Ding Ho 40th Anniversary Reunion and Fundraiser Honoring Barry Crimmins Will Re-Run July 1-3
The stars aligned for a live replay of last year’s unique comedy reunion and fundraiser that honored Barry Crimmins, and paid homage to the game-changing comedy club that he shaped, the Ding Ho. A “Who’s Who” of the early Boston comedy scene took stage last year to laugh, reminisce and pay tribute to the founder of the Ding Ho. The event also raised much needed funds for the medical treatment and living expense of Barry’s surviving wife Helen.
Barry died from cancer on February 28 2018. His wife, Helen was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma and is currently making steady progress in her recovery.
Jimmy Tingle ran the 40th reunion of the Ding Ho comedy club last year which featured Steven Wright, Paula Poundstone, Bobcat Goldthwait, Denis Leary, Lenny Clarke, Don Gavin, Tony V, Jack Gallagher, Kenny Rogerson and many more. Now, on July 1,2 & 3rd, a chance to re-watch the event and help support Barry’s widow. The show will re-run as a live replay this week on July 1-3rd at 7pm each night.
In October of 1979 aspiring comic and New York transplant, Barry Crimmins, walked into a Chinese restaurant in Inman Sq., Cambridge, and persuaded the owner to let him try putting on some comedy shows. That conversation led to the inception of the now legendary ‘Ding Ho Comedy Club,’ a launching pad for some of the funniest, brightest and most original comic talent in America. As bartender and open mic performer, Jimmy Tingle had a front row seat.
“We had so much fun last year we wanted to re-play the show this year and continue to spread the word about the legendary Ding Ho comedy club and the early days of Boston comedy and pay tribute to it’s founder, political satirist Barry Crimmins, RIP,” said Jimmy Tingle. “We are also very excited to help raise some much-needed funds for the ongoing medical and living expenses of his widow Helen Crimmins. The show will be fun and funny and we hope you can join us. 25 comics celebrating 40 years of Boston Comedy.”
The scene that Barry in Boston helped to not only establish Boston as a breeding ground for some of the greatest stand up comedians in modern times, but also was a template that other clubs around the country have adopted and maintained. He set new standards for originality, creativity and artistry not only for himself but for those who came to perform in his club. He’s directly responsible for a long list of great careers including Bobcat Goldthwait, Steven Wright and Louis C.K.. He was also a relentless human justice activist and a survivor of sexual assault who become a mentor, a protector, an champion and an inspiration to others.
The replay of the 40th Anniversary tribute is pay what you can, with a suggested donation of $30. For tickets, go to www.jimmytingle.com
