Arts & Entertainment

Laugh Out Loud and Benefit Local Firefighting Community

Side Splitters is rolling out the red carpet for local firefighters as it plays host to a benefit show July 31.

This post was reported and written by Associate Regional Editor Sherri Lonon.

Lovers of live comedy have a chance to laugh out loud while helping a local business raise money for charity as July comes to a close.

Side Splitters Comedy Club in nearby Carrollwood is hosting a “Fun’ Raiser” July 31 to benefit the Hillsborough Firefighters Benevolent Relief Fund. The event takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. that Wednesday.

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For the price of a $50 ticket, comedy fans can enjoy an open bar from 6 to 10 p.m., appetizers from 6 to 7 p.m. and a lineup of comedians that begin taking the stage at 7:30 p.m.

Charity shows are nothing new to the folks at Side Splitters, said Brian Thompson.

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“We hold several fundraisers each year,” he said. “Recently, we have held fundraisers for (slain Tampa) Officers Kocab and Curtis, breast cancer, wounded veterans and many more.”

The July 31 show was planned as a way to give back to the local firefighting community, Thompson said.

“We have a couple customers that are firefighters and one of them lost his brother in 9/11. They do a lot of work with this foundation and they reached out to us.”

The relief fund operations with a goal “provide assistance to our brothers and sisters when they need it the most.” The nonprofit was established in 2004 and focuses mainly on helping Hillsborough County firefighters in need, including those from the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City, according to the agency’s website.

So, what can attendees expect from the July show?

“We have six great comics that will perform that night,” Thompson said. “They include Tim Wilkins, Rahn Hortman, Maurice Jovan, JB Ball, Paul Soleo, and Side Splitters' owner Bobby Jewell.”

In addition to the firefighters fundraiser, Side Splitters,12938 N. Dale Mabry Highway, is also playing host to a school supply drive for Metropolitan Ministries right now. Free admission to some shows is available for those who make a donation.

To find out more about the “Fun’ Raiser, the school supply drive or Side Splitters, just visit the club’s website.


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