Vong Show

FRUIT: Queer Comedy Showcase June 22nd Celebrating Toronto Pride!

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Celebrating unique LGBTQ+ voices from the most diverse city in the world! FRUIT: Queer Comedy Showcase returns to the iconic Rivoli on Wednesday, June 22, 8PM in honour of Toronto Pride!

Starring Canadian Comedy Award winner-Robert Watson (OutTV, Amazon Prime). Hosted by Vong Show, official spokesperson for gay, super cute Asians. Special guest performances from an all-star lineup of Canada’s top queer comedians (full lineup to be announced)!

ACCESSIBILITY AND COMPLIANCE

Rivoli is a fully accessible space for audience members. Street-level access with accessible washroom between bar and backroom. This event will be fully compliant with Ontario COVID-19 rules. Masks are recommended but not required.

SCHEDULE

7:30 PM Doors Open with Musical Guest During Seating
8:00 PM Show Starts (Promptly!)
8:45 PM Intermission
9:30 PM Show Ends

TICKETS

$20 Online. Special early bird pricing ends June 8. Limited tickets available at the door for $25.
Tickets are fully refundable (minus Universe processing fees) up to 24 hours before show starts, no questions asked.

Fan Favourite Jen Sakato Selected by RICE Audience To Headline May 25th!

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SPREADING ENLIGHTENMENT THROUGH LAUGHTER!

RICE: Asian Comedy Showcase returns to the iconic Rivoli to celebrate Asian Heritage Month! Starring fan favourite Jen Sakato, chosen by RICE’s audience as the must-have headliner for our first show back since the pandemic lockdown.

Hosted by Vong Show, official spokesperson for gay, super cute Asians. Featuring American comedians Angela Kimmel (Atlanta) and Ricky Sim (New York City) making their Canadian stage debuts! Also special appearances from rising stars Sebastian D. Chow and Ronald Hae.

Since its launch during Asian Heritage Month (May 2019) as Canada’s first all-Asian monthly stand-up comedy revue, RICE has consistently played to sold out audiences and garnered glowing reviews from prestigious Canadian media outlets including CBC Comedy, NOW Magazine and Mooney on Theatre.

GLENN SUMI (NOW Magazine Theatre Critic): “…RICE was a phenomenal show. Diverse, inclusive, tightly run and – most important – very, very funny… a revelation!”

MOONEY ON THEATRE REVIEW (Sarah Siddiqui): “…there was something to love about every performer. I felt really impressed by the diversity of performance styles and found Vong Sho to be a grounding presence between each act… Asian or not, it is well worth adding to your list of date nights and things to see in the city…”

ACCESSIBILITY AND COMPLIANCE

Rivoli is a fully accessible space for audience members. Street-level access with accessible washroom between bar and backroom. 

This event will be fully compliant with Ontario COVID-19 rules. Masks are recommended but not required.

SCHEDULE

7:30 PM Doors Open with Musical Guest During Seating
8:00 PM Show Starts (Promptly!)
8:45 PM Intermission
9:30 PM Show Ends

TICKETS

TICKETS $20 Online + Taxes/Fees. Special early bird pricing ends May 15. Tabled Seating for Groups of 4+ Available for Additional Fee. Limited tickets available at the door for $30 cash. Tickets fully refundable (minus Universe processing fees) up to 24 hours before show starts, no questions asked.

PHOTOS

RICE Vong Show Rivoli Asian Heritage Month
RICE Vong Show Rivoli Asian Heritage Month
RICE Vong Show Rivoli Asian Heritage Month

FRESH: New Comedians Showcase Returns for Season 3 – Now At Rivoli!

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ANNOUNCING NEW COMEDIANS LINEUP!

FRESH: New Comedians Showcase returns for Season 3 with a whole new crop of comedians: Abhi Pamnani, Amy Smith, Amy Yu, Emilie Wilkinson, Katie Chin, Matthew Ardill, Moira LePage, Sahil Israni, Sebastian Fazio, Simon Capobianco.

For the first time ever, FRESH takes place at the iconic Rivoli! All performances will be filmed with a multi-cam and microphone setup! Best performances will be selected to take part in Best of Fresh filming later in 2022 at Paradise Theatre!

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

WHAT IS FRESH: NEW COMEDIANS SHOWCASE?

FRESH is my way of paying it forward to the new generation of comedians. When I first started comedy 15 years ago in Alberta, I was fortunate enough to get loads of mentorship as I was learning the craft of standup comedy. Being a smaller town, I had the opportunity to host headliners who came through and performed at the local clubs, showing them around town and spending time with them at meals. I was able to pick their brains and gain knowledge from their valuable industry experience. (Special shoutout to now-deceased Canadian legend Mike McDonald AKA King of Canadian Comedy who really encouraged me early in my career and inspired me to start this show.)

Since moving to Toronto I’ve found that new comedians aren’t getting the same type of mentorship as the city is just too large and performer schedules too busy for the connections to be made between headliners and newbies. Things I was taught early on aren’t at all common knowledge with new comedians here unfortunately at no fault of their own.

So I started FRESH: New Comedians showcase as a way to give newcomers a chance to meet headliners from Toronto and across North America and have an opportunity to ask them questions about their careers and the industry.

Additionally I wanted to use FRESH to give new comedians a chance to perform at iconic venues for the first time such as Cameron House, Rivoli, and of course the AMAZING CBC Glenn Gould Studio (only best of the best FRESH comedians are selected for the once-a-year Best of Fresh gala show at a theatre). Press coverage for the shows also gave FRESH comedians an opportunity to learn about how to market themselves and conduct interviews with news media in Canada. Past FRESH comedians have been featured on CBC’s The National, NOW Magazine, CBC One Radio, CTV’s The Social, National Post, CBC Comedy and more!

I truly believe that the stronger the pipeline of new talent coming up, the better for everyone in the industry.

FRESH SEASON 3 ANNOUNCEMENT – TAKING PLACE WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 10PM AT RIVOLI!

Toronto’s newest comedians make their big-stage debut, now taking place at the iconic Rivoli for the first time ever! Show takes places on Wednesday, May 25, at 10:00 PM immediately following RICE: Asian Comedy Showcase which will take place earlier in the night.

FRESH show closes with a professional headliner, who will stay after the show for a Q&A session to answer questions about their experiences as a professional comedian. Prominent producers will also be invited to perform and answer questions during the Q&A about how shows are booked and produced.

Footage of the performances are later released as a web series on YouTube including Watch Parties for all episode premieres! Check out footage from previous seasons below. New to Season 3 we will now be using a multi-camera setup and the top comedians’ footage will be edited to look more like a TV special.

BEST OF FRESH

At the end of each year, the best of the best performers from FRESH: New Comedians Showcase will be invited for a special gala performance and recording at a proper theatre venue! See footage below of the Fresh Rice special gala performance recorded live at CBC Glenn Gould Studio!

FEATURED COMEDIANS

This season’s featured professional comedian is Angela Kimmel who is flying all the way from Atlanta PLUS special guest Ricky Sim from New York City! Per the submission guidelines below please look them up on their official websites and social media channels listed below and let me know what questions you’d like them to answer during the Q&A as part of your submission. You can also choose to direct your questions to me. The quality of the questions will be taken into account when selecting comedians for the show, as we want to help comedians who are thirsting for knowledge about the industry!

ANGELA’S LINKS
https://www.instagram.com/angelathecomic/
https://www.facebook.com/AngelaTheComic/
https://twitter.com/angelathecomic

RICKY SIM’S LINKS
https://www.rickysim.com/
https://twitter.com/rickysim7
https://www.instagram.com/rickysimnyc/

FRUIT: Queer Comedy Showcase Starring Ted Morris at Rivoli!

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Ted Morris (Comedy Now, CBC’s The Debaters) stars in FRUIT – Queer Comedy Showcase. Celebrating unique LGBTQ+ voices from the most diverse city in the world!

Hosted by Vong Show, official spokesperson for gay, super cute Asians. Sharing the Gaysian perspective on love, sports and trending topics.

Special guest performances from an all-star lineup of Canada’s top queer comedians including Robert Watson, Honey Bennett, Velvet Wells.

Rivoli is a fully accessible space for audience members. Street-level entry with accessible restroom between bar and backroom.

Use promo code VONGSHOW15 during checkout for 15% off tickets.

Comedy Cares 8 Raising Funds in Support of Daily Bread Food Bank!

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Join us for the special Valentine’s Day edition of Comedy Cares, partnering comedians and charities to raise money for worthy causes.

Starring Darryl Purvis (Comedy Now!) and hosted by Vong Show, official spokesperson for gay, super cute Asians.

Featuring special performances by the top comedians from FRESH – New Comedians Showcase. FRESH is a monthly showcase of Toronto’s newest comedians, and the best of the new comedians from 2019 have been invited to showcase their talents at Comedy Cares.

This month’s charitable recipient is Daily Bread Food Bank. A portion of all tickets sold will be donated directly to Daily Bread Food Bank as a cash donation. Also please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to the show, where we will have a food collection bin set up. Here is the list of most needed food items:

  • peanut butter
  • pasta
  • canned fruit
  • canned soup
  • rice
  • oatmeal
  • canned stew/chili
  • beans (lentils, chick peas, kidney beans)
  • canned fish (tuna in water)
  • 100% fruit juices
  • canned vegetables (tomatoes, corn, peas)
  • baby food
  • baby formula

Past charity recipients include National Post’s Raise-a-Reader program and Learning Enrichment Foundation, with over $100,000 donated from funds raised at Comedy Cares.

Rivoli is a fully accessible space for audience members. Street-level entry with accessible restroom between bar and backroom.

RICE: Asian Comedy Showcase, Chinese New Year Edition!

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Join us for the Chinese New Year edition of RICE – Asian Comedy Showcase, a special concert film taping live at CBC Glenn Gould Studio on Friday, January 24, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.

Since its launch during Asian Heritage Month (May 2019) as Canada’s first all-Asian monthly stand-up comedy revue, RICE has consistently played to sold out audiences and garnered glowing reviews from prestigious Canadian media outlets including CBC Comedy, NOW Magazine and Mooney on Theatre.

Hosted by international comedy legend Ron Josol, the Chinese New Year edition of RICE unites all headliners from the past year for a once-in-a-lifetime lineup featuring Canada’s top Asian comedians. Starring Vong Sho (MTV, Logo Network), Cassie Cao (2019 Canadian Comedy Award, Just For Laughs), Jennifer Hsiung (Comedy Central Asia, Chinese Central Television), and Leonard Chan (Just For Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Festival).

Glenn Sumi (NOW Magazine Theatre Critic):
“…RICE was a phenomenal show. Diverse, inclusive, tightly run and – most important – very, very funny… a revelation!”

Mooney on Theatre (Sarah Siddiqui):
“…there was something to love about every performer. I felt really impressed by the diversity of performance styles and found Vong Show to be a grounding presence between each act… Asian or not, it is well worth adding to your list of date nights and things to see in the city…”

SCHEDULE
6:00 p.m. Catered Reception in Lobby
6:45 p.m. Seating Begins
7:00 p.m. Comedy Show Starts (No Late Entry!)

CONCERT FILM TAPING
This special Chinese New Year edition of RICE will be filmed live and packaged into a concert film and comedy album for distribution at a later date. Audience members must give consent in the form of a signed waiver before the start of the show taping.

VENUE
CBC Glenn Gould Studio is a fully accessible venue with ground level access, wheelchair seating and accessible washrooms (wheelchair seating space limited, please confirm availability prior to ticket purchase). Venue is 13+ and show content aimed at PG-13 rating.

RICE Asian Comedy Showcase Chinese New Year Lunar CBC Glenn Gould Studio Vong Show Cassie Cao Leonard Chan Jennifer Hsiung Rivoli Toronto Standup Stand Up Comedy Comedian Ontario Canada
RICE Asian Comedy Showcase Chinese New Year Lunar CBC Glenn Gould Studio Vong Show Cassie Cao Leonard Chan Jennifer Hsiung Rivoli Toronto Standup Stand Up Comedy Comedian Ontario Canada
RICE Asian Comedy Showcase Chinese New Year Lunar CBC Glenn Gould Studio Vong Show Cassie Cao Leonard Chan Jennifer Hsiung Rivoli Toronto Standup Stand Up Comedy Comedian Ontario Canada

RICE: Asian Comedy Showcase starring Jennifer Hsiung!

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Jennifer Hsiung (Comedy Central Asia) headlines RICE – Asian Comedy Showcase at the historic Rivoli.

Hosted by Vong Show (MTV, Logo Network, Comedy Cares). Special guest performances from an all-star lineup of Canada’s finest Asian comedians including Big Norm, Rush Kazi, Simmone P, Amish Patel.

GLENN SUMI (NOW MAGAZINE STAGE CRITIC):
“…RICE was a phenomenal show. Diverse, inclusive, tightly run and – most important – very, very funny. In the words of goddess Sandra Oh, it truly is an honour to be Asian.”

TICKETS $20 Online, $25 Door (Limited Availability)
SAVE $5 with Promo Code VONGSHOW

Rivoli is a fully accessible space for audience members. Street-level access with accessible washroom between bar and backroom.

Cassie Cao stars in RICE – Asian Comedy Showcase at Rivoli!

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Cassie Cao (Just For Laughs, CTV’s The Social) stars in RICE – Asian Comedy Showcase at the historic Rivoli. Hosted by Vong Show (MTV, Logo Network, Comedy Cares), official spokesperson for gay, super cute Asians. Special guest performances from an all-star lineup of Canada’s finest Asian comedians performing at the historic Rivoli.

GLENN SUMI (NOW MAGAZINE THEATRE CRITIC):
“…RICE was a phenomenal show. Diverse, inclusive, tightly run and – most important – very, very funny. In the words of goddess Sandra Oh, it truly is an honour to be Asian.”

TICKETS $20 Online, $20 Door (limited, standing room only)

RICE – Asian Comedy Showcase returns September 29 at Rivoli!

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EVERY SHOW HAS SOLD OUT! DON’T WAIT!!!
Leonard Chan (Just for Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Festival) stars in RICE – Asian Comedy Showcase at the historic Rivoli.

Hosted by Vong Show (MTV, Logo Network, Comedy Cares). Special guest performances from an all-star lineup of Canada’s finest Asian comedians.

GLENN SUMI (NOW MAGAZINE STAGE CRITIC):
“…RICE was a phenomenal show. Diverse, inclusive, tightly run and – most important – very, very funny. In the words of goddess Sandra Oh, it truly is an honour to be Asian.”

TICKETS $20 ONLINE
SAVE $5 with Promo Code VONGSHOW

What Up! What Up! Toronto Pride Month Edition Was Super Fabulous!

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What Up! What Up! Toronto Standup Stand Up Comedy Comedian Rivoli Vong Show Elvira Kurt Ted Morris Martha Chaves Brandon Ash-Mohammed Robert Watson Paul Hutcheson Christophe Davidson Ron Josol

What Up! What Up! Toronto Pride Month edition was spectacular fun! Featuring a stellar lineup starring Elvira Kurt, Martha Chaves, Ted Morris, Brandon Ash-Mohammed, Robert Watson, Ron Josol, Christophe Davidson and Paul Hutcheson.

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

First time using our new backdrop. The last backdrop was made of vinyl and was super wrinkly and way too shiny, which kinda ruined the video and photos. I’m so excited by this new backdrop; it had no wrinkles at all and was a great exture for photos.

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

Calm before the storm. All our tables are set up and ready to go before the show starts. Doors opening soon!

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW
BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

Love the view from the stage on to the audience. Rivoli is definitely one of the best venues in the entire city. Super fortunate to get to work with such an amazing venue and everyone who works there including Serge and JP.

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

Ted Morris kicked off the show with an amazing set!

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

Christophe Davidson performed a spellbinding set centred about mental illness in preparation for his performance at Just For Laughs in Montreal, Quebec!

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW
BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

Brandon Ash-Mohhammed was his usual effervescent self on stage.

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

Martha Chaves was as dynamic as ever!

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

First time I got to share the stage with Paul Hutcheson in years! So happy to see him and again. He always makes me laugh so hard!

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

Ron Josol was in town from Los Angeles. Such a treat to have him on What Up! What Up! Toronto. Truly one of the great comedians in North America. One of my heroes when I first started comedy.

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW
BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

Robert Watson lit up the stage with his comedy, his high-heeled boots, and his electric impersonation of Cher!

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW
BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW
BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

Elvira Kurt showed all of us how it’s done. Such a professional!

BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW
BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW
BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED, CHRISTOPHE DAVIDSON, COMEDIAN, COMEDY, ELVIRA KURT, GAY, LGBT, LGBTQ, MARTHA CHAVES, PAUL HUTCHESON, PRIDE, QUEER, RIVOLI, ROBERT WATSON, RON JOSOL, STAND UP, STANDUP, TED MORRIS, VONG SHOW

My favourite part of the whole show, the cast photo! Oh the memories!

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ABOUT VONG SHOW

Official spokesperson for gay, super cute Asians. Sharing the Gaysian perspective on culture, sports and trending topics. Creator of RICE Asian Comedy Showcase and founder of Comedy Cares, partnering comedians and charities to raise money for worthy causes.