All-Star Comedy Night will benefit foundation in honor of Enmanuel Familia
WORCESTER — An "All-Star Comedy Night" at Mechanics Hall to benefit The Manny 267 Foundation in memory of Worcester Police Officer Enmanuel "Manny" Familia will feature seven popular New England stand-up comedians Sept. 30.
Familia tragically died June 4, 2021, while attempting to save a 14-year old boy from drowning in Green Hill Pond. He was 38. The Manny 267 Foundation (267 was his police badge number) was established to honor his legacy.
In addition to raising awareness about the hazards of drowning, the foundation raises funds to provide floatation devices called "Manny Tubes" that are installed in emergency vehicles to be used as lifesaving tools when responding to aquatic emergencies. The foundation also funds water safety training for police officers and swimming lessons for young people.
Manny Familia's brother Elvin Familia said in an announcement about the Sept. 30 show, “Preventing this tragedy from happening again is our responsibility. My brother’s sacrifice will not be in vain. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this comedy show will go towards providing Manny Tubes and water rescue training for police departments around Massachusetts.“
Manny Familia has been described by his friends and family as “always the funniest person in the room,” making the All-Star Comedy Night a fitting tribute to his legacy, organizers said.
The lineup at Mechanics Hall includes Jimmy Dunn, Jimmy Cash, Corey Rodrigues, Christine Hurley, Juston McKinney, Kelly MacFarland and Rafi Gonzalez.
Boston comedian Dunn co-starred in the CBS comedy "The McCarthys," and has appeared at Montreal’s"Just for Laughs Comedy Festival," Denis Leary’s "Comics Come Home," and on "Late Show with David Letterman."
Cash is the father of a teenage daughter, an “uncertain amount of stepchildren,” spent 18 years as a public school janitor and is a recent winner of "Last Comix Standing" at Mohegan Sun.
A veteran of the stand-up circuit, Rodrigues has appeared on "Late Night with Conan O’Brien" and was winner of the "Catch a New Rising Star," "The Funniest Comic in New England" and the "Big Sky Comedy" festivals.
A finalist on Nick at Nite’s "America’s Funniest Mom," Hurley is married with five children, providing plenty of material to mine for comedy. For many years, she entertained family, friends and neighbors in their kitchens, and now finds herself one of the busiest stand-up acts on the New England scene.
With multiple specials on both Amazon Prime and Comedy Central, McKinney has also been seen on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O’Brien" and "The King of Queens." He is a busy comedian, touring theaters and clubs across the country, when not “dadding” at home in New Hampshire with his wife and children.
MacFarland has appeared in comedy clubs, colleges, festivals, entertaining U.S. troops overseas and as a popular host and performer at corporate events over the last 20 years. A featured headliner at Boston’s Women in Comedy Festival since its inception, her television credits include appearances on "The View," "Last Comic Standing" and "Today."
Originally from Puerto Rico, Gonzalez was seen on HBO Max as part of the "Ha Comedy Festival" and toured the country opening for Michael Rappaport and Phoebe Robinson. He has recently taken his comedy to the seas and can be seen entertaining audiences on Carnival Cruise Lines.
"All-Star Comedy Night" to benefit The Manny 267 Foundation starts at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) Sept. 30 in Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St. Tickets are $50; table (ten seats), $500. Visit www.mechanicshall.org/comedy-night.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: All-Star Comedy Night will benefit The Manny 267 Foundation
