Comedy show at UAF supports hurricane relief

Submitted by Jeff Stepp
Phone: (907) 474-6026
09/16/05

Professional comedians are putting on a show Friday, Sept. 30 on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. The UAF Student Activities Office and ASUAF Concert Board are hosting the Bust A Gut: Hurricane Relief from the Far North to the Deep South comedy show at 7 p.m. in the Salisbury Theatre with 100% of ticket sales pledged to the relief effort.

Three comedians are flying to Fairbanks to perform at the fundraiser. Joy Gohring, Bernadette Paul, and Rachel Feinstein have professional credits that include specials on Comedy Central, HBO, MTV and VH1, as well as performances at the nation’s most prestigious comedy clubs and festivals.

"We were already planning to host a comedy show during Starvation Gulch weekend," said Jeff Stepp, UAF student activities coordinator. "However, so many students wanted to contribute to the relief effort that we decided to up the ante by moving the show to a bigger venue, raising the ticket price by a few bucks and giving the students and community an opportunity to get together to contribute to the relief effort."

Many campus groups have contributed to the event already, including the UAF Leadership Program, ASUAF, Residence Life, ROTC, Theatre UAF and the UAF Nanook Traditions Committee. Any other groups from the campus or community who would like to help with the event can call Stepp at (907) 474-6026.

"We have an amazing line-up of national talent and we are looking forward to a special evening. We’re stealing the idea from Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg and the others who raised money on behalf of Comic Relief back in the 80s," continued Stepp.

Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the Wood Center front desk and Hoitt’s at $10 for UAF students, faculty and staff and $15 for general admission. If advance tickets sell well, a second show will be added.

Note to editors: Photos of the comedians are available. Interviews can be arranged.