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Comics offer virtual show in support of this Burnaby restaurant

Life is Still Funny: Comedy for Cozmos will serve up a night of stand-up comedy online to help a local eatery weather the COVID-19 crisis
Helen Schneiderman, Scott Osborne, stand-up comedy, Cozmos, Burnaby
Helen Schneiderman and Scott Osborne are two of the comics who’ve taken part in the Cozmos Comedy show at the North Burnaby eatery. Now that they can’t perform live, a group of stand-up comics are banding together to offer a virtual show in support of the restaurant that has supported them.

Stand-up comics in Burnaby are banding together to help a local restaurant weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

Life is Still Funny: Comedy for Cozmos is a virtual night of stand-up comedy that’s taking place on Friday, May 29. The online comedy show will bring together seven stand-up comics in support of Cozmos Café + Bistro in North Burnaby.

It’s being brought together by Ray Morrison, a Burnaby resident who’s been running a monthly Cozmos Comedy show at the eatery for the past year.

“These have been extremely successful, well-attended shows,” he said in an email. “As with all restaurants, and many other small businesses, the owners of this restaurant are going through some difficult times these days. As they have been great supporters of stand-up comedy, we would now like to pay them back for their generosity.”

Audience members who want to check out the comedy show (which will be live on Zoom) can pay $5 for the show only, or they can pay $10, $20 or $50 towards a gift certificate from the restaurant that they can use in the future – with the comedy night thrown in.

“This will be a free show for most, with a delicious meal at their convenience to come,” Morrison explained, noting it’s a win for the local business. “The restaurant gets the guarantee of some up-front money and future business to come. All money taken in will go to the restaurant.”

Morrison, who just marked his 65th birthday, says he had always intended to put all of his focus on his comedy from here on out – but the pandemic just changed the form that will take.

He’s hoping to see the comedy series turn into a weekly event that will help a different cause each week, with a focus on helping local business.

“As I do not see masses of people feeling comfortable reverting immediately to the old habits, many of these businesses will have a long road ahead,” he pointed out. “They need our support more than ever.”

Life is Still Funny: Comedy for Cozmos is set for Friday, May 29. Showtime is 8 p.m. For details and to buy your tickets, see the listing on Eventbrite

Cozmos Café + Bistro is at 6691 Hastings St. (at Sperling) and is still open for takeout and delivery. See cozmoscafe.ca.