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Holmes Center to Host Comedian Ron White on Thursday, tickets still available

By JESSICA ISAACS

Funnyman Ron “Tater Salad” White will bring stories and lots of laughs to the Holmes Convocation Center on Thursday, and tickets are still available for the stand-up performance.Ron White_0

First recognized nationally for his role in the popular Blue Collar Comedy Tour, White is known for his hilarious storytelling and for bringing out the humor in everyday life.

Doors will open at 7 p.m. and White will take the stage at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Appalachian Popular Programming Society Coordinator Randy Kelly said students and the community alike can enjoy White’s performance because “he’s one of us.”

“He’s every man. His humor is something that everybody likes — you notice in the crowd that people look to their neighbors and shake their heads and say, ‘yep, that’s how it is,’” Kelly said. “He’s one of us. He may take a drink, but his observations are of every man.”

Kelly said White’s crude storytelling gives audience members a little does of reality to which everyone can relate.

“His stories may be a little adult in nature, but that’s okay, too. You don’t want everything to be on the Brady Bunch level of comedy,” Kelly said. “Students are becoming adults and they kind of like when (the entertainment) is catered to adult themes.”

Thursday will be White’s second performance at ASU, making him one of several nationally acclaimed comedians — including Lewis Black, Bill Cosby, Jeff Dunham, Jimmy Fallon, Jeff Foxworthy, Nick Offerman, David Spade and others — to be featured on the college campus.

His performance sold out at Farthing Auditorium three years ago, and that’s why Kelly knew he’d be a big hit again this year.

“You’re looking at people who have reached a level of fame that the whole world knows who they are,” Kelly said. “It’s comedians you know of and you’ve seen on TV or in movies. We like to bring famous people because we like presenting the top acts.”

Kelly said the student program office worked to bring White to the campus at an affordable rate for students and community guests.

“Ron is one of the top three touring comedians in the country. His price everywhere else is in the $55-$75 range (for admissions),” Kelly said. “Through a special arrangement, I was able to secure him at a more reasonable situation so we could have students at $15 and the public at $30 — half the price of his normal tickets.”

APPS work to bring comedians to the ASU campus because “laughter is contagious” and it’s something everyone can share, Kelly said.

“You can watch something on your home TV, but seeing it in a movie theater … people laugh so hard their ribs hurt,” Kelly said. “People like to laugh in a large group with other people laughing.”

With 2,000 seats and great sight lines from each one, Kelly said White’s performance is sure to be a good time for both the student population and the greater community.

Tickets are available at www.theholmescenter.com.