MSUM’s Signature Event: Tonia Jo Hall
Wednesday, Nov. 6 | 6 p.m. | Gaede Stage
Hey Dragons! Are you looking for a laugh to loosen yourself up as the end of the semester approaches? American Indian Student Association (AISA) is hosting Tonia Jo Hall, a Native American comedian who uses humor that plays on family dynamics. Come see her live at 6 pm on the Gaede Stage Wednesday. AISA’s co-presidents, Glory Ames and Araceli Spottedthunder, are both excited to have her here.
This will be both Araceli’s and Glory’s first time hearing Tonia Jo Hall speak live, but they have been watching her Facebook videos for a while.
Glory, a fifth-year student at MSUM and second-year president of AISA, thought having her here would be a great way to celebrate culture. She said, “The comedy show will be bringing a piece of home to campus. It’s fun for students to see someone in person that they’ve seen online before.”
In terms of what students can expect when they come to the show, third-year student Araceli said, “They’re going to expect a lot of native humor because it’s going to be making fun of that one cousin who got hurt or that one aunt everyone has.”
A major part of Tonia Jo Hall’s act is “Auntie Beachress.” Auntie Beachress is everyone’s aunt, the family member who happens to be more “eclectic.”
While audience members can expect a good laugh, Glory wants people to know that it’ll be more than a comedy routine. Tonia Jo Hall, as well as being a comedian, is a motivational speaker. “She’ll get more in depth as she explains her life as a Native American woman in comedy,” Glory said.
After a laugh and a dose of motivation, audience members will have a chance to participate in a Q and A with Tonia Jo Hall.
Not only are Araceli and Glory looking forward to seeing her in person for the first time, but they both have other reasons to be excited.
“I’m excited to meet her. Other than that, I’m excited for non-Native faculty and students to learn about contemporary Native culture through her humor,” Araceli said.
“I’m excited to go, as well as having a diversity event on campus that is comedy and a little different. Also, it’ll show off campus Native American communities that there is a group on campus for them,” said Glory.
With this event kicking off Native American Heritage Month, make sure you go to other events AISA is holding, such as: Opening pipe ceremony, sweatlodge ceremony, and blood quantum. AISA meets on Tuesdays at 3 pm in the American Indian Center (CMU 115). Glory and Araceli welcomes everyone into their student organization.