Detweiler: Fundraising for Pelotonia and more at the Palace
Cancer sucks. Despite your political or religious beliefs, that is one thing we can all agree on. Cancer sucks.
I should know. My siblings and I, like many Americans, although we have not personally had cancer (knock wood), have experienced the pain of losing both parents to the dreaded C-word. My father, Don, died at the way-too-young age of 60 from lymphoma. We lost our matriarch, Polly, in 2013 to breast cancer. Both came from generations raised during the Depression, when going to the doctor was relegated to the times when you were literally bleeding to death after chopping off a finger with an ax (something my brother, Kent, almost really did). Hence, they waited too long to get checked out by their doctor as both had advanced cancer when they were diagnosed. Basically, they made me a paranoid hypochondriac who runs to the doctor for every lump and mole I discover on my deteriorating body.
We all try to do our part. For four of the past six years, I have been involved with Pelotonia, which raises money for the James Cancer Research Hospital at THE Ohio State University. This year, along with my posse, Team Buckeye - Woody’s Team, I will be riding 57 miles … on my bike … all at once on the first weekend of August. But it will be worth every leg cramp as it is for a good cause.
The Marion Palace Theatre is holding a dual fundraiser for Pelotonia and the Palace on Aug. 20 with a group cabaret show called “An Evening with Friends,” featuring some of the finest local talents to grace the May Pavilion. Tickets will be $25, and we will also be holding a charity auction as well. Rumor has it that we will be auctioning off backstage passes for a private meet and greet with Lee Greenwood and the Righteous Brothers!
It has been a while since we have featured stand-up comedy at the Palace. On Aug. 27, we will be featuring the first in a series of “Saturday Night Comedy Spectaculars” when clean comedian Steve Bruner and rock star juggler Mike Price (a recent finalist on “America’s Got Talent”) will be headlining the Palace Main Stage.
Tickets for both shows are available through the box office during regular business hours (9 a.m. - 5 p.m. every weekday except Wednesday), by phoning the box office at 740-383-2101, or on our website marionpalace.org.
You can make donations to Pelotonia at pelotonia.org/profile/KD0137. Have a happy and healthy August!
Kirk Detweiler is the executive director of the Marion Palace Theatre. For more information about theatre events and activities, go to marionpalace.org.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Pelotonia fundraisers, stand-up comedy night at the Palace Theatre
