There are two types of big-city nights out: the kind where you want to let loose, and the more sophisticated kind.  But what about those nights when you want to relax/laugh and do something cultural/intellectual?

LA’s “Spoken Funk” is the best of both worlds– the worlds of comedy and poetry, to be exact.  The locally-touring show features some of the area’s most respected comedians and poets, simultaneously entertaining and inspiring a diverse crowd with the spoken word.  Subject matter runs the gamut from serious to lighthearted, drawing from pop culture happenings and serious issues alike.  Between the acts, audience members get the chance to win cash and prizes by competing in games and answering trivia questions, infusing energy and interactivity into an otherwise classy and laid-back atmosphere.

This unique form of entertainment, branded “cometry,” was developed by Tony Award-winning poet Poetri and his wife, Juren Smith.  A spoken word legend, Poetri was featured as a Def Poet on Russell Simmon’s Def Poetry, and has lent his poetic genius to commercials for big brands, as well as collaborations with top recording artists.  His other LA-based project, Da Poetry Lounge, has earned a huge following in the spoken word community, drawing nearly 400 people each week.  Poetri also hosts workshops to help local spoken word artists learn how to support themselves as poets– a feat that Poetri himself has proven to be perfectly possible.

Spoken Funk brings laughs and enlightenment to LA every Sunday at MBar in Hollywood.