MOUNT VERNON– Mount Vernon celebrates An Evening of Recovery with the Addicts’ Comedy Tour stand-up show this summer.
Addicts’ Comedy, sponsored by The Freedom Center and featuring Mark Lundholm and Kurtis Matthews, will take the stage at the Knox Memorial Theater at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5. Prior to the show, a Recovery and Mental Health Services Showcase will be on display in the Knox Memorial Veterans Hall and Memorial Ballroom beginning at 6 p.m.
The Addicts’ Comedy Tour is a stand-up show about overcoming life challenges with laughter and strength. Lundholm has appeared on Comedy Central, Showtime, A&E, CBS, and NBC.
He wrote and performed his own one-man show off-Broadway in New York City reaching critical acclaim, and in his spare time created the now staple DVD series ‘Humor in Treatment’ and the Recovery Board Game.
Matthews has toured nationally and internationally since 1984, starred in the BBC’s ‘Find Me the Funny’, and appeared on A&E, VH1 and a number of other TV and radio shows. He performs in multiple anonymous recovery conventions, rehabs and private fundraisers each year.
In 1999, he founded the San Francisco Comedy College (SFCC), which has become the most attended stand-up comedy school in America.
Drawing upon their shared friendship and experiences around often persistent addictions, Lundholm and Matthews share colorful stories about life, love, jail, rehab and recovery, and keep you laughing along the way. Humor heals all wounds…eventually.
“We’re so proud to welcome Mark Lundholm and Kurtis Matthews of the Addicts’ Comedy Tour to Knox County to celebrate this evening of recovery,” said Martin Booker, executive director of the Mount Vernon Arts Consortium.
“There is nothing like laughter to help create a discussion and raise awareness for a disease that affects so many individuals and families.”
Prior to the show, Mental Health and Recovery for Knox and Licking County will sponsor the ‘Recovery and Mental Health Services Showcase’.
The Showcase will be held on two floors within the Knox Memorial — Veterans Hall and the Memorial Ballroom — and will feature over a dozen recovery and social services organizations from Knox and Licking counties, as well as a recovery artwork exhibition, mocktail bar, and music.
Stage sponsor The Freedom Center has served Knox County residents in addressing their substance use and addiction challenges for over 30 years.
The mission of the Freedom Center is promoting the growth and wellness of Knox County residents by providing prevention services and delivering accessible, respectful, evidenced-based treatment services for those battling mental health and addiction.
Showcase sponsor Mental Health and Recovery for Licking and Knox Counties has a mission to use Recovery and Resiliency Methodology to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families, and to diminish the problems caused by alcoholism, drug addiction and mental illness for the residents of Licking and Knox Counties.
The Mount Vernon Arts Consortium and both sponsoring organizations are pleased to welcome additional support from the Knox County Foundation and Knox Community Hospital.
An Evening of Recovery with the Addicts’ Comedy Tour is part of 2023 “Mount Vernon Presents” season, an entertainment season encompassing offerings from eight non-profit arts organizations and venues, including the Mount Vernon Arts Consortium.
The Arts Consortium exists to amplify the arts and entertainment in Mount Vernon, which is in the midst of a rural renaissance.
Now in its second year of programming, the Consortium has welcomed past performances by Ace Frehley of KISS, contemporary Christian artist Amy Grant, actor and comedian Kevin Nealon, Grammy-award-winning country artist Clint Black, comedian Paul Reiser, and country and bluegrass star Marty Stuart to its pillar venues.
Ticket prices range from $10 to $45. For more information about the show and to buy tickets, visit MVAC.org.
The Mount Vernon Arts Consortium is a nonprofit organization created to support and enrich the vibrant arts community in Mount Vernon, Ohio through their partnerships with key arts organizations and three pillar arts venues, including Ariel-Foundation Park, Knox Memorial, and The Woodward Opera House, the oldest authentic 19th-century theater in the U.S. The organization provides resources and services for public and private events, attracts nationally recognized, world-class performances to each of the three iconic venues, and facilitates positive visitor experiences to promote tourism and boost economic development in Mount Vernon and throughout Knox County. Learn more at www.mvac.org or follow the Mount Vernon Arts Consortium on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
