Cracking-Up the Capital Announces Summer Comedy Festival In Support of Mental Health

Cracking-Up the Capital (CUTC), in partnership with Sparks Street BIA and Partners for Mental Health, is pleased to announce its first ever Summer Comedy Festival. It’s official we couldn't wait until February to increase the humour quotient in our Nation's Capital. As such we decided to host a separate festival in the summertime! The Summer Fest is taking place from July 31 to August 3, 2104, which coincides perfectly with Ottawa’s famous International Busker Festival on Sparks Street. During those four days, we will be hosting five comedy shows and a must attend VIP meet and greet with the stars of our festival. "Sparks Street BIA is thrilled to team up with Cracking-Up the Capital Comedy Festival for this inaugural Summer Fest. There is nothing better than laughing out loud for a great cause on one of the most famous streets in North America" said Les Gagne Executive Director, Sparks Street BIA. In its 10 years of existence, CUTC has raised over $150 000 and has worked endless hours to raise significant awareness to de-stigmatize mental illness in Ottawa. We continue to grow, expanding our reach to national partners, which helps us spread our message even further. Together with our partners and are featured charities, Amethyst Women’s Addiction Centre and the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre we want to use this summer gathering to ensure that our message is shared with as many people as possible. We have a fantastic line-up of talented and cheery comedians. Below you will find the line-up of our shows. You may find a full list of performers and buy tickets on our website: www.crackup.ca. The Politically Incorrect Show ● When: Thursday, July 31, 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ● Where: Carmello's Italian Restaurant, 300 Sparks Street, Ottawa ● Featuring: Mike Beatty, Jenn Hayward, Dave McConnell and Rebecca Kohler The Relationship Show ● When: Friday, August 1, 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ● Where: Centretown Tavern, 152 Sparks Street ● Featuring: Rick Currie, Wendi Reed, Nick Carter, and more The Best of the Valley Show ● When: Saturday, August 2, 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ● Where: Centretown Tavern, 152 Sparks Street ● Featuring: Jim McNally and 5 comics from Absolute Comedy's Summer Comedy Competition The Culture Clubbing Show ● When: Saturday August 2, 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm ● Where: Spin Kitchen and Bar, 100 Kent Street ● Featuring: Don Kelly, Wafik Nasralla, Rachelle Elie and Adrian Cronk The VIP Party (co-hosted with Partners for Mental Health) ● When: Saturday, August 2nd, doors open at 10:00p.m. ● Where: 27th Floor, Ottawa Marriot, 100 Kent Street ● Tickets: $25 in advance, or $15 with purchase of any comedy show ticket The Best of the Fest Show ● When: Sunday, August 3, 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ● Where: Spin Kitchen and Bar, 100 Kent Street ● Featuring: Headliner Mike McDonald and many more "I am delighted to be working alongside such wonderful and motivated partners” said John Helmkay, President of Cracking-Up the Capital Comedy Festival, “this city has truly come together once again to work towards reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and I could not be happier". Cracking-Up the Capital is excited to offer these shows to Ottawatonians and their long lost relatives who just happen to be in town visiting that week. Purchase tickets for any show for only $15, and receive a Partners for Mental Health special Not Myself Today mood ring to help you better gauge your temperament change after attending one of our shows. Five dollars of each ticket sold will go towards supporting Partners for Mental Health initiatives. Come out and help us make Ottawa the funniest town around. For more information or to set up an interview with any of our comics, please contact Marcy Galipeau by phone: 613-979-0267 or by email: marcy@crackup.ca.