After tornadoes ripped through Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County's warehouses over the summer, one comedian is trying to help through what he knows best: laughter.
To that end, Andrew Lambert, stand-up comedian and president of Lambert Consulting, is hosting "Stand-Up for Habitat" on Nov. 22 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
All proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County.
“Stand-Up for Habitat” is not the first charitable comedy show Lambert has organized. In the past, he has also held “Stand-Up for Autism” and “Stand-Up for Disabilities.” This year, he chose to work with Habitat for Humanity after a tornado destroyed Habitat for Humanity’s storage warehouses.
“It’s not just, ‘Hey, you’re coming out to see a couple guys tell jokes and leave,’” Lambert said. “That money is actually turning around and coming right back into the community.”
Lambert, an IU graduate, has practiced comedy since 2014, mostly performing at local shows in Bloomington. While comedy does bring happiness and laughter to people, Lambert said, it also allows conversations about challenges that society faces.
“I think my favorite aspect of comedy is the opportunity to hold a mirror up to society in general,” Lambert said. “I love the history of, you know, comedy in general in terms of always being there as a way to check some balances, maybe powers, or the absurdity that's out there and really address culture in meaningful ways.”
Joining Lambert on stage will be Chicago-based Evan Hull and Los Angeles-based Daniel Van Kirk. Hull, who will open for Van Kirk, has worked in comedy for a decade, taking him on tours and through clubs. He said Van Kirk, now a close friend, has inspired his comedy over the years.
“I used to listen to his podcast that he would do, like six or seven years ago, and I was actually on that podcast a couple months ago with him,” Hull said. “So, it’s kind of a fun full-circle thing.”
Headliner Van Kirk, who performs stand up shows across the country and voices the character Flips Whitefudge on Bob’s Burgers, said he loves the community and connection that stand-up comedy provides.
“I really enjoy being on the road,” Van Kirk said. “I love getting to go all over our country and meet people and realize how connected we all really are in a time where I think we keep feeling like, or being told, how divided we are.”
For “Stand-Up for Habitat,” Van Kirk said he hopes that audience members will experience a night well spent and enjoy themselves. Most of all, he hopes that people recognize that it was for a good cause, as well.
“I really hope that Habitat for Humanity comes away from it going, ‘Man, that was a great experience and we’re going to be able to help some people,” Van Kirk said.
The 18+ show will begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 22. Tickets can be purchased at the BCT website. General admission tickets cost $31.05 and VIP + Meet & Greet tickets cost $56.59.
CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to include the full names of two people mentioned.
