|| CAMPUS NEWS HOME

|| USF S-M IN THE NEWS

|| FACTS ABOUT USF S-M

|| CAMPUS EVENTS

|| RESOURCES FOR MEDIA

|| ONLINE NEWSLETTERS

|| OTHER USF SOURCES

:: Alumni Association

:: Bay Bulletin
:: Board of Trustees
:: Quick Facts
:: The Oracle (student
:: newspaper)
:: President's Office

:: USF Athletics

:: USF Magazine

:: USF Lakeland 
:: USF St. Petersburg
:: USF Tampa

:: WUSF

:: Online News Searches

USF Sarasota-Manatee celebrates USF Weekend with actor and comedian Harland Williams 

SARASOTA, FL (May 4, 2006) – Harland Williams claims to be a big advocate of Florida’s wildlife. 

“I love coming to Florida,” he said, “because I can request a family of manatees in my dressing room.  Flubbery ones that I can cuddle and snuggle with before the show.  They’re wonderful.” 

USF Sarasota-Manatee might not be able to provide the manatees this Saturday, May 6 when Williams will be performing at 8:00 p.m. as part of USF Weekend’s schedule of events, but Williams’ performance promises to provide the laughs. 

USF Weekend is May 5-7 along beautiful Sarasota Bay.  It is traditionally an annual celebration of events and activities to invite the community to visit the campus.  On Friday, the “Salsa on the Bay” event, sponsored by the USF Alumni Association, will help celebrate Cinco de Mayo with an evening of Latin dancing and Latin cuisine.  On Saturday afternoon, two local bands will perform as part of “Sunset on the Bay and Comedy Pre-Party,” and on Saturday evening, the Student Government will host Harland Williams as part of the “Comedy on the Bay” event. 

With his roles of actor, comedian, and children’s author, Williams is a multi-pronged success story.  He has had roles in films such as Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, Half Baked, Because of Winn Dixie and has regular appearances on Letterman, O’Brien and Leno.  He has done stand-up comedy specials for HBO, Comedy Central, CTV and CBC, and is also an accomplished author and illustrator of his own series of children’s books.   

Anyone who has seen the Toronto-born comic’s stand-up routine can attest to his oddball-style and ability to engage an audience.  He has earned his spot beside the likes of Jim Carrey and Tom Green, and soon, Jessica Simpson and Dane Cook in the upcoming movie Employee of the Month. 

As the sun sets on Sarasota Bay, Williams will be presented by Les McCurdy of Sarasota’s own Les McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre.

“Harland will be great at USF Weekend because his material is hip and has very broad appeal,” McCurdy said.  “Contrary to the characters he plays, he is very smart, and has enough material that he can adapt to any crowd.” 

Williams credits much of his broad appeal to his ability to think outside the box and be “a little different.”  “A little” may be a bit of an understatement, and he does have one request of the event attendees. 

“Please do not throw your underpants or adult diapers on the stage,” he said.  “You wouldn’t believe how much trouble I have with that.” 

“Comedy on the Bay” tickets are available through Ticketmaster or the USF Sarasota-Manatee Business Office, on campus in building USS 805A.  The event is $15 for the public, $10 for students with proper I.D. and free to USF students.  Tickets may also be bought at the door the night of the event for $20. 

For more information about “Comedy on the Bay” or USF Weekend, contact the USF Sarasota-Manatee Events Line at (941)359-4602 or click here. 

USF Sarasota-Manatee is an upper-level campus for those with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree who are interested in earning a baccalaureate or master’s degree, professional certification or continuing education credit. The regional campus offers the prestige of a national Research I university with the convenience of a hometown campus, including classes in south Sarasota County at MCC Venice.