The first pet rescue fundraiser event of its kind that we’ve seen, Paws for Laughs will bring together aspiring kid comedians, professional comedians, good food, a market (including secondhand books!) and silent auction, all for the good cause of supporting animal rescue group Furry Tales.
This project is the brainchild of Lisa Hwang, who has been helping to coordinate pet rescue fundraising events once or twice a year. Hwang says: “When I learned of Team Comedy Club China (CCC) in Beijing this past summer, I was really excited! I wanted more people, especially those living further from downtown in Shunyi, to know about them too. I even invited a comedian to do a comedy 101 crash course for my son and his friends to foster new social interactions and develop their public speaking skills.” Hwang shares her inspiration: “Later, when brainstorming for this year’s second pet rescue fundraiser, I put two and two together and asked if the kids would like to test their skills on stage after the ‘comedy camp.’ They and their parents were all super supportive, so everything just came together from there!”
Typically, live comedy shows are not suitable for kids, but just for this event, the comedians from CCC – including such popular names as Donnie Fan and Kei Gambit – kindly modified their content to suit younger audiences. Other performing comedians at the event include Miao, Dani, and Zou Lu.
But it may just be the amateur open mic that will steal the show at the event, seeing as how it will be the first time that kids as young as 12 will be standing on the stage and trying their material. We spoke to three of these soon-to-be live-performing comedians to find out what they’ve got in store for you!
JK: Hi! Please introduce yourself briefly!
Austin: I’m Austin. I enjoy playing video games and hanging out with my friends.
Hugo: My name is Hugo and I’m from Ireland.
Max: Hi I am Max and I’m 12.
JK: What made you decide to join this event and perform?
Austin: To help raise money for charity.
Hugo: I thought it would be fun to try it out.
Max: My mom. I have no control over this.
JK: Have you performed in front of an audience before?
Austin: Yes I have. I was extremely nervous before the performance, but I always have fun during the show and enjoy performing for everyone.
Hugo: Yes, I did performances in primary school and was part of the secondary school production this year.
Max: Yes but it was super cringe (-worthy).
JK: What’s your style of comedy and which comedians do you admire?
Austin: I don’t have a preferred type of comedy, but if I were to choose what I think is the most funny, I’d have to say dad jokes always get me.
Hugo: I don’t have any particular style of comedy but I like Tommy Tiernan, Gabriel Iglesias, Steve Carrell and of course Donnie Fan!
Max: Impressionists are fun and storytelling with jokes.
JK: Tell us a joke, please.
Austin: My wife is really annoyed at my lack of sense of direction, so I packed up my stuff and right.
Hugo: You’ll have to wait for my jokes on the event night!
Max: I am not funny.
Want to join these comedian-hopefuls and help a good cause? Paws for Laughs is still recruiting more amateur performers for their open mic segment at the event. Kids of all ages can apply, subject to parental approval of course. Scan Lisa Hwang’s QR code below to sign up, and also to purchase your tickets. Pre-event entry tickets are RMB 50 each but the price will increase to RMB 70 at the door, and are available only on a first-come, first-served basis! Chair seats are also available for an additional RMB 70. All proceeds go to aiding our animal pals at Furry Tales.
KEEP READING: Furry Tales: Introducing Beijing’s Latest Pet Rescue Group
Images: Courtesy of Lisa Hwang, participating performers
