Arizona-based comedians will compete Friday night for the title of “Top Comic” at The Duce in downtown Phoenix as part of an effort to help fund a college scholarship for local aspiring artists.
The scholarship program, funded by a Phoenix nonprofit organization, is dedicated to providing graduating high-school women with encouragement and financial support to continue their art education and eventually pursue a career as an artist.
ASU alumna Jessica Hickey founded the nonprofit, Break the Mold, last year to provide a scholarship opportunity for creative young women who are highly involved with their school and community.
Break the Mold hopes to raise $2,000 for this year’s scholarship, which also includes a portfolio photoshoot and a mentorship program, said Hickey, who is an art teacher at Fremont Junior High School in Mesa.
The Battle of the Comedians at The Duce, located on the northeast corner of Lincoln and Third streets, will be on Friday at 8 p.m. and is the first fundraising event for the nonprofit.
“We started looking at local businesses, and we found The Duce,” Hickey said. “We were sitting there throwing ideas around for fundraising and thought a comedy night would be a great fundraiser.”
The event is both a fundraising opportunity and a chance for local comedians to spar with each other. Tickets for Battle of the Comedians can be purchased for $10 in advance through Break the Mold’s Facebook page or for $12 at the door, with all proceeds going toward funding the scholarship fund. The Duce will also donate a certain percentage of sales made on specific food and drink items.
Steve Rosenstein, co-owner of The Duce, which he affectionately refers to as “a big, nostalgic Chicago neighborhood under one roof,” has been instrumental in helping Break the Mold organize the fundraising opportunity.
“These girls are really nice, genuine, real people,” Rosenstein said. “Anytime we can help give back to the community, we should.”
Wendy Cavalari, board member and graphic Web designer for Break the Mold, said the organization truly values a strong sense of community and emphasizes getting local businesses and Phoenix residents involved with the scholarship initiative.
“The fact that (Break the Mold) is supporting local artists, getting them involved in and giving back to the community, is what got me interested in the group,” she said.
Expecting about 60 people to show up for the event, along with the nearly 100 Friday-night regulars at The Duce, Hickey said she is optimistic that the event will be a successful fundraiser for the organization to help aid Arizona’s future artists.
“The support from everybody in the community has been really encouraging,” she said.
Contact the reporter at kristen.hwang@asu.edu
