By Frank Macek
On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the spotlight at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre in downtown Cleveland will shine not on touring comedians or headlining acts, but on familiar faces from WKYC Channel 3. At 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:15, the station’s anchors, reporters, producers, and behind-the-scenes staff will step away from their usual roles to share unexpected talents—all for a cause that touches countless lives. The WKYC Channel 3 Talent Showcase, hosted by the quick-witted Mike Polk Jr., will raise money for Cleveland Clinic’s VeloSano initiative, a campaign dedicated to funding life-saving cancer research.
For Polk, who is also serving as team captain for WKYC’s VeloSano effort this year, the idea for a talent show wasn’t just a creative choice—it was the perfect match. He knew the station was filled with personalities whose abilities go far beyond the newsroom. “The building is brimming with it,” he said. A traditional fundraiser just wouldn’t capture that spirit. This was about turning the spotlight inward and letting the community see a side of WKYC they’ve never seen before.
The lineup is expected to be delightfully unpredictable. Music, comedy, novelty acts, and possibly some unexpected duets are all on the table. It’s an opportunity for WKYC’s staff to swap teleprompters and news scripts for microphones and punchlines. For the audience, it’s a rare invitation to experience their favorite on-air personalities completely unscripted.
All proceeds from the night will go directly to VeloSano, one of Cleveland Clinic’s most visible and impactful fundraising efforts. Since its inception, VeloSano—Latin for “swift cure”—has combined community energy with a focused mission: accelerate the pace of cancer research. While its annual “Bike to Cure” cycling event is the centerpiece, the organization embraces creative spinoffs like this one, which allow more people to join the mission even if they aren’t pedaling across miles of pavement.
Hilarities 4th Street Theatre, set in the buzzing East 4th Street entertainment district, offers an intimate stage for a night like this. Premium seating fills the first six rows, while general admission wraps around behind them, making early arrival a smart move for the best view. The room’s closeness means no moment will be lost—every laugh, every cheer, every slightly off-key note will echo warmly between performers and crowd.
For many participants, this show is personal. Nearly every family has been touched by cancer, and that connection fuels the courage it takes to perform in front of a live audience. It’s not just about showcasing hidden skills—it’s about channeling them toward a cause that could change lives. When colleagues leave their comfort zones to unite for a mission, it’s a reminder of how powerful a newsroom community can be.
The atmosphere will likely be a mix of genuine talent and good-natured awkwardness, with the stakes measured not in applause meters but in the dollars raised. There’s something freeing about knowing that perfection isn’t the goal—impact is. Every ticket purchased moves the needle forward in the fight against cancer, turning a night of entertainment into something much more meaningful.
As the lights dim and the first act steps on stage, the shift will be unmistakable. This isn’t about ratings, deadlines, or breaking news. It’s about shared humanity, creativity, and a united stand against one of life’s toughest challenges.
The WKYC Channel 3 Talent Showcase will be more than just a fun night out. It will be a living example of what can happen when familiar faces take unfamiliar chances, all in the name of hope.
And when the curtain finally falls, what will remain isn’t just the memory of a sharp joke or a perfectly delivered song. It will be the understanding that our greatest contributions often come when we’re willing to try something new, take a risk, and give of ourselves in ways we never expected. On August 28, the WKYC team will do exactly that—proving that when a newsroom unites with purpose, the results can light up more than just a stage.
On Thursday, August 28, 2025, the spotlight at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre in downtown Cleveland will shine not on touring comedians or headlining acts, but on familiar faces from WKYC Channel 3. At 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:15, the station’s anchors, reporters, producers, and behind-the-scenes staff will step away from their usual roles to share unexpected talents—all for a cause that touches countless lives. The WKYC Channel 3 Talent Showcase, hosted by the quick-witted Mike Polk Jr., will raise money for Cleveland Clinic’s VeloSano initiative, a campaign dedicated to funding life-saving cancer research.
The lineup is expected to be delightfully unpredictable. Music, comedy, novelty acts, and possibly some unexpected duets are all on the table. It’s an opportunity for WKYC’s staff to swap teleprompters and news scripts for microphones and punchlines. For the audience, it’s a rare invitation to experience their favorite on-air personalities completely unscripted.
All proceeds from the night will go directly to VeloSano, one of Cleveland Clinic’s most visible and impactful fundraising efforts. Since its inception, VeloSano—Latin for “swift cure”—has combined community energy with a focused mission: accelerate the pace of cancer research. While its annual “Bike to Cure” cycling event is the centerpiece, the organization embraces creative spinoffs like this one, which allow more people to join the mission even if they aren’t pedaling across miles of pavement.
Hilarities 4th Street Theatre, set in the buzzing East 4th Street entertainment district, offers an intimate stage for a night like this. Premium seating fills the first six rows, while general admission wraps around behind them, making early arrival a smart move for the best view. The room’s closeness means no moment will be lost—every laugh, every cheer, every slightly off-key note will echo warmly between performers and crowd.
For many participants, this show is personal. Nearly every family has been touched by cancer, and that connection fuels the courage it takes to perform in front of a live audience. It’s not just about showcasing hidden skills—it’s about channeling them toward a cause that could change lives. When colleagues leave their comfort zones to unite for a mission, it’s a reminder of how powerful a newsroom community can be.
The atmosphere will likely be a mix of genuine talent and good-natured awkwardness, with the stakes measured not in applause meters but in the dollars raised. There’s something freeing about knowing that perfection isn’t the goal—impact is. Every ticket purchased moves the needle forward in the fight against cancer, turning a night of entertainment into something much more meaningful.
As the lights dim and the first act steps on stage, the shift will be unmistakable. This isn’t about ratings, deadlines, or breaking news. It’s about shared humanity, creativity, and a united stand against one of life’s toughest challenges.
The WKYC Channel 3 Talent Showcase will be more than just a fun night out. It will be a living example of what can happen when familiar faces take unfamiliar chances, all in the name of hope.
And when the curtain finally falls, what will remain isn’t just the memory of a sharp joke or a perfectly delivered song. It will be the understanding that our greatest contributions often come when we’re willing to try something new, take a risk, and give of ourselves in ways we never expected. On August 28, the WKYC team will do exactly that—proving that when a newsroom unites with purpose, the results can light up more than just a stage.