BRIGHT MINDS, BIG LAUGHS
A COMEDY NIGHT TO BENEFIT REEL
Friday, May 1, 2026, 7-10pm
Domenico's Winery, San Carlos
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GET READY TO LAUGH FOR A CAUSE THAT MATTERS!
REEL’s Comedy Night will bring our community together for a fun-filled evening featuring comedian and emcee Jeff Applebaum, headliner Nina G. (the Bay Area’s only dyslexic, stuttering comedian), and the hilarious Mean Dave. This joyful night is more than a fundraiser. It’s a chance to connect, celebrate neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners, and experience the transformative impact REEL has on families navigating school, identity, and belonging.
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Get Your Tickets or Become a Sponsor:
WHAT TO EXPECT​
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Cocktail Hour & REEL Immersion, 7-8 pm
Kick off the evening with a festive cocktail hour featuring signature cocktails, wine, beer, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts. During this time, explore interactive immersion stations designed to introduce you to REEL’s work and the impact we have on neurodivergent and twice-exceptional learners and their families.
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Comedy, Connection & Community, 8-9:30 pm
Settle in for an evening of laughter with performances by Nina G., Jeff Applebaum, and Mean Dave.
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Presenting the 2026 REEL Catalyst Award winners.
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Hear meaningful stories from people who have experienced the power of REEL firsthand, and learn how your support helps this work continue.
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​Please note: We encourage guests to enjoy dinner before the show. There are many lovely dining options in downtown San Carlos, and Domenico's also has an Osteria connected to the venue (reservations recommended).
​Individual Tickets - $200
Includes comedy show, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts, plus signature cocktails, wine & beer throughout the night.
Sponsorships and Ticket Packages
​Presenting Sponsor - $5,000​
10 tickets / reserved premium seating / Headline recognition
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Platinum Sponsor - $2,500
10 tickets / reserved seating / Premier recognition
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​Gold Supporter - $1,000
4 tickets / reserved seating / Onscreen recognition
Silver Supporter - $500
2 tickets / open seating / Program listing
Friend of REEL - $200
Sponsor a ticket for your favorite practitioner, educator, or community member!
School Sponsors
We have special schools-only sponsorship opportunities available. Contact us for more information.
For more information about Sponsorship Opportunities, please click here.
Have questions? Please contact Hadas at donations@reel2e.org.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS*​​
*list in formation (as of 03/20/26)
Carolyn and Stewart
Putney
Presenting Sponsors
Kathy Howe and
John Lilly
Kristine and Robert
Zehner
Platinum Sponsors
Helen Amick
Mary Kay and Scott
Brady
Gold Supporters
Jessica and Dan Epstein
Susan and Misbah Tahir
Henry Trevor and Elizabeth Werter
We extend our sincere thanks to our event planning volunteers for their time, support, and invaluable ideas.
Helen Amick, Donna Chandra, Riley Mulcahy, Christy Occhipinti, and Carolyn Putney
School Sponsors
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About the Comedians
Jeff Applebaum
A native New Yorker, Jeff has appeared on the "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," Comics Unleashed, America's Got Talent, and his highly rated Dry Bar Comedy special has over a million views. He's in "The Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith, and plays the role of Joey Bishop in the long-running, musical tribute to The Rat Pack, cast by Sandy Hackett, son of the late Buddy Hackett.
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He's opened for and performed with comic legends Robert Klein, Mort Sahl, Robin Williams, Dana Carvey, Jimmy "JJ" Walker, and more. He appears globally for major tech companies, in comedy clubs and theaters, and on virtual platforms and is often hired to host, perform and emcee at company launch, user group, fundraising, and large trade show events.
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Jeff is also active in the business and hi-tech worlds, using two engineering degrees from MIT. Jeff is based in the Bay Area with his family, a father of three, and thankful to combine his love of comedy, people and technology. Learn more at: www.jeffapplebaum.com.
Nina G.
Nina G is a comedian, international keynote speaker and author sharing her experiences with colleges, corporations and conference goers around the world. She is the stuttering comedian who raises awareness by promoting stuttering acceptance and cross disability collaboration. Named as one of Huffington Post’s Cultural Shifters and featured in the Emmy award-winning documentary More Than My Stutter, she has influenced generations to think differently about disability. As the co-producer of the Comedians with Disabilities Act she has advocated for representation in the arts and entertainment. Nina is the author of three books: Once Upon an Accommodation: A Book About Learning Disabilities, Stutterer Interrupted: The Making of a Stuttering Stand Up Comedian, and Bay Area Stand-Up Comedy: A Humorous History. Her solo album, Stutterer Interrupted, debuted at #1 on iTunes and Amazon on its release date in 2023. In 2024, her comedy special will be streaming! Learn more at www.ninagcomedian.com.
Mean Dave
Stand-up comedian Mean Dave is a regular Cobb's Comedy Club, Punch Line in San Francisco and Sacramento, and Rooster T. Feathers. He has opened for headliners such as Judy Tenuta, Big Jay Oakerson, Allan Havey, Tom Rhodes, and Josh Blue. He is also the illustrator of the children’s book “Once Upon An Accommodation: A Book About Learning Disabilities.” Mean Dave has performed with the Comedians with Disabilities Act as an addict in recovery from drugs and alcohol. He also appears in Nina G’s book “Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn’t Happen,” and he performs with Nina at colleges and events across the US. The two talk about being an ally to people with disabilities and bring a unique perspective to disability awareness. Follow him on Instagram @mean_dave.