Thursday, October 15, 2009

Press Release: Air Farce Veteran Alan Park Joins Stand-up Fundraiser for Bloorview Kids Rehab

Air Farce Veteran Alan Park Joins Stand-up Fundraiser for Bloorview Kids Rehab



Toronto, ON, October 7, 2009



Alan Park



Several of Canada’s funniest people, including Alan Park, popular cast member from CBC’s Air Farce LIVE, will be taking the mic on October 21st, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, for the Laughs for Possibility Comedy Showcase to raise funds for Bloorview Kids Rehab, Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation hospital for kids with disabilities.





This is the second Laughs for Possibility event, presented by Tim Hortons in Sussex, NB (franchisees Jim and Chris Andrew sponsor the show despite the 1,500 km between the show and their stores, in support of their grandson Eric), following the inaugural show in January 2009 which featured some of Canada’s top comedians. Laughs for Possibility 2 will bring out another crop of Canadian comedy superstars including Park, who is well-known for walking “the precarious edge between the profane and the ridiculous”.



Other comics announced so far have been Bobby Mair (2009 Stand-up Newcomer nominee at Canadian Comedy Awards), Gilson Lubin (MTV, HBO Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam), Kate Davis (Comedy Now, 2009 Best Female Stand-up nomimee at Canadian Comedy Awards), Jean Paul (Halifax Comedy Fest, Comedy Now), emcee Simon Rakoff (Just for Laughs, Winnipeg Comedy Fest) with more to be announced.



Laughs for Possibility was founded by local amateur comic, Lloyd Ravn, after his son Eric (now 4) suffered a major stroke in July 2008 and was admitted to Bloorview Kids Rehab’s inpatient unit, under the care of the Brain Injury Rehab Team (BIRT). After a strong recovery and subsequent discharge, Eric was re-admitted to Bloorview after two more strokes in May 2009, which led to another lengthy stay at Bloorview.



The addition of Alan Park to the line-up of comedy stars working to support Bloorview’s vision of “a world of possibility for kids with disability” has the show’s organizer excited. “Air Farce is a Canadian comedy legend, and to have a cast member supporting Laughs for Possibility is a real thrill,” says Ravn. “The Bloorview staff, families and community members in the audience are in for a real treat on October 21.”



For more on Alan Park, visit www.diamondfield.com/alanpark.php



Event details



Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Time: VIP Reception at 7:00 PM, general admission at 7:30 PM, Show at 8:30 PM

Location: Crowne Plaza Toronto Don Valley Hotel, 1250 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, Ontario

Tickets cost: $95 for VIP admission (includes pre-show reception); $50 for general admission. Available at www.LaughsForPossibility.com



Bloorview Kids Foundation



Bloorview Kids Foundation develops relationships and raises funds from the community for Bloorview Kids Rehab. Bloorview is the gold-standard in care, research, and education for kids with disabilities and their families. As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, it is an international leader in childhood disability. Bloorview pioneers treatments, technologies, therapies and real-world programs that give children with disabilities the tools to participate fully in life.



Regardless of their disability, kids just want to be kids. Community and private investment is critical to enabling kids with disabilities to live their lives, just like any other kid.



For further information:



Lloyd Ravn, Event Organizer

Tel: 647-929-8916 or lloydravn@hotmail.com



Nicole Watson, Marketing and Communications Manager, Bloorview Kids Foundation

Tel: 416-424-3850 or nwatson@bloorview.ca

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