In the Heartwood Soundstage on Saturday, it rained laughter.
About 70 comedy lovers held their sides at the “We’ve Had It with Hurricanes” event from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The event’s ticket sales and donations benefited the victims of hurricanes Harvey and Irma, said Bob McPeek, a producer of and performer at the event.
The performers donated their time, allowing for most of the money to be donated to Americares, a nonprofit that provides medical care to those in need. McPeek said the show raised about $900 for charity and expects the money to make a big difference in the affected areas.
“There’s no shortage of people that need it,” he said.
McPeek started organizing the event in August for Harvey victims, but after Irma formed and hit the U.S. Virgin Islands on Sept. 6, it created a personal tie to the event.
McPeek’s friend lives on St. John, one of the Virgin Islands, and wasn’t heard from until eight days after the Category 5 hurricane made landfall. The storm’s winds peaked at 209 miles per hour, devastating St. John and the Caribbean, McPeek said.
“He pretty much has to start over again,” said McPeek.
The comedic songs’ topics ranged from an Irish jig about drinking beer to a story of a Gainesville woman who took city money and spent it on a butt lift. The show also included trivia for audience members and an improvisation session at the end.
Paige Nicholson, 19, said she enjoyed the dark humor in the show. She attended the event with a friend on a whim after she saw it on Facebook.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Nicholson, a UF health science sophomore. “I was surprised at how small the event was and how community-oriented it seemed.”
McPeek said he hoped he distracted audience members from their problems after the storm.
“You’ve got to laugh in the face of adversity,” McPeek said.
