Comedians like Ron James, Elvira Kurt, and Ryan Belleville recently set up Hogtown Supports Cowtown, a benefit that was held to help those affected by the Calgary flood.
Asking the public to donate what they can, the comedians got together in Toronto at the Gladstone Hotel. Proceeds were donated to the Red Cross Alberta Floods Fund. Appearances were made by Sean Cullen, Colin Mochrie, Gordon Pinsent, Deb McGrath, Peter Keleghan, Leah Pinsent, Joe Dinicol, Naomi Snieckus and others (some by video message).
The benefit was created by Calgary-born comedy pair the Rumoli Brothers, aka siblings Brandon and Kurt Firla. “When you know the geography so well and you grew up in that city and you know the neighbourhoods – you have friends there – it’s hard to watch,” Brandon Firla told CBC News. Brother Kurt added, “We could go to people’s basements and just tell jokes, but that wouldn’t really help the matter. We thought if we could raise some money with an event, send it to some Alberta charities, that would do some good. It feels important to help somehow, even though we’re across the country.”
Photo: CBC/The Ron James Show
