{"id":23640,"date":"2021-04-15T08:56:23","date_gmt":"2021-04-15T12:56:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/?p=23640"},"modified":"2021-04-15T08:56:37","modified_gmt":"2021-04-15T12:56:37","slug":"on-stage-brozas-april-17-show-will-aid-covid-relief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/?p=23640","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Broza’s April 17 show will aid COVID relief"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

David Broza<\/p><\/div>\n

When David Broza performs a show on April 17 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>), it will be special in several ways.<\/p>\n

This is an album release concert for \u201cen Casa Limon,\u201d which is Broza\u2019s first all-instrumental guitar album.<\/p>\n

It is also a charity event. All proceeds benefit COVID-19 relief efforts and healthcare workers at Grand View Hospital in Sellersville.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be fun,\u201d said Broza, during a phone interview last week from his home in New York. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to it. All the money will go to a local hospital for COVID efforts. I want to help things happen.\u201d <\/p>\n

Broza is an internationally renowned Israeli singer-songwriter, recognized for his dynamic guitar performances and humanitarian efforts. His signature sound brings together the influence of Spanish flamenco, American folk, rock and roll, and poetry. Social justice and peace advocacy are embedded in Broza\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

His 1977 hit song \u201cYihye Tov\u201d remains an Israeli peace anthem. The song\u2019s lyrics — roughly translated as \u201cThings Will Be Better\u201d — struck at the heart of the issue that people all over the world want peace.<\/p>\n

A longtime fan of the Spanish guitar, Broza has incorporated many styles of flamenco, jazz, classical into his performance repertoire.\u00a0 Over the years, fans and friends have repeatedly requested a guitar instrumental album.<\/p>\n

According to Broza, \u201cAfter 43 years as a singer-songwriter, composing music without lyrics was a challenging task. I had to perfect my playing to become a guitarist by trade.\u00a0 It took a while \u2013 almost three years.\u201d<\/p>\n

The album was recorded at the Casa Lim\u00f3n Studios in Madrid, Spain, a \u201cmagical place\u201d where some of the world\u2019s greatest guitarists, including Paco de Lucia and Tomatito, recorded their albums.\u00a0It was produced by Grammy award winner Javier Lim\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe album came out on August 20, 2020,\u201d said Broza. \u201cI recorded it in Spain at the producer\u2019s studio. It\u2019s hard to believe that after all these years, it\u2019s my first all-instrumental album.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Lim\u00f3n, \u201cDavid Broza is one of the few artists with whom I would embark on any adventure with my eyes closed. The result is the most beautiful and profound journey to the roots of the most popular and beloved instrument on the planet \u2013 the Spanish Guitar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because of the pandemic, Broza has been unable to tour in support of \u201cen Casa Limon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to turn down shows in Spain,\u201d said Broza. \u201cI just had to turn down some this morning. It\u2019s very backward there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Broza was born in Haifa, Israel and spent his teenage years in Spain and the U.K. After returning to Israel, Broza started his musical career at age 22. His travels have contributed to his international sound and commitment to human connection, storytelling, and equality.<\/p>\n

\u201cI lived for a long time in Madrid, so I\u2019m influenced by flamenco music,\u201d said\u00a0Broza, who is a die-hard fan of Real Madrid, one of the best football teams in the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m not a flamenco artist. My influences are Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix and folk-rock artists like Joni Mitchel.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done three Spanish albums, six American albums and one instrumental album. I also have released more than a dozen Israeli albums. My music is eclectic folk rock. I come to entertain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Broza\u2019s show at Sellersville will be for a live audience and also available via Livestream.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done more than a hundred Livestream shows,\u201d said Broza. \u201cI think I mastered that performance. I decided that it\u2019s not going to be something similar to a stage show. I expose myself in a very intimate way.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s almost like I\u2019m letting you into my closet. There is no distance. Everyone is front row center. They get to see everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prior to the pandemic shutdown, Broza was on the road a lot with Trio Havana \u2013 including a show at City Winery in Philadelphia in November 2019.<\/p>\n

\u201cI spent a year-and-a-half touring with Trio Havana,\u201d said Broza. \u201cIt was fantastic. I managed to achieve a Cuban sound \u2013 very smooth and deep\u2026very Afro-Cuban.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trio Havana is Manuel Alejandro Carro (aka Mannya), a Cuban-born singer-songwriter and master percussionist with a style firmly rooted in Latin Pop; Yuniel Jiminex \u201cElguajiro,\u201d a master tres guitar player from Santa Clara, Cuba; and Jorge Bringas, renowned bassist from Havana, Cuba, who played previously with Albita Rodriguez and the late Celia Cruz.<\/p>\n

Introduced by flutist Itai Kriss,\u00a0Broza\u00a0first met Trio Havana at a private event in New York and was stunned by their versatility. By the end of the evening, they were jamming together and found a special magnetism in the sweeping rhythms. Combining the Cuban sound with\u00a0Broza\u2019s Spanish guitar and songs sung in Spanish, Hebrew and English proved a rich common ground that connected naturally.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really like Trio Havana,\u201d said\u00a0Broza. \u201cThey play traditional Cuban instruments \u2013 tres, bass and percussion. I heard them playing in New York and loved them. I asked if I could sit in with them and I did. I was finishing my contract with previous musicians after four years and was looking for something new.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy music is pop-rock and I come from Israel, When I started playing with the musicians in Trio Havana, it was so musical. I fell right into it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Israeli pop-rock and traditional Cuban music is not a combination you\u2019d expect to find anywhere. But\u00a0Broza\u00a0found it and it worked well.<\/p>\n

Video link for David Broza \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/DTVQZjZmpxs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Sellersville Theater on April 17 will start at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $29.50-$40. Livestream tickets are $18.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Paul Hammond and Friends<\/p><\/div>\n

Prior to Broza\u2019s show on Saturday night, the Sellersville Theater will present a trio of concerts by Paul Hammond and Friends \u2013 one on April 15 and two on April 16.<\/p>\n

Hammond is no stranger to the Sellersville venue having played the venue numerous times with his ultra-popular Led Zeppelin tribute band Get The Led Out.<\/p>\n

Paul Hammond & Friends is a musical project formed by the desire to continue to safely play live shows and provide quality entertainment during and beyond the pandemic of 2020 with current members and alumni of the national act Get The Led Out. Paul Hammond & Friends features core members Eddie Kurek (vocals and guitar), Brian Quinn (vocals and guitar) and Hammond (guitar, mandolin, vocals).<\/p>\n

\u201cPaul Hammond & Friends has a rotating cast,\u201d said Hammond, during a phone interview Tuesday morning from his home in Norristown. \u201cWe\u2019ve been playing once a month at the Bridgeport Rib House.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the Sellersville shows, it\u2019s me, Brian, Eddie and Mike Greer sitting in on guitar and vocals both nights. Bobby Pyrlis is playing drums on Thursday and Adam Ferraioli is on drums and percussion on Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn bass, we have Bernie Carville on Thursday and Phil D\u2019Agostino on Friday. We have two different keyboard players \u2013 Steve Sauer and Andrew Lipke.\u201d<\/p>\n

On his Facebook page, Hammond posted this message, \u201cWe figured it wouldn\u2019t be a PH and Friends show without some very special guests so with that in mind, my dear friend Andrew Lipke will be joining us for the Sellersville Theatre shows on April 15th and 16th! Talented beyond belief he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hammond is elated that bookings are starting to open up for PH & Friends and for Get the Led Out.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur last PH & Friends show was at the Bridgeport Rib House back in November,\u201d said Hammond. \u201cGet The Led Out is coming back and we have our first show on June 10 at Live at the Drive-In in Frederick, Maryland \u2013 our first show after not working since March last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrior to the pandemic, we were doing about 130 gigs a year. Everybody is from the Philly area and Get the Led Out was a full-time thing for all of us. It was everybody\u2019s main occupation. I\u2019ve run a private recording studio, but it was a secondary thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get The Led Out has had concert dates from Massachusetts and Rhode Island to New Jersey and D.C. wiped out this month by COVID shutdowns along with May shows in Indiana, State College and Reading. In June, the band has a green light to resume.<\/p>\n

Fans of Get The Led Out who have been jonesing can get a temporary fix this weekend at Sellersville.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll be playing a handful of favorite classic rock favorites and a set of Zep songs,\u201d said Hammond. \u201cWe\u2019re kind of like Get The Led Out Jr. We\u2019re doing three different shows with two sets a show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Paul Hammond & Friends — https:\/\/youtu.be\/W9NHrgym6Bo<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The shows at the Sellersville Theater will start at 8 p.m. on April 15 and April 16 at 6 and 9 p.m. Ticket prices range from $33-$52.50. Livestream tickets are $17.50.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Pawnshop Roses<\/p><\/div>\n

Another band with a history of shows at the Bridgeport Rib House \u2013 Pawnshop Roses \u2013 will be performing on April 16 at 118\u00a0North\u00a0(118\u00a0North\u00a0Wayne Avenue, Wayne,\u00a0www.118northwayne.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Pawnshop Roses, a Philly area favorite, revolves around the nucleus of founding members Paul Keen and Kevin Bentley and exists in several formats.<\/p>\n

It will be the \u201cduo\u201d version of Pawnshop Roses at Friday evening\u2019s show.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis show will be Kevin and Me,\u201d said Keen, during a phone interview Monday from his home in Norristown.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sing, write songs and play guitar and harmonica,\u201d said Keen. \u201cKevin plays electric and acoustic guitars.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also can play as a full band with Jason Jonik on guitar and Zil Fessler on drums or as a five-piece with Jude Alvarez on bass. We\u2019ve had this lineup together for four years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Four years is less than a quarter of Pawnshop Roses\u2019 history.<\/p>\n

\u201cKevin and I formed back in 2002,\u201d said Keen, a Kennett Square native and Unionville High grad. \u201cWe\u2019ll start our 20th anniversary next year.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was in Unionville High, I was in a band called Joe\u2019s New Socks. Kevin graduated from the University of Scranton and then moved to Philly. That\u2019s when I met him. I put an ad online looking for a guitar player and that\u2019s how we met.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur musical style hasn\u2019t changed over the years. It\u2019s jangle-rock \u2013 like Tom Petty and it can be heavy at times \u2013 like Led Zeppelin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pawnshop Roses, who were winners of YouTube\u02bcs 2006 \u201cBest Live Video\u201d contest for
\nthe video \u201cGet\u02bcs So Hard Live at Grape Street,\u201d have managed to stay connected during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe lost 90 percent of our gigs from the past year but we\u2019ve kept playing,\u201d said Keen. \u201cWe\u2019ve been playing shows outside at the Bridgeport Rib House,\u201d said Keen. \u201cI like the tents. It\u2019s cool to play outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cRecently, places are starting to open up inside with social distancing. Me and Jason have a Sunday brunch duo show this weekend at Troubles End Brewery in Collegeville.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pawnshop Roses have released three albums \u2013 \u201cLet It Roll\u201d in 2007, \u201cVersions\u201d in 2008 and \u201cSolid Gold\u201d in 2010. A new recording is on its way.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going in the studio on April 17 and doing four songs,\u201d said Keen, who also works as a music teacher in Plymouth Meeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re hoping to have it out in the next six months. It\u2019ll be a four-song EP. The songs are ready. We\u2019re doing the recording at Retro City Studio in Germantown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll produce it ourselves, but our engineer Matt Muir also helps with producing and overdubs. He\u2019s a good mixer. We did some songs on \u2018Versions\u2019 with him. We also did a Christmas song with him a couple years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Pawnshop Roses — https:\/\/youtu.be\/5Gx6CGvDj74<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at 118 North on April 16 will start at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free.<\/p>\n

Bridgeport Rib House (1049 Ford Street, Bridgeport, www.ribhouse.net<\/a>) will be hosting performances by\u00a0Brian Quinn & Danny Beissel on April 21 and 28.<\/p>\n

Beissel has spent the past decade performing with such musical stalwarts as Jeffrey \u201cSkunk\u201d Baxter (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers), Barry Goudreau (Formerly of Boston), James Burton (Elvis, Ricky Nelson) and Fosterchild (with Quinn).<\/p>\n

Quinn co-founded the Philadelphia-based rock band\u00a0Octane\u00a0and was named \u201cBest Guitarist\u201d in the Philadelphia region by the Philadelphia Music Awards in 2001 and 2004. A decade later, Quinn joined Candlebox when the band needed to replace its guitarist.<\/p>\n

Other announced upcoming shows at the Rib House are Mike Greer & Co. and Somewhat Civil on April 16, Side Arm and John McNutt on April 17, Four Lean Hounds on April 18, Montoj and Jim Tauscher on April 24, Mike Guldin Rollin & Tumblin on April 25 and That Band and Alex DiMartini on April 30.<\/p>\n

Another band with links to the \u201cLand of the Zep\u201d will be performing a free show this weekend.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Harry Walther Band<\/p><\/div>\n

The Harry Walther Band \u2013 Chris Faraday (lead guitar), Jeff Moran (bass), Dave Maribella (drums) and Walther (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, songwriting) –will headline a \u201cno cover\u201d show at Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) on April 17.<\/p>\n

Walther is a resident of Plymouth Meeting which sits on the outer edge of the \u201cLand of the Zep.\u201d<\/p>\n

A zep has nothing to do with Led Zeppelin. It is an Italian sandwich indigenous to the tri-borough area of Norristown, Conshohocken and Bridgeport \u2013 known for its outrageously tasty blend of cooked salami, provolone, tomato, a layer of thick freshly-sliced raw onion, salt, pepper, oregano and oil in a fresh Italian roll.<\/p>\n

Faraday and Moran are from Hatboro and Maribella is a Havertown resident.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been eight years with this version \u2013 four guys who play together really well,\u201d said Walther, during a phone interview Tuesday night from his home in Montgomery County.<\/p>\n

Since 1996, The Harry Walther Band has been rocking the tri-state area with its storytelling style of music — Americana rock\u00a0with deep country roots.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur repertoire is 75 per cent original songs,\u201d said Walther. \u201cI guess you could call it Americana. It\u2019s country rock like Tom Petty, Steve Earle and John Cougar. If it\u2019s Americana, it\u2019s Americana with balls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just like every other band around, the Harry Walther Band has been kicked in the balls by COVID-related shutdowns.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t been playing much at all since the pandemic hit,\u201d said Walther. \u201cI have done some solo acoustic stuff.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last band show we did was indoors at Moss Mill Brewery back in January. But we do have some band shows coming up at Crooked Eye Brewery, Country Creek Winery and Moss Mill.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve played a lot of different places over the years \u2013 Parx Casino, New York Giants tailgate at Met Life Stadium, the Camden waterfront, and Steel City in Phoenixville. Steel City is one of favorite places to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Harry Walther Band has a few recorded releases so far and another one in the works.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have two EPs that we released \u2013 \u2018Western Gate\u2019 and \u2018Hard Rain,\u2019\u201d said Walther. \u201cWe have a new full-length coming out called \u2018Mixed Up Roads.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the first two EPs, I have hard copies I\u2019ll bring to the show. The new one will be mainly digital, but we\u2019ll also have hard copies of that to sell to our fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fans will have plenty to look forward to at this weekend\u2019s show.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to play some of the new songs \u2013 including \u2018Drifted Too Far From the Shore,\u2019\u201d said Walther. \u201cWe\u2019ll play stuff from everything \u2013 and a couple covers like Dylan and Johnny Cash. It will be more country or folk than rocked up.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be the first time we\u2019ve done a show at Jamey\u2019s. We\u2019ll play two sets. It\u2019s going to be a two-and-one-half-hour show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for the Harry Walther Band — https:\/\/youtu.be\/NPtHTlnHZbE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show on April 17 at show at Jamey\u2019s House of Music will start at 8 p.m. and feature free admission.<\/p>\n

Other shows at Jamey\u2019s this weekend \u2013 all with no cover charge — are Dave Reiter Trio on April 15, The Philly Blues Kings on April 16, and \u201cSunday Blues Jam\u201d on April 18.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Jake Mattera<\/p><\/div>\n

In the world of comedy, it will be a case of \u201clocal boy does good\u201d when Jake Mattera headlines a show at Helium Comedy Club (2031 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, philadelphia.heliumcomedy.com<\/a>) on April 18.<\/p>\n

\u201cI usually feature there because I\u2019m a local comic,\u201d said Mattera, during a phone interview Monday from his home in Prospect Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a comedy show, there are usually three comics \u2013 the MC, the feature and the headliner. I\u2019m one of the features they use regularly. I\u2019m headlining Sunday because they\u2019re recording the show for a record on Helium Records.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be available digitally and there will be some hard copies \u2013 CD and also a video. Different components will be released later down the line.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve also played Punch Line Philly. I just headlined a showcase there a few weeks ago. This will be my first headlining gig at Helium.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mattera, who grew up in Chichester and graduated from Cardinal O\u2019Hara High School, explained how he was drawn to the life of a standup comedian.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was playing in a band that played a lot of local shows,\u201d said Mattera. \u201cThe band broke up and I was looking for another way to get attention for myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a smart choice.<\/p>\n

Mattera studied comedy writing at Temple University and then landed an internship with one of television\u2019s top comedians.<\/p>\n

\u201cI moved to L.A. and was an intern for Conan O\u2019Brien,\u201d said Mattera, reflecting on his career break in 2012.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worked in the monologue department. I wrote the set-up for the jokes. It was like a master class in learning how to write a joke. I spent six months in L.A. Then, they hired me back for a month of shows in Atlanta.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mattera came back to Philly and worked on WMMR\u2019s \u201cPreston and Steve Show.\u201d After that, he embarked on a standup comedy career.<\/p>\n

The Delco comic has been invited to perform at many prestigious festivals all over the country, including Big Sky Comedy Festival, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, Limestone Comedy Festival, San Francisco Sketchfest, and HBO\u2019s \u201cWomen In Comedy Festival.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was young, I was the kid who would do anything to make people laugh,\u201d said Mattera. \u201cI always thought I was funny. People told me I was funny.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started out in comedy doing open mics \u2013 5-to-10-minute open mics. I learned the ropes. I learned which bars to play. I learned stage presence in Delco. Then, I went to Philly to learn joke efficiency \u2013 learn how to just get to the point<\/p>\n

\u201cMy comedy has been described as wholesome \u2013 funny things that mothers would like. It\u2019s self-deprecating and anecdotal. I married with a kid, so I talk about family life. I have my routines and I stick to my material.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mattera knows this show at Helium will be special in many ways.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did my first open mic at Helium so it\u2019s nice that it\u2019s come full circle,\u201d said Mattera.<\/p>\n

Video link for Jake Mattera \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/gCK_tF6i89U<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Helium Comedy Club on April 18 will start at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets, which are not sold individually because of capacity restrictions and social distancing, are $40 for a two-person table or $80 for a four-person table.<\/p>\n

Other shows this month at the Helium Comedy Club are Rich Vos (April 21), Greg Fitzsimons (April 22-24), Lawrence Killibrew (April 28) and Krystina Hutchinson (April 29-May 1).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Vicki Barbolak<\/p><\/div>\n

Vicki Barbolak followed a traditional path on her way to becoming a standup comedian. She was an ordained minister, a trailer park resident and a carpet salesman. Oh yeah \u2013 she was also a Top 10 finalist on \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

All of the above combined with other attributes to make Barbolak one of the top-rated comedians in America.<\/p>\n

This weekend, Barbolak will bring her unique sense of humor to Philadelphia for a three-day, five-show run at Punch\u00a0Line\u00a0Philly\u00a0(33 East Laurel Street, Philadelphia,\u00a0www.punchlinephilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cI love Philadelphia,\u201d said Barbolak, during a phone interview Monday from her home in Oceanside, California.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son-in-law Tim is a retired Marine and Philly is a historical place for the Marine Corp. When I went to Punch Line the first time a few years ago, I took him with me. We had so much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few years ago, Barbolak received a \u201csign\u201d that she should pursue comedy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was 38, I was in the bathroom and I saw an ad for a comedy club sticking out of the trash,\u201d said Barbolak. \u201cI was working in a carpet store at the time. I didn\u2019t care if the customers bought carpets \u2013 I just wanted to make them laugh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barbolak\u2019s involvement with the Shore family shored up her career path as a comedian. Mitzi Shore, who passed away three years ago at the age of 87, was owner of one of the comic world\u2019s landmark venues — The Comedy Store in West Hollywood. The venue was founded by her husband Sammy Shore at its Sunset Strip location in 1972. Mitzi\u2019s kids \u2013 Pauly and Sandi \u2013 both became comedy stalwarts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI took a class with Sandi Shore, Pauly\u2019s sister,\u201d said Barbolak. \u201cShe told me I had talent. So, I started doing open mics and then couldn\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was going to open mics at The Comedy Store in La Jolla. I came every Sunday to the open mic there and brought baked goods.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne night, Mitzi Shore walked in. Fred, the club manager, told me that Mitzi wanted to see me on stage. I had a good set. Mitzi called me over and said \u2013 you\u2019re funny.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe said \u2013 you\u2019re funny and you\u2019re now a paid regular. Part of being a regular is a spot every Sunday night. I was a paid regular at first at La Jolla and then they brought me to Hollywood. I just didn\u2019t know that it was going to change my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barbolak was a fan favorite and Top 10 finalist on the 2018 \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u201d show. Howie Mandel told her (and America), \u201cI think you just came up with your own sitcom, \u2018Trailer Nasty.\u2019 There\u2019s room for someone like you in a sitcom, you\u2019re wonderful, I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was lucky for me to get on \u2018America\u2019s Got Talent,\u2019\u201d said Barbolak. \u201cSimon Cowell helped me a lot. He got me a really good manager.\u201d<\/p>\n

Barbolak also competed in\u00a0\u201cBritain\u2019s Got Talent: The Champions.\u201d
\n\u201cBeing on \u2018Britain\u2019s Got Talent: The Champions\u2019 was a really good experience for me,\u201d said Barbolak. \u201cI got to perform in front of 15,000 at London\u2019s Wembley Stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drawing on her roller-coaster life, Barbolak has created a comic persona that has earned her well-deserved praise. From working in a family carpet business owned by her dad (former Pittsburgh Steeler lineman Pete Barbolak), dueling with ex-husbands who think alimony is an Italian ice-cream flavor and raising two great kids all while living in the ultra-posh Vista Manor Trailer Park near San Diego \u2013 she is considered unique both in the character she has created as well as the fresh material she consistently delivers.<\/p>\n

In 2007, Barbolak won Nickelodeon\u2019s \u201cAmerica\u2019s Funniest Mom\u201d show hosted by Roseanne Barr, who was so impressed that she hired Vicki as one of her writers. In addition to being crowned as \u201cAmerica\u2019s Funniest Mom,\u201d she was for the 2010 Jay Leno Laugh Squad.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my live show, I do both routines and interaction with the audience,\u201d said Barbolak. \u201cI never know what I want to do. I\u2019ll start with a bit and then go off on a tangent.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s mostly domestic stuff \u2013 relationships and stuff around the house. Some of it is observational. A lot is about sex and relationships \u2013 and living in a trailer park for over 40 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Vicky Barbolak \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/E7EFttAb92g<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The shows at Punch\u00a0Line\u00a0Philly\u00a0are scheduled for April 15 at 8 p.m. and April 16 and 17 at 7:15 and 9:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

General admission tickets are $30 on Thursday and $32 on Friday and Saturday.<\/p>\n

Other shows at Punch Line Philly this month are Liz Miele (April 22-24), Pandemic Poetry (April 25), Lovable Monsters (April 28), Omar Terrell (April 29) and Majah Hype (April 30-May 1).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0 When David Broza performs a show on April 17 at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com), it will be special in several ways. This is an album release concert for \u201cen Casa Limon,\u201d which is Broza\u2019s first all-instrumental guitar album. It is also a charity […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23634,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4357],"tags":[8428,3162,9049,9654,9655,9656,9657],"class_list":["post-23640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-david-broza","tag-featured","tag-jake-mattera","tag-paul-hammond-friends","tag-pawnshop-roses","tag-the-harry-walther-band","tag-vicki-barbolak"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23640"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23641,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23640\/revisions\/23641"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23634"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/downingtowntimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}