Comedian with a Heart of Green Returns to New Hampshire

Supporting a good cause doesn’t have to be a serious affair – and it never will be as long as Mike McDonald is involved. In association Cuzin Richard Entertainment Associates (CREA), the Bostonian comedian will host the 11^th Annual Comedy Xxtravaganza this February. As usual, they will donate proceeds to several worthy New Hampshire organizations.

The Xxtravaganza will take place at two venues: February 17th at the Music Hall in Portsmouth and February 18th at the Concord City Auditorium. McDonald, who has appeared on HBO, Showtime and Comedy Central, will belittle and enlighten the audience alongside the likes of “tauntingly contemptuous” Stacy Kendro, the genuinely unbalanced Ira Proctor and DJ Hazard, who once lived out of his car for three years.

“When you do events you can’t use the same people every time,” says Smith, who has been promoting local talent since 1976. “It keeps it fresh and fun. Basically, people are looking to go out and have a good time. They want to laugh. In the middle of February, it’s important to feel good and this show makes it happen.”

But laughing until you herniate various organs isn’t the only reason to attend. CREA, which has a long tradition of supporting humanitarian causes, will donate a portion of the proceeds from each show to two New Hampshire organizations.

Attendees at the Music Hall will help feed the needy at the Seacoast Food Pantry in Portsmouth, while proceeds from The Audi show will go toward The Friendly Kitchen food pantry in Concord, which suffered a devastating fire this past spring. 

However, audience members at both events will support the Green Alliance with their ticket price – and while the Seacoast Food Pantry and the Friendly Kitchen are both non-profit organizations, the Green Alliance is a for-profit business.

“It’s really important to help the growth of organizations you believe in,” says Smith of CREA. “Whether you’re a profit or non-profit doesn’t matter. The services you provide are what matters.”

The Green Alliance works to reward the wallets of consumers who vote with their dollar at businesses who go out of their way to offer green choices. People who buy an annual Green Alliance membership enjoy generous discounts at over 90 Green Alliance partner businesses, and can save money on everything from solar panels to meals at local restaurants to healthcare.

Environmentalism is not a new interest for either Smith or McDonald. Even while he was building his career representing local artists, “Cuzin’ Richard” Smith was out fighting the good fight to preserve the beauty and integrity of his home state. He was part of the protests against the oil fields exploration off the Isle of Shoals by shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1973, and nearly did jail time for protesting the then proposed Seabrook nuclear plant in 1977. To this day, he still supports organizations such as the Blue Ocean Society, Clean Water Action and the Sierra Club.

“Both of us come from the old school idea of green and sustainable,” says McDonald, who has traveled around the world doing comedy for organizations like the USO and is as comfortable playing the serious professor as he is the raunchy uncle. “Somehow those concepts have been turned into a negative. I don’t think using the phrase “tree hugger” is accurate to who I am. I would dare anyone to debate me in a scientific forum. I could have been a marine biologist.”

And there’s an extra incentive to attend the Xxtravaganza: McDonald will be giving away $1000 in propane to two lucky existing customers of Eastern Propane, which is one of the event sponsors. There will be two drawings at both shows, each for $500.

“With the way winter and heating bills are, my show looks like one hell of a lottery ticket,” says McDonald.

Conveniently scheduled just a few days after Valentine’s Day, McDonald also advocates the Comedy Xxtravaganza to those looking to follow up the perfect Valentine’s date, or to those who need to make up for an absolutely awful one.

“Comedy is a perfect first or second date because you don’t have to talk and you can see what they laugh at and make sure it’s appropriate,” says McDonald. “There will be music. There could be sex. You’ll have to show up to find out.”

Book your tickets online at www.themusichall.org or www.concordcityauditorium.org 

To become a member of the Green Alliance, go to www.greenalliance.biz 

Support your local artists through Cuzin Richard Entertainment Associates at www.cuzinrichard.com