Chappaqua’s Comedy Kids Standup for Brain Cancer

admin Posted OnOctober 21, 2016

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What do you call a story about a broken pencil?

Pointless!

What do you call a couple of eight year old Henny Youngman’s on a mission to cure pediatric brain cancer? Comedy Kids. Comedy Kids is Max Chwatko and Alex Travin, a couple of Roaring Brook Elementary School third-graders who are spinning out the one-liners for A Kids’ Brain Tumor Cure (AKBTC) to raise funds for pediatric brain cancer research.

Max and Alex started Comedy Kids when Max’s little sister Scarlett was diagnosed with brain cancer last December. They’ve been telling jokes in & around town for donations to AKBTC ever since. After hauling in bags of allowance from classmates they decided to take their show on the road.

The pair’s first gig will be at the Chappaqua Farmer’s Market on Saturday, November 5, from 9:30-noon. Every penny raised will go to AKBTC, which has roots in the Chappaqua community, and which also funds essential research for kids like Scarlett.

“Being funny is a big part of our life and it helps us not feel so sad about the cancer, and I like how jokes come to life when I tell them,” Max told us.

Max Chwatko credits his sense of humor to his grandfather who is “probably the funniest person on earth.” He is also inspired by Will Ferrell, The Three Stooges, Austin Powers and Billy Eichner. Original joke by Max: Why are noses in good shape? They run! (Rimshot!) comedy-kidsrimshot Chappaqua's Comedy Kids Standup for Brain Cancer

Alex Travin’s comedic influences include Uncle Joey Gladstone of Full House fame, Mork from Ork, The State and Gilligan, the bumbling first mate of the SS Minnow. His favorite joke of the moment: How do you drown a hipster? In the mainstream! (Double rimshot!)

For those who cannot make it to the farmers market event donations can be made online. For any gift of $20 or more Max and Alex will send a personalized, knee-slapping video joke to donors.

“It’s so inspiring when kids take it upon themselves to support a cause near and dear to their hearts,” remarked Kim Gilman Director of Development/Family Outreach of AKBTC. “Cancerous brain tumors are the number-one cancer related death in children, yet pediatric brain cancer research is drastically underfunded and no significant advances in treatment have been made in the past 25 years. Private funding for promising research is what gives us all hope for a cure for children battling this horrible disease.”

For information please contact comedykidsny@gmail.com

To support Comedy Kids and make an online donation please click here.

More Chappaqua What To Do’s

Halloween Carnival & Ragamuffin Parade, Chappaqua Train Station – Sun 10/23: 12:30pm: The carnival starts at 12:30pm with giant slide games, bounce castle, go carts, rides, cotton candy, popcorn, a DJ and the Bedford School of Rock House Band. Come in costume and march in the parade at 3:30pm. Be part of the parade featuring the Blue Crew Marching Band, the Dixie Dandies Marching Band, the Chappaqua Fire Department and the Chappaqua Ambulance Dracula. Everyone is welcome. Rain date, Sat, 10/30. (Chappaqua Train Station; newcastlerecreation)

Author Talk, Diseases, Disorders and Diagnoses of Historical Individuals, Chappaqua Library – Tues, 10/25: 7-8pm: Author Dr. William Maloney examines various medical, physical and psychological conditions of celebrities and historical figures. And reflects on how these conditions played an important role in the shaping of the individual’s public persona. (195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

Halloween Horror, Chappaqua Library – Wed, 10/26: 7-8pm: Wear your costume to the library’s traditional storytelling & mummy-wrapping extravaganza. Gr. K & up with an adult. Register. K-8: (195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

Menus in the Movies, Remains of the Day, Chappaqua Library – Fri, 10/28: 7pm: This 1993 Merchant and Ivory drama starring Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, Christoper Reeve and Hugh Grant was nominated for eight Academy Awards. Led by food author & food buff, Carol Durst-Wertheim. Homemade desserts & discussion to follow. (195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

Scavenger Hunt & Halloween Party, Chappaqua Library – Fri, 10/28: 3:30-4:30: Follow the library clues to a party. Gr. 7-12. (195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

Halloween Fun Stories, Chappaqua Library – Chappaqua Library – Fri, 10/28: 4-5pm: Songs and trick-or-treating in the Library. Costumes welcome! (not required..) Ages 4-6. Register. (195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

Frankenstein – The Movie Score, Chappaqua Orchestra, Nyack HS – Fri, 10/28: 8pm: The Chappaqua Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director and composer Michael Shapiro, perform his original score simultaneously with the classic early talkie with Boris Karloff and Colin Clive. Under the auspices of ArtsRock, the concert will be preceded by an interview of the composer by WQXR radio personality Elliott Forrest. (360 Christian Herald Rd., Upper Nyack; www.chappaquaorchestra.org)

Divisions: The Art of Variation & Imagination, Ars Antiqua, Chappaqua – Sat, 11/5: 8pm: Mark Kramer’s Ars Antiqua ensemble’s new season launch will feature harpist and early-music specialist Cheryl Ann Fulton in a program of virtuoso music for instruments of the 17th century. She will be joined by baroque violinist, Krista Benion Feeney, theorbo player, Charles Weaver and Mark Kramer playing the viola da gamba. This is a rare opportunity to hear this wonderful music in an intimate and historic setting. A Buffet reception of English Cheeses and Mulled Wine will be presented after the concert. (Church of St. Mary the Virgin, 191 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.ars-antiqua.org)

Music of the Gilded Age: London, France & America, Chappaqua Orchestra – Sun, 11/13: 3pm: Music by Adolphe Sax and W.S. Gilbert, as well as the songs of Jerome Kern. Vocalist Elizabeth Gerbi, saxophonist Christopher Brellochs, and pianist Cynthia Peterson. (Chappaqua Library, 198 S. Greeley Ave.: www.chappaquaorchestra.org)

Chappaqua Cares, Empty Bowls Westchester, Whippoorwill Club – Sun 11/13: 5pm: Chappaqua Cares 2nd Annual Empty Bowls Westchester benefit will be held at the Armonk’s Whippoorwill Club and will be emceed by Lisa Salvadorini an Emmy Award winning news anchor for News 12 Westchester. Empty Bowls benefits to end hunger was started in the 1990’s by Michigan high school students and has since been replicated worldwide. Part of each Empty Bowls event is the sale of handprinted bowls by local students and even celebrities. Last year Chappaqua Cares auctioned off a bowl from Pharell. This year they will auction off a bowl from Hillary Clinton. (150 Whippoorwill Rd., Armonk; www,chappaquacares.org)

Movies on the Move, The Hunt for Red October, Chappaqua Library – Wed, 11/16: 7pm: In November 1984, the Soviet Union’s best submarine captain in their newest sub violates orders and heads for the USA. Is he trying to defect or start a war? Based on Tom Clancy’s 1984 bestseller with Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin, James Earl Jones and Sam Neil. Led by librarians Cathy Paulsen and Chris Trzcinski. (Chappaqua Library, 198 S. Greeley Ave.: www.chappaquaorchestra.org)

Menus in the Movies, Big Night, Chappaqua Library – Fri, 11/18: 7pm: One of What To Do’s favorite movies. This 1996 drama with comedic overtones won Stanley Tucci and Campbell Scott the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best New Director. It stars Stanley Tucci, Tony Shalhoub, Mini Driver and Isabella Rossellini. Food shots are amazing! Led by food author & food buff, Carol Durst-Wertheim. Homemade desserts & discussion to follow. (195 S. Greeley Ave., Chappaqua; www.chappaqualibrary.org)

Chappaqua Orchestra’s Children’s Book Festival Story Concert – Sat, 11/19: 4pm: Michael Shapiro conducts music by Chappaqua composer Brad Ross for narrator and orchestra. Paul Shaffer (SNL and Late Show with David Letterman) narrates “A Family for Baby Grand” preceded by Ogden Nash’s “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” sung by Broadway star Timothy Warmen. Children under 4 go free. (Wallace Auditorium, 480 Bedford Rd.; www.chappaquaorchestra.org)

Chappaqua Craft & Gift Fair – Sat, 11/19: 10am-4pm: 32nd annual craft fair featuring over 85 vendors presenting handcrafted jewelry, designer clothing, handbags and accessories, original artwork, tableware and furniture, bath and beauty products, children’s gifts, floral designs, gourmet foods and more. Plus raffles, kids creations and donation alley. This event produced by the Bell Middle School PTA benefits the Bell Middle School. (Robert E. Bell Middle School, 50 Senter St., Chappaqua; www.chappaquacraftfair.com)