Some people sing for their supper, some people offer supper along with a menu of jokes and give everything to charity. Mike McGuire isn't known for his singing voice, so he chose the latter path.
The Prince George-based comedian is one of the leaders in the local standup comedy community. He is veteran enough to have an entire showcase worth of material and he is in the solo spotlight on Saturday night. He is the headliner for the Mike McGuire Gives It To Charity comedy show.
He has been involved in comedy in public for many years and he has become a go-to comic for master of ceremonies duties and setting up comedy events around the city, but taking on the responsibility of a full showcase - 45 minutes or more all on your own - has come relatively recently.
"The first one I ever did was Dec. 28. I wanted to do something for my family, so I had some dates I had to work within, and Nancy O's wasn't able to have me on those nights, so I said 'I'll rent Art Space on my own and hope people come out,'" said McGuire. "Well the show sold right out, the feeling the room was just great, and it looked great on film. I figured if I was going to take the plunge like that, I'd better have the evidence, so we made sure we got it all on camera. I'm getting that ready to sell on DVD and jumpstick, I'd love to have that for sale at this new show, and all of the money for all of it will go to Captain Cure."
Captain Cure is known around the community for flamboyant fundraisers linked to cancer causes. He is involved with the Wheelin' Warriors, for example, and he leads a team at the Relay For Life coming up on May 7, and he pops up throughout the year in other cancer-fighting instances.
Captain Cure is a character invented for these purposes by Aaron Trenholm whose life has been touched by cancer deeply enough that he took on this alter-ego mission.
Trenholm also has musical talents, so he and his band Moonshine & Music (with Shaun Bach, Russ Selzer and Dale Trenholm) will also perform a set following the comedy on Saturday night.
McGuire frequently pinpoints charitable pockets in which to tuck the money made from local comedy. He and some of his funny buddies have a semi-regular show called Standup For Charity that always has a slate of local openers set up a national-level headliner. That money goes to the local chapter of the Kinsmen Club.
"I have a good job, so I don't need to keep the money," McGuire said. "I can give it all to charity. Charity is a nice stripper I know."
All joking aside, on Saturday night he can let it all fly. A few of his friends will open the show with mini-showcases to warm the audience up. Dinner will be served. And then McGuire guns the group with guffaws.
The Art Space doors open at 6:30 with show starting at 7 p.m. It is an 19-plus event. Tickets are $25 in advance, or at the door while supplies last.
