Aarona
Los Angeles, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Comedienne Aarona Browning will be making her TV debut on the STARZ Network. On October 22, 2010 she will be performing on Martin Lawrence's First Amendment Standup at 11pm PST/EST and 10pm CST. Watch it and Enjoy!
### - DivaPersona Entertainment
Rap group Three 6 Mafia may have won an Oscar for letting the world know "it's hard out here for a pimp," but if comedy is your hustle of choice, life out here is even harder. Just ask up and coming comedienne, Aarona. In April 2006 this bubbly, 27-year-old native of Chicago's South Side quit her 9 to 5 to pursue comedy full time and these days she's quick to tell you, "I do shows for gas money!"
Courageous + brutally honest+ funny = comedic success, Aarona is working this formula like an industry vet. Aarona, pronounced like piranha without the 'p', is quickly making a name for herself in comedy circles throughout Chicago as a young talent to watch. She's a favorite at Chicagoland venues like Jokes and Notes. In 2006, she became a Jamie Foxx Laffapalooza New Face. This year she will be taping Martin Lawrence’s First Amendment Stand-Up for the STARZ network.
Aarona has been involved in arts and entertainment since she was a little girl, but it was comedian Chris Rock that influenced her to seriously consider comedy. "He was the first comic that made me feel I could do this," she says. "He just got up there and talked and that's what I wanted to do." In an industry dominated by men, it's no surprise to have one top her list of influences, but Aarona is striving to achieve success despite all of the gender politics. "I'm a funny comedian. Not a funny female comedian. I wanna be as funny as any guy."
However, this talented sister isn't just about getting a laugh when it comes to her comedy. Aarona has been writing and performing poetry for the past eight years and adds a bit of consciousness to her funny. When Aarona speaks, you can hear the influences of women like Lauryn Hill and bell hooks. Poetry is way of connecting with self and others and she's successfully merging this art form with her comedy. "…whether it's comedy or poetry I am going to leave you thinking about something."
With the release of her debut comedy CD, Buy Now, Laugh Later, Aarona has folks thinking about a lot of interesting things (whether we want to admit it or not). With skits about everything from R. Kelly to brothers on the 'down low', Aarona talks about the things we all wonder, but may not know how to express (e.g., will R. Kelly stop trying to steal the children?!!). "People like the real. You can write about whatever. Just make it funny." And that's exactly what she's doing.
Aarona continues to hone her craft by regularly performing at comedy clubs and colleges across the country. Her future plans include directing films, publishing a book of poetry, recording a second comedy CD and eventually, performing in her own cable television comedy special.
This writer/comedienne/poet/actress/singer/activist is taking the art of multi-tasking to the limit, but she's enjoying every minute of it. "When you're talented you just enjoy creating and you simply go where life takes you. And trust me, it's an amazing ride!" Looks like she's putting that gas money to good use. #
- Sandria M. Washington, BEAN SOUP TIMES, Contributing Writer
Aarona is a star on the rise. This woman is a pure talent...she's funny, can sing and has a command of the stage that enables her to hold her own, no matter who's in the room!
-Brett Dismuke
VP, Acquisitions & Urban Programming
Image/One Village Entertainment - Brett Dismuke
"Aarona is a wonderful comedian that anyone can relate to. Her punch lines are dead on, which makes you fall in love with her act from the beginning to the end. She crushes all stereotypes that women aren’t funny in every way. She has a swagger about her that makes you hang on her every word. I was laughing from beginning to end. I can actually say that I never stopped smiling throughout the whole show. Aarona is beautiful, witty, and hilarious and is the future of comedy."
Denzell Turner
Unv. of Michigan Ann-Arbor Student - Denzell Turner, U of Michigan Student
Discography
"Buy Now, Laugh Later" (2006)
"The Velvet Mixtape" (2011)
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/aaronabrowning
Photos
Bio
Originally from Chicago, Aarona has been performing on stage since age 5. Whether in plays or in person she always displayed a delightfully twisted view on the world, which has now become her comedy act. Aarona, who calls herself "the beauty with the brains" is working her way to become America's favorite funny-girl with thought-provoking, high-energy comedy material.
Before comedy, Aarona made a name for herself on the Chicago and Champaign, IL Spoken Word scene. Performing at various coffee houses and theaters - including the KRANNERT THEATER OF PERFORMING ARTS (Urbana, IL) and SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO ON TOUR at Virginia Theater (Champaign, IL). She has more than 50 poems registered and copywritten by the Library of Congress.
In 2006, Aarona exploded on the comedy scene with her personified self-portrait which takes the audience on a ride into her exciting world. Less than six months later she became a working comic and was selected as a "New Face" in Jamie Foxx's Laffapalooza Comedy Festival in Atlanta, GA. Aarona continues to raise the stakes for herself and each year is newer, better creating a commendable track record such as:
*2007 LaffJam Comedy College Tour
*2009 Bay Area Black Comedy Competition Semi-Finalist
*2009 Uncle Clyde's Comedy Competition Winner
*2008/2010/2011 NBC Standup For Diversity Semi-Finalist
In 2008, Aarona became an international comic by traveling to the UK and performing at The Drum Centre (Birmingham), Jonguleurs (Birmingham) and The Bernie Arts Centre (London)
In 2010, Aarona appeared in her first nationally televised comedy program--Season 5 of Martin Lawrence's 1st Amendment Standup on the STARZ Network. A clip of her episode (#507) can be viewed at this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W02Sr5hER0
In spring 2011, Aarona appeared in her first teleplay on the BET Network, "Lord All Men Can't Be Dogs" starring Vivica A. Fox, Christian Keyes, Elise Neal and Johnny Gill.
In Summer 2011, Aarona launched "Velvet Circus" her sketch comedy show, which includes original music and sketches written/produced/directed by Aarona.
Aarona continues to captivate audiences across the country with her powerful stage presence and witty words of wisdom at clubs and colleges including but not limited to:
Aarona is influenced by Margaret Cho, Roseanne, Robin Harris, Martin Lawrence and Chris Rock.
You can purchase her comedy music album "The Velvet Mixtape" at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/aaronabrowning
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