by Jason Cruz
Northwest Asia Weekly
Ed Hill (image via kingedhill.com)
Vancouver-based Ed Hill is happy to be back on his way to tell jokes across the US and Canada. His comedy tour will visit Seattle on Saturday, April 2nd at the Jewelbox Theater.
Hill filmed a comedy special “Candy and Smileys” during the pandemic. Originally scheduled to perform in front of a live audience, Hill obediently filmed the special and filmed it with a small group of friends and family. He hopes his next special will be in front of a live audience after this tour.
With Hill being able to travel to different comedy clubs and bars, he has adapted to the new normal, the rules of the pandemic.
“[It’s] There’s a bit of a learning process,” Hill said of following different rules when traveling. “One of the things I’ve noticed about getting back on the road is that things can happen. “
That’s because cancellations and delays occur frequently as regions deal with an increase in positive COVID-19 cases.
“No matter what the moment brings you, you have to stay calm,” Hill said.
Hill is back on the road in Canada in the fall of 2021. The schedule was interrupted due to the Omicron virus, but he returned after restrictions allowed him to perform. Hill returned to the U.S. to tour in February, starting with a show in Alaska. He now has a timetable for him to travel across the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2022.
Hill reflected on the pandemic, even as masks and social distancing rules have eased. While he focuses the comedy on his personal life, he noted that the backlash against Asians caused by the coronavirus is instructive.
“The only person who can destroy your community is yourself,” he said of the attacks on Asians and trying to stay positive. “You’re the only one who can really save and protect your community. Obviously, being Asian, something different happens.” He added that you have to ask yourself, “Do I want to be a figure of perseverance and resilience in my community? ?”
While comedians tend to chase laughter, Hill now embraces quiet moments in his daily life. Since returning to live performances, the silence has symbolized the audience listening and emphasized to him the connection between the comedian and the audience.
“A lot of people find (the silence) intimidating. For me, I find a solace.”
Clearly, Hill wanted a show full of laughter, but he enjoyed the moments when he felt like he was “with” his audience.
As a comedian, Hill knows what it’s like for audiences to be unruly on a show. At the Oscars, Will Smith stepped onto the stage and slapped Chris Rock, with Hill joking: “If anyone’s going to slap me, I hope it’s Will Smith.”
He added, “At the time of watching, I was 60 percent comedian, 40 percent ordinary citizen.” As a comedian, Hill joked that Rock would have “a whole new [comedy] “Special” based on events. As a citizen, Hill praised Locke for his ability to remain calm and professional. Hill felt the joke, while perhaps inappropriate, was not worth a slap in the face.
Hill recalls that the most stressful moment he ever experienced was a woman attending a bachelorette party, despite having KKK members and Vagos Motorcycle Club gang members on the show in the South. She tried to get on stage on his show until another comedian and comedy club manager kicked her out.
For this latest tour, Hill’s focus will be on the women in his life. The show is a follow-up to his comedy special.
“It’s a discussion about strength and vulnerability and what those concepts mean and the concept of love.” He added: “It’s different from a special, especially about family and my relationship with my parents. This one is about my life The relationship between the women in my life and myself.”
To buy tickets for his Seattle show, visit Stranger Ticket Network.
For more information on Ed Hill, visit kingedhill.com You can buy his first special edition Ed Hill: Candy and Smiley on Amazon.com.
Jason is available at info@nwasianweekly.com.
