Get ready for an evening of laughter, fellowship, and fun with the recovery community, benefiting the Sober Recreation Committee!
Saturday, September 12, 2026
8 – 10 PM
Doors open at 7 PM
The Hamill Foundation Conference Center at The Council on Recovery
303 Jackson Hill Street, Houston, TX 77007
MATURE CONTENT: Must be at least 18 to attend
Premium Seating: $35
General Admission: $25
Gathering material from a wealth of life experiences, Jose takes audiences on the rollercoaster ride that’s been his life. Born in Cuba and deported because of his father’s political prisoner status, he came to the U.S. at a young age. After high school, he was accepted to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. He became an officer in the Air Force, is an accomplished aviator, and is a veteran having served in Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He’s been all over the world and has even been shot at in two countries. This and more he brings to the stage believing the mantra: “If you can’t laugh at a hard time in your life, you aren’t over it yet.”
His comedy career started out in New York and Philadelphia, getting on stage anytime he wasn’t serving. He performs all over the world now and is an audience favorite for his ability to make deportation, and life-threatening moments hysterical. He’s been seen on CNN, CBS, Fox, and Lifetime’s “Coming Home” with his touring group, The GIs of Comedy, and on NUVO TV’s “Comedy Unfiltered,” with Anjelah Johnson. He was the co-host of NUVO TV’s “Stand Up and Deliver” which aired three seasons, appeared on Fox TV’s “Laughs” in two seasons as both a performer and host, and was featured on the last season of NBC’s “Last Call with Carson Daly.” His comedy specials “Cuban Pilot” and “Airplanes & Broken English” on “Dry Bar Comedy” are at top of the company’s most viewed lists. In 2026 he was featured on CBS’s “Comics Unleashed.”
Most nights you can find him on stage somewhere, but one week a month its all dog tags and volleyball, down in Texas, teaching the next generation of top guns the basics.
Shayla Rivera has been making audiences laugh since 1993, bringing her unique blend of humor, heart, and humanity to stages across the country and around the world. A veteran stand-up comedian, she is especially proud of the years she spent entertaining U.S. servicemen and women stationed everywhere from Japan and Korea to Europe, Central America, the Middle East, Greenland, and Diego Garcia. Her television appearances include Comics Unleashed, Funny Is Funny, National Lampoon’s Funny Money, and numerous guest appearances on programs such as The Dennis Miller Show, The Roseanne Show, and The Martin Short Show. She was featured in the comedy production Latin All Stars and appeared in the Comedy Central special Comedy Rehab alongside Paul Rodriguez. Her work has been seen on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, HBO Latino, Univision, Telemundo, and other networks. In 2020, her half-hour comedy special began streaming on HBO Max.
Before stepping onto a comedy stage, Shayla worked on the Space Program in Houston after earning her aerospace engineering degree from Texas A&M University. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, she grew up speaking Spanish, but performs her comedy in English.
For the Addicted to Comedy Show @ Council on Recovery, Shayla brings not only her humor but also a deeply personal understanding of the challenges addiction places on individuals, families and loved ones. Having supported a loved one through the journey of addiction and recovery, she has witnessed firsthand the courage, heartbreak, resilience, and hope that accompany the struggle. Her perspective is simple: addiction is a human story, and laughter is one of the tools that helps us survive it. Whether we are the ones fighting the battle or standing beside someone who is, humor reminds us that we are not alone—and sometimes, it is laughter that helps light the way forward.
Beyond comedy, Shayla is an internationally sought-after keynote speaker who has inspired audiences at conferences, corporations, universities, and nonprofit organizations around the world. Her rare ability to combine laughter with meaningful insight has also made her a favorite emcee for galas, fundraisers, award ceremonies, and community events.
Performing over 300 sets a year for the last decade in 43 States and 5 Countries, Jay’s hilarious material is relatable to any of us and comes from the heart. You may have seen him on Amazon Prime or Netflix.
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