COMEDIAN MIKE MARINO: ‘Up Close and Personal’ Concert July 29th Paramount Asbury Park by Calvin Schwartz

Mike Marino is coming back home to New Jersey and Asbury Park’s Paramount Theater on July 29^th for ‘Up Close and Personal;’ a special backstage event with limited seating. But imagine being a few rows away from Mike and his incisive hysterical humor. The intimacy with Mike right there almost in your face like he’s in your den with a wet bar nearby, is priceless. Therefore, not to be missed. What could be better than the Jersey Shore, Asbury Park, Paramount, smell of ocean air, a myriad of food places to discover and the Bad Boy of Comedy; indeed, a mid-summer night’s dream. Thanks for coming home Mike.

I’ve been a huge fan of Mike Marino for the last four years since I first met him at the Asbury Park Comedy Festival.  Why not; I love to laugh for 90 minutes straight each and every time I see him; it’s this stressful world we live in. Mike has a unique handle, a release and grasp of our world.

The genius of Marino’s humor is to take our modern (expletive omitted) lives and shove it under a comedic microscope.  And when you see him in concert, you get a chance to see the ‘Marino’ face; how he loves to laugh with the audience at his own humor; that genuineness and warmth draws us in and embraces. Even more than that, my being a comedic snob, countless times looking at Mike on stage, I can’t help but see Jack Benny, who had one of the greatest comedic facial expressions as well as incredible timing. Benny was Johnny Carson’s all-time favorite; Mike Marino’s expressions and timing is right there with Jack Benny.  Remember his concerts are a comedic happening especially when he’s back home in front of a Jersey audience.

Calvin Schwartz  6-20-17  4:44PM

A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS BENEFIT HOMETOWN HEROES   

Mike Marino’s Official BIO:

Mike Marino – affectionately known to thousands of his fans as New Jersey’s Bad Boy – is one of the most unique comics of our time. He has performed in every major comedy club from New York to Los Angeles including: The MGM Grand, Catch a Rising Star, The Comic Strip, Stand Up NY, The Improv, Rascals and The Icehouse. Mike, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the business, can be seen nightly as a top headliner at both the world famous Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store in Hollywood.

Mike was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. He entered the world of theatre at an early age, and is a graduate of the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Mike has appeared in over 200 national television commercials, and has received a Best Actor Clio Award Nomination. He has acted in many Prime Time soaps and television shows including: As the World Turns, One Life to Live, Becker, Nikki, Frasier and Party of Five. His film credits include Crooks, Pizza with Bullets, Hangin’ in Hedo and Steven King’s Lucky Quarter.

MIKE’S CONTACT INFO

Website:    http://www.mikemarino.net

http://www.myspace.com/getthebat                                                                                                                                                                                  

http://www.twitter.com/mikedmarino

http://www.youtube.com/mikedmarino

Email:    mikedmarino@facebook.com

ROCK STAR CLOTHING INC.COM

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Carmine’s Pizza Factory

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ALSO MIKE MARINO CONTINUES HIS JERSEY SHORE APPEARANCES on AUG 7 at 8:30  PM 

201 Engleside Avenue

Beach Haven, NJ 08008

609-492-9477        https://www.surflight.org/

COMING ATTRACTIONS:  Goumba Johnny and 101.5’s Steve Trevelise at Catch a Rising Star in Princeton April 28^th  by  Calvin Schwartz

From time to time, I report here on NJ Discover on comedy highlights and coming attractions. It’s my great affectation with the art of comedy, going back to my personal rapid growth years in the sixties, when I discovered the genius of comedian Lenny Bruce, that brings me to contemporary comedy. My journalism has taken me to the genius of Mike Marino (who appears July 29^th at the Paramount in Asbury Park) and to the epi-center of Jersey comedy, ‘Catch a Rising Star’ in Princeton thus fulfilling my comedic satiation.

Thusly, I’m highlighting here a ‘Catch a Rising Star’ Princeton event on Saturday April 28^th when  Goumba Johnny and 101.5’s Steve Trevelise appear. This is a very special FUNNY night.

Calvin Schwartz for NJ Discover.

Here is website . Check it out before it sells out: http://www.catcharisingstar.com/

Hyatt Regency Princeton

102 Carnegie Center

Princeton, NJ

856-776-0993

GOUMBA JOHNNY BIO:

Radio Host, Comedian, Actor and Author was born in the Bronx and entered into the radio industry after many career changes. Shortly after graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree from SUNY (State University of New York at Brockport), Johnny signed as a free agent in professional football with the New York Jets and then with the New York Giants. Although both opportunities were a dream for Johnny, he had to retire from the sport due to a neck injury.

After his football career ended, he established “Broadway Bodyguards” and escorted celebrities and famous businessmen in and outside the New York City area such as, Smokey Robinson, Sam Kinison, and Malcolm Forbes. With his natural quick wit and charm, Johnny has joined the ranks of other comedians by performing stand-up at popular comedy clubs like Carolineʼs in Manhattan, Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods in Connecticut, and the Borgata and Caesars Palace in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Johnny also entered and won a National talent search from the Friarʼs Club in New York City for roasting. Johnny has roasted celebrities like Matt Lauer, Vincent (Big Pussy) Pastore and Gary Dellabate.

He is often asked to perform private roasts for some of the “stars” of Wall Street and other dignitaries. Johnny has shared the stage with many of the top acts in comedy such as Andrew Dice Clay, Mario Cantone, George Wallace, Jay Mohr, Tommy Davidson, Martin Lawrence, Colin Quinn, Paul Rodriguez, Caroline Rhea, Dom Irrera, Richard Jeni, Bobby Slayton, David Alan Grier, Pat Cooper and Jerry Seinfeld. His comedic sense brought him success in other entertainment genres as well, and he co-created the television show “Letʼs Get Stupid” and sold it to Telepictures. Goumba Johnny has appeared on various television shows such as The Weakest Link, The Montel Williams Show, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, The Joy Behar Show, The CBS Early Show, The Ricki Lake show, The Queen Latifah Show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Metro TV/Naked New York and Court TV. Johnny has recently appeared on TV episodes of Deadly Sins, Person of Interest, He has also hit the soap opera circuit landing roles on two popular CBS shows; Guiding Light and As the World Turns. He appeared in a Super Bowl commercial for NFL Network.

In the mid ʻ80ʻs Johnny did character voices and wrote comedy bits for radio stations across the country from Z-100 in New York City to KIIS FM in Los Angeles until KTU discovered Johnny in February 1996 and originally brought him in as a writer. The chemistry that he brought to the station was too good to waste behind the scenes. Management brought him out from behind the pen and paper and put him behind the mic. Goumba Johnny was so successful as a co-host in the evening slot that the KTU executives made him co-host of their Morning Show.

Johnny has written for the popular national magazine Cosmopolitan; contributed to US Weekly – Fashion Police for 3 years, and he contributed weekly to national magazine Star in Style Stalkers.. Johnny made his New York theater debut in the Strawberry One-Act Festival, portraying ʻStanley the Bartenderʼ in the play A Punch in the Face, and the summer of 2002 he had a recurring role as ʻPaulieʼ inthe hit Off Broadway play Six Goumbas and a Wannabe. In 2003 Johnny starred in his own comedy special, Goumba Johnnyʼs Slice of Italian Comedy and in early 2004 it has appeared as a special on Pay-Per-View for Direct TV, Time Warner Cable and Cablevision, continuing to gain fans not only in the New York Tri-state area, but nationwide.This comedy special is now available on DVD. In March 2008, Johnny penned his first book – So You Wanna Be a Mobster: Get Made! Get Paid! Get Babes! Start Your Own Mafia Family! (Citadel Publishing), the ultimate comedic self-help yourself book on how to start your own mafia family.

In Johnnyʼs free time his efforts are donated to dozens of charitable organizations within the tristate area where he has worked tirelessly to raise countless dollars. He performs stand-up, hosts events, plays softball, bowls, whatever it takes to help the cause raise the most money for their foundation. In 2002 he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Cooleyʼs Anemia Foundation, where he was previously honored for his charitable work. he continues to help annually with organizations such as The Bowery Rescue Mission, the Autism Foundation, The Elizabeth Fund for Lupus and many police organizations, as well as many others.

CATCH A RISING STAR ON TOUR UPCOMING EVENTS

YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN:  COMEDIAN MIKE MARINO IN CONCERT FRIDAY OCT 7^TH  at JERSEY CITY LOEWS  by Calvin Schwartz   

Going home again has been one of my favorite themes in life. I’ve been contentious with Thomas Wolfe’s novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again” which espouses “You can’t go back home to your family, back home to your childhood … back home to a young man’s dreams of glory and of fame … back home to places in the country, back home to the old forms and systems of things which once seemed everlasting but which are changing all the time – back home to the escapes of Time and Memory.” However, I know you CAN go home again and that’s exactly what comedian Mike Marino is doing on Friday October 7^th in concert in his home town of Jersey City at Loews Landmark Theater. To add to the special ambiance of the night is Vincent “Big P” Pastore from the ‘Soprano’s’. Mike back home is hugely special AND brought to you by CATCH A RISING STAR COMEDY and CONCERTS.  

THIS JUST IN: A TIMELY DEBATE WITH MIKE MARINO running for President vs Donald Trump  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCuGMyTMD6M

Mike introduces show: https://www.facebook.com/mikedmarino?fref=ts

“Bad Boy of NJ” and Comedian Mike Marino Talks Family and Comedy with Steve Adubato ‘One on One’   http://ht.ly/Kgyy303y9aZB  

I’ve been a huge fan of Mike Marino for the last three years since I first met him at the Asbury Park Comedy Festival.  Why not; I love to laugh for 90 minutes straight each and every time I see him; it’s this stressful world we live in. Mike has a unique handle, a release and grasp of our world.

It’s funny, every time (which is several times a week) I go in to one of those convenience stores, some with those strange birds in their logo, and I pass by the computer station to order sandwiches, I stop, stare, smile and think of Mike Marino. And I know customers see me smiling and they must think I’m a little out there. But Mike makes me smile and laugh even when he’s in California, a few thousand miles away.

The genius of Marino’s humor is to take our modern (expletive omitted) lives and shove it under a comedic microscope.  And when you see him in concert, you get a chance to see the ‘Marino’ face; how he loves to laugh with the audience at his own humor; that genuineness and warmth draws us in and embraces. Even more than that, my being a comedic snob, countless times looking at Mike on stage, I can’t help but see Jack Benny, who had one of the greatest comedic facial expressions as well as incredible timing. Benny was Johnny Carson’s all-time favorite; Mike Marino’s expressions and timing is right there with Jack Benny.  Remember his concerts are a comedic happening especially when he’s back home in front of a Jersey audience.

NOW HERE THIS: MIKE MARINO humor on St. Charles Riverboat on the Raritan River in NJ Sat, July 30^th along with Pam DeButts  and Steve Trevelise. Brought to you by Catch a Rising Star, Princeton             by Calvin Schwartz

BUY TICKETS ON LINE AT  www.catcharisingstar.com

There are numerous particulates which define my summer spent. Time on the beach, crashing waves, boardwalk, frozen custard, night music with a pastoral view and setting aside time to laugh. If you take that time for laughing (and purist enjoyment) and find a riverboat right here in Jersey, throw in some dinner and drinks, and of course the humor of Mike Marino, then it becomes a slice of nirvana.

When I heard Mike is performing on a Riverboat, I thought “nice try” but I’m not going to Mississippi. But happy days. The  Riverboat is permanently (non-sailing) docked on the Raritan River in Perth Amboy. So Saturday July 30^th becomes a comedy night to remember, Mike Marino, Jersey’s Bad Boy of Comedy along with the special humor of Pam DeButts and  101.5’s  Steve Trevelise and brought to you by Catch a Rising Star in Princeton. St. Charles Riverboat, dinner, drinks, comedy right here in New Jersey. I love it.

I’ve been a huge fan of Mike Marino for the last three years since I first met him at the Asbury Park Comedy Festival.  Why not; I love to laugh for 90 minutes straight each and every time I see him; it’s this stressful world we live in. Mike has a unique handle, a release and grasp of our world.

It’s funny, every time (which is several times a week) I go in to one of those convenience stores, some with those strange birds in their logo, and I pass by the computer station to order sandwiches, I stop, stare, smile and think of Mike Marino. And I know customers see me smiling and they must think I’m a little out there. But Mike makes me smile and laugh even when he’s in California, a few thousand miles away.

The genius of Marino’s humor is to take our modern (expletive omitted) lives and shove it under a comedic microscope.  And when you see him in concert, you get a chance to see the ‘Marino’ face; how he loves to laugh with the audience at his own humor; that genuineness and warmth draws us in and embraces. Even more than that, my being a comedic snob, countless times looking at Mike on stage, I can’t help but see Jack Benny, who had one of the greatest comedic facial expressions as well as incredible timing. Benny was Johnny Carson’s all-time favorite; Mike Marino’s expressions and timing is right there with Jack Benny.  His concerts are a happening especially when he’s back home in front of a Jersey audience.

BUY TICKETS ON LINE AT  www.catcharisingstar.com

BACK IN TOWN: MIKE MARINO, NJ BAD BOY OF COMEDY. JUNE 25^THALGONQUIN ARTS THEATER, MANASQUAN;  PRODUCED BY UNCLE VINNIE’S COMEDY CLUB.COM   “Reasons to BE THERE”     By Calvin Schwartz      June 13^th 2016

CLICK HERE FOR TIXS :http://bit.ly/1UDAZn2

PRODUCED BY UNCLE VINNIE’S COMEDY CLUB.COM

Next week, it’s officially summer on the Jersey shore. A few weeks before, I traditionally grab a calendar, a yellow highlighter I used in college, and find those special events that will help to define my summer. So, June 25^th gets a yellow highlight bath in the limelight. I’m so into comedy these days; an introspective, deep need to laugh for a few hours. The smell of Atlantic Ocean air, a plethora of eating and drinking places and Jersey shore ambiance; for me and probably you guys, a nirvana of a Saturday June 25th shore summer night.

Yes, Mike Marino is back in town. Sounds like a song and I’ve been singing it for the past four years since I first saw Mike in concert. I love his comedy, infusion of Jersey histrionics and Presidential Comedy tour concert; blissfully relevant around summer convention time. Funny, I could see myself voting for Mike; but explaining this would be a bodacious long story. Another time. In the meantime, here is ticket info etc.  ALSO appearing with Mike is Uncle Floyd!!!

Come see “Jersey’s Bad Boy” Mike Marino as he goes on his Presidential Comedy Tour with Uncle Floyd . VIP tickets include a meet/greet with photo op after the show as well as premier seating.  General admission tickets are on a first come first served for seating after the VIP section part of the theater.  The theater will have drinks available for purchase as well as snack food.  No video taping will be allowed.

WHEN

Saturday, June 25, 2016 from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM (EDT)

WHERE

Algonquin Arts Theatre – 60 Abe Voorhees Dr, Manasquan, NJ 08736

PRODUCED BY UNCLE VINNIE’S COMEDY CLUB.COM

CLICK HERE FOR TIXS : http://bit.ly/1UDAZn2

In 2012, I discovered the genius of comedian Mike Marino in Asbury Park.  Mike was performing at the first Asbury Park Comedy Festival.  Since I discovered Lenny Bruce in the 60’s, I’ve morphed into a comedic snob. I need sharp incisive cerebral worldly comedy to laugh. Mike delivers that. And concomitantly (along the way), I’ve become a huge fan of Mike Marino. Why not; I love to laugh for 90 minutes straight each and every time I see him; it’s this stressful world we live in. Mike has a handle, a release and grasp of our world.

The genius of Marino’s humor is to take our modern (expletive omitted) lives and shove it under a comedic microscope.  And when you see him in concert, you get a chance to see the ‘Marino’ face; how he loves to laugh with the audience at his own humor; that genuineness and warmth draws us in and embraces. Even more than that, being a comedic snob, countless times looking at Mike, I can’t help but see Jack Benny, who had one of the greatest comedic facial expressions as well as incredible timing. Benny was Johnny Carson’s all-time favorite; Mike Marino’s expressions and timing is right there with Jack Benny. And now it appears Mike Marino is running for President. I just have to hear about that. I wonder if he needs campaign workers.

CLICK HERE FOR TIXS : http://bit.ly/1UDAZn2

http://www.mikemarino.net/

NJ DISCOVER SPOTLIGHT:  A Conversation with ROBERT COZMO CONSULMAGNO,  USMC, World Ranked Jiu Jitsu Fighter, PTSD & Bi-Polar Advocate & HIS MISSION to END STIGMA OF BIPOLAR      bY Calvin Schwartz   2-22-16

I constantly marvel at the exigencies and mysteries of the universe. Just the other day, Einstein was proven correct again; scientists detected gravitational waves from the violent merger (not Wall Street but perhaps some parallel) of two black holes in deep space. My excitement comes from how the universe and synchronicity bring special people into my life.  There has to be a reason. Sometimes I think it’s the involvement of a special Saint. Last summer, on a warm humid night, I got a call from my friend Mike Marino, one of the funniest comedians in the country, also known as New Jersey’s Bad Boy of Comedy. He invited me to come to Rumson, where his brother Paul Marino and his band were performing.  I’d meet several of Mike’s Jersey City (roots) friends from the old neighborhood. The invitation appealed to me. I love roots, colorful people and anything Mike.

At a table in the rear were Mike Marino, John Freda, (a former boxer) Joe Weber, Bob Mattis and Cozmo. From a short distance, Cozmo looked fiercely ripped and intense; you could tell he worked out or something akin. I sat next and within an hour, knew he was a special guy with a personal history that they easily make powerful dramatic movies about.  Saying goodbye, I sensed a fast friendship forming. There was so much inside Cozmo that I wanted to learn about.  I sensed the ticking.

Slow forward a few months. Cozmo and I stayed in touch via Facebook, Twitter and a cell phone. I learned from all his videos, television interviews and print material as well as in his own voice, his incredible painful journey from a tumultuous childhood through the Marines, into PTSD, bipolar diagnosis and a world Jiu Jitsu ranking. He fights so well; productively channels all that strife and internal energy.  I’ve been watching Cozmo solely undertake a massive public relations program through social media to bring awareness to bipolar disease.  Quite impressively, he enlisted multi Emmy award winning  documentary film maker Glenn Holsten (OC 87 Recovery Diaries) to do a short video on Cozmo’s life roots in Jersey City called “Crazy Cozmo” — Veteran Marine With PTSD & Bipolar Disorder.”  This needs to be seen.

                                                                                                                                                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMdOk8EgXtc

Cozmo corralled a few high profile friends on social media also personally dealing with bipolar; Mauro Ranallo (WWE) and Carrie Fisher (yes, ‘Star Wars’). He is one of the most unrelenting, eloquent and sensitive people I’ve ever met. He swept me up into his energy field (to end the stigma of bipolar) and moved NJ Discover and me to do a short profile video interview at our studio. Cozmo is riveting in life and on camera. Before anything else here, please go watch this NJ Discover video. Take 7 minutes and a few seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo960SxQOSY

After the release of this video, Cozmo intensified his campaign to end the stigma of bipolar. He asked if I could do a follow-up article to our video. This was his life’s mission. I wanted to be there for him. But as a writer, my effectiveness has always been my personal involvement and commitment to a subject. Bipolar was ostensibly not in my life. It would be hard for me to dig into my intestinal lining. Then an epiphany arrived on a cumulous cloud that simultaneously covered a Middlesex County cemetery; it was a realization that a dear special unique cousin is buried (two years ago) nearby. An hour before they buried him, his son, my second cousin, told me that my cousin was bipolar. It hit me like a mallet on my cranial soft spot now hardened. The world was crystal clear and strangely painful because I never knew in the six decades we were living cousins that he suffered from bi polar. And then Cozmo’s life mission to end the stigma of bipolar really hit me hard.

Everything made sense now. The stigma of bipolar hugely affected the relationship I had with my cousin. There were times of unpredictability and erratic unexplained behavior. I was hurt, dismayed and pulled away from the cousin I loved so much; sometimes for a decade. My cousin was me. I was him. To be just like him, I changed my whole life career path. He was older and wiser and I had to do anything to be close to him. The stories I could tell. Not now.  Then a few years ago, I got a call he was passing. We hadn’t seen each other in years; more unexplained behavior on his part. I visited him for the last time. It was strained and awkward but I made him laugh. I was empty, sad and never could figure him out. I loved my cousin but he always pushed away. Now I know and understand. He was bipolar and it was a stigma so he could never confide in me.  I am so grateful to Cozmo for getting me to think, feel and grasp his life’s mission; to end the stigma of bipolar. I remember when Michael Corleone touched the hand of his father Don Vito (The Godfather) in the hospital and said, “I’m with you now pop.”  And I said to Cozmo when I realized all this, “I’m with you now Cozmo.”  If only there was no stigma, and I knew all about my cousin, what wonderful life moments we could‘ve shared with transparent understanding.  I’ve taken a lot of time to develop all this stuff lining my stomach with emotion; it’s to help Cozmo’s cause.

A few weeks ago, snow was flurrying around, Cozmo came and sat around my kitchen table and we talked his mission, emotions and deep feelings. It’s my job now to harvest those words. It’s not going to be a bumpy night but a fascinating look into an intense tough guy and where this mental stuff came from.

“How and when does all this turmoil in your life begin?”  I knew some of the general background. Cozmo’s voice kicked up an octave. ” My biological father commited suicide by hanging himself. I’ve seen my first step father beat my mother. They were together for many years but never married but he also forced himself on her. He even threw a TV stand at his own mother; the product of a violent environment. I’ve seen him beat a guy over a parking spot. My first stepfather shot my second stepfather with a 22. Later the same day, he drove up to Mooanchie, New Jersey and killed himself inside of a Pontiac Bonneville with the same weapon. My first stepfather was the guy when my mother yelled, “Dad wants you,” I started crying. I didn’t know what was going to happen. That’s where my problems dealing with people and authority figures came from. That’s all I knew, how to survive.”

My wife, a former teacher, and preparer of lunch, asked, “What about school.” “I actually was a good student.” I wasn’t surprised about that. His eloquence and grasp are wonderful intellectual gifts.  “I was the guy that would hang out with the international students. I hate to say I felt pity but I wanted to protect them. My best friend was from Taiwan. We’d go to have lunch in a nearby cemetery to get away from the ghetto kids. He looked up to me. I was his protector. It made me feel better to help people.”

“I lived in this little cubicle. No one messed with me cause I knew who I was. Maybe that’s part of bipolar.” Cozmo talked about travelling the world. He loves castles; maybe that’s why he’s going to Prague in June.  Suddenly he was talking about cutting two people out of his life because of negativity and hypocrisy. And he recently wrote President Obama in the White House three times. Cozmo wants to sit down and enlist his help to end the stigma of bipolar. He reasoned that his second term is winding down and that he’d have more time now. Yes, if anyone can accomplish that, it’d be Cozmo; I’m a believer in him.  “I’m all about defying odds in life. I sent him a DVD with all my movies. Your NJ Discover interview was part of it too.”

I love his stream of consciousness thought process; rapid fire and bipolar fire; I wondered. Next Cozmo expounded on entering Guinness Records for the AB-Wheel & trying for a  world record, being ranked second in the world in Jiu Jitsu. That should impress the President.  It was shout out time for Cozmo’s sponsor, Scramble Martial Arts, “based in the UK, bringing me on board and sponsoring an old guy. They love my story trying to end the stigma.”

Scramble links as per Cozmo: www.scramblestuff.com         https://www.facebook.com/scramblers/

I asked Cozmo about his social media and growing friendship with WWE’s Mauro Ranallo and fellow bipolar personality. “I’m really excited to meet Mauro and do his podcast. If you think I have energy, he is unbelievable. His retweeting is a by-product of his mania. He is living his dream on overdrive. People’s twitter walls are bombarded.  He flies all over the country. Vince McMahon from WWE hired him.” Since Mauro was five years old, he wanted to work with WWE. Here is that one minute You Tube ‘Smackdown’ video of his joy and excitement of Mauro’s first match as per Cozmo.  Amazingly they met through twitter.  When they do the podcast together, Cozmo can’t wait to see the energy when two bipolar guys get together.  “He is spinning positive light, man.”

 Mauro Ranallo:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZlaq_NUTWU

It was just a matter of time before Cozmo talked about his great- grandfather Mickey Taylor, who was really Michael Consulmagno, but changed his name to the Irish version in order to get paid as a fighter. “Five foot five 200 pound Italian guy; 175 fights; only got knocked out once; and mauled Max Schmeling who knocked out Joe Louis. He beat Schmeling so bad, he was sent out of the camp. He died young; heart problems.”  It was a good segue to talk about racism and what his great-grandfather experienced being an Italian immigrant. “I get along with everyone but racism exists. My great-grandfather was feared in every boxing division. They ran away from him. But he had to hide his Italian heritage and blend in pretend Irish because of racism.”

“What about bipolar; Are there tell-tale signs?” “I’m not a doctor. But it’s erratic speech; going off on a tangent, trying to get so much out.” I thought to myself, how that was Cozmo but in a peculiar way, that seemed to endear him to me.  “I got fired by one company three times and brought back a fourth time.  They couldn’t deal with my antics. But I made them money. Maybe I have a little anger now because I’m fighting so hard.”

“No one talks about hyper sexuality and it’s hard for me to be with one woman.  And going way back in my memory, there was something you could call sexual abuse. I remember my grandfather touching me inappropriately. My uncle got wind of it and we never saw him again. And no one talks about debt and erratic spending. I’ve been in debt multiple times and got out. Funny everyone talks PTSD to me but not bipolar and I can control PTSD by controlling the triggers but not bipolar. I’m pushing so hard because my story is 100% legit.”  He thought for a moment then fired away trying to define his bipolar for me. “The sleeping disorder; I broke two cribs as a kid. When my step-father pushed me down the stairs, I was in a body cast and maybe that led to PTSD. When I’m in bed now, I have my head phones on and rock back and forth. Even after training, I still have energy. I don’t know if it’s the bipolar.”

Going off on a tangent, catching me by surprise, he mentioned his mother. “They used to call her the black widow. Two men committed suicide over her. When I tell this, it almost sounds like a fairytale and I’m making it up.”    Cozmo chuckled sardonically for a moment.  So I asked, “Did your mother try to protect you from all your abuse by your father and step-father?”  “By the time she settled in with the third guy, she went after me, telling me to get out. She wasn’t like that prior.” I shook my head in disbelief. So did my wife. Cozmo picked up on the head-shaking. “My mother’s brother was a real pimp; had the big hat with the feathers and purple outfit. He looked just like the Captain Morgan guy. He got one of the hookers pregnant and he died of heroin in California.”

Swirling around sensibilities, staring at a smiling Cozmo, I marveled at his calm adjustment to such trauma while he talked to us. I again thought what an amazing driven person, devoting his life for others, trying to end the stigma, but having endured so much. I thought about the universe; being grateful to have met Cozmo; a lot of things in perspective for me. I told him there is a movie waiting to be made.  I wanted to just keep talking, absorbing him; many lessons about life now knowing Robert Cozmo Consulmagno.  All the while we talked, my mind wandered erratically. I remembered to ask him about meds and bipolar. He was firm, emphatic. He took meds for a short period but got permission to stop; needed his mind and body to be clear, functioning and natural as best it could be. He does counseling a lot. A special human being was sitting next to me; a new friend for the long haul.  I’ve done my due diligence here, painting his picture and sharing the etiology of his dream to end the stigma of bipolar. Next was how to end this interview/article.

Here goes.  “One last question for you, Cozmo;  “before I leave this earth, I won’t be satisfied until I…..”” He took just a second to answer, gently smiling, “Until I am the face of PTSD and bipolar.”

COZMO CONTACT INFO AND PLEASE CONTACT HIM:

supercrazycozmo(Twitter)

Website  http://www.supercrazycozmo.com

Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/supercrazycozmo

 CALVIN SCHWARTZ CONTACT INFO:

Calvin Schwartz:  https://www.facebook.com/cal.schwartz.5             http://www.vichywater.net/

Twitter:  @earthood    Instagram:  cal_schwartz  

  Linked In:  Calvin Schwartz    

NEED TO LAUGH: A COMEDY SPOTLIGHT COMING ATTRACTION: CATCH A RISING STAR PRINCETON; HEIRESSES OF COMEDY, JILL KIMMEL BRYAN, MINDY RICKLES and SHEBA MASON, FEBRUARY 5^TH and 6^TH   and MORE  bY Calvin Schwartz   January 28, 2016  

Comedy and I go back a long way to the days of Milton Berle, Jack Carter and The Honeymooners. Of course, the aforementioned becomes a parsimonious helping of “dating myself’ but who cares?  I was a little kid learning to laugh at silly people on a black and white television with rascally rabbit ears. Late one summer, I went to college, grew up and liked comedy even more. I exited the sixties with a couple of Rutgers college degrees and a growing fascination with comedian Lenny Bruce. I bought all his vinyl albums, saw a Broadway play about his life and came to terms, with some personal pain, with his death and my missing the essence of his career because I wasn’t aware of the world around me. I also missed Dr. King and the March on Washington in 1963. Along came a vow to absorb, grow, learn, partake of the world and keep my rear off the sedentary sofa. It’s my way of life these days of climate change.

All these formative years, I marveled at the minds and talents of comedians; rare, precious and beautiful people. Yes, beginning with Lenny Bruce, wondrously funny and hip with social causes, I immersed myself with as much comedy as I could ingest.  There are many people who talk about Lenny as a champion of free speech. Funny, I’m going to a lecture at Rutgers tonight about free speech. Then Richard Pryor arrived and how I just simply laughed hysterically at his bits,  facial expressions and what he had to say in a serious way. What a gift he was. And I missed him too; never saw him live.

Do you see where I’m going? I don’t want to miss comedians any more that arrived or are on the way up. No more. I want to be there, laughing, learning and wishing I could be on stage.  A few years ago, I became friends with Mike Marino, New Jersey Bad Boy of Comedy. Now I see him perform often and laugh for a couple of hour’s straight non-stop; incisive contemporary brilliant humor. A week after Christmas, Mike called and invited me to come to ‘Catch a Rising Star’ Comedy Club in Princeton to see headliner Kevin Downey Jr and comedienne Pam DeButts. It was a magical night; a lot of laughing and a discovery; How close geographically and structurally (the stage is so close to all the seats) ‘Catch a Rising Star’ in Princeton is to my world which simply is New Jersey.

‘Catch a Rising Star’ was the place that launched the careers of Jerry Seinfeld, Dane Cook, Chris Rock and many others and it has been providing Comedy of Legendary Proportions since 1972. Now I’m a huge fan, groupie, supporter and attendee. There’s plenty of great shows coming; the one that caught my eye right away is February 5^th and 6^th; Heiresses of Comedy, Jimmy Kimmel’s sister, Don Rickles’ daughter and Jackie Mason’s daughter.  Check it all out. See you all around.    Calvin Schwartz

Catch a Rising Star website: http://www.catcharisingstar.com/index.php

Reservations can be made:

Catch A Rising Star box office at 609 987 -8018 or by visiting catcharisingstar.com

​For Press Passes and further information, please call us at 201-433-6705 or mike@catcharisingstar.com

Catch a Rising Star @ Hyatt Princeton is located at 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ 08540. Free parking is available.

Tickets Hyatt Regency:  Generally, Tickets are $19.50 Fridays and 22.00 Saturdays.  There is a Two Drink Minimum for All Shows. All ages are welcome (16 and under with Adult).

COMING ATTRACTIONS:  THE HILARIOUS “HEIRESSES OF COMEDY”, BUDDY FITZPATRICK AND MARLA SCHULTZ FOR A VERY SPECIAL VALENTINE’S WEEKEND

“Heiresses of Comedy” Jill Kimmel Bryan, Mindy Rickes and Sheba Mason

February 5 – 6

Jill Kimmel Bryan was the only female in The Comedy Squadron, a group of five very funny comedians who were selected by Armed Forces Entertainment to perform for the U.S. military. In the spring of 2013, the group traveled to Germany, Belgium and England to provide some much-needed comedic relief and help boost morale at 8 different military bases. It was the experience of a lifetime that Jill cherishes as one of her greatest comedic accomplishments to date. The summer of 2014 brought Jill and her own group, The Comedy Battalion, to Italy and Turkey for yet another military tour, which was just as rewarding as the first. October 2015 was time for a third tour which included England, Belgium, Germany, Kosovo and the Netherlands with another group, World Class Comedy. She will be embarking on her fourth tour in April 2016.

Stand-up comedian and actress, Mindy Rickles was recently featured in Jeff Garlin’s theatrical release, Dealin’ With Idiots, and has been performing stand-up at clubs around Los Angeles, including as an emcee at the Laugh Factory. She was featured on episodes of In the Heat of the Night with Carroll O’Conner and grew up as the daughter of one of the all-time greats of comedy, Don Rickles. Her act reflects her unique and unusual life growing up, her husband and family which includes two boys and her own particular obsessions. Mindy’s notably adept at working the room and applying her improvisational experience into her comedy.

Born into a theatrical family – with parents, Jackie Mason (comedian) and Ginger Reiter (playwright) – Sheba Mason has been performing since the age of two as a stage prop in her mother’s play where she sat in her high chair and drank from her bottle. Eventually the bottle turned into a microphone, and Sheba  has not left the stage since.  She has appeared in comedy clubs and for events throughout the country. Currently Sheba performs nightly in comedy clubs in Manhattan spouting her unique witticisms, on everything from politics to Grandmas to being single in New York. She stars as her mother in 702 Punchlines & Pregnant: The Jackie Mason Musical a full cast, musical-comedy depicting the tumultuous love affair of her off-beat parents.

SPECIAL EVENT
Valentine’s weekend Buddy Fitzpatrick and Marla Schultz

February 12 – 13

Philadelphia may have been where  was born, but it was in a Philadelphia Comedy Club where he came to life. And as any true Philiadelphian, he now lives in New Jersey.

​Buddy’s stand-up made him a regular on Comedy Central with appearances on ABC and A&E.

Buddy can be seen in the Damon Wayans’ film, Harlem Aria, and in The Business of Strangers, starring Julia Stiles and Stockard Channing.

​His television credits include HBO’s “Sopranos.” Buddy has written, produced and performed his biographical play “Sides” at various NYC theatres.

Originally from Long Island Marla Schultz is a headlining stand-up-comic, actress and public speaker. She toured the country opening for comedian Chelsea Hander, Jim Breuer and other top comics, entertained the troops overseas and guest starred on several television shows. Schultz is also an inventor of The Racktrap (www.theracktrap.com) a one-size-fits all bra pocket. Marla began her standup career in New York City where Alan King hand-picked her for the inaugural Toyota Comedy Festival. She was recently inducted into The New York Friars Club, and the Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs nominated her for a MAC Award for ‘Outstanding Female Comedian.’ LA beckoned and Marla spent the past decade in Los Angeles performing regularly at The Hollywood Improv, Comedy Union, Comedy Store and The Ice House. Marla is a regular on the festival circuit- you can catch her this summer the Nantucket Comedy Festival, a semi- finalist in Ladies of Laughter, featured in the LA Comedy Festival and New York’s She Devil Festival. Since moving back east, When not performing in theaters, casinos, festivals or private appearances, you can catch Marla at New York’s top comedy clubs. Television credits include a second appearance on Comics Unleased, Who Wants to Date a Comedian, Girls Behaving Badly, E! Entertainment Television’s The Entertainer with Wayne Newton. Offering commentary on E! Entertainment Television, Jim Breuer’s Sirius Radio Raw Dog Comedy, TV Guide’s Hollywood 411, Fox News Channel’s Redeye, MSNBC’S Your Money and WPIX Morning News as a lifestyle expert.

Reservations can be made:

Catch A Rising Star box office at 609 987 -8018 or by visiting catcharisingstar.com

​For Press Passes and further information, please call us at 201-433-6705 or mike@catcharisingstar.com

Catch a Rising Star @ Hyatt Princeton is located at 102 Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ 08540. Free parking is available.

Tickets Hyatt Regency:  Generally, Tickets are $19.50 Fridays and 22.00 Saturdays.  There is a Two Drink Minimum for All Shows. All ages are welcome (16 and under with Adult).

NJ DISCOVER VIDEO SPOTLIGHT ROBERT “COZMO” CONSULMAGNO; A Passionate Advocate/Patient for Mental Health (PTSD-Bipolar), World Ranked Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion, US Marine Veteran, Victim of Child Abuse and Fascinating Personality. HINT: Take 7 Minutes, WATCH the video and absorb this Dynamic Persona.    bY Calvin Schwartz November 24, 2015

Life is curiously synchronistic. Writing this, I’m thinking of an old TV Show, ‘Candid Camera’, when some of the verbiage consisted of “Just when you least expect it.”  It was a August mid-summer night’s dream, warm and breezy when comedian Mike Marino called and invited me to hang out with a gang of old Jersey City guys, assembling at Barnacle Bill’s in Rumson, mostly to hear Mike’s brother, singer Paul Marino and his band perform.  The Jersey City guys were seated in the back of the restaurant in a quiet little table. I felt Damon Runyon was nearby. I sat next to this ripped, powerful looking guy wearing an intimidating ‘The Warriors’ black tee-shirt. Cozmo’s look worked; I was intimidated.  Consulmagno  was born in Jersey City.

Then that funny thing happened when I least expected it.  After talking to Cozmo for a few minutes, while the rest of table engaged in Jersey City memories, I discovered that he is a sensitive, eloquent, passionate, yet quintessentially really tough, engaging and caring guy with a lot of baggage.  As he talked to me, I sat in disbelief; he was abused as a child; his father committed suicide, his step father beat him and his mother relentlessly. To escape and find an inner peace, he enlisted in the Marines and left the Marines honorably discharged with commendations and PTSD and an active Bi-Polar condition. I also had this sixth journalistic sense that one day I’d do a video and article about Consulmagno. And here we are; Déjà vu is all around.

You all should watch this seven minute video to experience the charisma and charm of Robert “Cozmo” Consulmagno. You’ll probably come away thinking like me; there is a Hollywood movie waiting to be made. He is actually precious, dynamic and unbelievable. His story cries out to all those who’ve yet to see or know him. Yes, he has PTSD and Bipolar. Yes, he is a World Ranked Jiu Jitsu fighter.  Yes, he had a grandfather, Michael Consulmagno (aka Michael Taylor) who knocked out Max Schmeling who knocked out Joe Louis. Yes he fights Jiu Jitsu to release that energy of mental disease. Yes, his mission in life is to stay alive and live a long life and to be a spokesperson for mental health and build that legacy. Yes, you all should watch this poignant interview; the best seven minutes spent in a long time. Tara-Jean Vitale and Calvin Schwartz ask the questions behind the scenes.

Also please check out the following Robert “Cozmo” Consulmagno LINKS:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/supercrazycozmo?fref=ts

Website: http://www.supercrazycozmo.com

Watch Emmy Award winning film maker Glenn Holsten’s seven minute film:   “Jersey City native, jiu-jitsu fighter tours old neighborhood and talks mental health”  http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2015/11/jersey_city_native_tours_old_neighborhood_in_web_f.html

“Marine Vet Says Jiu Jitsu Changed His Life”

http://www.military.com/video/specialties-and-personnel/veterans/marine-vet-says-jiu-jitsu-changed-his-life/4000866956001

COMING ATTRACTION: AN ITALIAN NIGHT OF COMEDY with MIKE MARINO, MICHAEL ‘WHEELS’ PARISE, UNCLE FLOYD at Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club Sunday October 25th    bY Calvin Schwartz

Mike Marino is the consummate comedian; he just makes you laugh non-stop and with timely topics.  I discovered ‘New Jersey’s Bad Boy of Comedy’ a few summers ago at ‘Asbury Park Comedy Festival.’  And I said to myself “he’s one of the funniest comedians I’ve ever seen.” Point being, I’m a ‘comedic snob.’ Comedy is a gift and a special art form. Back in the sixties, I discovered Lenny Bruce, one of comedy’s greatest pioneers and innovators, albeit quite controversial because society was not ready for his bad words and bits. I’ve been a fan of Lenny’s ever since.

How perfect the synchronicity to catch Mike Marino that night for the first time. We had a chance to talk back stage afterwards; I marveled at his graciousness, affability and accessibility.  He’s a cool, smooth and endearing guy with some of the best material I’ve ever heard.

Now here’s where it all gets interesting. Some of Mike’s routines I’ve actually used in a comedic way (giving him all the credit) and sometimes I go introspective and realize Mike Marino is also a genius and clairvoyant, almost with the gift of the ‘shining.’  So what do I mean by this. Mike’s comedy is so relevant and futuristic, it can be used by current politicians to propel them into major office; yes a provocative thought and so therefore I challenge my readers to catch Mike at Uncle Vinnie’s  Comedy Club in Point Pleasant on Sunday night along with comedy ICONS Uncle Floyd and Michael Wheels Parise.  AN AMAZING COLLECTION OF COMEDIANS.  AN ITALIAN NIGHT OF COMEDY!!!!

Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club-    518 Arnold Avenue   PT PLEASANT BEACH     1-877- UNCLEVIN

Event Description

A 3-course meal starts at 4pm with Caesar Salad, choice of Chicken Parmigiana, Shrimp Scampi or Steak Marsala and ending with Cannoli for dessert.  We are a BYOB, so bring your vino!!  Show will start at approx..  6pm & end at 8pm.

WHEN

Sunday, October 25, 2015 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM (EDT) –

                                                                                     WHERE

                                                                                      Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club – 518 Arnold Ave Pt Pleasant Bch, NJ 08742

ANOTHER MUST TO ATTEND: Comedian Mike Marino, The Presidential Tour Concert with special guest Comedian Sunda Croonquist.  Saturday August 15^th Paramount Theater Asbury Park USA   bY Calvin Schwartz    August 4th 2015   

If its summer, I usually write about the Jersey shore. It’s so easy these days as Jersey has become a pinnacle of American Pop Culture; Jersey Boys, Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, Jersey Shore, Jersey Housewives, Garden State, Jersey Girl. American Pharaoh, Triple Crown winner came to Monmouth Park on Sunday; extraordinary. Perhaps there is nothing quite like our shore with all it has to offer especially during the summer. And Asbury Park has become an epicenter of music, food and dreams. I’ll go as far as to say it’s just about nirvana to be at the shore on a Saturday night.

This equation I am developing becomes even more pronounced when you add a national and global Jersey comedian in concert on the boardwalk in Asbury Park. Not just any comedian but Mike Marino, NJ’s Bad Boy of Comedy comes home to the shore. Then add another Jersey native/comedian, Sunda Croonquist. AND Hosted by Steve Trevelise!!  It’s just a perfect night. Grab some dinner at a plethora of restaurants in Asbury Park or up and down the shore. Before-hand, play the pinball machines at Silverball. If you’re worried about traffic, I’ll even tell you about a secret road to the shore. No excuses.

What I am saying and equating, this is one special ‘funny as hell’ night that should not be missed. Life is short. I’m 6’5”   Let me talk about Mike and Sunda now.

In 2012, I discovered the genius of comedian Mike Marino in Asbury Park.  Mike was performing at the first Asbury Park Comedy Festival.  Since I discovered Lenny Bruce in the 60’s, I’ve morphed into a comedic snob. I need sharp incisive cerebral worldly comedy to laugh. Mike delivers that. And concomitantly (along the way), I’ve become a huge fan of Mike Marino. Why not; I love to laugh for 90 minutes straight each and every time I see him; it’s this stressful world we live in. Mike has a handle, a release and grasp of our world.  The genius of Marino’s humor is to take our modern (expletive omitted) lives and shove it under a comedic microscope.  And when you see him in concert, you get a chance to see the ‘Marino’ face; how he loves to laugh with the audience at his own humor; that genuineness and warmth draws us in and embraces. Even more than that, being a comedic snob, countless times looking at Mike, I can’t help but see Jack Benny, who had one of the greatest comedic facial expressions as well as incredible timing. Benny was Johnny Carson’s all-time favorite; Mike Marino’s expressions and timing is right there with Jack Benny. And now it appears Mike Marino is running for President. I just have to hear about that. I wonder if he needs campaign workers.

Mike Marino website:  mikemarino.net   (a whole collection of videos to watch)

One of my favorites; Live at Borgatta trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=21&v=wCaCaMFWTk0

ALSO YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TO MIKE’S YOU TUBE CHANNEL:    

https://www.youtube.com/user/MikeDMarino?sub_confirmation=1

A few years ago, I had the opportunity (which became a thrill) to see Sunda Croonquist perform at the Second Annual Asbury Park Comedy Fest. Sunda dazzled with her sharp, quick wit (cerebral intelligent humor) and I got a chance to chat with her back stage. Sunda’s humor is rare, precious and beautiful as she is. What’s particularly meaningful for me as a comedic snob is Sunda’s ability to reach (in an extremely personal way) every single person in the audience. Shortly into her act, you’ll understand how she so effectively and personally reaches you (makes you identify) She’s this dynamo of personality and ethnicity (she’ll explain) as she constructs comedy from her so many varied viewpoints of life. And for me the best; she’s a Jersey girl albeit in LA now.

Sunda Croonquist website:   http://www.sundalive.com/

AND SUNDA ON ” THE VIEW”   YOU TUBE CLIP:      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4lEnY0U-9I

Tickets: check their websites, Stone Pony , ticketmaster.com

AND CHECK OUT SUNDA’S NEW COOKBOOK:    “The Kosher Soul Food Cookbook”  Co-authored it with Nir Weinblut of La Gondola of Beverly Hills.