Dubomedy

Founded on April 1, 2008 by Broadway veteran and award-winning Comedian, Arts Educator and Entertainer Mina Liccione and Stand-Up Comedian and Producer Ali Al Sayed. Dubomedy Arts produce stellar events and Festivals (Dubai International Comedy Carnival and Dubomedy International Performing Arts Festival) and are the premiere comedy and urban arts school in the MENA region offering professional training in comedy: stand-up and sketch, Improvisation, Writing & Performance, Character development and acting, Arabic Comedy, Basic Circus Skills, NYC Tap Dance and Body Beats, Learn to Speak Emirati classes all year round for kids, teens and adults.[1][2] Dubomedy's mission is to use comedy as a tool to bring people of diverse cultures, religions and financial means together. To produce high quality events featuring international artists as well as annual festivals that are relevant to the MENA Region, celebrate laughter and break stereotypes. To create a sustainable local comedy community by providing professional comedy and urban arts training as well as platforms for local artists. To pave the way, coach, empower, inspire and begin to export comedy talent from the Middle East to the West.[3]

Dubomedy is also the home of the Dubomedy Sole Steppers - Award winning Tap and Body Beats Group, Improv Revolution - the premiere professional improvisational comedy troupe in the UAE, launched the first weekly local comedy and variety show Monday Night Funnies, Funny Girls - ALL FEMALE Stand-up Comedy Show in the Middle East, Clowns Who Care - volunteer clowning program in the UAE, Stand up Showdown - regular comedy contest in the UAE, and the Dubomedy International Performing Arts Festival (DIPAF) - performing arts festival in the UAE featuring over 200 performers.[3] Dubomedy has also acted as entertainment for numerous major events around the MENA region.

Ali Al Sayed

Co-Founder Ali Al Sayed is a renowned comedian in the MENA region acting as Dubai's first Local Professional Comedian.[4] Al Sayed was named ‘one of the most influential comedians in the world’ by Toastmasters International Magazine[5] and was recently dubbed the “King of Laughter” by Rolling Stone ME.[6] Al Sayed is the founder of the local entertainment company Viva Arts and is also the co-director of Dubomedy Arts and producer of Dubai International Comedy Carnival in the MENA region.[7]

Throughout his career, Al Sayed has performed alongside great comics including Dean Edwards of SNL, Dean Obeidallah, Maz Jobrani, Aron Kader, Remy Munasifi 'Saudi in Audis' creator, Sugar Sammy, Tommy Davidson of 'In Living Color', Hollywood legend Michael Winslow of 'Police Academy' movies and many more.[8] He was a judge for Kit Kat's "Comedy Break Show" and host for MBC Action's "Desert Force" and Abu Dhabi TV's "The Beautiful Game".

Mina Liccione

Co-Founder of Dubomedy Arts Mina Liccione is an award winning performing artist – comedian, tap dancer, choreographer and arts educator.[9] Liccione began performing at age three and teaching in her early teens. Liccione has been seen in STOMP (NYC, Touring and San Francisco cast), The New Pickle Circus, MTV's The Grind (original cast), Cabaret, Make*A*Circus, Yas Hakoshima's Mime and Movement Theater, Circo Romani, Sweet Charity, "The Beat!", Big Dog Improv, Velocity Circus, Everyday Theater Berkeley, Cirque- Special Events, Dubai Summer Surprises Series 07'-10', Magic Lantern Host, the motion pictures "Pucked" and "Cradle Will Rock", in her highly acclaimed multi-disciplinary solo show "Della Pancha", back up dancing for Deee-lite, part of the legendary House of Xtravaganza, USA East Coast tour of her Comedy Special entitled "The Audrey Heartburn Show", as well as numerous International Cabarets, Festivals, Comedy Clubs and TV spots including NBC, CBS, MTV, Dubai One, City 7, Al Hurra, ABC, MBC and Abu Dhabi TV.[10] She's performed Stand-up alongside renown comics such as Dean Obeidallah, Larry Omaha, Edwin San Juan, Amy Schumer, Dwayne Perkins, Kirk Fox, Remy, Gabriel Iglesias, Dean Edwards, Judah Friedlander (of "30 Rock" TV Series), Halal Bilal[11] and Tommy Davidson.[10]

Liccione received a B.F.A. in Dance with a minor in Theater Arts from Marymount Manhattan College, an M.F.A. in Experimental Performance Studies and Composition from the New College of California and is a graduate of the San Francisco School of Circus Arts' Clown Conservatory where she later acted as their Dance teacher and choreographer.[12] Liccione also had the great honor to co-teach workshops for Cirque Du Soleil with the legendary Jeff Raz, co-directed the San Francisco Youth Circus' award winning multi-media production of "Impressions", choreographed the San Francisco Bay Area's long standing annual tradition; The Bracebridge Holiday Show and was chosen to choreograph the 'Magic of Motown' event as part of the Stevie Wonder Concert Celebration on Yas Island.[10] In 2011 Ahlan! Magazine listed Liccione as one of women who shape the world,[13] Mina was recently awarded 1st runner-up "most inspiring woman in the GCC" by Philly Arabia and is adjunct professor of dance and Theater at American University of Sharjah.

Milestones

Over the last 5.5 years, the milestones and historical achievements Dubomedy has made are numerous including:

Ali headlines at the legendary Caroline’s on Broadway in New York City

OrganizedClowns Who Care Arts Camp for orphans in Uganda at the Live It Up! Home

"The Road to Edinburgh" comedy show was awarded "Highly Commended" -Timeout Night Life Award in the "Best Comedy Gig" category

Dubai International Comedy Carnival in collaboration with DSF, Dubai Events. 5 days of non-stop comedy and urban arts entertainment in both English and Arabic. The biggest of its kind in the GCC.

Mina Liccione awarded 1st runner-up “most inspiring woman in the GCC” by Philly Arabia

Premiere Comedy and Urban Arts School in the MENA Region launched- 2008[14]

Local comedian turns pro! Ali Al Sayed- 2008[15]

First weekly Comedy Night featuring local talent in the UAE, Monday Night Funnies- 2009[16]

Female personality, Mina Liccione, on the cover of Gulf News' Friday Magazine- 2009[17]

Tap Dance & Body percussion troupe formed in the UAE, Dubomedy Sole Steppers- 2009[18]

Her-storical: all-female stand up comedy show and tour in the MENA Region, FUNNY GIRLS- 2010[19]

Homegrown performing arts festival featuring over 200 local artists, Dubomedy International Performing Arts Festival - 2010[20]

Volunteer Clown Program founded in the UAE, Clowns Who Care Project - 2010[21]

UAE Comedy tour with over 20 homegrown comedians trained through Dubomedy Arts School- "Rotana Comedy Tour" - 2011[22]

Professional improvisational comedy troupe in the UAE is born, IMPROV REVOLUTION - 2011[23]

Comedians Ali Al Sayed and Mina Liccione perform as part of the historical reinstatement of the prestigious USA Hickok Belt Award in New York. The Comeback Ceremony & Dinner was October 2011. Dubomedy is proud and deeply honored to be the official entertainment provider for The Hickok Belt's Annual Award Ceremony for many years to come.- 2011[24]

Regular comedy contest in the UAE, Stand Up Showdown- 2012[25]

Abu Dhabi International Comedy Festival. Dubomedy co-produced and provided all of the local talent for this exciting festival- 2012[26]

Invited to lead workshops and performance at the International Theater of Changes Festival in Athens, Greece.- 2012[27]

First UAE produced ensemble comedy show to perform as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival! Dubai Laughing and Dubomedy were proud to announce 'Big in Dubai' which was performed in Edinburgh August 4–11, 2012 featuring Ray Addison, Jamie Johnson, Host Mina Liccione and Headliner Ali Al Sayed.[27]

Nominated for Emirates Woman of the Year Award – Mina Liccione “Dubai’s First Lady of Comedy” – Sept, 2012[28]

Nominated for Ahlan’s “Best in Dubai” award in the “Best male personality” category – Sept, 2012[29]

Courses

DUBOMEDY offers courses in stand-up comedy, improvisation, tap dance and body percussion, Arabic language, writing and performance, kids comedy, tap and circus club, as well as special intensives including acting for film and television.[30]

Charity

The "Clowns Who Care" Project is a volunteer initiative within Dubomedy Arts whose sole purpose is to bring joy, love, light, awareness and support to centers for children and adults with special needs, senior centers, charity organizations and hospitals.[31] The team of trained volunteer artists perform, play games, sing songs, tell jokes, dance, lead workshops and interact with patients/residents from their heart. Laughter therapy is proven to decrease stress levels, help build social skills, increase blood circulation and bring people closer! They also provide professional entertainment, technical and marketing support for charity and fundraising events as well as produce special events to support humanitarian projects and charity organizations.[32]

DIPAF

In 2010, Dubomedy launched the first international performing arts festival in the UAE entitled the "Dubomedy International Performing Arts Festival" (DIPAF).[33] The goal of the festival is to unite and celebrate the diversity of the arts with the many cultural communities of the region all while having a great time. This Festival is unique in that it will feature an array of different genres of performing artists from talented local bands, dancers, theatre, poets, hip hop artists, actors, to international comedians and musicians, to everything in between. The performances range from student showings to top international professionals to Hollywood legends. The festival infuses nonstop performances with a series of free workshops in both English and Arabic over a 4-day period.[34]

References
  1. "Dubai's comedy and Urban Arts Industry celebrates with Dubomedy". Pressbox.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  2. "Dubomedy | Features". Live Work Explore. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  3. Dubomedy - About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved September 1, 2012, from Dubomedy Arts: http://www.dubomedy.com/about_us.html
  4. Hot 100 2011 - Ali Al Sayed and Mina Liccione. (2011, February 21). Retrieved June 25, 2012, from Ahlan: http://www.ahlanlive.com/hot-100-2011-ali-al-sayed-mina-liccione-101403.html
  5. Kushner, M. (2011, December 1). Keeping It Funny. Retrieved June 26, 2012, from Toastmaster Magazine: http://magazines.toastmasters.org/publication/?i=88861&p=17
  6. Abbas, D. (2012, May 16). Sunday Afternoon with Ali Al Sayed. Retrieved June 26, 2012, from Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstoneme.com/intern/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114 Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Fahim, S. (2011, May 1). Dubomedy: Meet the Comics Behind the Region's First Comedy Art School. Retrieved June 27, 2012, from Khaleej Esque: http://www.khaleejesque.com/2011/05/entertainment/dubomedy-meet-the-comics-behind-the-regions-first-comedy-arts-school/
  8. Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved June 26, 2012, from Al Sayed Comedy: "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-05-21. Retrieved 2012-06-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. Biography. (n.d.) Archived 2011-09-16 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 1, 2012, from Mina Liccione official page
  10. Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2012, from Mina Liccione: "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-16. Retrieved 2012-10-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. Stand Up Comedy Qatar is hosting the UAE’s most famous comedy duo. (2011). Retrieved July 17, 2013, from Doha News: http://dohanews.co/post/16688128414/update-the-venue-for-this-event-has-been-changed
  12. http://www.sfweekly.com/2001-09-26/news/beyond-bozo/4/ Engardio, J. (2001, September 26). SF Weekly News . Retrieved 1 September 2012, from SF Weekly
  13. "6 Women Who Shape the World - You". Ahlan! Live. 2011-10-14. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  14. Fahim, S. (2011, May 1). Dubomedy: Meet the Comics Behind the Region's First Comedy Art School. Retrieved June 27, 2012, from Khaleej Esque
  15. Biography. (n.d.) Archived 2012-05-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 26, 2012, from Al Sayed Comedy
  16. Chubb, L. (2009, November 2). Home-grown comedians on new show Monday Night Funnies. Retrieved June 26, 2012, from TimeOut Dubai
  17. Press. (n.d.) Archived September 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 1, 2012, from Mina Liccione official page
  18. Read. (2012, September 3) Archived August 23, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 23, 2012
  19. Wadham, J. (2010, May 3). Funny Girls: UAE Comediennes stand up. Retrieved June 27, 2012, from The National
  20. The Organizers. (n.d.) Archived 2012-01-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 26, 2012, from DIPAF
  21. Koshy, T. (2011, 5 27). Friday. Retrieved September 24, 2012, from Gulf News
  22. Coelho, K. (2011, May 21). UAE Essentials. Retrieved September 22, 2012, from Gulf News
  23. Hassani, Z. A. (n.d.). The National. Retrieved September 22, 2012, from The National
  24. The Belt is Back. (2011, October 16). Retrieved September 1, 2012, from Hickok Belt
  25. Dubomedy. (2012, February 8). Dubomedy. Retrieved September 20, 2012, from Dubomedy
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  27. Ahlan Live. (2012, June 21). Retrieved September 1, 2012, from Ahlan Live
  28. Emirates Woman Awards. (2012) Archived 2012-09-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 1, 2012, from Emirates Woman of the Year Awards 2012
  29. 2012 Best in Dubai. (2012). Retrieved September 1, 2012, from Ahlan
  30. Dubomedy Arts Courses. (n.d.). Retrieved October 4, 2012, from Dubomedy Arts: http://www.dubomedy.com/classes/special.html
  31. Bremner, J. (2011, February 1). Time Out Dubai. Retrieved 1 September 2012, from Time Out Dubai:
  32. "Academy of Joy Tour". Dubomedy.com. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  33. "DIPAF 2011". Dipaf.com. 2011-12-03. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  34. "Article Post : ArtintheCity Uncovers the Magic of Dubomedy International Performing Arts Festival 2011". ArtintheCity. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
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