Gotham Comedy Club Hosts New York Comedy Event of the Year

Online, September 24, 2010 (Newswire.com) - 5th Annual Laugh For Sight Comedy Benefit Attracts the Biggest Names in Comedy Including a Special Appearance From Jim Gaffigan

NEW YORK (September 21st, 2010) - Laugh For Sight, a New York-based non-profit organization focused on raising funds and public awareness for retinal degenerative eye disease research, hosted its 5th Annual Laugh For Sight charity benefit on Monday, September 20th, 2010, at the world famous Gotham Comedy Club in New York City, presented by VisionZone, Optelec's nationwide movement to spread ocular health awareness. The show featured some of the nation's best stand-up comedians, including legendary comedian, singer and actor Robert Klein, Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" Comic Jessica Kirson, "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" correspondent John Oliver, comedian Dave Attell of "Comedy Central Presents" and "Insomniac with Dave Attell", Todd Barry of "Comedy Central Presents" and "The Wrestler", Ophira Eisenberg featured in New York Magazine's "Ten New Comedians That Funny People Find Funny" and blind Laugh For Sight Co-Founder/President Brian Fischler with his guide dog Nash. Rounding out this lineup of comedy all-stars, was an unannounced surprise performance by the hilarious, Jim Gaffigan, co-star of the Drew Barrymore romantic comedy, "Going The Distance".

All proceeds raised from the event benefit three noteworthy vision charities; Scheie Eye Institute at the University of Pennsylvania in support of its retinal degenerative eye disease research, Fight For Sight, a 64-year-old organization that funds promising scientists early in their eye research careers, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a guide dog school which provides service dogs to the blind and visually impaired.

Hundreds gathered at the historic comedy club in support of this great cause. The charity silent auction held prior to the show, attracted some big name sponsors including Felix Rey, Audible.com, Kramer Portraits, Cesar Millan Inc. and Exhale Spa, just to name a few. Memorabilia, donated by professional sports teams, tickets, hotel stays, and designer merchandise were among the items up for bid. Guiding Eyes for the Blind representatives and trainers were on-hand at the event, along with young guide dogs in training and future guide dog Labrador puppies, who stole the hearts of all the performing comedians and attendees present.

The success that Laugh For Sight has seen through the years, and again this past Monday night, has enabled the organization to expand its reach to the national level. Laugh For Sight will premier inaugural events in Los Angeles at The Melrose Improv on November 9 and in Miami at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach on December 17.

For more information or to get involved in upcoming charity events, please visit www.laughforsight.com or contact Laugh For Sight at [email protected] and 917-470-9559.

About Laugh For Sight
Laugh For Sight was founded by blind stand-up comedian Brian Fischler (www.brianfischler.com) and Scott Wartham. The organization is focused on raising funds and public awareness for vision-related nonprofits and retinal degenerative disease research through its signature Laugh For Sight charity benefit show, known for having a rare lineup of some of the
biggest names in stand-up comedy. In March 1999, Laugh For Sight hosted its 1st annual Laugh for Sight charity benefit in Beverly Hills and in 2005, the fundraiser moved to New York City's famous Gotham Comedy Club where it now serves as its annual event venue. The success since its inception has enabled Laugh For Sight to expand its reach nationally. In 2010 it partnered with VisionZone, Optelec's nationwide movement to promote ocular health awareness, and has added two additional benefit shows in Los Angeles and Miami. For more information on Laugh For Sight please visit www.laughforsight.com.

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Media Contacts:
Jeremy Vara
BERKMAN for Laugh For Sight
619.231.9977 (office), 858.922.0261 (mobile)

Lis Perry
Laugh For Sight
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
917.470.9559 (office), 201.755.6333 (cell)
[email protected]