Comic’s goal at fundraiser: Yucks for bucks

Comic Phil Palisoul is as straightforward as he is humorous.

“Aren’t you a little disappointed that this is how I turned out?” he sometimes asks an audience, requesting that they sufficiently eye his balding head, short stature and unimposing physique.

Actually, as stand-up acts go, Palisoul’s career has turned out quite nicely.

He has appeared on “The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson,” “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” “Last Comic Standing” and Comedy Central during the past two decades.

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He also has headlined fundraisers from Wounded Warriors to the American Heart Association.

Friday, the Colorado-based comic has top billing for the Ivy Tech Community College Foundation’s annual fundraiser, “An Evening of Stand-up Comedy,” from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Commons, 300 Washington St. in Columbus.

Call it yucks for bucks.

Jeff Kuehl of Greensburg, who works as regional services director for the Columbus Area Arts Council, will open the show with his own bit of comedy.

Kuehl has performed at folk music concerts and elsewhere. He also has performed in productions at Indianapolis Repertory Theatre and most recently directed a comic play at Columbus’ Harlequin Theatre.

Ivy Tech’s near-sellout event last year raised $10,000 for scholarships and other assistance for students in financial need, said Amy Ables, the Ivy Tech Foundation’s event specialist.

She said this year’s event, expected to attract about 250 people, boasts three new sponsors.

Sally Pankratz, an Ivy Tech Community College adjunct lecturer in English and a member of the fundraiser’s organizing committee, explained the gathering’s success succinctly.

“People just really like the idea of supporting something focused on the good of education,” Pankratz said.

But Ables mentioned they also like to have a good time, too.

Palisoul, whom Ferguson called “the funniest comedian in the universe,” aims toward that goal.

“You — you people seem to be having a great time at a comedy show,” he told a recent audience. “Me? I have to work.”

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What: An evening of stand-up comedy with comic Phil Palisoul. The event is for people 21 and older.

Why: A fundraiser for the Ivy Tech Foundation at Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus.

When: 7 to 10 p.m. Jan. 23.

Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St. in Columbus.

Food: Light dinner and cash bar by 450 North Brewing Company/Simmons Winery.

Tickets: $45 per person in advance or $80 per couple at 812-374-5342 or $50 at the door.

Information: [email protected].

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