I set up Tickled
Pink to work along the same lines as Laughing Cows -
good comics, good value for money with a friendly atmosphere. This time though the line up will include
some funny men too! It’s a
gay/straight-friendly comedy night. In
other words it will be free of any misogynistic/homophobic/racist jokes and is open to anyone who fancies a good laugh in a
club with a warm and welcoming vibe.
As
with Laughing Cows, I also want to use the nights to raise money and awareness
for a charity and decided upon Stonewall.
It seemed a perfect fit for the night.
Stonewall is a professional lobbying group working on behalf of
lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. Since its creation in 1989, Stonewall has put
the case for equality on the mainstream political agenda by winning support
within all the main political parties.
In September I’d gigged for Stonewall at a charity night organised by
Laughing Cows stalwart, Jen Brister, and was impressed by their current
campaign to stamp out homophobic bullying.
Tickled Pink will run the third Sunday of every month Upstairs at
the Retro Bar, 2 George Court, London, WC2N 6HH. Doors open at 19:30 with the show starting at 20:00. Tickets £8/£6.
Laughing Cows
Laughing Cows comedy nights aim to
showcase and champion women in comedy. Originally
set up in 1998 by founder Hazel O’Keefe after a London comedy promoter
inadvertently threw down the proverbial gauntlet. "We were discussing female comics and I asked why there's never more
than one female comedian on the bill and he said, oh we wouldn't take that risk,"
she explains. O'Keefe proved to have more balls than he did and her 'risk' has
been running ever since.
Every show is designed to get the
audience laughing from start to finish, by showcasing the best of female
comedy, in a friendly and warm atmosphere.
Acts who have performed at Laughing Cows include Sarah Millican, Shazia
Mirza, Gina Yashere, Susan Calman, Hattie Hayridge, Zoe Lyons and Jo Enright.
Laughing Cows also runs
Laughing Calves nights throughout the year. These nights allow newer comics to
take to the stage alongside more seasoned performers. Laughing Cows currently runs nights in
London, Birmingham, Manchester, Preston, Glossop, Chorlton, Stockport and
Berlin.
The nights also raise money for
charity. In London, Laughing Cows has raised over £15,000 for the Helen Bamber
Foundation. In May 2010 and 2012
Laughing Cows London organized a benefit night for the Foundation in
association with the actor, Emma Thompson.
The nights have featured comics such as Jo Brand, Jenny Éclair, Shazia
Mirza, Hattie Hayridge, Lucy Porter, Adams & Rea, Mrs Barbara Nice, Shelagh
Martin, Angie McEvoy, Jade the Folk Singer and hosting the evenings, Laughing Cows
Resident MC, Maureen Younger.
Laughing Cows runs the first Thursday of every month
Upstairs at the Retro Bar, 2 George Court, London, WC2N 6HH. Doors open at 19:30 with the show starting at
20:00. Tickets £8/£6.
