Lac La Biche Gymnastics Society is doing cartwheels after realizing a $6,000 profit from their recent fundraising comedy night.
The third annual comedy show was held on January 25 and brought in 241 people to the Bold Center's Devon Room for a night of food and fun with the help of comedians from the Yuk Yuk's Stand Up Comedy franchise.
Andrea Ulliac, president of the Lac La Biche Gymnastics Society, says after figuring out all the expenses from the event, the profits are great for the club and the young athletes who use it. She is thankful to the people who came out to help the club and have some laughs.
"The event was amazing. It's the best turnout in the three years we have hosted the event," says Ulliac.
The licensed event began with cocktails as tables filled for the pre-show meal.
Comedian Charles Haycock was the first performer, and as light and sound issues interrupted his set, he joked that it was perhaps a cost-cutting measure to make even more money for the club.Haycock began his career back in 2012 and since then has been a part of numerous comedy festivals, more recently the 2018 Winnipeg Comedy Festival and the 2017 Halifax Comedy Festival.
Comedian William Hannigan enjoyed the show, and enjoys traveling to rural communities for these kinds of shows. Raising money for good causes is a great part of his job, he said,and he enjoys the idea of performing in front of new crowds.
"You never know what the venue is like beforehand, all we get is a gig sheet that only tells you when you're performing and for how long. So it's hard to figure out if you're walking into a large crowd like this or some weird saloon," he joked.
Kevin Stobo was the comedy night's headliner. The comedian shared humourous stories about divorce, and life with his new wife. He also joked about some of the challenges a single father has to face.
Ulliac said the immediate reaction of the audience to the comedians showed how good the fundraiser was. The compliments she and an army of volunteers received at the event and in the two weeks since, shows that it's an idea they will continue with.
"The food and entertainment was awesome, and the attendance was a good sign to host again next year," she said.
The funds raised at the comedy night will go towards any number of items at the local gymnastics club, which is housed in the gymnasium at the Key-Way-Tin community centre.
