2 weeks Ago
In December, the Upstairs Comedy Club's holiday party was packed with talent including Craig Robinson and Deon Cole. A downtown location, 250 capacity and leather booths made the second-floor space feel like an intimate community hub. L.
A.'s newest comedy venue had yet to welcome the public, though Jan. 16 marked the scheduled soft opening.
Plans were postponed and reassessed following the Palisades and Eaton fires. Following "Jordan Rock and Friends," the eventual soft opening on Feb. 8, the Upstairs opened its doors to the public on March 5 with two sold-out performances from Rene Vaca, a viral 28-year-old comic from the San Fernando Valley.
(Vaca soon will begin appearing monthly.) On Saturday, "The Office" star Robinson returned to close out an 8 p.m.
lineup that included Chaunte Wayans, Jay Larson and Alonzo Bodden. "Happy International Women's Day!" he crooned to the well-dressed, dancing audience, playing keyboard and creating his own song medleys combining "Edelweiss," "Summer Lovin'," "Livin' on a Prayer," "I Want It That Way" and "Hot in Herre." Robinson extended his interactive set, chatting with the grandmother in the front row and pulling an aspiring crooner from the back to riff a few blues numbers.
Advertisement Comedian Craig Robinson performs at the Upstairs Comedy Club on March 8 in Los Angeles. (Eric Thayer / For The Times) Under booker Sarah Mello, who spearheaded clothing-donation drives following January's fires, proceeds from all shows benefit the experience-forward Big Smile Foundation and SevaSphere, a nonprofit addressing local homelessness and food insecurity. The Upstairs' 6,000-square-foot space at 1415 S.
Los Angeles St. is north of the 10 in the Fashion District. There is a two-drink minimum and popcorn for sale at present, with future plans expanding to ground-level retail and Italian dining.
Street parking is free; an attended lot across 15th Street at 1501 S. Los Angeles is $8. The club's ticketing and scheduling information.
.. Julie Seabaugh.
