Simon King got new shoes.
That's all he's been up to since the last time he came to Prince George six months ago, he said.
Now he's back for the Kinsmen Stand Up for Charity 9 Saturday at the Kinsmen Club.
Known for his specials on The Comedy Network and CTV for Comedy Now, as well as appearing at the Vancouver International and Las Vegas Comedy Festivals, King plays double duty by appearing for the Kinsmen in Vanderhoof on Friday and in Prince George on Saturday.
"When I was here in the summer I was amazed at the response for stand up," said King. "I used to come up here and it seemed to be hard to get people to come out for comedy, but now it just seems to be so great. I'm really looking forward to coming back and we'll just have a lot of fun and it's an added bonus that the money goes to a good cause."
This is the fourth Stand Up For Charity in 13 months, nine in total, and all proceeds are distributed to groups like Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Northern B.C. Friends of Children Society as well as providing a rent subsidy for Big Brothers Big Sisters offices at the Kinsmen Community Complex.
King said he performs at charity events every six weeks or so, and has supported the Canadian Diabetes Association, the Royal Canadian Theatre Company for the youth theatre program and others.
"This is a great opportunity to come back to P.G. because it's the winter, when I want to be there," said King. "I did a gig in Saskatoon last year. I wore canvass shoes and a sleeveless vest - that's how I chose to deal with the cold. I got out of the car... 'This isn't so, oh my God!' and then for six weeks I just froze. I kept thinking this isn't normal. I don't know how people survived before they invented indoors."
The comedy event starts with a beef and chicken buffet with opening acts by local amateur comedians Brian Majore and Devon Flynn to warm up the audience.
"Simon King is the funniest guy in the world," said Mike McGuire, MC and organizer for Stand Up for Charity. "I'm really excited about the show. It's going to be great."
Tickets are $40 and available at Studio 2880 at 250-563-2880 or the Kinsmen at 250-562-8767.
