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‘Just so cheeky!’ Kemah Bob on FOC Fest, the celebration for femmes of colour in comedy
The standup is taking their club night to new heights with an all-day extravaganza. They talk about new talent, learning to laugh in hard times and ‘performative activism’
TL;DR
- Kemah Bob founded FOC It Up in 2018, a comedy club for femmes of colour, initially as a response to wanting to work with more people of colour who were not men.
- FOC It Up has evolved from a festival slot to hosting mixed-bill comedy nights, launching a podcast, and taking shows to the Edinburgh fringe.
- The club's largest event, FOC Fest, will feature workshops, masterclasses, and networking, concluding with a comedy show at Soho Theatre.
- FOC Fest aims to provide access to comedy as a career and as a tool for reclaiming oneself and laughing at difficult experiences, with sessions for trans and queer individuals and workshops on navigating emotions.
- While open to all, white audience members are encouraged to "check their privilege at the door," as the event is not primarily designed for them.
- FOC It Up operates without any funding, relying on the profits from shows, and has faced difficulties in securing sponsorships or grants.
- Bob notes that while it's less common to be the only femme of colour on a bill, progress is still needed, citing the temporary increase in work after George Floyd's death as an example of performative activism.
- Bob envisions FOC It Up becoming an international institution, supporting artists globally and encouraging comedians to fund their own work.