By Abby Luciano, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter NORTH SHORE NEWS

Mark Smith has had a lot of courage throughout his life.

He took a leap trying stand-up comedy to face his fears of public speaking. More than two decades later, Smith has toured festivals across the Lower Mainland spreading joy and laughter to people.

But the North Vancouver comedian also took courage in another way B次元官网网址� celebrating his recovery daily for the past 11 years.

He took his passion for comedy and recovery to create Stand Up For Recovery, a night of comedians and musicians bringing people together to celebrate recovery and healing, taking place this Saturday evening at the North Shore Alano Club.

B次元官网网址淚f you put your recovery first, everything else will work out,B次元官网网址� Smith said. B次元官网网址淐omedy is a passion of mine that I just love and enjoy, so it became a no-brainer to put together Stand Up For Recovery.B次元官网网址�

Also a full-time carpenter, Smith will host SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 show. The night will start off with a dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. As more people trickle in, there will be B次元官网网址渨elcoming music,B次元官网网址� with the night kicking off with rapper KeHill, who has been performing since the first showcase, Smith said.

Comedians from across the world will take this yearB次元官网网址檚 stage, including U.S. comedian Dino Archie, New Zealander Sophia Johnson and Canadian jokester Amber Harper-Young. Newcomer comedian Kevin Smith will also take part, following up his appearance at the 2024 show.

The show is open for all walks of life to attend, Smith said. More than 25 per cent of the seating will be alloted to local recovery home clients for free to give them a chance to check out the show.

B次元官网网址淭he key factor for the show is to bring people that are new in recovery into a safe space where they can find joy and laughter, and be with the community that understands where theyB次元官网网址檝e been, and what theyB次元官网网址檙e going through,B次元官网网址� Smith said.

B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檙e in addiction, whatever it may look like, itB次元官网网址檚 isolation,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a very dark place, and itB次元官网网址檚 a very lonely place, and you feel like nobody understands you, and that can be devastating to the soul.B次元官网网址�

The North Shore Alano Club, where the show will be, is a non-profit charity that focuses on supporting people in recovery through meetings and events since the early 1970s. The club holds more than 30 meetings a week.

He emphasizes itB次元官网网址檚 important to take recovery one day or moment at a time.

Smith has seen the show grow from its first gig in February 2020, then moving online through Zoom before heading back in person last year. HeB次元官网网址檚 thankful to see how far itB次元官网网址檚 come, he said.

But the show is not just for entertainment, there will be an opportunity for people from the crowd to take the stage and crack some jokes if they wish, Smith said.

B次元官网网址淭hese shows give people a little glimmer of light. Laughter is .125an.375 amazing cure, laughter gives hope,B次元官网网址� Smith said.

Moving forward, he hopes to expand his shows to other cities in the Lower Mainland.

B次元官网网址淲hat weB次元官网网址檙e sharing is a message to the community that this is possible. Not only is recovery possible, but a positive lifestyle and a healthy lifestyle can happen for anybody. Plus weB次元官网网址檙e having fun doing it.B次元官网网址�

Stand Up For Recovery happens at North VancouverB次元官网网址檚 North Shore Alano Club, 2nd Street East, Saturday, Jan. 25, 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is $20 on Admitone