Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
Comedy for Conservation helps fox, bobcat, native plants
A different type of fundraiser, Comedy for Conservation, is taking place tonight, Feb. 23, at The Comedy Catch to raise money for Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center. Three comedians will entertain guests with their standup acts, but it’s no joke how much proceeds will help the mission of the wildlife sanctuary.
“We are making updates in our wildlife area — we have a new fox and bobcat — and are planting more native plants,” says Susan Philips, director of marketing and development for the arboretum and nature center.
Tonight’s party starts with a silent auction at 6 p.m. before comedians Moody Molavi, Karen Mills and Roger Keiss take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Following are quick looks at their acts: ›
Moody Molavi: Moody Molavi was born in I ran to an American Southern belle and claims he is the only Iranian Southern Baptist in his family. He married his high- school crush, who later became his sister (he’ll have to explain that), and he has enjoyed life experiences across the globe.
Moody began his comedy career as an actor for his hometown dinner theater. He started doing stand-up in late 2009 and has visited The Comedy Catch previously. Molavi turns his experiences as an Iranian-American growing up in Tennessee into an act that’s clean enough for all ages. ›
Karen Mills: Mocs fans know Mills from her days as a Lady Mocs basketball f i rst- t eam All-American while she was at the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga. She was the first female i nducted i nto UTC’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
As a comedian, she has worked clubs and theaters across the country for 23 years and can be heard daily on Sirius/XM Comedy channels. When she was diagnosed with cancer, she turned her pain into punchlines and fought the disease with a message of hope and humor. She is now cancer-free. ›
Roger Keiss: Since being named a f inalist in Showtime’s “Funniest Person in America,” Keiss has made national television appearances on Showtime’s Comedy Club Network and on TNN. He has performed with the legendary Chuck Berry and country band Alabama.
An avid comedy writer, he has contributed work to Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” monologue. He is a regular writer for the nationally syndicated panel cartoon “Lucky Angler” and “Noogie Elementary” comic strip. He has also written humorous work for corporate clients such as Krystal restaurants and the Augusta National Golf and Country Club.
Philips says $ 15 tickets will be sold at the door tonight or may be purchased today at the Nature Center, 400 Garden Road. They may be bought online for $ 16 at www.reflectionriding.org.