Comedy Jam duo have serious side, too

By Ruben Hernandez

The Latin Comedy Jam 2013 finally arrives in the Valley Saturday night, March 30 at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino in Chandler. The large crowd this laugh fest is sure to attract are going to enjoy the in-your-face and cultural humor of this stellar line-up of funnymen. They’ll enjoy the beautiful women who will introduce the acts, and the music that will make the night festive.

But there’s a serious side to the dynamic duo that are producing and promoting this spectacular, entertaining show.

Mike Acquisto-Gotti, one of the producing partners, has been in the entertainment business since 1979. He’s acted in movies, as well as been a record company marketing rep that’s worked with such talent as Shakira, Christina Aquilera, Britney Spears, Enrique Inglesas, and Ludicrous.

“There are things I really like about this business, and some things that I’m not too fond of. I like to keep things on the fun side,” Mike says.

Working big production comedy is one of his favorite things to do, he adds. “We’ve been doing the Jam for a year and a half. Last year was our most successful. Last year most gigs sold out. But we expect to be even more successful this year because we’re bringing quality acts for our audiences.”

He continues: “We’re successful because everybody has a sense of humor. Everybody needs a laugh. It feels really good to know that the shows we are doing have people leaving happy.”

Mike’s partner “Tank” also is an actor and entertainer, but considers himself more an entrepreneur these days. “I’ve had roles in movies and TV. CSI Miami and Breaking Bad.”

Tank says he enjoys working as one half the Mike & Tank team. “Crazy things always seem to happen to us. We’re two alpha males who consider ourselves unstoppable force.”

The two also consider themselves philanthropists. They started a foundation called CHOICES that teaches financial literacy to high school students throughout Arizona. They will host an annual challenge event at Arizona State University on April 20, with scholarships going to the winners. “We’re going our best to give back,” Tank says.

Mike adds that another way they give back is by coaching a high school sport team in south Phoenix.

“We tell them that they have choices,” Mike says. “We have an empowerment assembly where we talk about ways to be successful. We try to show them academics is part of being a responsible human being; that they need to focus on their education.”

Their success with the Latin Comedy Jam is what drives their all their civic and charitable efforts, they emphasize.

“Something we want people to understand that the Jam is the only Latino comedy tour in the U.S. right now,” Mikes explains. “The comics are Latino, but the humor is universal. Everybody can relate as well. We call it universal comedy with a little bit of spice.”

Tickets for the Latin Comedy Jam are selling quicker than a raspada melts in the Arizona sun, so make sure to buy yours before they sell out. Visit http://www.wingilariver.com/ to buy tickets. And tell your amigos and amigas!