Comedy will provide counselling for children and youth.
Kevin Statham, who manages the Chief Sepass Theatre, has brought together five comedians for a benefit concert at 7 p.m. on Nov. 12.
This will be the third LOL for Life benefit with proceeds going to Suicide Prevention, Education and Counselling (SPEAC).
And it all started with a comedian.
“When Robin Williams passed away a few years ago, I saw a lot of people voicing their sadness through social media,” Statham explained. “I did that as well, but I wanted to do something more than post a photo on Facebook with a sad emoticon. In that moment, I decided to create something that will hopefully have a positive effect on a local level.”
The Suicide Prevention Education and Counselling (SPEAC) program is a program of Options Community Services - a large multi-service non-profit organization based in Surrey, BC, which serves Surrey, White Rock, and Langley children and youth. The SPEAC program provides suicide risk assessment, urgent response, and short-term counselling for children and youth.
The entertainment for the show includes Patrick Maliha, Kyle Bottom, Sophie Buddle and Kevin Foxx as well as an appearance by Toronto’s Michelle Shaughnessy.
Tickets are $20 in advance from the Langley Fine Arts School office or Wendel’s Book and Coffee Shop (cash only), or from lolforlife.brownpapertickets.com. Tickets at the door will cost $25.
“We are very thankful to be involved in this event,” said SPEAC senior program manager Nancy Orlikow. “It helps to promote and spread awareness of the significant need for more resources for our children and youth in our communities who are affected by or are at risk for suicide.”
LOL for Life Comedian Bios
Kyle Bottom: A regular at his home club The Comedy Mix, Kyle has appeared at the Vancouver International Comedy Festival, on XM Sirius Satellite Radio, was twice featured on the T.V. show “Talent Time” (2010 & 2012) and has performed all over the world… of Warcraft.
A nerd in a slacker’s body, Kyle captivates audiences with his unique voice, engaging personal stories and hilarious commentary. Kyle continues to make a name for himself throughout Canada with his blend of raw confession and comic observation. He also grows one heck of a moustache (it’s a blessing and a curse).
Sophie Buddle: Sophie is one of funniest and fastest rising stars in Canadian comedy. Fresh off her second stint at the world-famous Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, she is also a fan favourite at The Comedy Mix in Vancouver, and tours all across North America with her clever and hilarious stand-up act.
Patrick Maliha: Patrick Maliha is the world record holder for most impressions in one minute- beating out the previous record holder, Dana Carvey. His act has been described as Ray Romano meets a 21st Century Don Rickles.
Patrick co-hosted The Afternoon Buzz every Monday to Friday on Talk 1410 Radio for which he won numerous awards including, Favourite Afternoon Radio Show. His love of television and film has led him to become a voting member of the Vancouver Film Critics Circle, one half of “The Movie Guys” on the TV show Urban Rush, Head Writer and Producer for the KVOS television show “Off Centre Television,” host of “UR at The Movies,” and the nationally syndicated television show “The New Driver’s Seat”.
A professional stand-up comedian and talented impressionist, Patrick has Headlined and MC’ed various shows at a multitude of comedy clubs, festivals, and corporate events through out Canada and the U.S. In 2008 and 2009 he was voted Favourite Vancouver Comedian in the prestigious Georgia Straight ‘Best Of’ Awards and has been featured on CBC radio, XM and Sirius satellite radio’s various comedy programs. His one-hour Comedy Now special aired in the fall of 2011 on both CTV and The Comedy Network.
Michelle Shaughnessy: Michelle began her show biz career at the young age of 18 moving from small town Ontario to the metropolis of Toronto. She was quickly playing comedy clubs nationwide and soon landed on television appearing on The Comedy Network and W. Michelle is widely considered one of the funniest young comics in Canada, something she proved by beating out hundreds of other Comedians from Canada, Ireland, South Africa, and The United states to make it to the finals of Yuk Yuk’s The Great Canadian Laugh Off.
She has an almost confessional style of comedy that appeals to both men and women and always leaves her audience screaming for more. Her personable approach is always a guaranteed hit whether at a comedy festival, club, or corporate stage.
Kevin Foxx: From the smash success of his funny and irreverent radio show, The Kevin Foxx Show, on Toronto’s hit radio station CFRB to nightly shows at comedy clubs and corporate stages, Kevin Foxx is simply one of the funniest and most versatile performers working in North America today.
Kevin’s comedy pursuits have been featured on numerous television programs including a pilot for Showtime written by the late great Richard Pryor. He wrote and starred in his own one-hour comedy special on CTV and The Comedy Network and has been a featured writer for This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
Kevin has appeared at almost every major comedy festival there is, including the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, The Chicago Comedy Festival, The Global Comedy Festival and many others.