Have a good laugh at Standup for Des Plaines V benefit
Zanies Comedy Club and the Whalen family are celebrating the fifth year of working together to raise money to support the Des Plaines Community Foundation at Standup for Des Plaines V, a special comedy night benefit Wednesday, April 12.
"This will be the fifth year of the charity event for the Des Plaines Community Foundation," said Dan and Jody Whalen.
According to the Whalens, who have lived in Des Plaines for 36 years, the profit from last year's Zanies fundraiser was nearly $6,000. All funds went to support the Des Plaines Community Foundation and its programs.
Standup for Des Plaines V will be held at Zanies Comedy Club, 5437 Park Place, in Rosemont. Tickets are $20. Everyone must be 21 or older with a proper ID. The show starts at 8 p.m.
For tickets, call Rosemary Argus at (847) 525-5566; Dan Whalen, (847) 343-6211; or Jody Whalen, (847) 561-0726.
"Zanies Comedy Club and their general manager worked with us to host this fundraiser for the past five years and allowed the entire ticket price to go to the charity," said Dan Whalen. "All event guests have to do is purchase a ticket and two items off the menu - such as a drink or an appetizer - and enjoy the show."
According to Rosemary Argus, executive director of the DPCF, the Whalens provide a fun evening and raise a significant amount of funds for the foundation.
"We appreciate their good work," said Argus.
The comedy headliner at Standup for Des Plaines V will be Tim Walkoe with his unique style. Also in the lineup is Bill Gorgo, one of Chicago's favorite headlining comedians and storytellers. The host for the evening will be John Da Cosse, a regular on the Steve Cochran morning show on WGN Radio.
Tim Walkoe easily earned his distinction by making his television debut on Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham," and was invited to perform at Montreal's Just For Laughs Comedy Festival and The Great American Comedy Festival in the same year.
"Nonstop laughter from start to finish," is what a Chicago Tribune critic said about the stand-up comedy performance of Walkoe.
"Walkoe's rapid-fire delivery and shoot-from-the-hip style leaves audiences laughing so hard it's hard to catch up to the next joke," the critic said.
Bill Gorgo one of Chicago's favorite headlining comedians and storytellers will be in the lineup. He sets the tone with his sit-down storytelling of growing up Catholic, raising a daughter and approaching the dating world. Gorgo makes audiences appreciate the possibilities - and hilarity - of maturity.
John Da Cosse and his character voices have been heard nationwide, and he has opened for big names like Ellen DeGeneres, George Lopez, Craig Ferguson and Billy Gardell, and has appeared on NBC, Comedy Central and TBS.
Da Cosse can be seen at Zanies in the Chicago area, and all Funnybone and Improv comedy clubs across the United States.
"Zanies has been very helpful in planning the date and the show," said Jody Whalen. "We had more than 150 guests show up the past two years, which was just great."
Dan Whalen also plans to do about five minutes of stand-up comedy at the event, reminiscing about his younger days when he did open mic night at the old Rosemont COMEDY Cottage in the mid-1980s.
Jody Whalen will prepare a dozen or so raffle gift baskets packed with items from local businesses. There also will be a "Split-the-Pot" raffle with a cash prize.
The Des Plaines Community Foundation raises funds to identify, link and mobilize assets to support the service programs of the Des Plaines Healthy Community Partnership Programs, whose activities improve the lives of those that live and work in Des Plaines.
Some of the programs include: Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Healthy Community/Healthy Youth, Intergenerational program, and Seasons of Service.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) also delivered on about 500 requests for help from Des Plaines residents in need this year. The NHN Program links community volunteers with residents in need of transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, yard and home care, installation of emergency response boxes, wheelchair ramps and decks.
Volunteers also provide transportation to Des Plaines residents. All residents have to do is call the NHN hot line at (888) 646-8898 and request help.
The foundation is 100% volunteer driven. The DPCF is a 501(c)3 organization and funds are obtained from individuals, businesses, corporate tax-deductible contributions and other foundations and grants.