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October 16, 2009
Expect lots of laughter
Vegas comedy fest winner headlines men's night.
DAVID J. LITVAK
Seattle-based comedian Brad Upton, winner of the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, has performed more than 5,000 shows in numerous countries over the past 25 years, including a recent gig at Caesar's Palace in Vegas for an HBO comedy festival.
This month, this likeable and talented comedy veteran will make a rare appearance in Vancouver, as the headliner for Laugh Generously, an evening put on by the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, which will also feature opening acts Mark Fogel and Mel Sprackman.
This will be the third annual Men's Night Out event, which celebrates the men's philanthropy division of Federation's campaign, whose funds benefits community agencies such as the Jewish Family Service Agency, various Jewish day schools and work in
Israel advocacy. This event provides an opportunity for men in the community to kick back, have a drink and a kosher snack, shmooze and have a good time. Attendees at this year's event will have a chance to win a box suite at GM Place to see the Canucks play, which is appropriate given the fact that the National Hockey League (NHL) has been one of Upton's corporate clients.
According to David Newman, event co-chair, "Jewish women in the community have similar events ... we wanted to create something for the guys." He noted, "This event is for men in the community to get together and have a fun night and feel that they are part of a common cause."
Newman explained the process involved in securing a ticket for Men's Night Out. "We are celebrating men's contributions to the campaign, but whether you have given or not – if you are a guy and want to have a great time at wonderful event, please come and join us!" Ultimately, even though there will be a short Federation presentation that night, Newman stressed that the primary goal for the evening "is about connecting, having a good time and a few laughs."
That's where Upton, who is currently on tour in Australia comes in.
According to the Seattle Times, "Upton has mastered the nearly impossible task of appealing to people from the ages of 28 to 80." In an e-mail interview with the Independent, Upton, who has performed with comedy and music legends including the Smothers Brothers, Joan Rivers, Kenny Rogers and Lewis Black noted that, "I just do straight observational stand up and I appeal to a wide range of ages because I can do a lot of gigs."
The versatile comedian, who is celebrating his 25th year in comedy, got his start onstage at the Comedy Underground in Seattle and, after that, was invited to compete in the Seattle Comedy Competition. These days, Upton tours with the Masters of Comedy (which includes Jimmy Brogan, who was a talent coordinator for the Tonight Show for eight years) and he also opens for Johnny Mathis more than a dozen times a year.
Last year, Upton opened for Mathis at the River Rock Casino in Richmond. Working for Mathis is one of his favorite gigs because, "There's always a car waiting at the airport, I have a beautiful room to stay in and a dressing room ... it's a first-class operation and I feel like I'm in showbiz when I'm doing these shows." Aside from opening for Mathis at River Rock, he has also appeared at a comedy club in Vancouver and was hired by the NHL to perform in a warehouse "somewhere in Vancouver" several years ago, when the city hosted the NHL All-Star Game.
Upton loves working in Canada. "All I have to do is open the show by telling Canadians how dumb Americans are and then it's pretty easy." He continued, "I also have some Canadian content material and I think the Canadian audience appreciates the fact that I have paid attention and know what's going on in Canada ... unlike most of my fellow Americans." Although he has never performed for a Jewish audience, Upton isn't worried. In fact, he expects this audience to be "great laughers."
Laugh Generously happens Monday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m., at Honey Lounge in the Lotus Hotel (455 Abbot St.). Brent James and Drory Rozen also serve as event co-chairs and the evening is sponsored by Bull, Hausser and Tupper.
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at jewishvancouver.com or 604-257-5100.
David J. Litvak is a freelance writer and publicist living in Vancouver.
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