Salt and Tar Comedy Weekender to kick off with 'Bootle Stands Up!' charity fundraiser

Bootle Stands Up! sponsored by Dowhigh will be the opening event of the 2024 Salt and Tar Comedy Weekender.

Money raised at the night at the new Salt & Tar events space, Bootle Canalside, on Thursday 23rd May 2024, will go towards Ykids in Bootle. The charity supports young people to believe that they can, and then do make a difference.

The new comedians taking part in Bootle Stands Up! will enjoy a six-week comedy masterclass, led by established comedian and Salt and Tar Comedy Weekender event organiser Brendan Riley before their big night on stage.

Brendan said: “We are really pleased to see 11 local people joining us to take part in the comedy workshops ahead of the Bootle Stands Up! comedy night.

“These courses are always really good fun to take part in. People learn a lot of skills such as public speaking; coping with nerves; stagecraft; confidence building, memory retention, how to write material; plus how to deal with hecklers!

“At the end of the process, they will be able to confidently stand on stage and deliver a 10-minute set of their own material on the opening night of the Salt and Tar Comedy Weekender.

“It’s a brilliant way to open the festival. Tickets are only a fiver each with proceeds going towards Ykids, so I hope people come down, have a great night and support them!

“We wanted to raise money for Ykids, because they are such a positive dynamic, Bootle-based charity which is doing amazing work in the local community.

“It is brilliant to be working with Dowhigh too, a superb Sefton-based company which does so much to improve the local community.”

Bootle Stands Up! wiill kick off four days of unmissable events as part of the 2024 Salt and Tar Comedy Weekender across the May Bank Holiday Weekend.

Gary Delaney and Brennan Reece, alongside local comic Katie Tracey will appear on the Friday, with Bingo Nights UK’s Disco Bingo taking to the stage on Saturday night, followed by Seann Walsh, Peter Rethinasamy and Hal Cruttenden on the Sunday.

During the daytime, Salt and Tar will be home to plenty of family-fun, with Comedy Bingo hosted by Brendan Riley and Britain’s Got Talent Finalist Steve Royle performing on the Saturday, and John Harding’s Magic Show and a second helping of Comedy Bingo on Sunday.

Brendan Riley said: “People sometimes ask me – can you make someone funny?

“We can definitely make them funnier! This six-week comedy workshop, which takes place at Ykids and starts on 15th April, will see people learn a variety of skills.

“People who take part are very supportive of each other, they build a real bond and just want to see each other do well.

“Being able to make people laugh is a great feeling and I’m sure the people taking part will really enjoy the experience!

“People sign up for all sorts of reasons. Some are budding comedians and fancy having a go to see what it’s like; some want to get out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves to try something new; some want to learn new skills.

“We have one or two places left if anyone else would like to come on board and take part. We have a really good mix of people already.

“If you’re interested in taking part you can apply through our Big Comedy UK website or call me on 07770591625 and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have, or explain more about the process.

“I have been leading comedy workshops since 2006, and every one is unique, depending on who is taking part. They all go through their own individual journey.

“We are looking forward to bringing the Comedy Weekender back to Salt and Tar in Bootle, and hope people enjoy coming out to enjoy some fantastic live comedy!”

Salt and Tar Comedy Weekender in Bootle takes place 23rd-26th May 2024.