Liar, Liar

The Denver Black Arts Festival kicks off with a comedy extravaganza.

A A A Comments By Jessica Centers Thursday, Jul 6 2006

Denver comics Anthony "AD" Demmer and Akwame D say comedy is one of the oldest art forms in black history. For hundreds of years, laughter's been a tool for healing and commenting on society. Just like the legendary Richard Pryor, the best comics are those willing to tell the truth that everyone else is too shy to verbalize. "The comic doesn't care," AD says. "He says what's on his mind."

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Expect some honest satire tonight when AD and Akwame perform as part of the Denver Black Arts Festival. Their comedy showcase, I Ain't Lyin', also features local comic Louis Johnson, who's been on Comedy Central, BET and A&E, and also won Showtime's Funniest Person in America contest.

"For our twentieth anniversary, we want to present all facets of the arts," says Perry Ayers, the festival's founder. "Comedy is an art. It is a skill where the right word usage and language can describe our culture and make us laugh."

The annual festival, which draws more than 100,000 attendees each year, features daily events through Sunday, July 16. For more information, call 303-860-0040 or visit www.denbaf.org. The comedy showcase costs $10 and begins at 9 p.m. at Jazz@Jacks in the Denver Pavilions.
Sat., July 14, 5 p.m.

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