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Stouffville Sun-Tribune n www.yorkregion.com n Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, 20 COMING UP: Comedy king at 19 on Park Comic happy to keep it clean BY SANDRA BOLAN sbolan@yrmg.com We're only a couple of weeks into the new year but it's been one heck of a tough start. First there was the ice storm recovery, then -40 C temperatures that swung the thermometer over to the positive side causing flooding. To top all of that off, recycling and compost pickup was less than timely. It's enough to make you want to bury your head under the covers until midJune. But what you really need is a good dose of laughter. Three comedians will do their best to make you forget about all this stuff during the Jan. 23 Yuk Yuk's show at the Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment - Nineteen on the Park. "It's not a high-brow performance but it does address the entertainment element that is important to us," said Steven Foster, cultural facility and programming co-ordinator for Nineteen on the Park. This is the sixth comedy-based show in five years at the downtown arts centre and "there's room for expansion of the program in coming seasons. We may add another installment," Mr. Foster said. Headlining this show is Chris Quigley, whose bio states he has "a satirical approach to the seriousness of life with a Dylan-esqe style of writing and hair to match". What sets Mr. Quigley apart from many other comics is his lack of vulgarity. `The F word is such a powerful word. The more you use it the less powerful it is.' "I want to be different than everybody else," he told The Sun-Tribune. "The F word is such a powerful word. The more you use it the less powerful it is." He said not using F-bombs in his act started about 20 years ago after he went to a show with a couple of veterans and prior to hitting the stage, they were notified cussing would not be allowed. Not everybody likes vulgarity, but everyone wants to hear funny stuff, he said, noting people will compliment him after the show for keeping it clean. Mr. Quigley got his start in comedy as a matter of survival. He was the youngest of seven children with the second youngest being 11 years older than him. "I always had to be the funny one to fit in," he said. At 11, while at a youth rally, the MC asked if anyone from the audience wanted to come up on stage to tell a few jokes. Mr. Quigley and two other boys took to the stage. "It felt good people laughed at what I said," Mr. Quigley said. What made the pre-teen decide it would be his career path was when someone from the event ran into his mother at the local bank a few days later and mentioned how funny he was. Also performing in Stouffville Jan. 23 is Hunter Collins, who is known as "North America's foremost nincompoop comedian". Some of Mr. Collins' more memorable performances have taken place at underground rattlesnake fights and festivals, according to his bio. He can be seen on MuchMusic's Video on Trial. Rounding out the night is Michelle Shaughnessy. She beat out a number of comedians from Canada, Ireland, South Africa and the United States to make it to the finals of Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh Off in 2007. You must be over 19 to attend the show. Tickets are $25 each and available at http://nineteenonthepark.com. Headliner Chris Quigley got his start as a comedian at age 11. He's in Stouffville next Thursday. Dating Rituals and WIN a romantic weekend night getaway for two! Tell us about your best, worst or first date Walk for Wellness The 2014 Walk for Wellness is quickly approaching, and CHATS' Seniors need you to get involved! You can still register to participate in the walk online or, you can sponsor a participant online by visiting www.chats.on.ca and clicking on the Walk for Wellness tab. Or you can donate directly to CHATS by visiting www.chats.on.ca and clicking on the Donate tab. Don't be shy! Share your funniest or most unusual dating story with us--in 300 words or less--and you could win a romantic package worth over $350! Rekindle the love with a romantic weekend night getaway in a spacious two-room suite and an intimate dinner for two at Essence of Unionville restaurant in the luxurious and multi-million dollar renovated Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa. We will be virtually walking across Canada to cheer on our athletes for their arrival in Sochi. There will be a Wrap-up Event held at Cardinal Golf Club, February 7 from 6 - 8pm, to celebrate our achievements. All participants and supporters are welcome! Gold Sponsor 1-877-452-4287 www.chats.on.ca This year's walk takes place February 1 ­ February 7. Email your entry to ValentinesDayContest@metroland.com no later than February 9th, 2014. We'll pick the four best tales and publish them in our February 13th editions of Media Sponsor THORNHILL LIBERAL Please include your name, phone number and city/town with your entry! live well, age well, be well All funds raised go directly to CHATS' programs and services, supporting seniors in York Region & South Simcoe