'Comedy Warriors' Explores Healing Powers of Humor

The third Gold Coast International Film Festival, which kicks off Oct. 21, shines a spotlight on comedy.

One of its feature films, “Comedy Warriors: Healing Through Humor,” looks at laughter as medicine. The film follows five severely wounded veterans – four men and a woman – who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and were given the chance to explore their experiences through the healing power of humor.  

The film follows the veterans, including Joe Kashnow, pictured above, as they work with such professional comedy writers and A-List comedians as Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover),Bob Saget (Full House), B.J. Novak (The Office), and Lewis Black (Lewis Black’s Root of All Evil), who help them write and perform their own personal stand-up comedy routines. Their journey culminates as they perform at LA's top comedy clubs. 

The film was produced and directed by John Wager, produced by Ray Reo and co-produced by Bernadette Luckett. A sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization, the film is also supported by Wounded Warrior Project.

The film runs Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Great Neck Arts Center.Learn more. 

View the trailer.

Spooky and Not-So-Spooky Walk

The annual Spooky Walk runs Thursday Saturday from 6-9 p.m. at Clark Botanic Garden, 193 I.U. Willets Road in Albertson.

Organizers say the Spooky Walk may be inappropriate for young children – parents may want to opt instead for the Not-So-Spooky Walk, on Sunday.  Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

New this year: a group admission rate on Thursday, where groups of ten or more can purchase tickets at a discounted rate of $3 per person. The standard rate of admission for Spooky Walk is $5 per person. 
The Not-So-Spooky Walk, suitable for all ages, is Sunday, Oct. 27, 12-4 p.m. Admission is $3 per person. 
Additionally, on Saturday, telescopes will be provided for star-gazing for children.