Comic James Cunningham discusses shoes, a teetering barge and how it feels to be a comedian uncaged

Comedian James Cunningham is one of five headliners performing during the Komedy for Kidneys benefit show April 14 in Niagara Falls.

There’s been a lot of coverage about the heroes of the pandemic. The ordinary people who stood up to the challenges of having to carry on throughout mandated shut-downs in order to help others. The front-line workers risking their own well-being to create a sense of normalcy for their communities. Teachers innovating methods to connect with their students in a world of isolation. Each story inspired us. They motivated us. They gave us hope that we’d get through it all.

Yet, sadly, there’s been a group of people that have been overlooked. People whose very existence relies upon the energy only a live audience can feed them. They’ve been salivating like confined tigers being teased with a tender pork loin, but the wait is finally over. And, just like an endangered animal being released back into the wild jungle, the stand-up comic is ready to pounce on stage and entertain the crowd.

“We are so excited to actually have live audiences back. I mean, we’re just like caged animals ...so (we’ll) get a sense of that crowd and I think that crowd is not going to know what hit them. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” says comedian James Cunningham.

Cunningham, a regular guest on the Marilyn Dennis Show , is one of five headliners performing at the 15th annual Komedy for Kidneys Rodney Pentland Memorial benefit on April 14. He says although comedians have been keeping busy with Zoom shows or internet comedy, there’s nothing that compares to being able to interact with a live audience.

“Ohhh! We feed off the energy,” he says. “And just to be out in public with people. It’s crazy. This is going to be, for many of the comedians and many of the audience members, their first time being out again (at) an actual show…the energy in the show is going to be really great.”

Komedy for Kidneys, being emceed by comic Mark Matthews, is an annual benefit raising money for the local dialysis units of the Niagara hospital system in honour of comedian Rodney Pentland who passed away due to complications stemming from kidney disease. Matthews also faces the struggles of kidney disease, and when he no longer responded to dialysis, which he stresses is not a cure, he was told he needed a kidney transplant.

“These are treatments. These are not cures…it got to a point where if I didn’t get a transplant it was simply just a matter of months. Weeks. So my brother (David) offered to donate his. I got a kidney from my brother,” he says.

Cunningham is looking forward to the benefit, not only because it gives him a chance to connect with a live audience again, but it also allows him to step up to the plate and do what he can to support his good friend.

“I knew Rodney and I know Mark and of Mark’s many issues with his kidneys… so if there was any way to help (them) and raise some good money, of course I am there. And it’s a great event and they do a great job with it. Every time I’ve gone I’m just hanging out with some of my friends on the show. They’ve always sold it right back to the back wall which is fantastic and they always raise a whole lot of money so, yeah, I’m really excited.”

Cunningham says when he was “just a young budding comic” Matthews provided him with opportunities to work his material and grow as a performer.

“When I was a young comic, still wet behind the ears, Mark Matthews was super nice to me and he gave me some pretty good spots. He would bring me out and we have a lot of crazy road stories together. He’s such a great guy. So he called me and he said we’re raising money…and I would give him my other kidney for God’s sake, that’s how great he is. So yeah, he really helped me out when I was a young comic and now it’s 20 some odd years or something in the business and I think I’ve done okay for myself so I can’t complain.”

James Cunningham, is a regular guest on the 
Marilyn Dennis Show and hosted the Food
Network's Eat Streets

And not only is Cunningham grateful for the opportunities Matthews provided, he also appreciates the insightful advice he was given.

“One of the first things Mark ever told me, and this is funny, (was) when I was a young, amateur comic. Mark said, ‘hey, listen, there’s a show I want you to come out for and you’re going to open up for me. So, I was opening up for Mark and I guess he was nervous and (wondering) how do I give advice to this young comic? And he said, ‘okay, show up’,” explains Cunningham. 

But the words of wisdom didn’t stop there.

“And, I don’t know why he said this,” he laughs. “But he said, and I always make fun of him, he said ‘wear shoes’. Wear shoes. Wear shoes. And I was like, “ok” and he caught himself and realized how stupid that was. So, always to this day, in every text or call with him, I just go “wear shoes, buddy, eh? Wear shoes!”

Cunningham says he’s considering going rogue for the benefit and leaving his shoes at home, but he’s worried there may be something more exciting than even a barefoot comic that could upstage him.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun (and we’re) raising money for a good cause. And you know, hopefully we won’t be upstaged. Hopefully the barge won’t let loose that night. That’s what I am worried about. I’m worried about that. What if everyone goes, ‘oh my gosh the barge just let loose’ and everyone runs out of the theatre to go watch the barge. Oh no!”

Shoes or no shoes? Headline hogging barge? These complex uncertainties are just a few of the challenges a comic faces. But one thing Cunningham says is a guarantee is that Komedy for Kidneys is going to be an amazing show.

“It’s going to be crazy. I mean, off the hook. Yeah, it’s going to be a lot of fun. A lot of top comics on a great night raising some money for a great cause. And what could go wrong, right?”

Komedy for Kidneys is being held at the Greg Frewin Theatre in Niagara Falls on April 14.

Mark Matthews will be emceeing with the stand-up comedy of headliners: Mitch McBeaudry, Evan Carter, Justin Shaw, Tony Venditti and James Cunningham.

For tickets call 905-356-0777 or purchase them online at https://gregfrewintheatre.com/buy-tickets.html

Doors open at 7pm* Show starts at 8:20pm

Comics are ready to get back on stage at the 15th annual KOMEDY FOR KIDNEYS Rodney Pentland Memorial Benefit Show

 

A story of friendships, laughs and a brother's gift: Komedy for Kidneys benefit providing more than just laughs

 

 You can also Read this story on my new website!

“I hope everybody comes out to the show just for the f*cking break,” says comedian Mark Matthews. “Go ahead. I mean it. Just to say the hell with it (and) let’s go out and have some fun.”

Matthews will be emceeing the Komedy for Kidneys Rodney Pentland Memorial Benefit Show on April 14. The fundraiser is being held at the Greg Frewin Theatre in Niagara Falls and features the stand-up comedy of five headliners: Mitch McBeaudry, Evan Carter, Justin Shaw, Tony Venditti and James Cunningham.

“The guys that are on our show are usually the headliners. The featured acts at clubs and large shows and corporate shows. The guys who have made it and can stand on any stage in front of, and follow, anybody. We’ve got five of those in all different stages of development.”

Matthews says it’s been a long time since people have been able to enjoy a live event and not only are audiences ready, but the comedians are looking forward to hitting the stage to entertain.

“We were the last show to play (at the Greg Frewin Theatre) in the middle of March 2020 (before provincial shut downs),” he explains. “And he dedicates his theatre to us every year. It’s such a cool room. It’s like a Vegas show room.”

Matthews says he’s seen many places as an entertainer, but the Greg Frewin Theatre has a special atmosphere.

“It’s an interesting venue for comedy, but as a fundraiser, it just adds a little level of extra class to it. And the comedians work to destroy that class. It’s our mission.”

Komedy for Kidneys originated about 16 years ago as a benefit to raise money for the Kidney Foundation. Matthews and another comedian, Rodney Pentland, were  both dealing with kidney disease at the time, however one year after the first fundraising show, Pentland passed away due to complications stemming from the disease.

“And since then we’ve been doing an annual fundraiser called Komedy for Kidneys (and) the funds go to the local dialysis units of the Niagara hospital system.”

There is a special plaque at the entrance of the dialysis centre in honour of Pentland.

“So in this way we honour him every year. We get to remember him and have fun and really he’s the catalyst for people getting together, doing stand-up and getting some money raised for some folks who really need it. Believe me, I know.”

Matthews was diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis and says Komedy for Kidneys means “a lot to me personally” because he knows how it feels to be a patient needing dialysis.

“I will never forget what it is like to sit there for 3-4 hours, sometimes longer, three or four times a week, away from your family, away from everything and (be) dependent upon a machine to clean you up for a day or two until you’ve got to come back and do it all over again.”

Matthews remembers sitting at the top of the stairs with his family so he could watch television because the dialysis hose restricted how far he could go.

“I watched Jeopardy from the stairs,” he laughs.

Matthews stresses that dialysis is not a cure for kidney disease.

“These are treatments. These are not cures…it got to a point where if I didn’t get a transplant it was simply just a matter of months. Weeks. So my brother (David) offered to donate his. I got a kidney from my brother.”

And, although he was grateful for his brother’s offer, Matthews says there was a difficult emotional struggle being able to accept it.

“The toughest part is I’m his older brother, so as much as we fight and as much as I destroyed him as he was growing up… I looked out for him. I was told to constantly look out for (him). So you take it seriously. I really do, And here he was, going to risk his life? I really, really had a problem with that. It was really hard.”

Matthews says it was one of his doctors that finally got him to switch perspective and realize that he would have done the same thing for David if the situation was reversed.

“He said to me, ‘so you’re his big brother (and) if he was in your seat would you do the same for him?’...and that was also the moment I said, 'I like this doctor. I trust this doctor' because he is absolutely right. And it was just hard to, on one level, to accept, because I was really sick and I didn’t want to accept that, but also because it might affect my little brother. 15 and a half years since we had the transplant and my brother’s doing great and I’m doing pretty damn good myself. So that’s my story.”

In addition to co-organizing Komedy for Kidneys, Matthews also does speaking engagements at hospitals about his experiences with dialysis.

“That’s really the reason we do this. I mean, we could commemorate Rodney by getting together with our friends every year, but the money goes to dialysis units….the equipment has to be replaced on a regular basis, and surprise, not all that money comes from the tax payers. It doesn’t. They have to raise money other ways. And to be more innovative and make the patient more comfortable there’s certain methods of dialysis.”

Matthews says being able to stay at home for dialysis instead of having to go to a hospital is a game changer for patients.

“Imagine if you were doing home care during Covid and you were able to dialyze at home instead of having to go to a hospital. Just the level of stress would be so much less. But those traveling machines cost money and that’s not something they have extra money for. If they want that, somebody's got to find it for them. And that’s the kind of thing we do.”

Matthews hopes the community will come out and show their support for Komedy for Kidneys as they have in the past and he says they are working hard to create an environment that people can feel safe, relax and just enjoy a night of laughter.

For tickets call 905-356-0777 or purchase them online at https://gregfrewintheatre.com/buy-tickets.html

Doors open at 7pm* Show starts at 8:20pm

 

 

Coming Soon!

Meier Family Organic Farm Store focus is on integrity and quality

Shopping local supports farmers and offers an entire experience for families

Rita Pupo displays a plateful of freshly baked Christmas cookies available at The Meier Family Organic Farm.
 She says their store offers customers the opportunity to not only shop, but to learn more about the source of where their food comes from.

The last week before Christmas can be crazy for people. There are gifts to get, lists to make and an endless sea of tasks that suddenly need to be done. The thought of bundling up and heading out to the store can be overwhelming, but it does not need to be, says Rita Pupo.

The Meier Family Organic Farm offers customers an opportunity to support local farmers as well as enjoy the holiday season as it was meant to be.

“The Farm Store is a great place to visit all year round,” says Pupo. Pupo’s parents, Hans and Rosemarie Meier opened their doors three years ago.  “We even have a petting zoo area in the summer time. And fresh produce, of course.”

But, when it comes to Christmas shopping, she says there is no other place quite like the Farm Store.

“Christmas is when people really should consider visiting a place like this. Christmas is so hectic and all about shopping at big stores and buying fancy gifts packaged in lots of plastic. This day-in-age I think it’s important to think about how we can make a difference - for the planet and for our community.”

Pupo says that there are many “great things” available at the store that can “make Christmas special and meaningful.”

And, she points out, Christmas is not simply about gifts.

“If you bring the family, you can make memories, too,” she says. “The family can look around at the fields and see the chickens out and about. And the garden, although it looks pretty bleak this time of year, you can see what you are getting.  Honesty is really important to us, and we are always happy to answer questions about our farm and anything we have at the store. Our customers like to know where the products they are buying come from, and most of what we have here is grown and produced right here on the farm.”

The store has been open for three years, and Pupo says it has been “very rewarding.”

The farm offers unique gift ideas such as machine washable lambskins, dry goods, fresh cookies and custom gift baskets made as you wait.

“There are tons of amazing gifts and food items here at the Farm Store,” she says. “Our fruity jams are amazing, and we have all kinds of preserves. Our goat milk soaps are really popular and we have bath bombs and body care products that are great stocking stuffers. Beeswax candles are a staple at our Christmas morning breakfast.”

She says they offer organic lamb, goat and chickens which are a “great alternative to turkey dinners for a smaller family.”

Everything at the Farm Store is created with the concept of being as organic as possible.

“Our cookies are made with spelt flour, which is an ancient grain. The Christmas cookies are our specialty of German recipes and the best ingredients, like our jam. We can make all these different products because The Meier Family Organic Farm is a homestead type farm with everything from a large market garden to fields with crops and pasture and ethically raised lamb and goats; we even have a bee yard. It’s a ton of work, but it’s our passion. A labour of love.”

The Meier Family Organic Farm store is located at 191 River Road (between Effingham Street and South Pelham Road) in Pelham and is open each Saturday between 10-4.

13th annual Chorus Niagara sing-a-thon serenades Welland

Welland ‘a joy’ says Chorus Niagara’s artistic director.

 

The Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir performed in the 

13^th annual sing-a-long fundraising event at the Seaway Mall on February 8, 2019.

Audiences were treated to an auditory delight as Chorus Niagara performed for five hours during their 2019 sing-a-thon fundraiser on Saturday. The fundraiser took place at the Seaway Mall, and artistic director, Robert Cooper, says performing in Welland is always a pleasure.

“Coming to Welland is a joy,” Cooper says. “The Seaway Mall is where it all started…where we did our famous Hallelujah flash mob.”

In 2010 Chorus Niagara performed Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus in Alphabet Photography’s Christmas Flash Mob in the Seaway Mall’s food court which was posted to Youtube.

“Over-night it became a huge viral success. And it’s now past 55 million hits on youtube; more than Justin Bieber,” Cooper told an enthusiastic crowd in between performances.

(watch the 2010 Chorus Niagara flash mob performance at Seaway Mall in Welland here)

The sing-a-thon raises money for Chorus Niagara’s activities, main stage concerts and Cooper says chorus members were responsible for raising a minimum of $350 each by collecting pledges. He says the goal for the event is to raise $50,000.

“The generosity of the people of Niagara is wonderful. Our audiences have tripled since moving to the (First Ontario Performing Arts Centre). We went from performing in churches to a whole new level in a hall. And, in my mind, we’re an arts organization equal to a symphony.”

Cooper says Chorus Niagara is dedicated to the community and strives for excellence.

“It is an occasion for an audience when they come to a concert hall. It is an event. Our members do more than participate. We perform great music. We inspire people. People are touched by the music. We want precision and excellence. Our quality of level of standard allows the music to speak.”

Chorus Niagara has about 100 auditioned members, and is part of “a family of choirs” that also includes Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir, the Side-by-Side High School Chorale, and the Robert Cooper Choral Scholars Program.

The sing-a-long featured performance by the Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir and also showcased many special guest conductors from the community.

Read it at the St. Catharine's Standard here