Dubbed "Collingwood's Funniest Unhomed Person" by a local comedy organizer, William Blundon has had an interesting and tumultuous life, all of which is fair game as part of his comedy act.
On Aug. 31, Taps ‘N’ Tunes will be hosting William’s Comedy Benefit, hosted by Daniel Shaw and headlined by Mike Rita. Blundon himself will also take the stage at the event, intended to raise funds to help him buy a bike, clothes, toiletries and other necessities as he lives on the streets of Collingwood.
“I come from a massive family. We all helped each other out,” Blundon told CollingwoodToday in an interview. “Every time I make someone laugh, it gives me joy in my heart.”
“I want to see people laugh,” he said.
Shaw started hosting open mic nights at Taps ‘N’ Tunes on Tuesdays about three months ago, in an effort to build more of a comedy scene in town. A comedian himself, Shaw has spent many hours travelling to perform sets in Toronto, and wanted to start up a similar opportunity closer to home.
On the third night, Blundon walked into the bar.
“I think he had everything he owned on him. He was nervous, and loudly talking. It was like a tornado walked in,” recalls Shaw. “I put him up on stage... and it was really fun. I was enjoying myself! I told him to come back and keep doing it.”
Blundon’s act focuses most on his life and experiences with homelessness. He comes by his interest in performing naturally, as he said his father was a fiddler in Newfoundland and worked as a songwriter.
“I was around performing all my life and I really enjoyed it,” said Blundon. “My dad always made people laugh and I looked up to him like he was the biggest person in the world.”
Blundon left home at 17 years old and never looked back.
“I’ve always worked, I’ve always made people laugh, and I’ve always made everything on my own,” he said.
Blundon said he most recently found himself homeless after a relationship ended, and he was forced to move out of the home they shared in Glen Huron. He doesn’t stick to one encampment, instead choosing to move around night after night.
Performing at the open mic nights has helped Blundon beyond just improving his comedy chops. Someone attending one of his performances also gave Blundon a handyman job during the day, and he’s expecting his first paycheck this week which he intends to use to purchase a phone.
William’s Comedy Benefit runs Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Taps ‘N’ Tunes. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here. Shaw is accepting donations on Blundon’s behalf. Contact Shaw directly at [email protected].
