Thursday, October 15, 2009

Press Release: Trinidadian-born Canadian Comedian Jean Paul joins superstar lineup in fundraiser for kids with disabilities

Trinidadian-born Canadian Comedian Jean Paul joins superstar lineup in fundraiser for kids with disabilities



< title="Jean Paul" alt="Jean Paul" src="http://www.laughsforpossibility.com/images/stories/jean-100-150.gif">



Toronto, ON, September 30, 2009



Several of Canada’s funniest people, including Jean Paul, the Gemini-nominated comedian described by NOW magazine as a combination of “savage wit and spontaneous combustion”, 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 Jean Paul, who comedy fans will recognize from his Comedy Now special on CTV and the Comedy Network and from his work with the Nubian Disciples of Prior All Black Comedy Revue. 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) 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, and he is still at Bloorview today.



As a father himself, Jean Paul understands that all parents need a break and an opportunity for some comedic relief. So when he saw the Laughs for Possibility show’s Twitter feed, and read about the show, he immediately contacted Lloyd to offer his assistance. “When a comic of Jean Paul’s calibre offers to perform on your fundraiser, it’s very exciting,” said Ravn. “We have tickets for the show that have been donated to parents of inpatient kids at Bloorview. Those parents need and deserve a good laugh, and I guarantee they will get exactly that from Jean Paul’s performance.”



For more on Jean Paul, visit http://www.jeanpaul.ca



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 mailto:natson@bloorview.ca

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