HOLYOKE – The Women Business Owners Alliance (WBOA) will hold its 21st annual Women’s Night of Comedy on Thursday, March 13 at 5 p.m. at the Log Cabin restaurant.
The cost for the event is $55 per person, and the proceeds will be split to benefit Girls Inc. of Holyoke and WBOA. Girls Inc. will use the proceeds to support its Eureka! program, a new component of Operation SMART, which benefits young girls.
“We are excited to partner with Girls Inc. this year,” said Eileen Jerome, a member of WBOA and the co-chair for the event along with member Kimberly Chagnon.
“The Women's Night of Comedy is always a fabulous ladies’ night out, and knowing that we can impact the lives of so many well-deserving young women in the Girls Inc. program makes the entire evening even sweeter.”
Suzanne Parker, executive director of Girls Inc., is pleased to have her program named to receive the funds as she said Eureka! has been proven to get great results and has helped transform the lives of girls.
“We are thrilled to be one of 12 Eureka! programs across the U.S. and to partner with the College of Natural Sciences to launch such an innovative program here in Western Massachusetts,” said Parker. “Eureka! results in girls staying in school, advancing according to a plan and graduating poised to pursue post-secondary education. Girls will be well prepared to take on leadership roles in their future careers.”
Last year, over 360 women attended the Women’s Night of Comedy, and roughly $12,500 in proceeds was given to three area charities: the Smart Girls program at the Boys & Girls Club of Westfield, the Homework House of Holyoke and the Holyoke Career Closet.
The event begins at 5 p.m. with shopping from vendors who offer goods and services and a raffle and cash bar. Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the comedy routines and dessert.
This year’s headliners are Mary Ellen Rinaldi, Katie Grady and Sherry Davy. Rinaldi is a successful performer who has toured comedy clubs throughout Boston and New England. Grady has regularly appeared on Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn and recently appeared on Nick At Nite’s series “Search for America’s Funniest Mom II.” Davy was proclaimed one of the Rising Stars of Boston Comedy by The Boston Phoenix and is one of Boston’s few regular female headliners.
WBOA members continue to seek sponsors for the event. There are several levels of sponsorship that range from $500 to $3,000. Donations of raffle baskets for the event would be very much appreciated.
While the event is typically attended by women, men are welcome. For sponsorship and ticket information, visit http://wboa.org/comedy-night.
For general information, contact Jerome at 413-896-0002 or ejerome@verizon.net.