Community News

'ANGELS' PODCASTERS HOSTING COMEDY FUNDRAISER

PROCEEDS TO GO TO FOOD4KIDS NIAGARA

BRILEE SEARS bsears@metroland.com

The hosts of a Fort Eriebased podcast, Angels Live in my Town, are teaming up with comedians to host a fun night of entertainment raising money for Food4Kids Niagara.

Angels Live In My Town hosts Michael Annunziata and Michael DiMora started their podcast during the pandemic as a way to shine light on local businesses and talent in the Niagara Region.

As their podcast grew, the two made the decision to donate many of the proceeds from their merchandise sales to local organizations like Food4Kids Niagara as another way to give back to and support the community.

"We are fortunate enough to sometimes have really talented people as guests on our show, and we've developed this kind of relationship," explained Annunziata. It's kind of like we want to present them, and their art and their talent to our audience."

Now, they're doing just that, presenting Ben Bankas featuring Jared Nathan and friends as a comedy show to an audience at Brimstone Brewery in Ridgeway.

Annunziata said when he introduced the idea to Bankas, he was quickly on board with the idea. "We approached (Bankas) and said, "Hey, would you do this charity event?" And he was more than willing and more than happy to do it," he said.

All profit from the sale of tickets for the event will be donated to Food4Kids Niagara. In addition, one dollar from every beer sold at the event will also be donated to the group. "I'm guaranteeing that we're going to at least give $1,000 to food for kids Niagara," declared Annunziata.

He added, while a $1,000 donation would do a lot of good, he hopes the community will come together to raise even more. "It has been something that's been close to my heart, making sure that underprivileged children have a good childhood, and then they don't feel like they're lacking or they're missing out," said Annunziata.

The goal of the night is not only to raise money for a worthwhile organization. The podcast hosts also hope an event like this will be able to boost the spirit of community members who attend. "It has been a tough couple of years with the pandemic lockdowns. A lot of people have gone through a lot of things, you know, economic downturn, job loss, loved ones lost," noted Annunziata. "We really just wanted to bring a bit of cheer, and joy, and a sense of levity and humour."

Before attending the show, Annunziata wants people to know, he and DiMora have put a lot of work into curating an event that engages people the whole time they're watching. But he notes, the show is not going to pull any punches when it comes to the jokes comedians tell.

"Ben is a master of comedy and of his craft. And he's out there just telling jokes. So if you're easily offended, you might not have a great time," said Annunziata. "But if you can, if you can just not take yourself so seriously, not take everything he's saying so seriously, you're going to have a wonderful, amazing time."

Tickets for the comedy show on June 25 at the Sanctuary Centre for the Arts, next to Brimstone Brewing Co. in Ridgeway, can be found online at thesanctuaryarts.org/events.

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2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-06-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281852942247299

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