Life is Funny
Presented by Syd Bosel and Friends

There’s nothing like a good laugh and a great cause to liven up the mood! Join us for an unforgettable live comedy night with award winning stand-up comics featured in Just For Laughs, the House of Comedy, and more. To add to the lightheartedness, by attending you make a lasting positive impact helping foster youth, moms, and babies.

Wednesday, March 15
Featuring Syd Bosel & Ray Morrison
Hosted by Helen Schneiderman
And special guest Janice Bannister

Doors 6:00 pm | Show 7:00 pm Come early for great seats!

General Admission Tickets $35 HERE
VIP (Reserved Front Centre Section, Rows 1-5) $45 HERE

*Must be 19+ w/valid ID for entry. Sorry, Rio Theatre Groupons and passes n/a. Online sales end an hour before showtime. Unless otherwise noted, tickets will also be available at the door (subject to availability).

Helen Schneiderman got into stand-up comedy a few years ago as a way to get off her couch. Her comedy draws from her varied life experiences and trips around the globe. She’s not afraid to share — the good, the bad and the ugly — and audiences love her sincere and relatable style. Helen has performed all across the lower mainland and Vancouver Island. She was in CBC’s 2019 & NextUp Top 100, and won her preliminary round of the 2019 Yuk Off contest, came second in the 2019 BC Funniest New Female Comic contest, and was the opening comic on the 2020 “I Am Woman Hear Me Laff” tour and 2022 Chutzpah Festival. Helen’s favourite review, “I really liked the pretty one with the lovely accent.”

Syd Bosel spills your life out onto the stage as she shares her tales of having “Adult” children, surviving breast cancer, menopause, and other glories of nature. Syd did her comedy training, and cut her comedy teeth in Vancouver, and recently moved to Comox, BC. She has won numerous awards, placing first and voted as the Fan Favourite in the 2018, BC’s Funniest New Female Comic competition. In 2022, Syd placed 2nd out of 60 comics, in the “Funniest Person with a Day Job” Competition. She has performed for numerous shows and fundraisers. She can be heard on Spotify on the Just for Laughs comedy album, “Poor Man’s Hummus” and is a regular on the “Jest Ladies” Troupe. Syd’s favourite review, “That older lady was really funny.”

Ray Morrison, the “Elder Statesman of Vancouver Comedy,” has won the “One Hitter Quitter” comedy competition over 140 other competitors, and was a two time semi-finalist in the Great Canadian Yuk-off competition. He has performed for audiences at several locations including House of Comedy, Yuk Yuk’s, various brew pubs, and restaurant and at fundraisers for synagogues and the Ethiopian Canadian Association.

Janice Bannister walked on the stand-up comedy stage 20 years ago. During her first year of stand- up comedy, she won “Comics with a Day Job” and “Funniest New Female”. She then went on to perform at Just for Laughs and numerous other gigs across Canada, US and Costa Rica. She has toured with Debra DiGiovanni and has featured and headlined at the House of Comedy and Yuk Yuks. Janice is the owner and instructor of Laughter Zone 101 stand-up comedy school. And she has put new comics on the stage from ages 8-86 years old. In her twenty years of comedy Janice has produced over 736 comedy shows featuring many of her former students. Janice is also a corporate speaker, on “Laughter as a Wellness Tool”. She combines her years as a psychiatric nurse with her life as a stand-up comedian, to bring audiences laughter tips for their mental and spiritual well being.

Aunt Leah’s place helps prevent children in foster care from becoming homeless and vulnerable women from losing custody of their children. To support them on their journey to self-sufficiency, we provide supported housing, job training and coaching on essential life skills. Aunt Leah’s was evaluated by Charity Intelligence as one of the Top 10 Impact Charities delivering returns of 6 times for every dollar donated.