Red Grant Headlines Valentine’s Comedy Show
By Fidelia Dawn
Staff Writer
Laughter is a priceless medicine with the power to heal what ails, relieve stress, and put the spring back into any step. Valentine, a local comedian and event promoter, has made it his responsibility to bring laughter to San Diego. Valentine’s comedic journey has been a battle. But enduring the adversity has definitely paid off. His shows have been through some transition, but now they have settled here in San Diego and the city has embraced him with open arms. He endeavors to bring quality entertainment to San Diego. Not only does he bring talent into the city, but he gives local talent like Poetic and Ahmaad a chance to take the stage and display their gift. From the opening act to the headliner Valentine puts on an impressive show.
On the day befitting his name, Valentine put on a show that brought out all the lovers. Yes many were out to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but what better way to do it than to see one of the greatest names in comedy. Red Grant, comedian, actor, writer, and producer visited San Diego and treated his audience to a gut busting performance that caused many to set aside decorum and laugh so hard they cried.
At 19 years old Red Grant started his career as a comedian. He started out just being himself, entertaining his friends at parties. His natural flare for making people laugh used to slay his friends and at their prompting he set aside his aspiration of being a singer to pursue a career as a comedian. In his performance it is obvious that Red has the vocal capability to make it as a singer, but being the funny man is definitely his calling. At the start of his career he held down a job working with young people. When comedy started paying more than his 9 to 5 job, he walked away to become a full time entertainer. Although he left that job, the plight of young people in Washington D. C. never left his heart. D.C., once hailed as the murder capitol of the world, was devouring the youth and that fact led to Red opening his non-profit organization, Don’t Shoot Guns Shoot Cameras. Through this organization Red teams with D.C. public schools to teach kids how to be producers, writers, actors, or whatever else they want to do in the arts.
Red Grant’s comedy career has launched him into other arenas. On top of the comedy specials Red was given the opportunity to be the New York correspondent for Teen summit. Not only was he responsible for hosting the show, but he was also tasked with creating, writing, and producing it. He rose to the challenge and that same doggedness has been displayed in the rest of his endeavors. He took a step away from comedy to produce a few shows for BET, act, write, and also produce his own movie. Although he had taken a break, comedy was his true passion.
From the time Red takes the stage until the time he steps off he is making the audience laugh. In each performance he takes his fans on a side splitting journey. He brings them into his world and entertains them with jokes, witty anecdotes, and all out foolery. He dares to tell the jokes and speak about things some comedians stray away from. “Every comedian has a lane. Katt Williams and Kevin Hart have a lane just as I do. You can spend your life trying to be in somebody else’s lane and you will never be them and they can’t be you,” said Red as he described his individuality. He also expressed a desire to see more than the token few make it big and receive world wide exposure. There are so many talented artists out there it’s a shame the world hasn’t seen them.
Inside this comedian and philanthropist is a business man. He has begun a merchandise and apparel line where they can dazzle everything from clothes to shoes. His website www.redgrant.com, and facebook @ ordizzleredgrantcollection features his business endeavors. Instagram users can follow him @redgrant and twitter @redgrantlaughs. Red grant is humble man that uses his love for his family to keep him grounded. He is much more than just a funny man telling jokes. He has a vision, a heart to give back to the community and will make people laugh while he does it.
