The Cayman Islands Cancer society had them laughing – and groaning – in the aisles at the Laughin’ for Hope stand-up comedy fundraiser held at Margaritaville on Thursday 1 March.
With funnyman the Big Kahuna as emcee and opening standup act, the show also featured local talent Dave ‘n’ Teri with the popular Cayman Islands Update sketch roasting a number of hot Cayman issues.
The highlight of the evening was the double headliner bill featuring Floridian Dave Tucker and Atlanta’s Shaun Jones who provided the capacity crowd with some insight into the more raunchy aspects of life.
Tucker and Jones are veterans of the comedy circuit, both having started out over a decade ago. Mr. Tucker has won several HBO sponsored comedy festivals in the US, while Mr. Jones is a BET regular and has appeared on film in such comedies as Ace Ventura II.
The duo met through their involvement with American Cancer Society, an association that brought them to the attention of the Cayman organization.
True to the provocative nature of stand-up comedy, some of the more off-colour jokes raised an expected number of eyebrows, but the acts were well received overall and got a hearty reception.
Speaking after the performance, the comedians commented on the challenges involved with facing a new audience, especially when it’s a real mix of backgrounds and ages that often occurs at charity events.
But they have learned to test the waters and hone their acts accordingly.
‘We definitely toned down our act in respect of it being a fundraiser, and it seems to have gone over well,’ said Mr. Jones.
‘We’ve got quite a bit of experience now that we’ve been doing the fundraiser circuit for a while,’ he said.
The comedians were also at an advantage having visited Cayman on previous occasions, so they could mine some familiar territory and elicit a few locally inspired observations.
‘It’s great to see the speed limits have gone up from ten to fifteen miles per hour,’ joked Mr. Jones.
‘And it’s not everyone who gets to perform in a place that has a giant cheeseburger sticking out of the wall,’ quipped Mr. Tucker.
Organizers Christine Sanders and Dr. Sook Yin were pleased with the great response received for Cayman’s first high-profile comedy night in years.
‘We had more than three hundred and fifty people come out, a fantastic turnout for a first-time event of this kind,’ said Dr. Sook Yin.
While standup comedy had enjoyed popularity on Grand Cayman in bygone years, it’s been nine years since a big act has come to the Island, and the demand was clear.
‘The event brought out a great mix of individual and corporate supporters, as well as a whole contingent of walk-in tourists who were happy to contribute to the event as well,’ said Ms. Sanders.
‘We are so grateful for the generosity we’ve seen here tonight in the name of preventing and fighting cancer here in Cayman.’
Margaritaville manager Arthur Screaton is looking forward to more events of its kind and says the venue is looking to make comedy a regular fixture in months to come.
‘We have this great spot that’s perfect for standup. We were really pleased to be a part of this fantastic evening in the name of such a good cause that hopefully will be the start of a new era for comedy in Cayman,’ he said.
Comedy 1: The capacity crowd at Margaritaville enjoying a good laugh last Thursday at the Cancer Society fundraiser
Comedy 2: comedians Shaun Jones and Dave Tucker
Comedy 3: Dave Tucker gave a high-energy performance that had the crowd in stitches
Comedy 4: Shaun Jones offered up some provocative observations on love, marriage, and kids.
Comedy 5: Shaun Jones shares a laugh with the Cancer Society’s Dr. Sook Yin and Christine Sanders.
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