UPDATE: the Comedy Benefit at Gotham Comedy Club in New York was a fantastic success! »
NEW YORK | The 6th Annual “Stand Up for Peace” Comedy Benefit takes place on November 30. The event will be hosted by Amer Zahr with Tim Young, Dan Nainan, Eman el Husseini, Seth Herzog, Mike Batayeh, Jim Dailakis, and Laura Spaeth.
Tim Young headlines clubs all over North America, has performed on over 500 colleges campuses as well as comedy festivals in New York, Montreal, and Seattle, and he’s a fixture in the New York City club scene. He’s appeared on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central’s Premium Blend, Tough Crowd, and Shorties, and you may have seen him as a commentator on VH1, MTV,TLC and the E! Channel.
Dan Nainan got his start by taking a comedy class to get over the nervousness of speaking on stage in his job as a demo engineer with Intel Corporation. After leaving Intel to pursue comedy, Dan has toured with Russell Peters. Dan has appeared on network television including “Last Comic Standing” as well as in feature films and radio and television commercials. He just completed a comedy tour of India and is performing at the upcoming TED Conference in Mysore.
Eman el Husseini started stand-up in NYC in 2006. In her first year she founded and co-produces the monthly show BOOM (best of open mic). In 2008 Eman opened for the Axis of Evil Tour in Ottawa and was invited to be a part of the 5th and 6th NY Arab-American Comedy Festival. In 2009 Eman has been touring the US with 1001 laughs, and was a part of the first ever Arabs Gone Wild tour in Montreal. In December Eman is heading to the Middle-East for the 2nd annual Amman Comedy Festival.
Seth Herzog was the subject of the short film Zog’s Place. In addition, Seth hosts his weekly show Sweet at the Slipper Room on Tuesday nights. He has also enjoyed roles in such films as Safe Men, The Ten, and The Baxter. Seth has also acted in numerous commercials and on such TV shows as Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Chappelle’s Show and VH1’s Best Week Ever.
Mike Batayeh is a native of Detroit who is of Jordanian descent. He currently resides in Los Angeles where he is a working comedian/actor/writer. As a writer he has two screenplays, one of which is in process to be produced. He was also, co-writer of a one-person show, entitled Machomen and The Women That Love Them, which was filmed at the Kodak Theater (home of the Academy Awards) and will soon be released as a television special and DVD. As an actor he has appeared in many television and film roles. As a comedian he has performed all over the world for all kinds of audiences in such places as Dubai, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, and will soon be in Australia. NOW, KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!!!
Amer Zahr is a Palestinian-American currently living in Michigan. His comedy comes from his experiences and thoughts growing up as an Arab-American. Amer has been performing stand-up for many years and before that was an active pro-Palestinian voice. His activism included dozens of published writings and appearances on TV, including two appearances on ABC’s Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. He has traveled the world, performing throughout America, as well as in the Middle East, including Jordan and Oman.
Jim Dailakis, an Australian Greek actor/writer/comedian and voiceover artist now based in New York City, has been touring the USA for the last 12 years headlining in the major New York comedy clubs including Caroline’s, Standup New York and Broadway. He’s also performed in Las Vegas, The Borgata in Atlantic City, The Cayman Islands and Canada. On stage, Dailakis talks about relationships, love, and mimics movie stars with an uncanny ability of being able to contort his face so he can look like them too. His performances have earned him standing ovations and adoration from audiences across the US. Being an Aussie in America is another part of his act.
Laura Spaeth is a stand up comic and an actor living and working in NYC. Her comedy has been referred to as, “Tina Fey minus the cash.” A spirited host and featured act, Laura has performed regularly at The Broadway Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, Caroline’s, Stand Up New York, Don’t Tell Mama’s Poole Party and Danny Aiello’s, Upstairs at Danny’s in Hoboken New Jersey. She has also participated in Gilda Radner’s Laugh Off. Blunt, acerbic with and uncanny ability for characters and impersonations, Laura is a favorite everywhere she performs.