Stand-up comedian Henry Cho to headline ‘Party in the Park’ this month

MADISON — In addition to the regular food and fun, this year’s “Party in the Park” at Insanity Complex will feature a special comedic guest, Henry Cho, to help raise money for Madison Hospital.

The event, now in its eighth year, will be held Feb. 28 beginning at 6:30 p.m. and is only open to those 21 years of age or older. Comedian Brian Bates will be opening for Cho.

Cho, a Tennessee native and stand-up comedy veteran, has been featured on Comedy Central and national shows like “The Tonight Show” and “The Late Late Show.” He is also a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry. In the past, Cho has hosted NBC’s “Friday Night Videos” and has appeared in several guest roles on network sitcoms. His one-hour Comedy Central special, “What’s That Clickin Noise?” can be streamed on Netflix. In addition, Cho can be heard daily on radio programs on SiriusXM, Blue Collar Radio and Pandora. For more information on Cho and his experiences, visit henrychocomedy.com.

“The Foundation and Madison Hospital are very excited to host stand-up comedian Henry Cho,” said Cheryl Geiger, special events coordinator for the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. “This is a new format for Party in the Park, and we think Madison residents will love Cho’s humor and will have fun laughing the night away for a great cause.”

While Cho serves up plenty of laughs, Mangia Italian Restaurant will serve up a buffet-style dinner for guests. Party in the Park will also feature a silent auction, and according to a news release, guests will have the chance to win more than $1,200 in gift cards to places like Rosie’s Mexican Cantina, Lowe’s, Mangia Italian Restaurant, Terramé Day Spa & Salon, Mastercard and more.

This year, proceeds from the annual event will help Madison Hospital to purchase their own MRI-compatible anesthesia system. With this, Madison Hospital will be able to “expand its capabilities of performing MRIs on adult and pediatric patients who require anesthesia when having the procedure.”

Patients who might need anesthesia to have an MRI performed include those who have difficulty staying still for the test, those who experience extreme pain when lying on their back, those who are dependent on a ventilator or those who experience “intense” anxiety or claustrophobia at the thought of being in an MRI tube.

“We are continuing to see tremendous growth at Madison Hospital, now with 90 beds to serve our thriving community,” said Mary Lynne Wright, president of Madison Hospital, in the release. “The proceeds from Party in the Park will enable us to offer this high-tech solution to patients so they can comfortably receive an MRI close to home without traveling downtown.”

Geiger said strong donor support is what enables them to provide the needed funding and resources as Madison Hospital continues to grow. Last year, they reached a new record, raising $69,000. This helped provide a joint replacement operating table for Madison Hospital’s Surgery Department.

Local nonprofit the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, who spearheads fundraising efforts for the Madison Hospital and Huntsville Hospital, will be hosting the event. According to the release, the foundation works to fund hospital equipment and other program needs, and they accept both individual and corporate gifts on the hospitals’ behalf. For more information, visit huntsvillehospitalfoundation.org.

Tickets for Party in the Park cost $75 per person and include the cost of food and entertainment. To purchase tickets, visit huntsvillehospitalfoundation.org or call 256-265-8077. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

The Insanity Complex is located at 100 Skate Park Drive in Madison.