OMM’s Star-Studded Comedy Benefit Show!

 

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 · 7pm @ Arlington Drafthouse 

We are excited to announce that Our Minds Matter will be hosting our first-ever stand-up comedy show on February 21 at the Arlington Drafthouse, a historic 1930s art deco style theater serving a full dinner menu (and full-service bar, of course)! This incredible show will feature local comedy stars Rahmein Mostafavi, Prince Arora, Rich Ev, and Gigi, with the talented Diane Ross as our emcee. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to gather with the OMM community in appreciation and celebration of school staff, all while enjoying a night of good eats, good drinks, and most importantly, good laughs! 

Reserve your tickets now! All proceeds will benefit OMM. This show is 21+. 

We’d like to say a special thank you to the Arlington Drafthouse for opening their beautiful and beloved space to us for this event, and to our board member Diane Ross for helping to organize the show and lending her talents to serve as our emcee. 

Meet the comedians:

Tommy Taylor jr.  — Headliner

Funny, smart, and chronically womanless…Tommy Taylor Jr. is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer & filmmaker…Tommy’s career has been on fire lately, recently writing for BET’s “All The Way Black”, and helping develop a commercial for AutoTrader feat. Keenan Thompson (SNL).   Tommy also launched his groundbreaking comedy series “The Tommy Taylor Show” on Amazon Prime, and can be seen on an upcoming Comedy Central show. 

On stage, Tommy has opened for comedians Tony Rock, Ralphie May, Bill Bellamy, Annie Lederman, and was a semi-finalist for HBO’s & ABFF’s Comedy Wings competition.   Tommy also starred in and won the hit reality television show “The Proposal” on ABC.  He has appeared in several HBO series, including the EMMY-winning VEEP and The Wire, and co-starred in HBO’s How To Make It In America.  He has even graced late-night television with his appearance on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”.   Despite being single, his good looks and charm have helped him land leading roles in dozens of national commercials for brands such as Delta Airlines, AT&T, Toyota, Comcast, Black+Decker, Amtrak, and many more.

Prince Arora — Feature

Prince Arora is a DC based comic that hails the attention of crowds by fusing his Indian roots with his American lifestyle. His humorous experiences of culture shock in the workplace, relationships and the day-to-day quirks that come with being an immigrant make people fall in love with his stories and charm. He has performed across the DC comedy scene, universities and recently left his mark at Capital One Hall, opening for India’s #1 comedian, Zakir Khan, for an audience of 1,500 people.

Rich Ev — Guest

Rich Ev is a traveling comedian from DC who jokes about life experiences and brings to light what others are already thinking. Her misdirection and witty delivery will show the audience that her lines are not the only thing that gets punched so you’re in for a treat.

Gigi Bledsoe— Guest

Gigi is your slightly above average middle-aged white lady in a fun-sized package. She draws upon her extensive life experience as a military wife, mom, daughter, investigator, artist, facilitator, podcaster, actor, and observer of the absurd to encourage laughter in the common ground. She recently won the Arlington, VA stop of the HEAL-arious comedy competition. She’s mostly been seen sharpening her comic skills in the Northern Virginia comedy circuit; even venturing out on school nights.

Diane Ross — Emcee

Diane is a psychologist, writer, stand-up comedian, and improvisational actor. She is the author of First Generation Normal, a comedic memoir about growing up free-range to eccentric parents. She performs comedy throughout the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C area and has performed in shows in Florida, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York City. Her observational comedy is relatable, and her down-to-earth style resonates with a vast audience. Diane entered the comedy scene because she believes humor has healing powers.