Windsor To Host Comedy Fest July To September 2014

Windsor's premier comedy club is gearing up for what is sure to be an entertaining summer. Comedy Quarry at Rockhead Pub on Ottawa Street will be hosting the first 'Border City Comedy Fest,' beginning on July 11, 2014 across various venues in the Windsor-Essex region.

The event will host 54 of the greatest comedians across North America, including 8 of Windsor-Essex's finest. Previously narrowed down from over 500 applicants, these comedians will ­battle it out for a chance to win their share of the prize pool, worth $5000.

Sponsors and partners for the event include the Windsor Star News Café, A&A Associates, and The Walkerville Brewery.

The generosity of the community has not gone unnoticed. Joshua Haddon, the Founder of the Border City Comedy Fest and Managing Partner of Comedy Quarry at Rockhead Pub stated, "The support from local businesses to help bring this event to our great city has been amazing."

The event will take place over the course of eight weeks, culminating in the grand finale on September 20^th, 2014 at the Olde Walkerville Theatre on Wyandotte Street. 

 

This 800 seat theatre sets the stage for the perfect finale; both as a celebration of the incredible talent of the comedians who will take part in this event, and the long standing history of quality events held at the theatre. Since its establishment in 1920, the Olde Walkerville Theatre has been the host to many grand performances, and the Border City Comedy Fest will be the latest addition to this list.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Fools for Health Clown-Doctor Program; an award winning, independent charitable organization dedicated to using the arts to promote health and well-being in hospitals, long term care facilities, and seniors' residences.

The Clown Doctor program uses therapeutic methods such as music, humour, improvisational play, and reminiscence to increase the quality of life amongst patients.

 

"Everyone at Fools for Health is extremely excited with this partnership with the Border City Comedy Fest.  What Josh is crafting is an amazing initiative to promote Windsor and the comedy community.  We are honoured he has selected us to be the featured charity," said Jason Tang, Treasurer for Fools for Health. 

 

"Laughter is the best medicine and we want to show Windsor and the Essex County community the importance of our program," he added. 

 

Comedy Quarry at Rockhead Pub is located at 1444 Ottawa Street. The Border City Comedy Fest begins on Friday, July 11^th, 2014, with eight stand-up comedians each week for a total of 17 shows. Preliminary tickets are available up to 72 hours prior to each event and are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. V.I.P. tickets are currently available and include V.I.P. seating to the finale on September 20^th, and an invitation to the after party.  To get more information on each performer or to purchase your tickets, visit www.bordercitycomedyfest.com.

by Richard Rosenthal

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Third Windsor Soup Set For July 9, 2014

Enactus Windsor and Pathway to Potential are pleased to announce the final four projects for the third Windsor SOUP. The next Windsor SOUP will be held on Wednesday July 9, 2014 at 7 pm (doors open at 6 p.m.) at the Walkerville Brewery (525 Argyle Road).

The selected four projects that will be pitching for the next Windsor SOUP include 'Logoed Bus Service' that can be used to attend public events including festivals and farmer’s market with the aim of collecting non-perishable food items, hygiene products and cash donations; an 'Executive/Leadership Coaching' to provide effective leadership skills to emerging leaders to support the people in need and make the community a better place; an 'iPhone app' that connects residents and visitors to community points of interest: walking paths, bike trails, restaurants, wineries, parks, outdoor art (sculpture gardens), parking lots, bus routes or stops; and 'Athlete Mentorship Program' to bring professional athletes into act as a mentor for young athletes.

The event follows a 4:4:4 format; 4 presenters, each speaking for 4 minutes, and each presenter answers 4 questions from attendees. With a donation of five dollars at the door, attendants will receive soup and salad donated by La Contessa and get a chance to vote on a creative project which they feel has the most remarkable potential to make a positive impact on the community. Meghan Chamberlain, local community artist and recent graduate of the University of Windsor’s Music program will be performing at the event.

Windsor SOUP is stepping ahead in an effort make social change in the community. The last Windsor SOUP on May 18, 2014 was a hit, bringing approximately 80 community members together. At the end of the event, Amy Pinsonneault received the majority of support from voters and won the micro-grant collected through the dinner. The collected donation was matched by P. & L. Odette Charitable Foundation, giving Amy a total of $780 for her project.

The mission of Windsor SOUP is to provide support for creative projects and enhance social activities in Windsor-Essex community. “It was great to see so many passionate people come together to contribute to the betterment of our community,” said Nick Jones, Enactus team member working on Windsor SOUP.

The upcoming Windsor SOUP will be a regular event, those interested in bringing their workplace to the event can contact Peter Corio at coriop@uiwndsor.ca or call 519-996-9903. Windsor SOUP application form can be download by visiting http://pathwaytopotential.ca/windsor-soup/.

by Richard Rosenthal

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