A dozen comedians will share the stage of Club Soda, Wednesday, on the occasion of the Solidarity Humor Evening, a benefit show for the benefit of Haiti. "It's a way for us to mix business with pleasure," says event host and spokesperson Erich Preach.

Organized by the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), this evening of humor aims to raise funds for the reconstruction of the Great South of Haiti, severely affected by the earthquake of the summer of 2021.

In addition to Erich Preach, the show will bring together on stage Charles Brunet, Mélanie Couture, Gino Durante, Jean-Michel Élie, Oussama Fares, Anas Hassouna, Eddy King, Garihanna Jean-Louis, Richardson Zephir and Erika Suarez. The DJ Sweet La Rock will take care of the musical atmosphere.

Having Haitian origins himself, Preach did not hesitate to accept the role of host and spokesperson for this event.

"Obviously, it's a cause that is close to me," said the Montreal comedian in a telephone interview with the Journal earlier this week.

We often have a feeling of helplessness in the face of this. We want to help, but we don't know how. I think for me to get involved in a show like this is my best way to help and get people to help. [...] Quebecers, we are fans of humor. We are one of the places in North America that consumes the most humor per capita. I think it might be a good idea to use humor to talk about the cause of Haiti with more positivity than we usually do. »

Between friends

In addition to hosting the show by linking the various acts presented on stage, Preach used his contacts to add some of his comedian friends to the guest list.

"Among the guest artists, there are people who are very close to me and whom I know very well like Mélanie Couture, with whom I do a podcast, or Eddy King, who is one of my brothers in humor, recalls he. I contacted some of them myself and they immediately said “yes”, even though they are all very busy at the moment. I am very happy that they have all agreed to give their time for this event. It's fun that they're there to help the cause. »