Maridon fundraiser is a laughing matter
The Maridon Museum is hosting a Slapsticks Funny Fundraiser comedy night Saturday featuring Bill Benden, Quinn Patterson and Tom Musial.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. followed by a buffet dinner at 6 p.m. and the show at 7:30 p.m. at the General Butler Vagabonds hall, 138 Whitestown Road, Lyndora. A Build a Bar raffle is also planned.
Patterson, in his 10th year performing stand up comedy and improvisation, will be one of the three comedians on stage for the evening.
Patterson said he worked with the famous Second City improvisational troupe for three years, and now as an individual stand up comedian “performs all over the place.”
He said he forms his act through observation, jotting stuff down then breaking it down.
“I take it to an open mic, try to work it out, see what you might need to add to it, what to take away, construct it,” he said. He talks about personal topics and enjoys interacting with the audience.
“I love to improvise, talk to people, act things out,” he said.
Comedy is a full-time gig for him, though he does also have a part-time job “to keep busy,” he said.Patterson hails from Cleveland — yes the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers' nemesis Browns. He said its OK to talk about sports rivalries, in fact he brings the subject up himself most times.Some topics are tougher.“I touch on politics a little but you can't really do that now,” he said.There are just some topics he said he tries to stay away from: “politics, sex and religion, anything that divides a room.”His half-hour featured act will be sandwiched between those of Bill Benden and Tom Musial.“I'm the middle guy,” Patterson said. “It's a great place to be, but it doesn't matter what position we're in, we're there to make you laugh!”
Musial, who will serve as emcee, said his comedy “focuses on the absurdities of family life.“My wife and I are raising six sons, so there is always something happening in my house that is easy to view from a comic perspective.”Musial said audience members should expect “a hilarious stand-up comedy show, lasting about 2 hours, including a 15-minute intermission.”Tickets for the evening and dinner are $40. Call 724-282-0123 or visit maridon.org.For the Build a Bar raffle, guests donating a bottle of wine or spirits or a six-pack of beer receive a raffle ticket, and the winner takes home the entire collection. Tickets also will be available at the event. Those attending must be age 21 or older.
