There’s an old saying that comedy and tragedy go hand-in-hand. The power of laughter can be - in many ways - very healing. That’s just what the LA comedy community has been trying to do this past week: Bring people together and show just help people escape the most devastating circumstances that have been surrounding those of us out here these past two weeks.
The community has always been about giving back. Throw a rock and you will find a benefit or a charity show of some sort here. Now, with the city facing massive damages and the fires still unfortunately raging on, the city’s comedy clubs have been focused on joining together and hosting various benefits to offer support to the victims, and also offering free tickets for those who are hurting right now and just need to take their minds off things.
Every single comedy venue out here has been dedicated to giving back. And we wanted to shout out all of the wonderful things they’ve been doing, and let you know how you can help those in times of need.
All week, The Comedy Store has made the majority of their lineups free of charge for everyone. All of their shows in the Original Room and the majority of the shows in the Main Room have been completely complimentary, and we saw reservations fill up within a day of each other. Then, for the shows they have been charging for this weekend, a portion of those tickets will be donated to the LAFD.
Like The Comedy Store, the Hollywood Improv is hosting benefits to support the LAFD. This includes Comedy Crush, which features a lineup that includes Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt, Fortune Feimster, Jason Mewes, and more. Additionally, Taylor Tomlinson did a weekend of shows at the Brea Improv with 100% proceeds going to the fire victims.
Flappers in Burbank has also been giving back in their own way. This past week, they’ve been offering free admission to their shows for all first responders and displaced guests, as a way for people to escape for a few hours and have some complimentary laughs.
For years now, the charity organization Comedy Gives Back has been providing much-needed resources to the comedy community. For their latest offering, however, they’re hosting a fire relief benefit January 31st. The star-studded benefit will feature Zach Galifianakis, Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, John Ennis, Tom Kenny, Jill Talley, and more!
The Laugh Factory also supported the LAFD this past week. They announced that they were going to donate 100% of the proceeds last weekend to the LAFD, to help offer them support to fund getting additional life-saving tools for the firefighters.
Even if you’re not in LA, there are countless opportunities to help support the victims of the fires. Whether it’s via a GoFundMe of someone trying to rebuild their life or it’s a charitable organization that goes directly to support those in need, it all makes a difference right now!