Lorne Elliott to perform for Ottawa hospice fundraiser

Posted Jan 19, 2012 By Blair Edwards

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EMC Entertainment - The first thing you notice about Lorne Elliott is the hair.

It explodes from the 58-year-old comedian's head in a mass of brown curls that spreads laterally from the circumference of his head, a flattened version of the hairstyle of the Muppets' scientist Beaker.

The mad professor look belies the polished and professional - if just a little bent - mind of one of Canada's best stand-up comics.

Elliott, the former host of CBC Radio's Madly Off in all Directions, has carefully honed his craft for more than four decades, a career that began in Newfoundland clubs and continued across the network of comedy clubs in both Canada and the United States.

On Feb. 4, the humourist will entertain guests at a pre-Valentine's Day fundraiser, with his show, "The Upside of the Downturn".

The show is a fundraiser for the Friends of Hospice Ottawa, a volunteer group that provides palliative care in west Ottawa and helps people facing life-threatening illnesses.

"It is a good cause," said Elliot, who first started performing fundraisers for Friends of Hospice Ottawa almost a decade ago. "I think they're doing good things - it's really important.

Elliott's comedy career began in the pubs of Newfoundland.

At the age of 17, the Montreal-born comedian travelled to Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he planned to study marine biology - eventually he would be a scientist like his father, he determined.

While attending university, Elliott worked part time as a folk singer at nearby pubs to help pay his tuition. He knew how to play the guitar, banjo and fiddle, skills he learned plucking on the instruments at parties on the East Coast.

The stories and the comedy were a natural byproduct of playing at a St. John's bar.

"At the time people would talk through the songs," said Elliott. "But if you talk, people would shut up and wait for the music."

Elliott said he will present some brand-new material at the pre-Valentine's comedy dinner, including a humorous look at the "upside of the economic downturn."

"I'm trying to use that as the theme," said Elliott. "We had it coming to us," he said regarding the 2008 recession.

"We've always been a pretty-spoiled generation."

Live entertainment shows have been going through some tough times since the market collapse of 2008, said Elliott, adding that he's noticed a 20 per cent drop in audience attendance.

"I don't know why," he said. "Live entertainment just seems to be in a bit of a bubble right now."

Musicians and comedians just have to offer better material at their shows to boost attendance, he said.

"Do better shows," he said. "Make them more interesting."

Elliott is working on a new musical, tentatively titled The Impersonator, which will first hit the stage in Newfoundland in the near future.

FRIENDS OF HOSPICE OTTAWA

The pre-Valentine's comedy dinner will also feature the music of jazz singer Missy Burgess, sister of "Les Miserables" singer Michael Burgess.

Burgess is a registered nurse and former teacher in Algonquin College's nursing program.

The event is being put on by both the Friends of Hospice Ottawa and the Order of St. Lazarus, an organization involved with palliative care.

Elliott has performed at several fundraisers for Friends of Hospice Ottawa over the past decade, said Ruth Cameron, director of event planning and financial management at Friends of Hospice Ottawa.

"It's kind of an event that a lot of people like," she said.

Tickets to the event cost $75 and can be purchased by calling 613-591-6002, ext. 27.

Corporate table sponsorships cost $1,000 (half-corporate table sponsorships are $550) and media and title sponsorships, $1,500.

Brian Goudge will emcee the event, which includes a silent auction.

"All the money raised at this event goes to supporting our programs and services," said Cameron.

Friends of Hospice Ottawa serves the western Ottawa community, providing in-home support - including transportation to medical appointments, care-giver support and bereavement services.

The organization runs two day hospices, one in Bells Corners and the other in Richmond: which offers a day-away program, a respite program for families of loved ones facing life-threatening issues.

"We look after them the entire day," said Cameron. "It just gives families a break."

Anyone who would like to make a donation in support of the operation of Friends of Hospice Ottawa can call 613-591-6022, ext. 27.

blair.edwards@metroland.com




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