Chiara Clark and Jennifer Schmuckler, co-chairwomen for Laugh With the Library, look at comedian Billy Crystal’s 2013 book about his turning 65 that year. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Amy Woods
The 13th installment of Laugh With the Library will hit the books Feb. 1 to benefit Delray Beach’s beloved Atlantic Avenue institution.
It turns out that the superstitious number is a lucky one for the featured guest, Cory Kahaney, who will take the stage as the event’s first female headliner.
“When Chiara and I were asked to chair this event, we decided that we wanted to just do something different,” said Jennifer Schmuckler, referring to Chiara Clark. “We wanted to make sure we had the best comedian we could find because that’s really the highlight of the event and what draws patrons.”
As the two searched for national talent online, the booking agent for a performer they thought they were going to select led them to the standup star whose act caught fire after she reached the finals on NBC’s Last Comic Standing.
“It was all the stars aligning, and we found Cory,” Schmuckler said. “We liked the idea of having a female comedian.”
Kahaney has appeared on ABC’s The View and Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher and CBS’s Late Show With David Letterman, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and The Late Late Show With James Corden. She performs regularly in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
Her show will kick off at 9 p.m. at the Delray Beach Marriott. Doors open at 7:30 for drinks and dinner by the bite, plus a presentation by radio personalities Mo Foster and Sally Sevareid.
“We’re super excited,” Schmuckler said. “In the past, the event has been extremely successful, but we feel strongly that we want to make sure that Laugh With the Library stands out as a premier event in the Delray community.”
Proceeds benefit programs and resources such as a coding lab for children and teens, a graphics-design, image-editing and music-recording studio for teens and adults and an Appy Hour class on how to install and use cellphone applications.
Job seekers can access résumé-creation software and interview-coaching videos, and those who speak English as a second language can improve their proficiency by logging on to Mango Languages.
The library also provides thousands of free meals to schoolchildren during the summer.
“Chiara and I both want to raise as much money as possible to help enhance and create new initiatives at the library,” Schmuckler said. “The way that we want to do that, and the way that we need to do that, is to let people know that the library is the soul of their community.”
Clark agreed, saying the library does not discriminate and is a home to everyone it serves.
“Without the library in our community, the community as a whole would struggle,” she said. “I want people to be aware of what a special gem the Delray Beach Public Library is, and without it, many people would suffer.”
If You Go
What: Laugh With the Library
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1
Where: Delray Beach Marriott, 10 N. Ocean Blvd.
Cost: $250 per ticket, $2,225 per table of 10, $3,000 per party table
Information: Call 266-0798 or visit delraylibrary.org/laugh
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