By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – Laughing in the face of adversity is a lot easier when you have a stage full of comedians behind you.
Yuk Yuk’s invades Cornwall’s Ramada Inn on Thursday, Nov. 27.
The comedy show benefits All The King’s People, a charity spearheaded by city councillor and Cornwall River Kings owner Brock Frost.
All proceeds from each $20 ticket will help local Linda St. Louis who Frost met while door-to-door campaigning.
After having her leg amputated due to complications with diabetes in January, St. Louis has been confined to a wheelchair. She returned home from the care of the Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH) at the end of April.
The woman is now unable to cook for herself or do many other daily tasks.
St. Louis says she feels isolated, forgotten, and depressed – a prisoner in her home.
Enter Mark Vincent – the stand-up comic/show promoter under the moniker Off Your Rocker – who brought Yuk Yuk’s back to the city in June.
“I wanted to do something for charity, but didn’t know which to choose,” said Vincent.
He had heard the first fundraiser for All The King’s People helped out a single mother who has terminal cancer and two kids. So once he learned St. Louis’ story the decision was made.
“Instead of donating it to one of the bigger charities or organizations, this is a little more lower-key, but bigger impact,” said Frost.
To hear St. Louis tell her story, visit http://youtu.be/gMH9fmQrWU0.
Back to the show
The line-up features Canadian funnymen Mark Walker and Graham Kay.
Kay won the coveted 2013 Just For Laughs Homegrown Comic Competition.
The wonderfully sarcastic Toronto-based comic has been featured on CBC-TV’s Halifax Comedy Festival special, iChannel’s No Kidding, MuchMusic’s Video On Trial, and is the current host of the popular Sirius/XM radio show and podcast, The Sport Brahs.
Walker is well-known for blending hilarious insights and an impressive selection of celebrity impressions. Originally from Truro, Nova Scotia, he has been headlining at comedy clubs across the country and internationally since 1988.
Hometown talent will be supplied by morning radio personality Jimmy Kalatzis from 104.5 Fresh FM. Locals are eager to see him swap the airwaves for the stage. His light-hearted and funny nature will add contrast to the line-up.
“People are always saying there’s nothing to do in Cornwall, well here’s something,” said Vincent, the event’s emcee.
Tickets are available at ticketscene.ca and floral expressions. Show starts at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.
