Comedy Veteran Simon Rakoff to Emcee Fundraiser for Canada’s Largest Children’s Rehab Hospital
Toronto, ON, September 30, 2009
Several of Canada’s funniest people, including Simon Rakoff, widely known as one of Canada’s top comedy emcees, 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 Rakoff, who has been performing stand-up since 1978 and has numerous television credits, including Just for Laughs and the Winnipeg Comedy Fest. 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) 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.
When looking for an emcee for the event, Ravn says Rakoff was an easy choice. “Simon is not only one of the funniest comics you’ll see anywhere, but he makes hosting a show, which is a tough job, look effortless.” There will be parents of Bloorview inpatient kids coming to the show courtesy of donated tickets, and Ravn stresses that “after having their lives turned upside down by whatever it is that landed their son or daughter in the hospital, they will appreciate having a pro like Simon bringing some much-needed comic relief to their lives for an evening.”
For more on Simon Rakoff, visit www.SimonRakoff.com.
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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