Does This Taste Funny?

After having a lot of fun touring around Canada's Maritime provinces with my solo show Funny, Daddy in 2013 with great media and audience reviews, I'm getting ready for a fall 2014 tour of my new 1-hour solo show Does This Taste Funny?

Prepping for my specialty: Entertained Squab.
Photo by Keith Hawkins

My new show will be an hour of food-related jokes and stories. It's the tale of why, despite graduating from a great culinary school and working in amazing kitchens in Canada and Europe, I'm not a chef today. Mixed in with the food jokes will be funny stories from behind-the-scenes of the restaurant biz!

I'm working out the details and dates and of course the script now, and I want to make sure this tour is as well-organized as possible. In order to ensure that, there are a ton of up-front expenses (booking venues, advertising etc). So, after talking to a few people who have used crowdfunding websites like IndieGogo to help pre-fund their tours and/or shows, I have decided to launch an IndieGogo campaign of my own.

I'm hoping to find a bunch of people who would like to help me get this tour off on the right foot by contributing to my IndieGogo campaign. You can find my campaign by clicking here.

 In exchange for your contribution, you will receive some cool perks. You can receive one of my favourite recipes monthly for the rest of the year, or if you play your cards right, I'll come to your house and cook you dinner for 4 before a show! Check these out:

*All contributions of $25 or more will be added to the Lloyd's Llunch Counter Recipe of the Month Club. You will receive 1 of my favourite recipes by email monthly throughout 2014, with details like where I got the idea & how I made it my own. With each recipe I will include 1 of the food-related jokes or stories I'm working on for Does This Taste Funny?

$2 (Contributor level: Cook) - Each $2 sponsor will receive a digital download of Does This Taste Funny?
All sponsor levels will be thanked in the show program.

$10 (Contributor level: Chef's Apprentice) - Each $10 sponsor will receive a ticket to a Does This Taste Funny? show of their choice. ($15 value). If you're not near a show, I'll donate your ticket to a deserving local charity.

$25 (Contributor level: Demi-Chef) - Each $25 sponsor will receive 2 tickets to a Does This Taste Funny? show of their choice, PLUS a free digital download of the show. ($35 value) 

*All contributions of $25 or more will be added to the Lloyd's Llunch Counter Recipe of the Month Club. You will receive 1 of my favourite recipes by email monthly throughout 2014, with details like where I got the idea & how I made it my own. With each recipe I will include 1 of the food-related jokes or stories I'm working on for Does This Taste Funny?

$50 (Contributor level: Chef de Partie) - Each $50 sponsor will receive TWO pairs of tickets to a Does This Taste Funny? show of their choice, plus a free digital download of the show ($65 value) PLUS you'll be added to the Lloyd's Llunch Counter Recipe of the Month Club throughout 2014.

$100 (Contributor level: Sous Chef) - Each $100 sponsor will receive FOUR pairs of tickets to a Does This Taste Funny? show of their choice, plus a free digital download of the show PLUS a Bay of Funny Comedy t-shirt ($145 value) PLUS you'll be added to the Lloyd's Llunch Counter Recipe of the Month Club throughout 2014.

$250 (Contributor level - Executive Chef) - Each $250 sponsor will get 5 pairs of tickets to a Does This Taste Funny? show of their choice, + a digital download of the show + a Bay of Funny Comedy t-shirt + a bottle of wine ($50-$75 retail) delivered to your home pre-show + cab fare to and from the show (on account of the wine) (approximately $280 value) + you'll be added to the Lloyd's Llunch Counter Recipe of the Month Club for 2014.
If you're not near a show you'll get a liquor store gift card & I'll donate your tickets to charity

$500 (Contributor level - Restaurateur) - Each $500 sponsor will receive TEN PAIRS of tickets to a Does This Taste Funny? show of their choice, plus a free digital download of the show plus a Bay of Funny Comedy t-shirt plus a bottle of wine and cab fare to and from the show PLUS a $150 donation in your name to the charity of your choice, post-tour.(approximately $580 value)
PLUS you'll be added to the Lloyd's Llunch Counter Recipe of the Month Club throughout 2014.

$1,000 (Contributor level - Minister of Food) - Each $1000 sponsor will receive 10 PAIRS of tickets to a Does This Taste Funny? show of their choice, + a free digital download of the show + a Bay of Funny Comedy t-shirt plus a bottle of wine and cab fare to and from the show plus a $150 donation in your name to the charity of your choice, post-tour PLUS Lloyd Ravn will come to your home and prepare a 3-course dinner for 4 people before the show.(priceless?)
PLUS you'll be added to the Lloyd's Llunch Counter Recipe of the Month Club for 2014.

I hope you'll jump on the Does This Taste Funny? bandwagon and make a contribution in exchange for one of the perks outlined above, as well as share my campaign with your friends on Facebook, Twitter and e-mail. Here's the link again:  http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/does-this-taste-funny-2014-comedy-tour

Thanks for your support!

Lloyd

Help Me Help Children's Hospitals in Canada

This is one of my all-time favourite pictures. 

Eric was on a weekend pass from a particularly long hospital stay, after his second and third strokes, back-to-back. He and I were so relieved to be home that we were asleep on the couch in minutes. 

Those were very difficult and terrifying days, watching Eric go through severe medical emergencies at such a young age. But thanks to extremely hard work of pediatric doctors and nurses and therapists (we stopped counting when Eric had been seen by more than 100 doctors from several different specialties by age 4), Eric's health has been pretty stable for the past few years.

That's why I decided to donate a portion of each sale from downloads of my 1-hour solo show Funny, Daddy to Children's Miracle Network, helping children's hospitals across Canada, as my way of saying "thank you for saving this kid's life". 

The show itself is the story of the ups and downs of my time as a parent, and Eric's hospital stays and the wonderful care that we received during those stays, play a big role in the story. I do find an opportunity to roast the medical community a little, too (in a loving way, of course).

I appreciate the support I've had on this so far, and I would love it if a great big pile of my friends and family jumped on board today with a $5 purchase. I know literally hundreds of you have sent me messages saying "I wish I could see that show" when it was touring around the Maritimes. Well, now's your chance.
It's easy. You can pay with a credit card or PayPal athttp://bayoffunny.com/index.php/funny-daddy-dvd

Or, you can send an interac e-mail transfer to NoLloydering@gmail.com.

You'll receive a download link in your email shortly after paying.

Thanks!

Llove,

Lloyd

Attention hitmen looking for me: Where to find me in August

If I owe you money, here are some places you can find me in August, hopefully earning some of the money I owe you:

Watch www.bayOfFunny.com for more details

August 1: Tyne Valley Oyster Festival in PEI with Francois Weber and Matt Stewart. Click here for info.

August 7: The Guild in Charlottetown with my solo show Funny, Daddy in support of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation who are an important part of the story I tell in this show.https://www.facebook.com/events/432061286891697/

August 9: Watermark Theatre in North Rustico, PEI with Funny, Daddy in support of QEH Foundation. https://www.facebook.com/events/109516929242807/

August 10: Souris Show Hall in Souris, PEI with Funny, Daddy in support of QEH Foundation. https://www.facebook.com/events/561331240570200/

August 17: MCing Shane Ogden Presents... Manolis Zontanos! the Three Mile in Saint John, NB. Contact Shane Ogden for $10 tickets! This is going to be a killer show!!!

August 21: Happinez Wine Bar in Saint John as part of the first Fundy Fringe Festival with my solo show Funny, Daddy. 8:45 PM. Tickets at the door only.

Augsut 22: Happinez again for Fundy Fringe. 10:15 PM

Augsut 23: Saint John Arts Centre for Fundy Fringe. 9 PM

August 24: Saint John Arts Centre again for Fundy Fringe. 9 PM

August 25: A Matinee presentation of Funny, Daddy at the Saint John Arts Centre for Fundy Fringe. 3:45 PM.

August 31: Atlantic Fringe in Halifax. 7 PM Venue TBA.

2 More Atlantic Fringe shows in September too! (September 1 and 8)

Funny, Daddy coming to PEI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Comedian’s Solo Show Hitting 3 PEI Towns in Support of Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation

Bay of Funny Comedy Presents New Brunswick Comic Lloyd Ravn’s show Funny, Daddy in Charlottetown, North Rustico and Souris

July 9, 2013 – Charlottetown   

              

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation will receive a portion of the proceeds from three PEI presentations of a solo comedy show with an unlikely beginning. Sussex, NB-based stand-up comedian Lloyd Ravn will bring his Funny, Daddy show to Charlottetown (August 7 at The Guild), North Rustico (August 9 at the Watermark Theatre) and Souris (August 10 at the Souris Show Hall) after performing it in a number of other Maritime communities to rave reviews from audience members. The show, which is a combination of Lloyd’s stand-up material honed over the past 7 years and some more serious stories from Ravn’s time as a father, came about after the comedian lost his “day job” in October 2012. 

“I had a great job with a high-profile tech company in New Brunswick,” says Ravn, “but after I got caught up in a mass layoff, I had to re-evaluate my direction, so I decided to make my part-time job of stand-up comedy my full-time gig.” He began working on Funny, Daddy almost immediately, and premiered the show to a sold-out crowd of 450 at the Sussex High School theatre.

Lloyd is the father of three boys, aged 8, 5 and 2, and is fully aware of the ups and downs of parenting.  From dealing with serious health issues to the usual stressors of raising kids, Lloyd relies on humour to get him through, and will talk during Funny, Daddy about how laughter during challenging times has helped him.

The adults-only show will run approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes, starting at 8 PM each night, and will include bits from Lloyd’s stand-up act as well as more serious stories from the ups and downs of Lloyd’s time as a parent including a discussion of the death of his father shortly after the birth of his oldest child, followed shortly after by the discovery of serious health issues with Ravn’s son. One of the more dramatic points of the story comes when Ravn tells of his son’s time as an inpatient at the QEH during a family vacation in PEI in 2008.

All of the stories lead back to Lloyd’s belief in the importance of being silly even during one’s darkest moments. Ravn’s message to ticket buyers is, “you’ll (certainly) laugh, you (might even) cry, you’ll (at the very least) have a night out without the kids.”

This show is part of an ongoing tour of the Maritimes for Funny, Daddy, incluing upcoming shows at the Atlantic Fringe Festival in Halifax and the Fundy Fringe Festival in Saint John with more dates being announced soon. Tickets range from $12 to $15 and ticket information is available atwww.BayOfFunny.com. A portion of proceeds from all three shows will be donated to the QEH Foundation as a thank-you from the Ravn family for the care they received while staying in their paediatric unit in July 2008. Donations to the QEH Foundation will also be accepted on the night of each performance.

Show Summary:

August 7, 2013 at The Guild, Charlottetown. 8 PM Tickets $15 at www.TheGuildPEI..com or at The Guild Box Office, 111 Queen St, Charlottetown

August 9, 2013 at the Watermark Theatre (Formerly The Montgomery Theatre), North Rustico. 8 PM. Tickets $15 at www.WaterMarkTheatre.com

August 10, 2013 at the Souris Show Hall, Souris. 8 PM. Tickets $12 in advance and $15 at the door, available at www.SourisShowHall.com or at Souris Show Hall, 5 Church St, Souris or Evergreen Cafe, 95 Main St, Souris.

About Lloyd Ravn

Born and raised in Sussex, NB, Lloyd began performing stand-up comedy in Toronto in 2006. His material is autobiographical in nature, focusing on his life as a husband, father of three, former chef, and the youngest person named Lloyd most people have ever met. Lloyd is the founder and producer of the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit. He has performed at venues across Canada and in the United States, and was selected out of 700 entrants as a top-10 finalist for the “Canada’s Next Top Comic 2011″ competition.

Lloyd can be heard on CJCW (AM 590 in Sussex) as the host of Lloyd’s Morning Cup of Jokes, a 2-minute segment featuring clips from some of his favourite comedians (including himself!) from around the world. His comedy is also in rotation on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. He was featured as the comedian of the week by GQ Magazine in the UK, who called him one of “North America’s hottest young comics” (even though he recently turned 40) and predicted he would soon “storm the Just for Laughs Festival.”

Studying under some of the best sketch and improv comics in Canada, Lloyd completed the Second City Improvisation course series from the world-famous Second City Training Centre in Toronto. Lloyd has written about comedy and humour for magazines and even a high school literacy textbook, Nelson Literacy, currently in use across Canada.

After about 15 years away, Lloyd recently moved back to his hometown of Sussex, but still has never tried cow tipping.

About the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation

For over 30 years, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been a place of care and hope for over 140,000 people who live on Prince Edward Island. With more than 80% of the Island’s specialists, the QEH is uniquely positioned to respond to individuals who are faced with the most complex illness or devastating injury. As the provincial referral centre and home to a number of specialized programs, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital is a vital resource for general health providers and community hospitals on the Island.

For Photos, Interviews and More Information, Contact:

Lloyd Ravn – 506-434-3186 or NoLloydering@gmail.com

Lloyd Ravn’s solo show Funny, Daddy coming to Campbellton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Unemployment, Illness and Death Unexpectedly Lead to Comedian’s One-Man Show

New Brunswick Comic Lloyd Ravn’s solo show Funny, Daddy coming to Campbellton

May 17, 2013 – Campbellton

The Quality Inn & Conference Centre will be home on June 9 to a comedy show with an unlikely beginning. Sussex-based stand-up comedian Lloyd Ravn will bring his Funny, Daddy show to Campbellton after preview performances of the show in a number of other NB communities to rave reviews from audience members. The show, which is a combination of Lloyd’s stand-up material honed over the past 7 years and some more serious stories from Ravn’s time as a father, came about after the comedian lost his “day job” in October 2012.

“I had a great job with a high-profile tech company in New Brunswick,” says Ravn, “but after I got caught up in a mass layoff, I had to re-evaluate my direction, so I decided to make my part-time job of stand-up comedy my full-time gig.” He began working on Funny, Daddy almost immediately, and premiered the show to a sold-out crowd of 450 at the Sussex High School theatre.

Lloyd is the father of three boys, aged 8, 5 and 2, and is fully aware of the ups and downs of parenting.  From dealing with serious health issues to the usual stressors of raising kids, Lloyd relies on humour to get him through, and will talk during Funny, Daddy about how laughter during challenging times has helped him.

The adults-only show will run approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes and will include bits from Lloyd’s stand-up act as well as more serious stories from the ups and downs of Lloyd’s time as a parent including a discussion of the death of his father shortly after the birth of his oldest child. As ticket buyers are told on BayOfFunny.com, “you’ll (hopefully) laugh, you (might even) cry, you’ll (at the very least) have a night out without the kids.”

This show is part of an ongoing tour of the Maritimes for Funny, Daddy, incluing upcoming shows in Bathurst, Miramichi, St. Andrew’s, Charlottetown, Halifax and more dates being announced soon.

Tickets are $12 in advance at www.BayOfFunny.com or at Uni Village, or directly from Lloyd at 506-434-3186 or NoLloydering@gmail.com.

About Lloyd Ravn

Born and raised in Sussex, NB, Lloyd began performing stand-up comedy in Toronto in 2006. His material is autobiographical in nature, focusing on his life as a husband, father of three, former chef, and the youngest person named Lloyd most people have ever met. Lloyd is the founder and producer of the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit. He has performed at venues across Canada and in the United States, and was selected out of 700 entrants as a top-10 finalist for the “Canada’s Next Top Comic 2011″ competition.

Lloyd can be heard on CJCW (AM 590 in Sussex) as the host of Lloyd’s Morning Cup of Jokes, a 2-minute segment featuring clips from some of his favourite comedians (including himself!) from around the world. His comedy is also in rotation on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. He was featured as the comedian of the week by GQ Magazine in the UK, who called him one of “North America’s hottest young comics” (even though he recently turned 40) and predicted he would soon “storm the Just for Laughs Festival.”

Studying under some of the best sketch and improv comics in Canada, Lloyd completed the Second City Improvisation course series from the world-famous Second City Training Centre in Toronto. Lloyd has written about comedy and humour for magazines and even a high school literacy textbook, Nelson Literacy, currently in use across Canada.

After about 15 years away, Lloyd recently moved back to his hometown of Sussex, but still has never tried cow tipping.

For Photos, Interviews and More Information, Contact:

Lloyd Ravn – 506-434-3186 or NoLloydering@gmail.com

Lloyd Ravn’s solo show Funny, Daddy coming to Miramichi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Unemployment, Illness and Death Unexpectedly Lead to Comedian’s One-Man Show

New Brunswick Comic Lloyd Ravn’s solo show Funny, Daddy coming to Miramichi

May 17, 2013 – Bathurst

The Kin Centre in Miramichi will be home on June 7 to a comedy show with an unlikely beginning. Sussex-based stand-up comedian Lloyd Ravn will bring his Funny, Daddy show to Miramichi after performing it in a number of other NB communities to rave reviews from audience members. The show, which is a combination of Lloyd’s stand-up material honed over the past 7 years and some more serious stories from Ravn’s time as a father, came about after the comedian lost his “day job” in October 2012.

“I had a great job with a high-profile tech company in New Brunswick,” says Ravn, “but after I got caught up in a mass layoff, I had to re-evaluate my direction, so I decided to make my part-time job of stand-up comedy my full-time gig.” He began working on Funny, Daddy almost immediately, and premiered the show to a sold-out crowd of 450 at the Sussex High School theatre.

Lloyd is the father of three boys, aged 8, 5 and 2, and is fully aware of the ups and downs of parenting.  From dealing with serious health issues to the usual stressors of raising kids, Lloyd relies on humour to get him through, and will talk during Funny, Daddy about how laughter during challenging times has helped him.

The adults-only show will run approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes and will include bits from Lloyd’s stand-up act as well as more serious stories from the ups and downs of Lloyd’s time as a parent including a discussion of the death of his father shortly after the birth of his oldest child. As ticket buyers are told on BayOfFunny.com, “you’ll (hopefully) laugh, you (might even) cry, you’ll (at the very least) have a night out without the kids.”

This show is part of an ongoing tour of the Maritimes for Funny, Daddy, incluing upcoming shows in Bathurst, Campbellton, St. Andrew’s, Charlottetown, Halifax and more dates being announced soon.\

Tickets are $12 in advance at www.BayOfFunny.com or at Saltwater Sounds, or directly from Lloyd at 506-434-3186 or NoLloydering@gmail.com.

About Lloyd Ravn

Born and raised in Sussex, NB, Lloyd began performing stand-up comedy in Toronto in 2006. His material is autobiographical in nature, focusing on his life as a husband, father of three, former chef, and the youngest person named Lloyd most people have ever met. Lloyd is the founder and producer of the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit. He has performed at venues across Canada and in the United States, and was selected out of 700 entrants as a top-10 finalist for the “Canada’s Next Top Comic 2011″ competition.

Lloyd can be heard on CJCW (AM 590 in Sussex) as the host of Lloyd’s Morning Cup of Jokes, a 2-minute segment featuring clips from some of his favourite comedians (including himself!) from around the world. His comedy is also in rotation on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. He was featured as the comedian of the week by GQ Magazine in the UK, who called him one of “North America’s hottest young comics” (even though he recently turned 40) and predicted he would soon “storm the Just for Laughs Festival.”

Studying under some of the best sketch and improv comics in Canada, Lloyd completed the Second City Improvisation course series from the world-famous Second City Training Centre in Toronto. Lloyd has written about comedy and humour for magazines and even a high school literacy textbook, Nelson Literacy, currently in use across Canada.

After about 15 years away, Lloyd recently moved back to his hometown of Sussex, but still has never tried cow tipping.

For Photos, Interviews and More Information, Contact:

Lloyd Ravn – 506-434-3186 or NoLloydering@gmail.com

Press Release: Comedian Lloyd Ravn's Solo Show "Funny, Daddy" coming to Bathurst, NB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Unemployment, Illness and Death Unexpectedly Lead to Comedian’s One-Man Show

New Brunswick Comic Lloyd Ravn’s solo show Funny, Daddy coming to Bathurst

May 16, 2013 – Bathurst

The KC Irving Regional Centre in Bathurst will be home on June 6 to a comedy show with an unlikely beginning. Sussex-based stand-up comedian Lloyd Ravn will bring his Funny, Daddy show to Bathurst after performing it in a number of other NB communities to rave reviews from audience members. The show, which is a combination of Lloyd’s stand-up material honed over the past 7 years and some more serious stories from Ravn’s time as a father, came about after the comedian lost his “day job” in October 2012.

“I had a great job with a high-profile tech company in New Brunswick,” says Ravn, “but after I got caught up in a mass layoff, I had to re-evaluate my direction, so I decided to make my part-time job of stand-up comedy my full-time gig.” He began working on Funny, Daddy almost immediately, and premiered the show to a sold-out crowd of 450 at the Sussex High School theatre.

Lloyd is the father of three boys, aged 8, 5 and 2, and is fully aware of the ups and downs of parenting.  From dealing with serious health issues to the usual stressors of raising kids, Lloyd relies on humour to get him through, and will talk during Funny, Daddy about how laughter during challenging times has helped him.

The adults-only show will run approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes and will include bits from Lloyd’s stand-up act as well as more serious stories from the ups and downs of Lloyd’s time as a parent including a discussion of the death of his father shortly after the birth of his oldest child. As ticket buyers are told on BayOfFunny.com, “you’ll (hopefully) laugh, you (might even) cry, you’ll (at the very least) have a night out without the kids.”

This show is part of an ongoing tour of the Maritimes for Funny, Daddy, incluing upcoming shows in Miramichi, Campbellton, St. Andrew’s, Charlottetown, Halifax and more dates being announced soon.\

Tickets are $12 in advance at www.BayOfFunny.com or at the KC Irving Centre box office ($2.50 service charge applies here), or directly from Lloyd at 506-434-3186 or NoLloydering@gmail.com.

About Lloyd Ravn

Born and raised in Sussex, NB, Lloyd began performing stand-up comedy in Toronto in 2006. His material is autobiographical in nature, focusing on his life as a husband, father of three, former chef, and the youngest person named Lloyd most people have ever met. Lloyd is the founder and producer of the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit. He has performed at venues across Canada and in the United States, and was selected out of 700 entrants as a top-10 finalist for the “Canada’s Next Top Comic 2011″ competition.

Lloyd can be heard on CJCW (AM 590 in Sussex) as the host of Lloyd’s Morning Cup of Jokes, a 2-minute segment featuring clips from some of his favourite comedians (including himself!) from around the world. His comedy is also in rotation on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. He was featured as the comedian of the week by GQ Magazine in the UK, who called him one of “North America’s hottest young comics” (even though he recently turned 40) and predicted he would soon “storm the Just for Laughs Festival.”

Studying under some of the best sketch and improv comics in Canada, Lloyd completed the Second City Improvisation course series from the world-famous Second City Training Centre in Toronto. Lloyd has written about comedy and humour for magazines and even a high school literacy textbook, Nelson Literacy, currently in use across Canada.

After about 15 years away, Lloyd recently moved back to his hometown of Sussex, but still has never tried cow tipping.

For Photos, Interviews and More Information, Contact:

Lloyd Ravn – 506-434-3186 or NoLloydering@gmail.com

Press Release: Comedian James Uloth in Sussex, NB May 26, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From Los Angeles to Sussex – Comedian James Uloth’s Cross-Canada Tour Stopping at All Seasons in Sussex

May 14, 2013 – Sussex

The All Seasons Inn & Restaurant in Sussex will be all-laughter on Sunday, May 26 when stand-up comedian James Uloth brings his cross-Canada comedy tour to the dairy town.

Uloth, who lives and performs in Los Angeles, is originally from Wildwood, Alberta. After beginning his stand-up career in 2003, he has performed at comedy clubs, theatres and corporate events, and has been featured at comedy festivals across North America as well as the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe in Scotland. 

James’ current tour of Canada has largely included fundraising shows as he is a popular act for bookers arranging shows for charities including animal shelters and various other organizations.

He will appear in Sussex as a presentation of Bay of Funny Comedy, and the show will be hosted by the Bay of Funny’s founder and producer Lloyd Ravn. Also appearing on the show is Darren Elmore, who has recently returned to his hometown of Sussex after several years of performing comedy in British Columbia.

“I’m excited to be doing this show with James after all these years,” says show organizer Ravn. “I remember going out to my third open mic years ago in Toronto and James was the experienced pro brought in to close out the show. He sat down with me and gave me lots of great tips and we’ve kept in touch since. So it’s great to have a chance to share a stage with him again in my hometown.”

Tickets for the show are only $10 and are available online at BayOfFunny.com or at the All Seasons front desk at 1015 Main Street in Sussex.

SHOW DETAILS:

Date/Time: Sunday, May 26, 2013. Show runs from 8:00 – 9:45 PM
Location: All Seasons Inn and Restaurant, 1015 Main St, Sussex, NB
Tickets: $10 at www.BayOfFunny.com or by calling 506-434-3186 or at the All Seasons Inn

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR PHOTOGRAPHS OR TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS, CONTACT:

Lloyd Ravn, Founder and Producer, Bay Of Funny Comedy – 506-434-3186 – NoLloydering@gmail.com

BS doesn't kill people

Imagine if the PR people behind the gun lobby started branching out into other industries. How much fun would it be to take the whole "yes, we designed a weapon whose sole purpose is to kill human beings, but we don't advocate killing human beings, and besides you have the right to have these things, so get lots of them!" to, say, the automobile industry.

Picture the fun press conferences:

"Today, we're announcing the new feature on all of our cars: the sharpened bumper. It is much more efficient in taking down pedestrians. Not that we are in favour of killing pedestrians, but it's your right to have a device that could kill pedestrians in the most efficient manner possible. They can take our pedestrian-killers from us when they pry the keys from our cold, dead, hands"

Or the food industry:

"This new product is designed to give all of your dinner guests a fatal form of food posioning. Not that we suggest you use it for that purpose, but this is a matter of basic rights!"

Or the family planning industry:

"These condoms will shoot deadly darts into your lover. Of course, you will only use them for target practice, but don't let the commie pinkos tell you it's wrong to own them!"

Just imagine the batshit-crazy anti-Obama ads they could write.Or the nifty ways they could blame the misuse of these products on homosexuality, Islamification of America, or Super Mario.

Anyway, I was just thinking about that. And that's my right.

My first one-Lloyd show, February 16 in Sussex

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Funny, Daddy - Sussex Comedian Lloyd Ravn’s First One-Person Show February 16 at Sussex Regional High School

December 14, 2012, Sussex – Parenting can be tough, and Sussex-based stand-up comedian Lloyd Ravn says the less frequently you laugh, the tougher it is. The importance of laughter, especially in the more difficult times of parenting, or life in general, is the theme of Ravn’s first one-person show, Funny, Daddy which is debuting on Saturday, February 16 at the Sussex Regional High School Theatre, presented by The Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit.

Lloyd is the father of three boys, who by show time will be 8, 5 and 2, and is fully aware of the ups and downs of parenting.  From dealing with serious health issues to the usual stressors of raising kids, Lloyd relies on humour to get him through, and will talk during Funny, Daddy about how laughter during challenging times has helped him.

The adults-only show will run approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes and will include bits from Lloyd’s stand-up act as well as more serious stories, along with videos and photos. As ticket buyers are told on BayOfFunny.com, “you’ll (hopefully) laugh, you (might even) cry, you’ll (at the very least) have a night out without the kids.”

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door, and are available at www.BayOfFunny.com, directly from Lloyd (who will deliver them around the Sussex area) at 434-3186 or from Oceans of Ink at 14 Church Ave, or Morris Music on Main Street.

About Lloyd Ravn

Born and raised in Sussex, NB, Lloyd began performing stand-up comedy in Toronto in 2006. His material is autobiographical in nature, focusing on his life as a husband, father of three, former chef, and the youngest person named Lloyd most people have ever met. Lloyd is the founder and Producer of the Bay of Funny Comedy Circuit, with shows happening all over the Maritimes. He has performed at venues across Canada and in the United States, including being selected out of 700 entrants as a top-10 finalist in the "Canada's Next Top Comic 2011" competition. Lloyd can be heard on Sirius XM Satellite Radio and has performed on several successful fundraisers he organized for two of his favourite Canadian charities, featuring some of the biggest stars in Canadian comedy. He was featured as the Comedian of the Week by GQ Magazine in the UK, who called him  one of "North America's hottest young comics" (even though he recently turned 40) and predicted he would soon "storm the Just for Laughs festival."  Studying under some of the best sketch and improv comics in Canada, Lloyd completed the Second City Improvisation class from the world-famous Second City Training Centre in Toronto. Lloyd has written about comedy and humour for magazines and even a high school literacy textbook currently in use across Canada. After about 15 years away, Lloyd recently moved back to his hometown of Sussex, but still has never tried cow tipping. 

For Photos, Interviews and More Information, Contact:

Lloyd Ravn – 506-434-3186 or NoLloydering@gmail.com

Press Release: Sussex Native and Award-Winning Comedian Tim Steeves in a Hometown Show‏

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sussex Native and Award-Winning Comedian Tim Steeves in a Hometown Show on December 22

December 2, 2011, Sussex, NB – Multiple award-winning comedian and comedy writer Tim Steeves will be appearing in a rare hometown performance in Sussex on December 22 at the newly renovated Sussex Regional High School Community Theatre. 

Steeves, who was born and raised in Sussex and has been performing stand-up comedy based out of Toronto for several years, has toured Canada and the world as a headliner and has worked with some of the most well-known comics on the planet, including Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Louis CK. He recently appeared on the grand opening gala for the Sussex Regional High School Community Theatre and announced his December 22 show that evening to the delight of all in the audience.

An Evening With Tim Steeves, December 22, 2011, Sussex, NB

Tim is well-known to comedy fans, having appeared on nearly every Canadian comedy show on television, including four gala shows at the world-renowned Just for Laughs festival in Montreal as well as his own comedy specials airing on CBC, CTV and The Comedy Network. He is a regular on CBC's Halifax Comedy Festival and Winnipeg Comedy Festival broadcasts and has been featured on six episodes of the television broadcast of the Canadian Comedy Awards. 

In addition to being one of the top performers in Canadian comedy, Tim is a highly regarded comedy writer, having written for some of Canada's most popular television comedy programs. He spent four years writing for CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and wrote for Rick Mercer's Talking to Americans special, the highest rated comedy show in the history of Canadian broadcasting. Since 2006, Steeves has been writing for the Rick Mercer Report, the highest rated comedy program on the air today in Canada. His writing skills have earned him multiple Canadian Comedy Awards, Gemini Awards, and the prestigious Rose d'Or for international entertainment programming. He was also nominated for an international Emmy Award.

Opening for Steeves in Sussex will be local comedian Lloyd Ravn, recent finalist in Sirius XM's Canada's Next Top Comic contest.

Event details:

Tickets: $20, available at Sobeys in Sussex (Gateway Mall - 138 Main Street)

Location: Sussex Regional High School, 55 Leonard Drive, Sussex

Show time: 8 PM

Running Time: approximately 90 minutes.

For more information, photos, or to arrange interviews: 

Lloyd Ravn: 506-292-4956 or lloydravn@hotmail.com 

Eric in the Rick Hansen Relay this weekend!‏

We are really excited that our six-year-old son, Eric, was chosen as one of 7,000 "Difference Makers" across Canada to carry the Rick Hansen medal in a cross-country relay in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Rick Hansen's Man in Motion World Tour. We are all very excited about this, especially Eric. Not only was Eric singled out as a Difference Maker, but he also gets the honour of being the youngest Medal Bearer in the whole cross-country relay! Eric's leg of the relay was sponsored by Invacare Canada, a home healthcare company who hand-picked Eric as the Difference Maker for one of their three sponsored legs of the relay across the country. Eric was selected by Invacare after learning about how hard he works and the impact he has had on the way those around him look at people with disabilities and at accessibility issues. 

You are all invited to come on out and cheer Eric on, or run with him as he carries the medal for 250 m from the Sussex Elementary School Sports Field (where he will be receiving it from the previous Medal Bearer who will be carrying it in a hot air balloon!) out to the corner of Main Street and Essex Street. 

Eric's leg of the relay is scheduled to start at 9:20 AM on Sunday, October 2 at the Sussex Elementary School Sports Field. He is Medal Bearer number MB040-002 and there will be a sign with that number on it marking his starting point.

Here is some more information about the Relay:


A video from the Rick Hansen Foundation about the 25th Anniversary Relay: 

A video about the Rick Hansen Medal: 

The notice on the Town of Sussex website about the Relay: http://www.sussex.ca/content/249101

On the day before Eric's leg of the run, the Relay will arrive in Sussex, and there will also be a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday at 3:15 PM at O'Connell Park to officially open the new accessible playground equipment that the town has installed. Our family will be there for this ceremony, so feel free to join us to celebrate the fact that our town is recognizing the need for public places to be accessible to everyone in town! 

We hope to see you on Sunday morning! 

Press Release: One of Canada’s Fastest Rising Comedy Stars Taking the Stage in Fredericton, Sussex and Moncton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: One of Canada’s Fastest Rising Comedy Stars Taking the Stage in Fredericton, Sussex and Moncton

August 30, 2011, Sussex, NB – Multiple Canadian Comedy Award nominated comedian Nick Beaton will be cracking up the audience at the Capital Complex in Fredericton on September 6 at 8PM, the Mason Jar in Sussex on September 7 and 8 at 8PM and the Old Cosmo in Moncton on September 9 at 8PM.

Beaton, who was born and raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia and has been performing stand-up comedy in Toronto for the past several years, has toured Canada as a headline and feature act. He is hitting the three New Brunswick venues as part of his final Canadian tour before relocating to the United Kingdom to further his fast-growing comedy career.

A past nominee in the Best New Stand Up category at the Canadian Comedy Awards, Beaton was also nominated in 2010 for his Comedy Now television special which aired on CTV and the Comedy Network. He has also been seen on Much Music’s hit show Video on Trial and CBC’s Halifax Comedy Festival as well as heard on CBC Radio’s popular program, The Debaters. He is also the 2007 winner of the Home Grown Comedy competition at the world-famous Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montréal.

Nick will be headlining the shows, which will be emceed by Sussex-based comedian Lloyd Ravn, who helped Beaton organize the small New Brunswick circuit. “When I heard that Nick was going to be in the Maritimes for a few weeks before he headed to the UK, I knew I had to do some shows with him. He was always one of my favourites on the Canadian comedy scene,” said Ravn, who has performed with Beaton a number of times in Toronto before moving home to New Brunswick in 2010.

The feature acts in the approximately 2-hour shows will be as follows:

September 6 in Fredericton: Moncton-native and Montreal-based comedian JC Surette

September 7 in Sussex: Saint John comedian Shane Ogden (winner of the recent "Funniest Person in NB" contest)

September 8 in Sussex: JC Surette

September 9 in Moncton: Moncton's Neal Mundle who has been performing around Canada for several years.

Tickets for the shows are $10 and will be available at the at the door (limited seating available).

About Nick Beaton:

From a blue collar background, Nick Beaton cuts through the bullshit of an overly bureaucratic society that takes itself way too seriously. Whether it’s done through his opinionated rants, hard hitting jokes, or his disarming "every man" personality Nick Beaton is a favorite wherever he performs. He has performed at the Montreal Just for laughs festival, the Halifax comedy festival, and has received numerous accolades for his comedy, including being a myspace featured comedian and winning the 2007 Just for Laughs Toronto Homegrown Competition. You can hear Nick on Xm satellite radio's "Laugh Attack," or see him on his award nominated National Comedy special "Comedy Now!"

For more information, or photos, or to arrange interviews:
Lloyd Ravn at lloydravn@hotmail.com or 506-292-4956
Nick Beaton at nicholas.beaton@gmail.com. 

Press Release: One of Canada’s Fastest Rising Comedy Stars Taking the Stage at the Old Cosmo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: One of Canada’s Fastest Rising Comedy Stars Taking the Stage at the Old Cosmo

August 30, 2011, Moncton, NB – Multiple Canadian Comedy Award nominated comedian Nick Beaton will be cracking up the audience at the Old Cosmo in Moncton on September 9 at 8PM.

Beaton, who was born and raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia and has been performing stand-up comedy in Toronto for the past several years, has toured Canada as a headline and feature act. He is hitting Moncton as part of his final Canadian tour before relocating to the United Kingdom to further his fast-growing comedy career.

A past nominee in the Best New Stand Up category at the Canadian Comedy Awards, Beaton was also nominated in 2010 for his Comedy Now television special which aired on CTV and the Comedy Network. He has also been seen on Much Music’s hit show Video on Trial and CBC’s Halifax Comedy Festival as well as heard on CBC Radio’s popular program, The Debaters. He is also the 2007 winner of the Home Grown Comedy competition at the world-famous Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montréal.

Nick will be headlining the show, which will be emceed by Sussex-based comedian Lloyd Ravn, who helped Beaton organize a small New Brunswick circuit ending in Moncton and also taking in Sussex and Fredericton. “When I heard that Nick was going to be in the Maritimes for a few weeks before he headed to the UK, I knew I had to do some shows with him. He was always one of my favourites on the Canadian comedy scene,” said Ravn, who has performed with Beaton a number of times in Toronto before moving home to New Brunswick in 2010.

The feature act in the approximately 2-hour shows will be Moncton's Neal Mundle who has been performing around Canada for several years.

Tickets for the show are $10 and will be available at the Old Cosmo at the door (limited seating available).

Show details:

Date: September9, 2011
Location: The Old Cosmo, 700 Main St, Moncton, NB
Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tickets: $10 available at the door on show night (Limited seating available)

About Nick Beaton:

From a blue collar background, Nick Beaton cuts through the bullshit of an overly bureaucratic society that takes itself way too seriously. Whether it’s done through his opinionated rants, hard hitting jokes, or his disarming "every man" personality Nick Beaton is a favorite wherever he performs. He has performed at the Montreal Just for laughs festival, the Halifax comedy festival, and has received numerous accolades for his comedy, including being a myspace featured comedian and winning the 2007 Just for Laughs Toronto Homegrown Competition. You can hear Nick on Xm satellite radio's "Laugh Attack," or see him on his award nominated National Comedy special "Comedy Now!"

For more information, or photos, or to arrange interviews:
Lloyd Ravn at lloydravn@hotmail.com or 506-292-4956
Nick Beaton at nicholas.beaton@gmail.com. 

Press Release: One of Canada’s Fastest Rising Comedy Stars Taking the Stage at the Capital Complex‏

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: One of Canada’s Fastest Rising Comedy Stars Taking the Stage at the Capital Complex

August 22, 2011, Fredericton, NB – Multiple Canadian Comedy Award nominated comedian Nick Beaton will be cracking up the audience in Wilser’s Room at Fredericton’s Capital Complex on September 6 at 8PM.

Beaton, who was born and raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia and has been performing stand-up comedy in Toronto for the past several years, has toured Canada as a headline and feature act. He is hitting Fredericton as part of his final Canadian tour before relocating to the United Kingdom to further his fast-growing comedy career.

A past nominee in the Best New Stand Up category at the Canadian Comedy Awards, Beaton was also nominated in 2010 for his Comedy Now television special which aired on CTV and the Comedy Network. He has also been seen on Much Music’s hit show Video on Trial and CBC’s Halifax Comedy Festival as well as heard on CBC Radio’s popular program, The Debaters. He is also the 2007 winner of the Home Grown Comedy competition at the world-famous Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montréal.

Nick will be headlining the show, which will be emceed by Sussex-based comedian Lloyd Ravn, who helped Beaton organize a small New Brunswick circuit beginning in Fredericton and also taking in Sussex and Moncton. “When I heard that Nick was going to be in the Maritimes for a few weeks before he headed to the UK, I knew I had to do some shows with him. He was always one of my favourites on the Canadian comedy scene,” said Ravn, who has performed with Beaton a number of times in Toronto before moving home to New Brunswick in 2010.

The feature act in the approximately 2-hour show will be Moncton-native, Montreal-based comedian, JC Surette.

Tickets for the show are $10 and will be available at the Capital Complex at the door (limited seating available).

Show details:

Date: September 6, 2011
Location: Wilser’s Room at the Capital Complex, 362 Queen Street, Fredericton
Time: 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Tickets: $10. Available in advance by contacting Lloyd Ravn at lloydravn@hotmail.com, or at the Capital Complexon show night (Limited seating available)

About Nick Beaton:

From a blue collar background, Nick Beaton cuts through the bullshit of an overly bureaucratic society that takes itself way too seriously. Whether it’s done through his opinionated rants, hard hitting jokes, or his disarming "every man" personality Nick Beaton is a favorite wherever he performs. He has performed at the Montreal Just for laughs festival, the Halifax comedy festival, and has received numerous accolades for his comedy, including being a myspace featured comedian and winning the 2007 Just for Laughs Toronto Homegrown Competition. You can hear Nick on Xm satellite radio's "Laugh Attack," or see him on his award nominated National Comedy special "Comedy Now!"

For more information, or photos:
Lloyd Ravn at lloydravn@hotmail.com or 506-292-4956
Nick Beaton at nicholas.beaton@gmail.com.