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UD's 'Late Night' comedian in charity concert Jan. 12
1:29 p.m., Jan. 4, 2007--Fans of Late Night with Conan O'Brien may not realize that his semi-regular guest comedian Dave Goldstein, known for his appearances as a baseball player in Yankee Stadium and as a naked traffic cop outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a UD alum. The 1988 communication grad, who has appeared on Conan 12 times and opened for Dennis Miller, will be returning to Delaware for an appearance at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 12, at the Washington Street Ale House in Wilmington. Cost is $35 per person, and proceeds will benefit Easter Seals of Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore program to provide respite care for persons with autisim. Goldstein also will host a charity auction for the charity following his performance. The event is being organized by Goldstein's college buddies, Joe Burns and Jim Warmkessel, who also graduated from UD in 1988 with business degrees. Goldstein's career as an actor and comic has taken him across the U.S., Canada and Europe. His stage act, which The New York Post called “funny,” is a blend of original writing and inspired live riffs. He has performed stand up comedy on The Comedy Network, XM Satellite Radio, The National Lampoon Radio Network and Comedy.net. A New York Post entertainment reporter singled him out as the one member of a Gotham Improv cast who could pull off “a funny bit” interacting with the live audience. In a 2004 article in the Department of Communication's alumni newsletter, Goldstein said, “The hard part is finding what's common to people even if they don't realize it, and then using the shared experience to make people laugh....[M]y time at the University of Delaware taught me that I had the talent or the gift to do something in entertainment. Whether it was writing and shooting video shorts, discussions in class, public speaking classes, or performing on and off campus, I learned that I could do it....I wasn't just another funny guy in my apartment with my friends.” Two of those friends, Burns and Warmkessel, who were Goldstein's fraternity brothers and roommates, now work at CAI, a technology company named Best in Business for Technology Companies for Community Involvement for three of the last four years by the Wilmington News Journal. Warmkessel, who has been with the company for 14 years, is its manager of business development. Burns is manager of quality assurance and testing. The two got involved in Easter Seals through the company's sponsorship of the CAI/Easter Seals Spike for Life Volleyball tournament that is held annually in March on the UD campus. Last year, the overall event raised about $300,000. The company also sponsors additional fundraisers for Easter Seals throughout the year. “With Dave's up-and-coming career and coming off a great performance opening for Dennis Miller, we figured we had the makings of an event where people could have a great time and support a great cause,” Warmkessel said. “Dave (and local comedian Sue Kelly, the opening act) is donating his time free of charge, although free is relative....I think Joe and I will owe Dave a couple dinners. With his appetite we may have to negotiate another deal with the Ale House!” he added. Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased in advance. Cost includes buffet appetizers, soft drinks and dessert after the show. A cash bar will be available. The evening's scheduled activities should end at approximately 10 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information, e-mail Burns at [joe_burns@compaid.com] or Warmkessel at [jim_warmkessel@compaid.com] or call (302) 545-9933 or (302) 888-5511. To purchase tickets by credit card, contact Marianne McNiece at the Washington Street Ale House at (302) 658-9070. For more information about Goldstein, visit [www.davegoldstein.com]. Article by Beth Thomas |
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