Page 44 - Biz X Magazine - June, 2014 Issue

ON THE FUNDRAISING Let The Komedy Korner Get You Laughing All The Way To The Bank SCENE By Veronica Cartwright When it comes to fundraising, there are the been in the funny-making business for 32 years, ubiquitous chocolate bars and pasta dinners. married for 37. While Leo performs and handles But if you are looking for something diferent, the talent, Diane makes sure everything runs Leo Dufour has just the ticket. smoothly behind the scenes. Literally – a ticket – to an evening of “We started the fundraising option about entertainment at the Komedy Korner, located 10 years ago,” says Leo. “We work with all in the Oasis Bar & Lounge at Place Concorde, kinds of non-proft organizations, including 7515 Forest Glade Drive, Windsor. sports teams like Windsor Minor Hockey, and Te concept is simple – a not-for-proft group charitable groups like Relay for Life, UNICEF, Local comedian Leo Dufour loves to make people laugh chooses an available date and buys a package of and the International Dragon Boat for the Cure. but he also has a fun and serious way to help charities and discounted tickets, placing a deposit of 50% of We do six or seven fundraising events a month, schools make money. Photo courtesy of Komedy Korner. the value of those tickets to secure the date. Te and they are usually booked two or three months performance to suit the tastes of the audience. group then prices and prints the tickets. Tey in advance.” Afer several years of performing on the can set any price they wish, although a suggested Leo himself has performed stand-up comedy road, the Dufours launched their frst club in price is $15. Te group members then sell the locally, nationally and internationally. As September of 1980, a second club in the spring tickets and keep the diference between the cost described on his website: “his demeanour of 1981 and a third club, on Riverside Drive, in and the selling price. and outrageous observations have made him November of 1981. Teir Ottawa Street location If it turns out the members can sell more a mainstay on the comedy circuit for years. opened up in December of 2003, but when tickets than originally planned, the buy can be Leo’s show is a hilarious blend of characters, ownership of this most recent location suddenly increased provided there is room in the club impressions and storytelling.” changed hands, Komedy Korner relocated to available on the scheduled night. Born in River Canard, Leo launched a life Place Concorde in April 2013. Tere are four ticket packages available, of comedy in Michigan at the renowned Mike Te Dufours also book high-calibre for which details are available on the website Ridley’s Comedy Castle. He has performed in comedians into the club each weekend, including LeoDufour.com. Vegas, opening for headliners such as Huey local, national and international performers While group members of any age can sell the Lewis and Te Beach Boys, and been featured Te Komedy Korner is open every weekend, tickets to raise money for their cause, ticket- on Showtime’s “Comedy Central,” and on A&E’s and general admission is $10 on Friday and holders must be at least 19 years of age to enter “Evening at the Improv.” His material ranges $15 on Saturday, although fundraising groups the Oasis Bar, home of the Komedy Korner. from what he describes as his “Squeaky Clean can book other week nights, depending upon Leo and his wife and partner Diane, have Show” to “Naughty Leo,” and he shapes his the number of tickets they sell. 44 BIZ X MAGAZINE • JUNE 2014 BizX2014June52.indd 44 2014-05-27 9:44 PM