Josh Blue, who is known as the comedian who puts the cerebral in cerebral palsy, will bring his unique style of comedy to the stage, and it’s all for a good cause.
Blue earned a name for himself after winning NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2006. Most recently, Josh debuted “Comedy Central Presents: Josh Blue,” which received rave reviews from fans and critics alike.
Donna Fitzpatrick first saw Blue on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and wanted to bring him to Cortez. Luckily for Fitzpatrick, Blue does charity shows. Proceeds from the Cortez show will go to the Cortez Special Olympics Team.
“I found him very genuine, very endearing,” said Fitzpatrick, who works with disabled adults through Community Connections Inc. She said Blue would be a good role model for her clients.
“I saw this guy with a disability and he ran with it,” she said. “He doesn’t hide his disability.”
Blue has appeared as a regular guest star on Comedy Central’s “Mind of Mencia,” and his story has been featured on Fox, CBS, ABC, and MSNBC. He was named Best Winning Reality Show Guest for his appearance on “Live with Regis and Kelly,” and made a guest appearance on Comics Unleashed. He has become an Internet sensation with two YouTube videos that have garnered 2 million plays.
Fitzpatrick has been plastering the area with posters advertising the event. She says she runs into a fan almost every third person, and most can’t believe he is coming to Cortez, she said.
Despite his extensive schedule of standup tour dates, Blue maintains an active role on the U.S. Paralympic Soccer Team and competed in Athens at the Paralympic Games, the world’s second-largest sporting event.
The show starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Parque de Vida Pavillion. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at Rocky Mountain One Stop on Friday or at the Cortez Farmers Market on Saturday morning. Tickets cost $25 the night of the concert.
Local Special Olympic athletes and Community Connections Clients get in for free.
Fitzpatrick said that those who attend the concert should bring their own chairs. Food and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks will be available for purchase.
Fitzpatrick advises parents to leave the little ones at home because the show is typically rated PG-13.
The event is sponsored Sunburst Horizons and Blondie’s Trophy Room.
Blue lives in Denver with his wife, Yuko, their son, Simon, and daughter, Seika.
Trish Peters, who has a daughter who participates in Special Olympics, hopes the event raises awareness of the organization and allows community members to have fun.
Erica Peters, 25, takes part in bowling and skiing.
“It gives her opportunities to meet other people, exercise and participate in sports,” she said.
Special Olympics is an important organization,” she said. “It gives them the opportunity to do things together and excel.”
Also Saturday, Peters and others will hold a family day at the park from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be games and activities for kids.
All the money raised at the event will stay local and benefit the local Special Olympics teams.
About 45 local athletes participate in Special Olympics, locally.
Marcy Aldaz, local Special Olympics Coordinator and coach, started the Special Olympics program locally 23 years ago.
Currently, Aldaz is coaching the bowling team, which will go to the regional tournament in Grand Junction on Oct. 11.
The bowling team’s ages range from 11 to 63 years old.
If you’re interested in volunteering with the Special Olympics or want to sign up, call Aldaz at 565-3830.