Comedy for charity takes the stage at Old Mill Brewpub April 12 for a 90-minute show. A T & Love events hosts their first comedy benefit event with all ticket proceeds going towards Camp Kemo. 

“This is the first benefit show we’ve done. We’re working with Camp Kemo to raise money for kids they support at summer camp,” Allie Riddle of A T & Love said. “We decided earlier this year we wanted to work with a cause of some kind and then there was this couple who had come to every single show we’ve done. So, we asked them and they picked Camp Kemo.”

Allie and her husband Topher Riddle started their business a little over a year ago combining their love of comedy and experience with event planning. Topher is a stand-up comedian and Allie works on the business and event planning side. 

For the benefit show, there will be four comedians including Topher. The other three comedians are T Link, Josh Milz and Lisandra Vasquez. The $45 ticket includes a meal at the Old Mill Brewhouse.

Vasquez comes from Atlanta and Allie says she brings in her Hispanic heritage into her act. 

The Riddles brought Milz back because everyone enjoyed his comedy and T Link has a big social media following and they say he is great at doing impressions. 

In addition to the show and meal, Topher says Kathy’s Kreations has donated shirts and there will be gift cards to raffle off.

“If you want to see a good show like we usually put together with food included and ticket sales going to a good cause, this is a good one to come to,” Topher said. “The people we’re bringing are fan favorites. ... See some really funny people and help a good cause.”

In addition to their benefit show this week, they also have their monthly show on the last Wednesday of the month. They are still booking their comedians for that show. 

The couple enjoys hosting these comedy events with the Old Mill being their go-to place. 

Topher and Allie met with the Old Mill Brewpub owner, John Clinger, who agreed to host the comedy events. 

“We went to talk with the Brewpub owners about sponsoring a New Year’s Eve show and they were our first sponsor. John asked if we could do a show there and it was a resounding success and he asked about another,” Allie said.

“Luckily John is a fan of stand-up comedy and we’re excited to do it there,” Topher said.

So far, just about every show has featured different comedians. Topher has a long list of comedians he’s met plus he’s always meeting other comedians both established and new to the field. He’ll also meet comedians at open mics. Some are local and others are out of state or from a different county within South Carolina. 

“I’ve been doing stand-up comedy for 12 years and in that time I’ve performed all over the country just about and I’ve met a ton of comedians,” Topher said on how they began their business. “Allie worked at the Corley Mill House so we figured with her skills and my connections to some funny people, we should combine our skills and bring comedy shows to Columbia and Lexington.”

Allie explains that they met because of comedy.

“We met at a Free Times event because (Topher) was nominated for an award. We met because of comedy,” Allie said. “Any of our shows we’ve done pretty overwhelmingly well and people we’ve talked with talk about what a good time they’ve had. We love to have the opportunity to get the word out and have more people come to our shows.”