Laughter that Counts: Comedy Show Encourages Black Community to Participate in 2020 Census
September 24, 2020 - San Antonio
Comedy for your Census. On Sunday, comedian Marcus D. Wiley will headline the Be Counted and Be Heard Comedy Show in the parking lot of the AT&T Center. Photo: Facebook.
By Jade Esteban Estrada - Arts Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- On Sunday, Christian comedian Marcus D. Wiley will headline the "Be Counted and Be Heard Comedy Show" at AT&T Center Parking Lot #3
- This drive-in style comedy show aims to encourage African Americans in the San Antonio community to respond to the 2020 census before the Sept. 30 deadline
This weekend, Christian comedian Marcus D. Wiley will headline the Be Counted and Be Heard Comedy Show, an event that aims to encourage African Americans to respond to the 2020 census before the Sept. 30 deadline. This drive-in style chuckle fest will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27 in the #3 parking lot of the AT&T Center.
This unique production is being organized by the Dream Big Scholarship Fund, in collaboration with the San Antonio/Bexar County Complete Count Committee.
“It’s imperative that the African-American community understand the impact that they can make by letting their voices be heard, and getting counted in the 2020 census is one way to be heard,” said Michele Thomas, founder of the Dream Big Scholarship Fund.
Wiley is a Houston-based entertainer and radio personality. One of the ways he makes people laugh is by observing similarities between the church and nightclub communities.
“You got people who hang out at church, like it’s a club,” he said during a 2016 comedy show at Concord Church in Dallas. “Then you got people who go to the club, religiously.”
Clifton Simmons, the featured act, is a Funniest Person in South Texas finalist and one of San Antonio’s busiest comics.
U.S. Army veteran and gospel singer Thomas B. Bryant will emcee the show.
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While entertaining the audience at the open-air event, the three entertainers will also be sharing information about the importance of completing the 2020 census.
As Covid-19 is primarily transmitted from person-to-person through respiratory droplets which are released when someone with the virus sneezes, talks, sings, or laughs, organizers have taken measures to ensure physical distancing to prevent the spread of the infection: All activities will allow participants to stay in their vehicles. While attendees laugh it up from the comfort and safety of their own cars, they will be encouraged to fill out the census form on their mobile device or on tablets which volunteers will bring to each vehicle.
The event will be livestreamed on the Dream Big Scholarship’s Facebook page where online audience members can complete the questionnaire at home and register to win gift cards.
The census itself can be completed online at my2020census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020.
Although this event is free and open to the public, reservations are required for all attendees. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a writer and stand-up comedian. He covers arts and entertainment for the San Antonio Sentinel. He can be reached at jade@sasentinel.com.