Tampa's very own Bert Kreischer, known for his stand-up comedy and raucous storytelling, has put together a benefit performance aptly dubbed BERT AID to rally financial support for the victims of Hurricane Helene, as ABC Action News reported. Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater will host the event on the evening of this coming Saturday, October 12, beginning sharply at 8 p.m., with tickets going on sale at noon today, prices hovering between $63.50 and $128.75.
The disaster relief concert will pull its weight by donating all the raised funds to Metropolitan Ministries, a non-profit organization working tirelessly to aid those left in Hurricane Helene's wake; this move is a given for Kreischer, who clearly cherishes his roots, "I was born in St. Petersburg, raised in Tampa, and went to school in Tallahassee,” Kreischer said in a prepared statement obtained by St. Pete Catalyst, “Anything that happens to the state of Florida, I always feel like happens to me. I think all Floridians feel this way. Florida defined me and the Bay area is family. I will do anything to help family."
Joining the lineup, local on-air personality Mike Calta is tapped to make an appearance, and whispers of additional surprise guests continue to surface, as confirmed by WTSP. Still riding the high of his sixth Netflix stand-up special recorded at St. Petersburg's Mahaffey Theatre this past summer, Kreischer maintains his connection with the Tampa Bay community, marked earlier this year as Grand Marshal for Tampa's iconic Gasparilla Pirate Fest.
While Kreischer's local roots run deep, his influence stretches far beyond Tampa Bay, having been crowned #2 on Pollstar's Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours globally in 2023, a testament to a career that spans nearly three decades at this point. Kreischer has established himself as a leading light in the comedy scene, noted for his ability to "seamlessly and sincerely shares anecdotes about his family and fatherhood," capturing the essence of his experiences without losing the comedic punch that defines his act as described by WTSP.
