On Oct. 15, 2015, Union Station Homeless Services will host its 16th annual event entitled An Evening for the Station at the Arclight Pasadena in California. Throughout this incredible night supporters of the organization, whose mission is “to help men, women and children rebuild their lives, and end homelessness,” will enjoy performances from some of the top names in stand-up comedy including Ron Funches, Matt Braunger and “The Meltdown” co-hosts Jonah Ray and Kumail Nanjiani.
Along with the main show, Homelessness Is No Laughing Matter, VIPs and event sponsors will also enjoy a special hors d’oeuvres and cocktail reception. All proceeds from the event will benefit Union Station Homeless Services and its great programs. Along with the above mentioned acts, “Orange is the New Black” co-star Matt Peters will also be performing.
Funches has been keeping busy lately with his hit NBC series, “Undateable,” the second season of which premieres on Oct. 9. Straying from last season’s pre-recorded methods, “Undateable” season two will feature all live episodes, a technique that will surely lead to lots of laughs from the series’ talented cast which includes Chris D’Elia, Brent Morin and Bridgit Mendler. Funches also regularly performs live stand-up across the country.
Along with co-hosting “The Meltdown,” Ray and Nanjiani are both popular podcast hosts. Ray co-hosts “The Nerdist Podcast” with Chris Hardwick and Nanjiani hosts the “X-Files Files.” He also co-stars on the hilarious HBO comedy, “Silicon Valley.” Braunger is a “MADtv” alum and his latest comedy special “Matt Braunger: Big Dumb Animal” premiered on Comedy Central earlier this year.
Union Station Homeless Services was formed in 1973 and it is now associated with a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are collectively working to end homelessness. It is the largest social service agency assisting homeless and low-income families in San Gabriel Valley. Some of the programs offered by Union Station Homeless Services include housing dormitories, family solutions and employment services.
Head over to unionstationhs.org to learn more about this great non-profit organization and click here to pick-up tickets to the Homelessness Is No Laughing Matter event on Oct. 15. Keep reading AXS for more comedy news, reviews and tour announcements.
Ron Funches Tour Dates
Oct. 8-10 Improv Comedy Club – Atlanta, GA
Oct. 17 Improv – Los Angeles, CA
Dec. 29 Zanies Comedy Club – Chicago, IL
Dec. 30 Zanies Comedy Club – St. Charles, IL
Dec. 31 Zanies Comedy Club – Rosemont, IL
The stats are grim. On a single night more than 550,000 are homeless throughout the United States, nearly 45,000 are homeless in Los Angeles, more than 3,000 are homeless in the San Gabriel Valley, and nearly 650 are homeless in Pasadena. With numbers like these, it’s easy to see why homelessness is no laughing matter. But Union Station Homeless Services, the San Gabriel Valley’s largest provider of homeless services, is tackling the serious issue with humor during a night of comedy to help those in need.For sixteen years the organization has held it’s “An Evening for the Station” event featuring celebrity actors and musicians like Hector Elizondo and Jeff Goldblum, the Yellow Jackets and many others. This year, the evening will also feature celebrities, but this time they’ll take the stage and perform stand-up comedy, as way of demonstrating that Homeless is No Laughing Matter.
The event takes place Thursday, October 15th at 6:30pm in Pasadena at ArcLight Cinemas in the Paseo Colorado Shopping Center at 300 E. Colorado Blvd. Organizers expect more than 400 community, business, and civic leaders. The night of comedy will feature a line-up of comedians seen on HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, and more. All funds raised will benefit Union Station to help homeless adults and families.
Here’s the list of featured comedians:
Jonah and Kumail (Comedy Central’s The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail): Based on the popular live show, The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail features comedy icons and up-and-comers performing in the back of a comic book shop. Jonah Ray is an actor, writer and comedian also known for being one of the co-hosts of The Nerdist Podcast and television show. Kumail Nanjiani has guest-starred in various comedy shows like Portlandia, and more recently is a regular on HBO’s Silicon Valley.
Matt Braunger (MADtv, Live at Gotham): Matt was recently a series regular on MADtv, his television credits also include The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Live at Gotham. Matt has performed at a variety of prestigious comedy festivals and was recently featured in Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch.”
Matt Peters (Showtime’s WEEDS, Netflix’s Orange is the New Black): Matt has been seen on Showtime’s WEEDS, G4TV’s Attack of the Show, and most notably, he has a recurring role on the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated Netflix series, Orange is the New Black. Additionally, he hosts the popular bi-weekly comedy show, BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! that takes place at the infamous R Bar in Los Angeles.
Ron Funches (TBS’s Conan, NBC’s Undateable): Ron has a recurring role on Disney’s Crash and Bernstein, Comedy Central’s Kroll Show and a starring role in NBC’s Undateable. He performs stand up all over the United States impressing audiences everywhere. Most recently, Ron was named one of the “Best New Comedians” by Esquire Magazine.
Nikki Glaser (Comedy Central’s @Midnight, MTV’s Nikki & Sara LIVE): Nikki is a comedian, writer, and host whose television appearances have included The Tonight Show, CONAN, and Last Comic Standing. She was the co-host of the MTV late night talk show, Nikki & Sara LIVE. Nikki can currently be seen as a regular contestant on Comedy Central’s @Midnight and will guest star on the upcoming season of Inside Amy Schumer.
Cameron Esposito (Put Your Hands Together, Chelsea Lately): Cameron is a fast rising Los Angeles-based standup comic, actor and writer who has been called “the future of comedy” by none other than Jay Leno. Cameron hosts Put Your Hands Together, has a biweekly column on The AV Club, and has appeared on Late Late with Craig Ferguson, @Midnight, CONAN, and as a regular on Chelsea Lately and TakePartLive among others.
Baron Vaughn (NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Netflix’s Grace and Frankie): Baron is a comedian who has performed on Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and has had numerous appearances on Comedy Central, most recently in the form of his own “Half Hour” comedy special. Baron has performed in comedy festivals nationwide, TV shows and films and was a series regular on USA’s Fairly Legal (2010-2012). Catch him on the upcoming Netflix Original Series Grace and Frankie starting in May 2015.
Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased at www.unionstationhs.org or (626) 250-4559. Event sponsorship begins at $500. To become an event or publicity sponsor, call (626) 240-4558.
Pasadena, CA – For its 16th annual An Evening for the Station, Union Station Homeless Services is hosting an incredible comedy night to demonstrate that Homelessness is No Laughing Matter!
An Evening for the Station: Homelessness is No Laughing Matter will be held at ArcLight Cinemas, Pasadena, Thursday, October 15 at 6:30 pm. The event, which will be attended by over 400 community, business and civic leaders, will feature a hilarious line-up with top comedic talent from HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central, and more!
All funds raised will benefit Union Station Homeless Services, the San Gabriel Valley’s largest and most comprehensive social service agency assisting homeless adults and families.
Featured Comedians:
Jonah and Kumail(Comedy Central’s The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail): Based on the popular live show, The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail features comedy icons and up-and-comers performing in the back of a comic book shop. Jonah Ray is an actor, writer and comedian also known for being one of the co-hosts of The Nerdist Podcast and television show. Kumail Nanjiani has guest-starred in various comedy shows like Portlandia, and more recently is a regular on HBO’s Silicon Valley.
Matt Braunger(MADtv, Live at Gotham): Matt was recently a series regular on MADtv, his television credits also include The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, The Late Show with David Letterman, and Live at Gotham. Matt has performed at a variety of prestigious comedy festivals and was recently featured in Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch.”
Matt Peters(Showtime’s WEEDS, Netflix’s Orange is the New Black): Matt has been seen on Showtime’s WEEDS, G4TV’s Attack of the Show, and most notably, he has a recurring role on the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated Netflix series, Orange is the New Black. Additionally, he hosts the popular bi-weekly comedy show, BLAM! BLAM! BLAM! that takes place at the infamous R Bar in Los Angeles.
Ron Funches(TBS’s Conan, NBC’s Undateable): Ron has a recurring role on Disney’s Crash and Bernstein, Comedy Central’s Kroll Show and a starring role in NBC’s Undateable. He performs stand up all over the United States impressing audiences everywhere. Most recently, Ron was named one of the “Best New Comedians” by Esquire Magazine.
Nikki Glaser(Comedy Central’s @Midnight, MTV’s Nikki & Sara LIVE): Nikki is a comedian, writer, and host whose television appearances have included The Tonight Show, CONAN, and Last Comic Standing. She was the co-host of the MTV late night talk show, Nikki & Sara LIVE. Nikki can currently be seen as a regular contestant on Comedy Central’s @Midnight and will guest star on the upcoming season of Inside Amy Schumer.
Cameron Esposito(Put Your Hands Together, Chelsea Lately): Cameron is a fast rising Los Angeles-based standup comic, actor and writer who has been called “the future of comedy” by none other than Jay Leno. Cameron hosts Put Your Hands Together, has a biweekly column on The AV Club, and has appeared on Late Late with Craig Ferguson, @Midnight, CONAN, and as a regular on Chelsea Lately and TakePartLive among others.
Baron Vaughn(NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Netflix’s Grace and Frankie): Baron is a comedian who has performed on Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and has had numerous appearances on Comedy Central, most recently in the form of his own “Half Hour” comedy special. Baron has performed in comedy festivals nationwide, TV shows and films and was a series regular on USA’s Fairly Legal (2010-2012). Catch him on the upcoming Netflix Original Series Grace and Frankie starting in May 2015.
Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at www.unionstationhs.org or (626) 250-4559. Event sponsorship begins at $500. To become an event or publicity sponsor, call (626) 240-4558.
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ABOUT UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES
Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. Headquartered in Pasadena, we are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We believe every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With over 40 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of nine programs throughout the San Gabriel Valley; services include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2015 Sunday Funday! – Fallen Fruit’s Public Fruit Jam Returning to the One Colorado Courtyard
Sunday, August 16, 11am – 2pm
This fruit-filled event is supported in part by Whole Foods Market
A portion of the day’s jam will be donated to the Union Station Homeless Services Family Center
One Colorado Courtyard – 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena CA 626.564.1066 Media contact: A. McLean Emenegger / mclean@onecolorado.com / 626.564.1066 x16
OLD PASADENA, CA: Fallen Fruit’s Public Fruit Jam Sunday, August 16, 11am to 2pm
Join us for a fun and friendly day of making jam and new pals! Fallen Fruit’s Public Fruit Jam is a wonderful social and community-building event that’s perfect for kids, adults, families and even first dates.
Folks are invited to drop by the courtyard anytime between 11am – 2pm for the Fruit Jam. Everyone is invited to contribute home-grown or picked public fruit to the cause.
Selecting fruit goodies from the communal fruit table, guests will join Jam Teams of 3 to 5 people. (New friends!) Your team’s jam ingredients can be anything you bring along or score at the fruit table. Fallen Fruit encourages experimental jams, such as basil guava or lemon pepper jelly. You can even add a kick of jalapeno or bite with some fresh ginger. Almost all fruits can be jammed, even bananas – if you dare!
Each jam session runs approximately 45 minutes from cutting to preserving. Fallen Fruit staffers will be on hand to help out. In the end, you will have jam to keep, swap and contribute to the tasting table where you can savor the fruits of your labors. And who knows – you may also leave with a new BFF or adorable meet-cute story!
A portion of the jam produced at this event (+ bread and peanut butter) will be donated to the Union Station Homeless Services Family Center.
We are grateful to Whole Foods Market and their locations in Pasadena on Arroyo Parkway and Foothill Boulevard for helping support this event.
About Fallen Fruit:
Fallen Fruit invite you to experience your City as a fruitful place, to collectively re-imagine the function of public participation and urban space, and to explore the meaning of community through creating and sharing new and abundant resources. Fruit Trees! Share your fruit! Change the world!
Fallen Fruit is an art collaboration originally conceived in 2004 by David Burns, Matias Viegener and Austin Young. Since 2013, David and Austin have continued the collaborative work. Fallen Fruit began by mapping fruit trees growing on or over public property in Los Angeles. The collaboration has expanded to include serialized public projects and site-specific installations and happenings in various cities around the world. More information at fallenfruit.org.
About One Colorado:
One Colorado is a collection of 17 historic buildings housing a curated mix of nationally acclaimed retailers and designers, unique local merchants, inventive restaurants and a boutique cinema. A full city block located between Colorado, Union, Delacey and Fair Oaks, One Colorado is the retail centerpiece of Old Pasadena and favorite casual gathering place for the greater community, with public events hosted year-round in its central courtyard.
PASADENA, CA – On May 29, 2015, the entire 8th Grade class of Pasadena Waldorf School turned one of the school’s annual rite of passage events, the 8th Grade sleepover in the school’s historic Scripps Hall, into something even more meaningful this year. The students used this opportunity to help raise awareness and money for Union Station Homeless Services as part of their Camp Out to Stamp Out Homelessness campaign.
The sleepover was both a fundraiser for Union Station and an opportunity for the students to deepen their understanding of the challenges homelessness poses for individuals and families right here in our local community. Students heard a presentation from Mary Ann, who talked about how Union Station provided her the foundation, support, and resources to help rebuild her life.
“My life now is so different from 3 years ago,” Mary Ann tells the class. “I didn’t want to work, I didn’t want to do anything, I just wanted to go away –now, it is a lot better thanks to Union Station.”
The 8th graders then played an online game called Spent, in which they had to make hypothetical life decisions including vocations, starting a family, and where they may reside. They got to experience firsthand how any number of live events (losing a job or a house, having children) can lead to a person or family becoming homeless.
The compassion of the class led to more than $3,300 raised from families, friends, and community members that will go directly to Union Station Homeless Services in support of the services they provide throughout the San Gabriel Valley. The Class of 2019 and Union Station have benefited from a partnership with the class volunteering and raising awareness for the social issue of homelessness for several years with their participation in the organization’s Adopt-a-Meal program.
For more information about Union Station Homeless Services, please visit www.unionstationhs.org.
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Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. We are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We believe every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With 41 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of eight programs in seven locations; services include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services.