Homelessness is not exactly a topic full of joke possibilities, but this isn't stopping the fun(d)raising comedians of Comics Reaching Out, an organization that generates laughs for charitable causes. This weekend, comedians James Vernon, "Uncle" Dow Thomas and OC — all comics with TV credits ranging from BET to MTV, HBO and Showtime — host a show to benefit the Pinellas County Coalition for the Homeless. The show doesn't make light of dire poverty, although comic James Vernon, who was homeless himself for a short time years ago, said he has some new material he's writing for the show. "It feels good to put a smile on someone's face," he says, "and it feels better knowing that the money is going to help other people." Comics Reaching Out hopes you feel the same way. Sun., July 16, 6 p.m., Coconuts Comedy Club, 24095 U.S.19 North, Clearwater, $12.50, www.comicsreachingout.com.
This article appears in Jul 12-18, 2006.