, but it looked like like cocaine little ziploc bags.

SPEAKER_01 16:43

Yeah, yeah, right, right, right, right, right. Yeah. I think I saw I did see a picture of that on uh yeah, that place looks great. I know they did uh they did a happy there, happy hour there on Friday. Um, too, in the you know, the new spot in town. You always know the first on on Instagram about it, but it's been great to see. I'm like, great, you guys are all up in the program with something new. So that collaborative effort's great. People always want something new. Miami moves in phases, as we all know, not phases, but there's you know, it think things are popular. Trends, there we go. Trends. Um, and uh you know it's great to see you guys integrate your movement into the trends because the thing about it is is that I don't think the comedy is gonna fade. Um, you know, and it's that's that's people, there's no lack of people going, I don't want to go to a comedy show. Most people want or are are open to that. So I'm stoked. I haven't been to a show, so I need to get to a show. I know you and I talked about the open mic, which by the way, if you're listening to this, you're in South Florida and you've been thinking about trying your hand at an open mic. A lot of these shows do have an open mic uh after the show. So you just show up, put your name on the list, watch the show, and you can go up in what is it, three or five minutes to get up there and and and and five five to ten, depending on performance.

SPEAKER_00 17:48

Yeah. I mean, if you want to come out, Sebastian, you're you know you're always welcome. You don't got to stay up that late.

SPEAKER_01 17:53

I've got the official, yeah. Well, now I'm gonna, you know, I'll just gonna readjust the schedule here. I mean, we have the the Mr. Miami comedy here giving the official invite to come out and tell some jokes. So I've been working, I've been working some stuff out over here. So I'm I'm ready. I'm ready for you, Miami. Stay stay tuned, literally. Um, so uh, well, I love what you're doing, man. I look I look forward to connecting further with you. I love you. I know you're you're crushing with the content too. That's the way to go. It's the world we're living in. You got the podcast, you got the content stuff going on. Uh, and I'm excited to get in the mix with this community. I've like I said, I've met a few people within the community, and uh, they seem ridiculously passionate about their craft and the community. Like, not it's not common, and I'm I haven't been a comedian, but I don't think it's that common really, unless it's the you know, you've you've arrived, if you will, as a as a as a famous comedian. That a lot of comedians really build a community together. So it I guess it does happen based on, but this does truly seem like everybody's got their back. So I want to commend you on doing that and and encourage you to to keep it up, man. Miami needs it. We we all need it, especially with the state of affairs of the world that we're living in here. Uh, making people laugh is definitely probably some of the best medicine we can get. So you have to come back to the show sometime, will you?

SPEAKER_00 19:06

Yeah, of course, man. I mean, this thing went by so fast. I thought that uh it's only been three minutes. You you're you're a natural. Great job, Sebastian.

SPEAKER_01 19:14

Thanks, dude. Time flies and we're having fun on here. If you're in South Florida, it does, man. Um if you're in South Florida and you're thinking, holy cow, I didn't even know there was a comedy scene. Well, guess what? There is one. So you can connect with Manny. All of his links are gonna be in the show notes. That's the description of this podcast episode, just in case you're wondering what in the world a show note is, as well as a link to uh MiamiComedy.com. Is that did I get that right? Correct. MiamiComedy.com. Don't try and type that in if you're driving right now. Be like, I was listening to Sebastian's podcast. I just had to wait till you get to where you're going, or you can just check out the show notes on there. Manny, you the man, and I look forward to making Miami laugh sooner rather than later. And I'm gonna take you up on your offer. This again, this is public accountability, later. There you go. Well done. Oh, yeah. So I can officially say stand-up sucks if you don't do it. Yeah, right. Hey, that'll be my new shirt, Dungan. That might be the next one. That's great merch. Hey, great merch. That's they that's that's the next book. That's stand up sucks if you don't do it. I was gonna do a book on life anyway. Comedy's life. Comedy is life. It totally is. Manny, keep rocking, brother. Thanks again. Thanks for this, Sebastian. Thanks so much for tuning into this episode of the Beyond the Story podcast. We're sure to appreciate it. If you haven't done so already, make sure you're subscribed to the show. This way you'll get updates as new episodes become available. If you feel so inclined, please leave us a review. Be sure to appreciate it. Signing off from the podcast, launchlab.com studios. We'll talk to you next time.