Houston comedian hosts comedy show for a good cause

HOUSTON - Sept. 5, 2015 - PRLog -- Comedian Crystal Powell is on a mission to share the healing power of laughter as she joins forces with a powerhouse line up of comedians for a good cause - suicide prevention.

Powell, who has appeared on ABC and Fox News to discuss the impact laughter has on one's health and well being, will host Crystal's Comedy Corner at 8 p.m. on Sept. 18 at the Joke Joint Comedy Showcase at 11560 Fuqua St. in Houston.

The all-female lineup includes, NBC's Last Comic Standing star Aida Rodriguez, Zainab Johnson from BET's "Hell Date," Kiana Dancie of Bounce TV's "Off the Chain," and Tammy Anderson-Mooney delivering a hilarious night of non-stop laughs. Proceeds from the comedy show will benefit a local charity that promotes suicide prevention in conjunction with National Suicide Prevention Month and World Suicide Prevention Day in September.

"As an African American, our culture often thinks that suicide isn't something that we do; however, it is. I had a close friend whose sister committed suicide ... that was my first time actually being that close to an incident like that, and it was devastating," said the Texas-born native.

Powell practices what she preaches and has used comedy and laughter as a healing balm for heartaches in her own life, and so have other comics appearing in the show. Rodriguez, the night's headliner and a recent performer on Shaquille O'Neal's All-Star Comedy Jam tour, shares a similar philosophy.  A painful divorce and battle with anorexia led her to comedy as a release.

"I've faced many obstacles in my life, and humor has always been a coping mechanism. Finding a reason to laugh has been the silver lining on the darkest of clouds from abuse to illness. I deal with the real stuff in life. I don't tell jokes; I just tell my business. My show is about truth, values, healing and solutions," said Rodriguez.

A growing number of sources advocate the benefits of laughter therapy, including a Time, Inc. article entitled "Laughter Therapy is the New Meditation." It cited recent research presented at the Experimental Biology conference in San Diego, CA. that stated, "a good laugh now and then may give you a mental boost similar to meditation."

After the comedy team brings down the house with their hilarious brand of humor, the night will conclude with a celebratory birthday bash in Powell's honor at the Engine Room. Comedy show ticketholders gain full access to both events.

"I want people to walk away feeling that we should all take a moment to celebrate life," said Powell. "If you're not laughing, you're not living because laughter heals."

For more information or to purchase tickets for the upcoming comedy show, visit http://crystalpcomedy.com. For media inquiries contact, Sarni Jaye at (757) 932-5446.