‘Smart, Funny & Black’: Amanda Seales Hosting Summer Comedy Series

–

Live Nation Urban is bringing the Smart Funny & Black: U Kno The Vibeonics: 101 Tour with Amanda Seales to venues across the country. New dates kick off at House of Blues in Dallas July 5.

Sales, the comedian, actress and producer, is creator and host of the show. She conceptualized the idea for the show from her frustration with the constant negative images of black people in media, unchecked appropriation, and the overall lack of education in African American history, according to the announcement.

“Smart Funny & Black: U Kno the Vibeonics: 101 Tour will be a pop culture game show experience taking black culture to church,” Seales said in a statement. “Expect to laugh, sing, dance and learn within a safe space as we look at black culture through a comedic lens.”

 

The idea to partner with Seales was a no-brainer for Broccoli City Co-Founder Brandon McEachern, who said, “Amanda’s vision and authenticity in comedy aligns perfectly with the vision that Live Nation Urban continues to expound upon in the live event space.”

Seales is represented by ICM Partners, with recent touring history including March 8 at the Vic theatre, which sold out at 1,000 tickets and grossed $31,250, and two shows at The Wilbur in Boston Feb. 23, which sold 2,180 tickets and grossed $73,665. 

Her “I Be Knowin’” comedy special aired Jan. 26 on HBO, and she was at one time member of the musical group Floetry.

Live Nation Urban continues to create innovative events in the R&B, hip-hop, gospel and, now, comedy spaces, having just announced the “Femme It Forward” speaking series featuring major artists such as Cardi B, Kali Uchis and Jorja Smith on April 16. 

Live Nation Urban, led by president Shawn Gee, produces the Roots Picnic festival in Philadelphia along with Broccoli City, and has recently announced tours or concert series including multi-city Rap Caviar events in partnership with Spotify, and gospel singer Kirk Franklin’s second annual Exodus Festival in Texas.

Gee told Pollstar in a year-end survey in December that one of the company’s missions is “to change the complexion of the live music industry.”

“We’ve created some really exciting platforms in the Hip-Hop, R&B and Gospel space, that will be perennial events that I am really proud of and excited to see grow,” Gee said. “However, what I see as the biggest accomplishment of our first full year in existence is the growth and development of my team members. One of the goals of LNU is to try to change the complexion of the live music industry, literally. The live space, from a buyer / agent / vendor / venue perspective has traditionally been a white male driven industry.