2023 Cultures & Communities Festival

Milwaukee Film, a nonprofit film organization, is currently hosting its 2023 Culture & Communities Festival in Milwaukee. The eight-day festival, which ends on October 12, 2023, features a lineup of films, speakers, and public forums designed to amplify diversity and so much more.

According to its site, the festival provides access to curated social spaces and platforms that support inclusive artistic and cultural creativity.

The Milwaukee Brewers is this year’s festival presenting sponsor.

One of the key events of the week was an appearance from Emmy-nominated ABC sitcom “Abbott Elementary” actress Janelle James, who plays principal Ava. James did a 45-minute standup at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee on October 8, 2023.

Milwaukee Comedy Set

James came on stage in a black and white dress with a smile from ear to ear. Hundreds of people gathered in the theater to hear James express her newly found fame. James, who’s most known for her role on Abbott, said she’s been famous for two years, and it’s been a weird adjustment.

She jokingly said she thought she could choose what level of celebrity she could be, but as someone on a famous sitcom, she can’t control how popular she’s become. At first, she admits she was a “brat” to the fame, but has learned how to be more accepting of the life. Yet, she still loves her privacy.

Throughout her set James talked about the love of her life, growing up poor, and she even mentioned how good Milwaukee’s food scene is.

“I’m in love so everything is wonderful to me,” said James.

Q&A with TMJ4 Shannon Sims

Before James left to continue her tour, she spent 15 minutes doing a Q&A with the local news reporter from TMJ4 Shannon Sims.

Before doing comedy, James worked in fashion for four years. She applied for fashion school in New York but didn’t get in at first. She moved anyway and eventually was accepted. After some time in the industry, she knew it wasn’t for her.

James then went on to work in public relations and publishing. She even did topless waitressing before becoming a mom.

Her next journey was to the Midwest with the father of kids at the time. While in Champaign, IL she started doing comedy, which happened to be at the worst time of her life. One day she decided to do an open mic, and her laugh was so distinctive that the club asked her to come back. From there she started writing jokes about her dad’s death, and the rest…well you know the rest.

Sims asked James about her character Ava and what’s next in her career.

James said Abott Elementary was the only acting job she had applied for at the time. As an actor and comedian, James is just interested in being the best she can be while getting paid.

“What do I feel like [doing] and who’s paying the most?” she jokingly said about what’s next for her.

Full Festival Line-Up

Check out the full 2023 Cultures & Communities Festival here.