Stand Up for Families featuring Gilbert Esquivel sponsored by Fraternal Order of Eagles

Friday, November 21, 2025, at 6 PM

Grand Stable Venue • 7735 KY-144 • Philpot, KY 42366

• Heavy Hors d’oeuvres
• Local comedian openers
• Awards Ceremony for Best Local Comedian
• Testimonies

Tickets

$500 – Table of 6

$25 – Single Admission

Sponsorship opportunities are available

For more info about the event, email [email protected] or call 270-688-9000.

Laughter brings people together — and on November 21, it will change lives.

Join us for Stand Up for Families, a one-night-only comedy event supporting the Daniel Pitino Shelter. We’re gathering friends, families, and community partners for an unforgettable evening of clean, professional comedy: all to bring warmth, hope, and new beginnings to families experiencing homelessness right here in our community.

This event is about more than laughter. It’s about love in action.

Emcee of the night: Timmy Hart Barron!!

Timmy Hart Barron is a SAG-AFTRA actor, comedian, and musician known for blending grounded emotional depth with sharp, offbeat comedy. An alum of Chicago’s Second City, he has appeared in numerous film, television, and commercial projects, earning praise for his charismatic presence and versatile performances.

Barron’s original sketch work and “How to be an actor” content have amassed over 30 million views across social platforms, establishing him as a standout voice in the actor-creator space. His stage work—often infused with music and heart—has been called “rich, ridiculous stuff… always in the realm of believability” (Chicago Reader).

Off screen, Timmy brings his creative instincts to major brand campaigns, while continuing to grow a loyal following through his smart, funny, and refreshingly honest perspective on the industry.

He’s honored to be bringing the laughs home for Stand Up for Families — supporting the incredible work of the Daniel Pitino Shelter.

First Act: Jeff Johnson

Jeff Jones has called Owensboro home for the past 40 years. With a career spanning both healthcare and education, he has spent the last 29 years as a dedicated high school teacher and administrator in local and neighboring schools. A lifelong believer in the power of storytelling, Jeff has used it to inspire, teach, and connect with others throughout his life.

He and his wife, Nancy, are proud parents of four adult children and grandparents to ten fantastic grandchildren. When he’s not in the classroom or sharing a story, you’ll likely find him enjoying a meal at his favorite Owensboro restaurant, Colby’s, or diving into a good book while researching new and interesting topics.

Fun facts: Jeff once spent an afternoon and evening with the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall in St. Louis, and he even shared a memorable conversation with Hall of Fame baseball player Brooks Robinson—in the men’s room!

Act 2: Andy Imlay

Andy Imlay was born several weeks early in Owensboro, Kentucky. He has Cerebral Palsy, a congenital disorder that often requires him to use a wheelchair to get around safely. Having a disability doesn’t get him down, however. Instead, it fires him up. It gives him a unique perspective in life, and that translates into comedy gold.

He has opened for Dustin Diamond, “Screech from Saved by the Bell, Cletus T Judd, Jason Michael Carroll, and AGT Winner Richard Goodall.

Act 3: Jennifer Richardson

Jennifer Richardson is a nonprofit leader by day and an artist of questionable talent by night. When she’s not securing grants or shmoozing donors for HealthForce Kentucky, she’s busy being aggressively mediocre at her hobbies—painting, acting, singing, and dancing (sometimes all at once, and rarely on purpose).

Before taking her show on the road—literally, via the HealthForce 1 and 2 mobile simulation trailers—Jennifer was the Director of Development at RiverPark Center, where she masterminded events like Bourbon & Bags for Broadway, proving that Kentucky will absolutely donate to the arts if you add bourbon and handbags. She has single-handedly convinced donors that networking over bourbon totally counts as “strategic partnership.”

Known for her ability to turn data into drama, spreadsheets into stories, and fundraising into performance art, Jennifer brings the same energy to comedy: equal parts strategy, chaos, and jazz hands.

Act 4: Forest Clark

An Owensboro native with a knack for making people laugh, Forest Clark has been performing in local theatrical productions since high school — and now he’s bringing that same energy to the comedy stage for Stand Up for Families Comedy Show on November 21st.

When he’s not cracking jokes, you’ll probably find him at Gyrohouse (his favorite Owensboro spot), diving into some trivia (he swears he’d crush it on Jeopardy!), or debating whether video games or podcasting sound cooler on paper.

We’re proud to have Forest as one of our community comedians. Get ready for sharp wit, local charm, and plenty of laughs at Stand-Up for Families!

Special Guest – Gilbert Esquivel

Gilbert’s comedy is uniquely clean, urban, and edgy. And although he is a born-again believer, Gilbert wouldn’t place himself in the “Christian Comedy” genre, but rather sees himself as a Christian working as a stand-up comedian. Gilbert shares stories about himself and those around him, sharing anecdotes as he grew up and traveled across the United States. He also has a keen sensibility for comedy found in cultural differences, all the while recognizing that “Yes, there are differences, but in God’s eyes we are equally loved.”

The son of migrant workers, Gilbert was born in Parma, Idaho. He spent his childhood moving from city to city until his family settled in Pacoima, California. There, he became caught up in the world of gang violence. After years of “doing the wrong things,” Gilbert decided to redirect his life in a positive way. By finding humor in his gang experiences, he has taken his unique perspective on life to audiences around the country.

Gilbert used to cross the country with his parents, working in the fields. Now he travels the country doing jokes in comedy clubs, churches, prisons, colleges, The Apollo Theater, and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

It all started one night when he visited a comedy club in Los Angeles. A comedian tried picking on Gilbert, who was seated in the front…bad move. After receiving a taste of his own medicine, the comedian backed off, and Gilbert was invited on stage to tell a joke and stole the show. He was asked back the following week — silly Gil caught the comedy bug, and the rest is history.

Gilbert won his first comedy competition just one year into his stand-up career at the world-famous Ice House in Pasadena, California. He has been seen on many television shows, including Que Locos, and was one of the first Latino Semi-finalists on BET’s ComicView.
His comedy influences are Freddy Prinze, Paul Rodriguez, and Richard Pryor.

Gilbert is committed to being a positive role model for kids caught in inner-city violence. He uses his comedy to reach out and educate teens about life’s different options. Through his work in comedy clubs and on television, Gilbert will continue to be a positive role model for our youth.

✨ Event Details:
📅 Friday, November 21, 2025
📍 The Grand Stables Venue — 7735 KY-144, Philpot, KY
🕕 6:00 PM Central Time – Doors open @ 5:30 PM

You’ll enjoy a night packed with laughs from these amazing comedians, delicious food and drink, and the joy of knowing that your ticket directly supports families rebuilding their lives through the Daniel Pitino Shelter.

When you purchase a ticket, you’re not just buying a seat; you’re helping a mother find safety for her children, a father regain stability, and a family rediscover hope.

At the Pitino Shelter, we see stories of transformation every day: families who walk through our doors scared, tired, and unsure of what’s next… and who leave with renewed strength and a fresh start.

By attending Stand Up for Families, you become part of those stories. You make sure our doors stay open. You ensure that a warm meal, a safe bed, and a pathway home are waiting for every family who needs it.