Students filled the Student Union Building ballrooms in order to see comedian Azhar Usman perform on Tuesday in a free event hosted by Associated Students of the University of New Mexico’s group, Student Special Events.
Usman, a Chicago native, has previously opened for fellow comedians including Dave Chappelle. He assisted in writing Hasan Minhaj’s White House Correspondents speech. He also had his hand in producing several stand-up specials and has his own in the works.
“I’m just glad people were able to come out who found it entertaining,” said Joe Polack, ASUNM SSE Speakers Director. “People were able to identify with it in certain ways. I don’t think it could have gone any better. We had people standing in the back and I just, I love it.”
Polack said that a lot of research, planning and marketing went into making the event a reality.
“Ultimately, my goal is to make events that will really speak to the student body that will resonate with them,” Polack said. “One that they will remember for years after the event has happened, and I think that is something that we were able to do tonight.”
Usman was not afraid to push the envelope and talk about controversial topics in his comedy. He discussed topics such as racial tensions in America, depression, terrorism and Donald Trump.
He even joked about the “fake news” phenomenon, asking the audience if CNN qualified as fake news. Most of the audience remained silent except for a lone person near the front who cheered and a select few who clapped at the comment.
Usman regularly interacted with the audience throughout the performance. The most notable time was when he recognized a woman whose cell phone began playing the Islamic call to prayer in the middle of his act. Usman, who is also Muslim, went off-track from his material to interact with the woman and incorporated the interaction throughout his performance.
He also talked about his own Islamic faith, as well as other religions several times during his routine.
The comedy routine ended with an insightful message from Usman. He talked about trying to discern the difference between free will and destiny. In the end, he said that the difference didn’t matter because it was about the “quality of the performance,” alluding to life itself.
“I enjoyed the ending,” UNM student Haley Babbitt said. “I felt that was actually a very interesting way to look at it.”
Babbitt said she became interested in the performance after seeing many of the signs posted around campus advertising the event.
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Following the performance, Usman took pictures with UNM students and answered any questions they had outside the ballrooms.
“We literally have like 100 people right now trying to talk to Azhar,” said Polack after Usman’s comedy set. “That to me just speaks volumes. I’m just glad people were able to resonate and connect with it.”
This event is not the only one SSE has in the works for this year. They also have several guest speakers and other types of events coming up.
“There are going to be some really good ones and real exciting stuff that’s coming to UNM next semester,” Polack said. “Keep your eyes out and it’s going to be a great year.”
Makayla Grijalva is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be contacted by email at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @MakaylaEliboria.
