AROUND TOWN WITH BILL BROOKS

Our social scribe spotlights the city

Laughter, it is said, is the best medicine. And what better way to raise funds — and awareness — for a disease that will affect one in seven Alberta men than to take the conversation from dire to droll. Sure, prostate cancer is nothing to laugh about. But end of the day, there is nothing like a good chuckle to make one feel better.

The clever folks at Cowboys came up with the novel idea of hosting an event to raise funds for the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre’s new Women for Men’s Health clinic by hosting the inaugural Blue Ball. The standing-room only event, held Dec. 1, featured four stand-up comics, terrific silent auction items, libation and food and free PSA testing in the Man Van. That tickets (which included a free beverage and food) were only $20, which ensured it was a roaring success.

Kudos to Cowboys’ Tanya Twerdy, Trish Thompson, Meryl Oberhofer, Darcy Chalifoux, Paul Vickers, Scarlet Lee, Austin Rieger, Dave Urner and their fantastic staff on a job well done. And good on you sentiments to sponsors Jack Daniel’s, Spolumbo’s and SN 960 The Fan on stepping up to lend support for the cause.

Comics taking to the stage this night included Pete Giovine, Comedy Store, L.A.’s Mike Young, Theo Von of Netflix’s No Offense and Andrew Santino of Showtime’s Homefield Advantage. Guests having a marvellous time this night included: Doggie Stylz Pet Grooming’s Jodi Klatt and her husband, Barry Klatt of Cor.Fit; Prostate Cancer Centre board member and Women for Men’s Health founder Dr. Shelley Spaner; Dr. Viesha Ciura; Dr. Wayne Young; Dr. Kevin Danschinko; Jack Daniel’s provincial sales director Kevin Hanson with colleague Kai Green, brand ambassador; Bennett Jones’ Steve Major; Mercari Capital’s Lee Pettigrew; ReMax’s Keith Davey; Lisa Smith; Kara Jeannotte; Prostate Cancer Centre executive director Pam Heard, Man Van program manager Ken Rabb, fund development director Eva Moreau, communications co-ordinator Sheldon Semmler and executive administrative assistant Shannon de Vall.

You’ll want to mark Friday, Feb. 2 on your calendar for the Give Your Man a Hand event at Hotel Arts. The gloves-on gala will raise funds for the Women for Men’s Health clinic. Tickets are available at WomenForMenGala.com

PHOTOS: BILL BROOKS The inaugural Blue Ball, held Dec. 1 at Cowboys, was a great success. Standup comics, terrific auction items and free PSA testing in the Man Van were but a few of the highlights. The event raised funds and awareness for the Women For Men’s Health...

Doggie Stylz Pet Grooming’s Jodi Klatt and Cor.Fit’s Barry Klatt

Dr. Shelley Spaner, left, and Dr. Viesha Ciura

Emcee and comedian Peter Giovine, Scarlet Lee, Austin Rieger and Dave Urner

Bennett Jones’ Steve Major, read, ReMax’s Keith Davey, left, and Mercari Capital’s Lee Pettigrew

From left, Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre’s Shannon DeVall, Eva Moreau and Pam Heard

Dr. Wayne Young, left, and Dr. Kevin Danschinko

Mike Young of Comedy Store L.A.

Jack Daniel’s brand ambassador Kai Green, left, and provincial sales director Kevin Hanson

Lisa Smith, left, and Kara Jeannotte