Just For Laughs TORONTO presented by Beneva, in collaboration with SiriusXM Canada, is excited to announce the return of the free street festival as part of the 11th annual festival, running across the city from September 21 â 30, 2023.
THE RETURN OF THE STREET FESTIVAL
If you knowâŠyou knowâŠlast yearâs inaugural street festival is still the talk of the town. Now, back by popular demand, Just For Laughs TORONTOâs free street festival is set to return September 22-24, 2023.
Occupying a sprawling 100,000 sq-ft space centrally located at Front St. E and Berczy Park, itâs only one block away from Union Station where you can conveniently hop on GO transit to get there to enjoy the festivities.
Come and indulge in delectable bites from food trucks, sip on refreshing drinks from bars featuring Muskoka Brewery’s beers and Muskoka Spirits Hard Sparkling Waters, relish the offerings of local restaurants, and enjoy captivating art installations, all the while picking your perfect spot in front of the main stage presented by Beneva, which promises unforgettable performances by a variety of comedians for all ages, in addition to live brass bands, DJs, and more. This inclusive event will be open to all, ensuring that everyone can revel in the laughter and join the street party in the heart of the city.
The daytime programming is tailored to tickle the funny bones of all ages. From musical performances to drag queen story hour, there will be non-stop cascades of giggles that will create unforgettable memories for your whole family. In the evening, performances by iconic comedy stars who promise to deliver an epic dose of laughter and entertainment that will be talked about for years to come. With more programming to be added next week, this line-up will truly be something for everyone.
Performances run Friday, September 22 from 4:00 PM â 10:30 PM;
Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24 from 1:00 PM â 10:30 PM.
Local restaurants joining in on the fun include patios & in-restaurant dining is Biffâs Bistro, CC Lounge, Fresh On Front, Sultanâs Tent & Cafe Moroc and The Flatiron: A Firkin Pub. If our flavourful Food Truck Lane is more your speed, check out the tasty delights of Jamaican Patty Shack, Poutine Supreme, Rancho Relaxo (Tacos) & Caffeine Cruiser (hot/cold coffee, treats, panini sandwiches).
âAs an insurance company, Beneva is defined by its mutualist roots. Weâre committed to the community, and we want our involvement to have a positive impact on everyone. As the presenting partner of Just For Laughs Toronto, our goal is to bring tons of feelgood entertainment to Torontonians,â said Jean-François Chalifoux, President and Chief Executive Officer of Beneva. âWeâre proud to be a part of this inclusive and accessible event, and even prouder that the Beneva Stage will be presenting totally free hilarious shows for the second straight year.â
The Beneva Stage will feature performances that Toronto has been waiting for!
Headliners
Fred Armisen â Friday, September 22, 2023 – 9:15 PM
Fred Armisen is a comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He is the co-writer and co-star of IFCâs Emmy-nominated series Portlandia, which he created alongside Carrie Brownstein. He is currently in the hit Netflix series Wednesday as Uncle Fester, and as âTico ” in HBOâs Los Espookys, which he co-wrote and executive produced. He can be heard in the hit animated Super Mario Bros movie. Armisen currently stars in, writes, and produces IFCâs hit show Documentary Now, for which he has received two Emmy nominations. He has also appeared in HBOâs Our Flag Means Death, Judd Apatowâs The Bubble, and Amazonâs series Forever (which he was also an executive producer on). He has appeared as a voice actor in Netflixâs Big Mouth and The Mitchells vs. The Machines. An 11-season veteran of NBCâs Saturday Night Live, Armisen has engaged audiences with memorable impressions and characters. In 2014, Armisen was named band leader of the â8G Bandâ on Late Night With Seth Meyers. The band, curated by Armisen, includes members of indie rock bands Les Savy Fav and Girls Against Boys.
Reggie Watts â Saturday September 23, 2023 – 9:15 PM
Reggie Watts is an internationally renowned Musician/Comedian/Writer/Actor who is well-known as the bandleader on CBSâs The Late Late Show with James Corden. Using his formidable voice, looping pedals, and his vast imagination, Watts blends and blurs the lines between music and comedy, wowing audiences with performances that are 100% improvised. He performed as the DJ at the 2021 Emmy Awards. Wattsâ first Netflix special Spatial released to massive critical acclaim, with the New York Times calling it âa giddy rush of escapist nonsenseâ and dubbing Watts âthe most influential absurdist in comedy today.â
Additional headliner to be announced next week!
Additional Performances to include;
The Soul Proprietor â Friday, September 22, 2023 – 4:00 PM
Perhaps best known as a founding member and the bass playing half of Juno Award winning reggae punk rock innovators Bedouin Soundclash, Eon Sinclair is also known as The Soul Proprietor. With his band Bedouin Soundclash, he has released four records and toured the globe extensively, headlining shows in Europe, Australia, China, India and the US, as well as performing alongside acts such as No Doubt, Coldplay, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Nine Inch Nails. The tale of Bedouin Soundclash has been filled with step after step of something special â from live shows that are as emotionally incendiary as they are monstrously entertaining, to albums that have stoked the hearts and minds of thousands.
Samantha Martin & The Delta Sugar â Friday, September 22, 2023 – 6:00 PM
âA powerhouse band and vocals that shake the foundationsâ. With the worldwide pandemic wrecking utter havoc upon the careers of many musicians, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar elected to use their time off the road to record, mix and master their latest tour-de-force, the astonishingly powerful, funky and deeply soulful âThe Reckless Oneâ. The follow up to 2018âs Juno-nominated âRun To Meâ, âThe Reckless Oneâ represents another massive step forward for Samantha Martin as a songwriter, singer, arranger and band leader. The vocal blend that Delta Sugar produces is pure, unadulterated gospel-tinged, neuron-tingling magic where the sum is even richer than the already soul-melting parts.
Sub-Radio â Friday, September 22, 2023 – 7:15 PM
Few independent bands have had a career as varied and unpredictable as the indie pop sextet Sub-Radio. Founded in Washington DC by a group of childhood friends, the band released a series of EPs between 2018 and 2020, blending the pop-punk they grew up on with the indie-pop stylings of WALK THE MOON and The 1975. Forced online by the COVID-19 pandemic, they found enormous viral success on Reddit and TikTok in 2021, streaming their high-energy live performances to more than 20 million viewers and driving a huge new audience to their single âFlashbackâ. The band signed with indie label Th3rd Brain in early 2022 and released their latest EP, Past Selves in February of 2023. In support of the new release, Sub-Radio announced The Past Selves Tour which kicks off in August of 2023.
The Fuddles â Saturday, September 23, 2023 â 1:00 PM
The Fuddles Are Back! is a catchy collection of silly upbeat songs that the whole family will enjoy. It covers relatable themes such as friendship, growing up, animals, nature and even the chaotic joy of bedtime. The songs explore and encourage creativity while celebrating imaginative play and a simple sense of home. They have performed at a variety of events and look forward to reconnecting with fun seeking audiences in 2023.
Fred Penner â Saturday, September 23, 2023 & Sunday, September 24, 2023 â 2:00 PM
Fred Penner is gentle man with an undeniable ability to make you feel good about
yourself. This musical master brings more than 40 years of commitment, consistency and depth to a career that blends the many genres of performing and communication. He continues to grow and create music for his generations of âFred Headsâ. From hosting the United Way National conference in Saskatoon to emceeing the renowned Polaris Music Awards and being part of the C3 Legacy Expedition supporting the truth and reconciliation process in remote parts of Canada, apparently retirement is not in the cards for him. The phone is still ringing! And his concert touring continues.
The Heavyweights Brass Band – Saturday, September 23, 2023 â 3:00 PM
The Heavyweights Brass Band hits hard with its seasoned blend of groove, energy, virtuosity, and originality! For over a decade, this Toronto-based, New Orleans-inspired brass institution has brought theatre-goers to their feet and club-goers to the dance floor with an inspiring blend of original music and unexpected covers. The decision is in and audience members across North America unanimously give the win to HWBB in a knockout! Their music has been featured on film, commercials, radio, and television and they have performed and recorded with the best in the game from percussion legend Giovanni Hidalgo to NOLA legends Roger Lewis of the Dirty Dozen Brass band and Joe Lastie of Preservation Hall fame.
DJ DvS â Saturday, September 23, 2023 â 4:00 PM
With over 20 yearsâ experience, DJ DVS has been a fixture in the greater Toronto area music landscape since 1994. Spending the first 10+ years of his career in the Urban Club and University Market, DVS spun at every major club in the city, as well as every major University and College. After returning from a 5-year hiatus, DVS shifted his focus in 2013 to DJing inside Torontoâs hottest Lounges and Patios, as well as high profile corporate clients. Twice nominated for South Asian DJ of the Year, DVS specialises in open format, playing everything from Hip-Hop, R&B, House, Old School, Top 40 and everything in between.
Luna Elle â Saturday, September 23, 2023 â 5:15 PM
Luna Elle is an 18-year-old Canadian emerging artist who is swiftly making her mark on the music scene. With a deep-rooted affinity for the soulful R&B of the 90s and 2000s, Elle creates a musical landscape that transcends generations. Her commanding vocals and heartfelt storytelling have not only garnered her a devoted fan base but have also attracted the attention and support of influential figures in the industry. Most notably, basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal confidently stated, “Luna Elle is next up, you heard it here first.” Following this resounding endorsement, Luna Elle burst onto the scene, capturing the hearts of audiences everywhere. Seamlessly blending the nostalgic elements of classic R&B with the contemporary sounds of today. Her lyrics delve into themes of love, relationships, and the intricate human experience, all conveyed with a lyrical depth and maturity that’s beyond her age.
Rich Aucoin – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 6:30 PM
Rich Aucoin is a multi-sensory spectacle of a show Part Daft Punk-inflected Dan Deacon, part DIY-driven Flaming Lips as filtered through Girl Talk (Austin Chronicle). A band of keyboards/synths/guitar/bass/drums/horns playing in sync to everything from old films to Youtube videos. An interactive show which can be viewed like theatre or immersive; underneath a large parachute from kindergarten and a sea of confetti. He has won 5 Nova Scotia Music Awards and 3 ECMAs and has been nominated 11 times. He won Best New Artist at the Canadian Indies. âHow It Breaksâ went #1 on the CBC Top 20 Countdown. His music videos and streams have garnered over 2 million views. He cycled across Canada and the US for music tours for charities.
The New Faces of Comedy: Canada â Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 7:30 PM
For over twenty years, The New Faces of Comedy showcases have catapulted the careers of so many of todayâs most celebrated comedians. It has consistently been a must-see event of the JFL MONTRĂAL Festival, offering a unique platform for exceptionally promising and unrecognized talent to kickstart their careers. Come see the exceptional class of 2023 up-and-coming Canadian comedic talents take to the outdoor stage. The lineup includes: Brendan DâSouza, Dakota Ray Hebert, Faris Hytiaa, Henry Sir, Maddy Kelly, Michelle Forrester, Moe Ismail, Natasha Lyn Myles, Ryan Williams, and Spencer Adamus.
Drag Queen Story Hour ft. Lucy Flawless and Baby Bel Bel – Sunday, September 24, 2023 â 1:00 PM
Warrior Princess, Star of Stage and Screen, The Second Coming (Of Shania), Current Reigning Woodys Queen of Halloween and Queen of The Drink. A Dora-nominated actor, plays Sporty in the Spice Queens, reads for Drag Queen Storytimes, and has won several drag competitions across Toronto. Sheâs had starring roles on CBC, Global TV, and CTV. Sheâs everyoneâs favourite small-town girl turned big city star- Lucy Flawless! Bel Bel started her full-time Drag career shortly after winning Crews & Tangos Drag Race in 2015. In June 2019 She was crowned Miss Crews & Tangos and still currently holds the title until future notice. Her performance background started with musical theatre and film as she studied theatre at York University and Graduated from The Randolph Academy of Performing Arts. She starred as Babs in the CBC GEM Original show Queens which launched in June 2020. Baby Bel Bel is also known for her high energy, bright coloured wigs and costumes, and hosting events with humour to bring all the laughs and smiles to her audience.
RupLoops â Sunday, September 24, 2023 â 2:00 PM
RupLoops is an interactive, live looping performance, using vocal percussion, rhythmic rhymes and an arsenal of eclectic instruments from around the globe. He utilises his diverse skills as a musician to create a pulsating, entertaining and engaging musical experience. He is a gifted educator and performer and has a deep passion for intercultural work and intercultural sounds. RupLoopsâ show will take you on a journey of sound exploring anatomy, geography and culture. With a mix of hip-hop and global sounds, his tunes into themes of home, identity, culture, justice, dignity and celebration.
Teeno (Nino Brown & Young Teesh) â Sunday, September 24, 2023 â 3:15 PM
Two of Torontoâs finest Nino Brown + Young Teeshjoin forces for a back-to-back set of bangers, filled with a love for anything bass and anything waist.
Myst Milano â Sunday, September 24, 2023 â 5:30 PM
Tour de force rapper, DJ, producer and visual/conceptual artist Myst Milano can’t be stopped. She has played shows with Lizzo, Thundercat, Chino Amobi, Ashanti and Ja Rule, LSDXOXO, and many more, amassing nearly 200 shows to date since the beginning of their career in 2016. Recognized locally not only for their performance prowess but also for digital activism with online party platform Club Quarantine in Summer 2020, she is as versatile as they are steadfast and unwavering, in both their beliefs and their creative output. Production-wise, she tends to veer towards the primitive and steady, however changeable and vast their beat catalogue may be; as far as writing goes, Milano effortlessly bounces from the playful and giddy, to the hopeful and serene, to the deep and dangerous and back again, never skipping a beat.
Witch Prophet â Sunday, September 24, 2023 â 6:45 PM
(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)
Witch Prophet is a queer, East African, singer-songwriter, and the Co-CEO of Heart Lake Records. She provides her fans with a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul inspired beats. Think Erykah Badu meets Lauryn Hill meets Portishead. She finds depth and connection in creating music as a portal for self-growth and discovery, as she navigates and better understands her cultural and queer identity. She has shared the stage with and opened for acts like Lido Pimienta, Sudan Archives, Shabazz Palaces, The Hallucination (fka A Tribe Called Red), SAMMUS, Sean Leon, JPEGMAFIA, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and THEESatisfaction to name a few.
Tynomi Banks – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 7:45 PM
(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)
Tynomi Banks is an International, world-class Drag Entertainer. Recognized best for her full production performances, Banks dominates a stage while radiating a powerful, but playful energy. Her hustle led her to become the first Drag Entertainer to perform in Torontoâs Dundas Square during World Pride 2014. In just one month, during Pride 2018, she became the first Drag Entertainer to work with Hudsonâs Bay Company and the only Queen to partner with Spotify for a featured playlist, which also resulted in a billboard over Dundas Square in Toronto during Pride. She has since partnered with Sephora, Shoppers Beauty, Amazon, Absolut, Netflix, Crest, and Ikea to name a few. Banks became the first Drag Entertainer to be the trophy bearer at the 7th Annual Canadian Screen Awards. In 2021, Banks was the only drag performer to be featured in a Superbowl ad other than Rupaul herself. Then in February, she partnered with Black Lives Matter Canada to create and sell a line of merchandise where partial proceeds went to dismantle all forms of anti-Black racism, liberate Blackness, support Black healing, affirm Black existence, and create freedom to love and self-determine. You can catch Tynomi Banks on Season 1 of Canada’s Drag Race on Crave (Canada), LogoTV (USA) and BBC3 (UK).
Al Val – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 7:45 PM
(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)
Al Val is a comedian/musician/actress from Toronto. Her honest and insightful yet silly and spontaneous account of her transgender journey has turned heads across North America and has earned her appearances at renowned festivals such as Just For Laughs, JFL Toronto and Vancouver, Off-JFL/Zoofest, Halifax Comedy Festival, The Arctic Comedy Festival, and many others, as well as earned her a writing role on the 30th season of CBCâs This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Though she has taped standup performances for CBC Gem, Crave, & CTV and was a lead cast member on OutTV’s Drag Heals season 3, Al Val is surely an act that must be seen in person to be believed – and celebrated!”
Gay Jesus – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 7:45 PM
(presented in collaboration with Pride Toronto)
THE ONE AND HOLY GAY JESUS is an internationally recognized drag king serving up a mouth-watering communion of Latinx wine and non-binary bread. Born of virgin-ish loins and baptized in sex-appeal, heâs best known for his multidisciplinary protest pieces decked out in draglesque. Gay Jesus is featured on Season 1 of CBC Artsâ docuseries Canadaâs a Drag and, in 2019, received one of his biggest honours to date – a nomination for LGBTQ Person of the Year from the Inspire Awards. In 2022, Gay Jesus flew out to Winnipeg where he headlined a sold-out show for the Cluster Festival and was also a featured performer for Canada Pride hosted in Treaty 1 Territory. Most recently, Gay Jesus performed at lavender wild, Canadaâs first ever queer festival which has since been described as the Sapphic Super Bowl.
Thank you to our other generous partners, Virgin Plus (Official Mobile, Internet and TV Partner), Boston Pizza (Official Restaurant Partner), Sussex Strategy (Official Government Relations Partner), Muskoka Brewery (Official Beer & Ready To Drink Partner), Colgate (Official Toothpaste), National Bank of Canada (Official Bank), Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) (Official Lottery Partner), Wayne Gretzky Estate (Official Wine and Champagne Partner), Go Transit (Official Public Transit Partner), Kayak (Travel Search Partner),
Square (Supplier of Payment Solutions),
The Ontario Government &The Government of Canada.
PASS & TICKET DETAILS TO JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO:
All tickets for Just For Laughs TORONTO can be purchased at toronto.hahaha.com
Festival passes range from $69 CDN (excluding service charges). Single tickets range from $39.50 CDN (excluding service charges).
ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO
Established in 2012 and now in its 12th year, Just For Laughs TORONTO (formerly known as JFL42), is a pass-based interactive comedy festival based in Toronto, created by the Just For Laughs Group, the most important player in the global comedy industry co-owned by Groupe CH, Bell Media and ICM Partners. Developed with a mandate to celebrate the most hilarious, innovative, riveting and relevant comedy experiences in the world with Toronto audiences, Just For Laughs Torontoâs unique interactive pass-based ticketing and reservation system makes it the first comedy festival of its kind. Just For Laughs entertains millions of spectators with its festivals on Canadian and international stages, in MontrĂ©al; Toronto; Vancouver; Austin, U.S.A.; Sydney, Australia and London, U.K. The Group organizes shows featuring thousands of comics from Canada and other countries, including established artists as well as up-and-comers; stages its own comedy shows and musicals; produces touring shows; broadcasts digital and televised content (notably Gags, which is shown in 150 countries and followed by an online audience of ten million on YouTube); manages talented artists; and is the originator of the ComedyPRO and JPR Pro industry conferences.
About Beneva
Created by the coming together of La Capitale and SSQ Insurance, Beneva is the largest insurance mutual in Canada with more than 3.5 million members and customers. Beneva employs over 5,000 dedicated employees: people looking out for people. Its human approach is rooted in mutualist values that are shared by its employees. With $25.1 billion in assets, Beneva positions itself as a major player in the insurance and financial services industry. Its head office is located in Quebec City. Policyholders of contracts issued by an insurance company of Beneva Group Inc. are members of SSQ Mutual and La Capitale Civil Service Mutual.
Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, is delighted to announce that award-winning actor Colman Domingo will receive the TIFF Tribute Performer Award. This Award recognizes an overall body of exceptional work, and is one of seven awards being handed out at the fifth annual TIFF Tribute Awards gala, presented by Bulgari on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Fairmont Royal York Hotel.
A prolific actor of the screen and the stage, Domingoâs career spans over 30 years. Domingo will next be seen in Greg Kwedarâs Sing Sing premiering at the Festival. Past recipients honoured in the prestigious acting category were Brendan Fraser and the ensemble cast of My Policeman in 2022; Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch in 2021; Kate Winslet and Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2020; and Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix in 2019.
Sing Sing is about a theatre troupe that finds escape from the realities of incarceration through the creativity of putting on a play. Based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, the film is being distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures.
âColman Domingoâs performances are a masterclass in the art of storytelling,â said Bailey. âDomingoâs presence, on stage and on screen, is a gift to audiences, and his work continues to resonate, leaving an indelible impact. He is a true visionary in the world of performance, and weâre excited to honour him this year.â
Domingo joins the recently announced 2023 TIFF Tribute Award honourees Andy Lau, recipient of the Special Tribute Award; Carolina Markowicz, recipient of the TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM Studios; Ćukasz Ć»al, recipient of the TIFF Variety Artisan Award; Shawn Levy, recipient of the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award presented by The Budman Family; Pedro AlmodĂłvar, recipient of the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media presented by Participant; and Spike Lee, recipient of the TIFF Ebert Director Award. Once again, the TIFF Tribute Awards honour the film industryâs outstanding contributors and their achievements, recognizing leading industry members, acting talent, directorial expertise, new talent, and a below-the-line artist and creator.
The Tribute Awards gala is TIFFâs largest annual fundraiser, having raised $1.3 million in 2022, and is presented by Bulgari, sharing their commitment to arts and culture along with TIFF. This year, the Tribute Awards gala will support the Viola Desmond Cinema campaign, which was launched through the Every Story Fund in 2022. For more information, visit tiff.net/tribute.
Colman Domingo bio
Colman Domingo is an Emmy Awardâwinning actor, and has been nominated for a TonyÂź, Independent Spirit, Gotham, Lawrence Olivier, Drama Desk, Drama League, NAACP Image, and Black Reel Award as an actor, playwright, and producer. He stars in and executive produced Greg Kwedarâs Sing Sing, which will make its World Premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. In June 2023, he appeared in and produced the unscripted AMC travel show You Are Here and was a producer on the Tony-nominated Fat Ham. He is well known for his Spirit Awardânominated role in Janicza Bravoâs Zola as well as his work on stage in The Scottsboro Boys and Broadwayâs Passing Strange. Domingo and his husband RaĂșl Domingo have produced a myriad of work under their Edith Productions banner, including four seasons of the award-winning variety talk show Bottomless Brunch at Colmanâs. Domingo co-wrote, produced, and starred in the Academy Awardâshortlisted animated short film New Moon, based on his play A Boy and His Soul. He also starred in and executive produced the award-winning short North Star.
Itâs been a major case of summertime blues for me. The year started pretty great, with the world finally opening up again to a semblance of what it was. Mask regulations were lifted and events are now back at full capacity. But for me personally, there have been a lot of losses of late. I lost my Dad after several bouts with his health over the past year, and some friends and heroes whom I look up to have passed as well in recent months. I was desperately in need of a recharge. While vacations donât solve all our problems, sometimes thatâs all we need to bring us that bit of light when our shine has been diminished.
Saratoga Springs, New York (nicknamed âThe Spaâ) has always been a happy place for me. Located in upstate New York, the city is just about seven hours from Toronto, proudly sporting its official slogan upon arrival, âHealth, History and Horsesâ. Not to be confused with Sarasota, because many friends think Iâm off to Florida when I say Iâm going to this beautiful summer treasure!
Water from these Springs have diverse characteristics, healing properties and a distinct flavour. Saratoga Springs water is said to have magic healing powers that help with skin ailments, assist with digestion, and more.
It is no mystery how much I love horses and every summer for a 40-day meet, among the very best in Horse Racing congregate at charming Saratoga Race Course to enjoy the sport at its highest level. The meet draws people from all over. The venue, donning its distinctive red and white stripe motif throughout, recalls traditions of yesteryear, but with modern amenities and flourishes that have connected its spirit to a new generation of attendees who either grew up like me around the sport, or just want to come out showing off their summerâs best hats and fascinators. Once the meet ends, the city with a population of just under 30,000, goes back to its regular pace as a trendy college town. Saratoga Springs is a destination of incredible taste, refinement and sophistication that somehow manages to always feel fresh.
BOOKING.COM makes it easy – and on short notice!
Because the demand is great to be in Saratoga Springs between late July to early September, finding accommodations can be pricey and difficult. BOOKING.COM makes it super easy to filter a search on their user-friendly website and App (iPhone, iPad and Android-ready). The latter is used by over 100 million monthly active users globally. You can filter your search with the options you really want from their pool of 28 million reported listings with 30 different types of places to stay. Whether youâre looking for a villa, treehouse, cottage, or a boutique hotel, Booking.com truly has it all, everywhere.
If, like me, you are known to travel on little notice, this can limit your options. BOOKING.COM made finding accommodations rather simple, narrowing down properties within a close driving distance to Saratoga Springs. Trust me, hotels here fill up months in advance, and sometimes I really donât know if Iâll be travelling till much later than that. Youâll be relieved to know that on Booking.com, there often is an option for full refund before a particular date because the unavoidable happens!
I landed upon the stunning Desmond Hotel in Albany, New York, a scenic 25 minute drive away from my ultimate destination. Not only is proximity important. I come with a very specific set of requirements. When choosing a place to stay, I rely on reviews from actual people who have stayed at the property. BOOKING.COM has more than 283 million verified reviews from real guests who have stayed at each accommodation and booked through them. Based on this, I was able to filter my search to properties with a minimum â8.5â rating and up. The Desmond Hotel hit the mark.
Above this, I donât travel without my beloved dog beanie and while searching âpet-friendlyâ accommodations, this requirement eliminated some wonderful establishments from consideration for me. On the flipside, it also paired me with a place that welcomed us and those who like mindedly donât exclude our furry loved ones from our trips.
Travelling sustainably is also super important to me nowadays and with BOOKING.COMâs search filters, I was able to see that The Desmond is a âLevel 1â Travel Sustainable Property. This means that they have implemented some impactful sustainability practices. Another thing we love about BOOKING.COM is that you can also look for properties with a âTravel Proudâ badge, showing their commitment to understand and help overcome the challenges LGBTQ+ travellers face. We support businesses that support inclusivity and diversity.
If accessibility options are important to you, BOOKING.COM has filters for disabled guests, the ability to look for places that offer electric vehicle charging stations, and many more details that people might need at their accommodation.
THE DESMOND
While this hotel at first glance doesnât appear to be particularly towering in the classic sense of a hotel, it is rather expansive horizontally. Each of its three floors are packed with rooms. There are in fact, 323 guest rooms, plus a litany of conference rooms, a 24/7 fitness facility, a restaurant (Mr. Dâs â named after founder John K. Desmond, Jr.) and a beautiful indoor courtyard with greenery and a pond that is home to beautiful Koi fish. Though we drove in in an amazing 2023 Honda HRV supplied by Honda Canada, the hotel is literally right beside the Albany Airport and they offer shuttles to the airport for those who need it. The hotel lobby also features a monitor display showing upcoming departure times, a mindful added touch for those travellers flying.
Rooms bestow an elegant, thoughtful decor and here I had the pleasure of staying in a Double Queen Guest Room that could host four people easily. This was one of the best sleeps Iâve had in quite some time, with curtains that shut-out the light completely. beanie can vouch for this – she hogged the bed! In an effort to be eco-conscious, room refreshing can be done by request. Weâre of the mindset that we donât wash our towels and sheets daily at home, and wouldnât expect the same on vacation at a hotel. There is an abundance of USB charging ports which is important, Wi-Fi, a large desk, an HDTV and temperature controls which I took advantage of.
Many hotels talk about being âpet-friendlyâ, but are they really? The Desmond has a grassy outdoor courtyard where dogs can stretch their legs and do their business, complete with thoughtful bag dispenser stations and bins ready as well. This means a lot, alleviating the stress of having to go far in an area we werenât too familiar with. Parking is also free.
Attractions
BOOKING.COM has an ATTRACTIONS feature that offers users access to things to do in over 1,200 cities with over 39,000 curated bookable attractions and experiences, like tours, museums, activities, theme parks, rentals, and more. Though we know Saratoga Springs quite well, we know there is never a shortage of places to shop along their Broadway District, including delightful apparel shops or Saratoga Marketplace with numerous quality products from local retailers. If you love big box U.S. stores too like me, youâll be pleased to know that there are super-sized versions of these in Saratoga Springs. And while youâre doing all this, why not take your furry loved one for a Spa Day of their own in âThe Spaâ?
Much of the action in this city centers around spectacular Saratoga Race Course in the summer. Last year alone, 1,075,586 fans visited over the span of their 40-day meet, enjoying horse racing at its highest level. The track is the worldâs oldest major sports facility, having opened in 1863, and has seen legends gallop over its turf and dirt surfaces. The Oklahoma Training Track is open in the morning to the public to come see their favourite athletes train, with free parking during those hours. All of this is also a short walk away from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which opened in 1950 to commemorate those people and horses who have made a significant impact on the sport.
The meet at Saratoga Race Course includes marquee races which ultimately are precursors to deciding which athletes are crowned champions in North America at the Eclipse Awards at the culmination of the 2023 season. Important races include the Travers, Alabama, Test, Ballerina and the Whitney Stakes, all of which we were there for. The latter is a Grade I race valued at $1 million, named in honour of the influential Whitney family whom for generations had a huge impact on Saratoga, and this year was won by the striking gray horse WHITE ABARRIO ridden by unstoppable North American leading jockey, Irad Ortiz, Jr., for owners C Two Racing Stable & Antonio Pagnano and trainer Richard E. Dutrow Jr.
The heavy favourite going into the race was CODYâS WISH, owned by industry leaders Godolphin LLC and trained by iconic Bill Mott. The horse is named after a boy named Cody Dorman, who is living with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and saw his fateful âMake-a-Wishâ come true when the horse took to the boy right away. This horse has gone on to win close to $2.5 million and is widely regarded as one of the best horses in training.
The Card on Whitney Stakes day was stacked with stars and gave us the honour of seeing top three-year-old filly PRETTY MISCHIEVOUS, who won the Grade I Test Stakes. Just this past May, she won the prestigious $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks, the female companion race to the Kentucky Derby..
Last but not least, one of my favourite parts of Saratoga Springs is Beekman Street, a mecca of art, culture and food. Galleries, pubs, shops and restaurants line this charming and low key residential district if you want that downtown vibe minus all the traffic and congestion.
A full Album of photos taken at Saratoga Race Course here.
Dining
Saratoga Springs is a place of taste. Having been a few times over the years, my favourites align with those of locals. Hattieâs for Fried Chicken. Sweet Mimiâs Cafe for brunch and pastries â the Cinammon bread was recommended to me by owner Jeanette and Iâm sold! The hotspots on weekends can see hour-long queues, so get there early and they offer free coffee for those in the queue. Uncommon Grounds makes a truly perfect bouncy Bagel, so we get why there are 30-minute queues. The Love & Lox is a hit. Historic Adelphi Hotel (also available as a property on BOOKING.COM) has been providing visitors top tier accommodations since 1877 and it houses some great spots to dine, like Salt & Char, plus a dog-friendly patio at Morrisseyâs Lounge with its trendy menu spanning Asian, Italian and classic American. The Local Pub and Teahouse serves comforting pub fare and is very popular with locals. Their tender, melty Short Rib over mashed potatoes is perfection. Taverna Novo also provides an intimate and special experience if you love Italian. The latter two are on Beekman Street.
The food options at Saratoga Race Course are also great. They have their own Shake Shack and you absolutely must get the exclusive âSloppy Trackâ milkshake. The track also has a branch of aforementioned Hattieâs, plus bars like the Easy Goer and Fourstardave, named after iconic racehorses who made their mark locally.Though we wish we got to spend more time in Albany, we were wowed by breakfast at trendy The Scene. This cafe has cocktails and coffee on its menu, plus several brunch options. Thoroughly enjoyed my Scenewich and Cinnamon Toast Latte set against an aesthetically-pleasing backdrop.
Niagara… Because why not?
With it being a seven hour drive to Saratoga Springs, itâs important to take proper breaks along the way. We chose Hilton Garden Inn which is also available via BOOKING.COM and rated a strong 8.6 as calculated by user reviews. This hotel is just minutes from the Falls and equally close to wineries in the region. In addition, it boasts a remarkable Level 3 Travel Sustainable badge, a distinction reserved only for those accommodations that have made large investments and efforts to implement impactful sustainability practices. They are also pet-friendly, with grassy areas for your pet to go and thoughtful bag dispensers for your convenience. Did I mention that beanie got a welcome bag upon arrival? Itâs honestly the little touches that make you want to share your experience with others! Youâre literally across the road from the Outlet Collection at Niagara, or you can save up for cross-border shopping seeing that youâre only minutes from the U.S. All this, plus free parking!
Our drive to Saratoga saw new revamped Applegreen Service Stations, which were actually quite amazing, giving us reasons to stop and recharge, and making that drive bearable! Dunkinâ Donuts, Panera, Popeyes, Shake Shacks and more, plus a chance to fill up on some reasonably priced fuel. America is so spoiled!
BOOKING.COM made it easy to plan this unforgettable trip. And they arenât just for booking a place to stay. BOOKING.COM offers flights, car rentals, taxis, activities, all of which can be organized into one place – the BOOKING.COM app or website. No more rifling through different confirmation emails from different companies – keep your itinerary streamlined and simple.
And with BOOKING.COMâs Rewards & Wallet feature, you can apply earned cash value to selected flight bookings, selected property bookings, any car rental bookings, any attraction bookings, any taxi bookings, and any insurance that you add to your trip through Booking.com.
Summerâs almost over. Isnât it time you took a moment to recharge?
Grab a seat and join us on our journey to Saratoga Springs. A Reel of Highlights:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
TIFF is delighted to announce additional honourees who will be receiving a TIFF Tribute Award at this yearâs Festival. Recipients include award-winning Brazilian filmmaker Carolina Markowicz who will be honoured with the TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM Studios. This award is in the spirit of Torontonian Mary Pickford, the groundbreaking actor, producer, and co-founder of United Artists, whose impact continues today. Two-time Academy Awardânominated Polish cinematographer Ćukasz Ćœal will receive the TIFF Variety Artisan Award, which recognizes a distinguished creative who has excelled at their craft and made an outstanding contribution to cinema and entertainment. Both Markowicz and Ćœal will be honoured on September 10 at the fifth annual TIFF Tribute Awards gala fundraiser at Fairmont Royal York Hotel, presented by Bulgari.
On September 15, TIFF will be honouring Andy Lau, the multi-hyphenate Hong Kong artist with a Special Tribute Award at the World Premiere Gala presentation of Ning Haoâs The Movie Emperor, in which he stars. This marks Lauâs first visit since he last attended the Festival in 2001. He will also be participating in the In Conversation With⊠(ICW) series on September 16. Lau is one of Hong Kongâs most popular entertainers, with a career spanning more than four decades and over 160 films in his filmography. He has received recognition from critics for his work in both television and film, with memorable roles in Ann Huiâs Boat People (1982), Wong Kar Waiâs As Tears Go By (1988), Andrew Lau and Alan Makâs Infernal Affairs trilogy, and reteaming with Hui in the hit drama A Simple Life (2011). Previous recipients of the Special Tribute Award include David Foster (2019) and Dionne Warwick (2021).
âWe are thrilled to honour the remarkable talents and contributions of Andy Lau, Carolina Markowicz, and Ćukasz Ćœal,â said Cameron Bailey, CEO, TIFF. âAn industry icon and multi-faceted artist with an impressive filmography, Lau has paved the way for a generation of performers. Emerging Talent honoree Markowicz has an exciting future ahead as one of the most fearless directors of her generation, and Ćœalâs cinematography continues to evoke emotion in The Zone of Interest.â
Confirming herself as one of Brazilâs clearest voices in current cinema, writer-director Carolina Markowicz returns to the Festival with the World Premiere of her second feature, Toll, on September 9. Following the acclaim of her 2022 dark and twisted comedy Charcoal, Toll is a film about a Brazilian mother who falls in with a gang of thieves in an attempt to keep her family afloat. Previous recipients of the TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM Studios include Sally El Hosaini in 2022; Danis Goulet in 2021; Tracey Deer in 2020; and Mati Diop in 2019.
Ćœal, best known for his stunning cinematography in Pawel Pawlikowskiâs Cold War and Ida, returns to the Festival with the Jonathan Glazerâdirected The Zone of Interest. The film, adapted from a 2014 novel of the same title by Martin Amis, was awarded the Grand Prix at this yearâs Cannes Film Festival. Entirely shot in Poland, Ćœalâs lens has a chilling effect â detached from the horrors of the prison camp, the camera captures the banality of the Höss family living their everyday life outside the walls of Auschwitz, contrasted by unforgettable reminders of resistance at night, and shot in monochrome by thermal-imaging cameras. Previous recipients of the TIFF Variety Artisan Award include Hildur GuĂ°nadĂłttir in 2022; Ari Wegner in 2021; Terence Blanchard in 2020; and Roger Deakins in 2019.
âVariety is honoured to be giving Ćukasz Ćœal our annual Artisan Award at the Toronto International Film Festival,â said Jazz Tangcay, Senior Artisans Editor at Variety. âWe have been fans of his work from Ida and Cold War and with his most recent film, The Zone of Interest, Ćukasz continues to raise the bar for inventive and avant-garde cinematography.â
The Tribute Awards gala is TIFFâs largest annual fundraiser, having raised $1.3 million in 2022, and is presented by Bulgari, sharing their commitment to arts and culture along with TIFF. This year, the Tribute Awards gala will support the Viola Desmond Cinema campaign, which was launched through the Every Story Fund in 2022. For more information, visit tiff.net/tribute.
Andy Lau bio
The star of Ning Haoâs The Movie Emperor, Andy Lau has been a leading figure in Asian cinema for the past four decades. Like many of his contemporaries, Lau started out in the early 1980s as an actor for Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), Hong Kongâs premier television network. He landed his first feature film role in Ann Huiâs Boat People (1982), a central work of the Hong Kong New Wave. In the late 1980s, Lau fully transitioned to working in film and enthralled audiences and critics alike in Wong Kar Waiâs As Tears Go By (1988) and Days of Being Wild (1990). Lau launched his own production company in the early 1990s and has starred in over 160 feature films, including Johnnie Toâs relentless police thriller Running Out of Time (1999), Andrew Lau and Alan Makâs twisty and unpredictable Infernal Affairs (2002) and Infernal Affairs III (2003), Zhang Yimouâs martial arts extravaganza House of Flying Daggers (2004), Tsui Harkâs delirious fantasy whodunit Detective Dee: The Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010), Huiâs grounded drama A Simple Life (2011), and Frant Gwoâs mega-action blockbuster The Wandering Earth 2 (2023). A natural entertainer and multi-faceted artist, Lau has won three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor, received the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award at the 2006 Busan International Film Festival, and holds the Guinness World Record for âMost Awards Won by a Cantopop Male Artist.â He joins us for an in-depth conversation about his storied career as an actor, producer, and celebrated Cantopop singer-songwriter, as well as his new film The Movie Emperor, which is a Gala Presentation at this yearâs Festival.
Carolina Markowicz bio
Carolina Markowicz has written and directed six award-winning short films that have been selected for more than 300 festivals. Her 2018 short film, The Orphan, premiered in Cannes Directorsâ Fortnight and won the Queer Palm. Since 2021, Carolina has been a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Her debut feature, Charcoal, premiered at TIFF in 2022. Toll, her second feature, will premiere at TIFF 2023.
Ćukasz Ćœal bio
Ćukasz Ćœal is a cinematographer based out of Poland. He most recently shot Charlie Kaufmanâs critically acclaimed Iâm Thinking of Ending Things, as well as Pawel Pawlikowskiâs Cold War, which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film in 2019. Previously, he was nominated for an Academy Award in 2016 for Pawlikowskiâs Ida and was one of two cinematographers of the 2017 Oscar-nominated animated feature Loving Vincent (dir. DK Welchman, Hugo Welchman). In addition, he received the Golden Frog Award at Camerimage twice for his work on Ida and Paparazzi (dir. Piotr Bernas), as well as the Silver Frog Award for Cold War. Ćœal also shot Dovlatov (dir. Aleksiej German Jr.), which premiered at the 2018 Berlin International Film Festival, and The Here After (dir. Magnus von Horn), an official selection of the Directorsâ Fortnight at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. He is a Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, European Film Academy, and Polish Society of Cinematographers.
TIFF today unveiled the 10 World Premiere features that comprise the Platform programme for 2023, along with the 2023 Platform jury members: Academy Awardâwinning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, joined by Cannes Jury Prizeâwinning director, writer, and actor Nadine Labaki, and 2022 Platform Prizeâwinning filmmaker Anthony Shim.
Since its introduction in 2015, Platform has celebrated and showcased films with unique directorial perspectives. The 10 films in the 2023 programme are eligible for the Platform Prize, an award of $20,000 CAD given to the best film in the programme, selected by an in-person international jury.
âI am delighted to announce that we have an international dream jury with acclaimed filmmakers Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki, and Anthony Shim as jury members for the Platform programme at TIFF,â said Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, TIFF. âTogether, they represent the bold and independent spirit of the Platform Prize.â
Platform is TIFFâs competitive programme that champions bold directorial visions. The films selected for this yearâs programme hail from 12 countries across three continents, all of which will be making their World Premiere at TIFF.
âWe are thrilled to present this yearâs extraordinary films in the Platform programme, and especially delighted to present Kristoffer Borgliâs latest film Dream Scenario, starring Nicolas Cage, as Platformâs opening film. This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture â especially âgoing viralâ â and its impact on the way that we interact with others in our day-to-day life. Cage delivers some of his finest work,â said Robyn Citizen, Director, Programming & Platform Lead. âThis yearâs diverse selection is distinguished by bold character studies and classic stories told through dynamic narrative and genre approaches. Audiences will witness the emergence of thematic threads like social exile and reconnection, woven in unexpectedly thrilling ways by an array of captivating local and international voices.â
Notable previous Platform selections include 2022 winner Riceboy Sleeps from Canadian director Anthony Shim, Hany Abu-Assadâs Hudaâs Salon (2021), Kamila Andiniâs Yuni (2021), Darius Marderâs Sound of Metal (2019), Alice Winocourâs Proxima (2019), Kazik Radwanskiâs Anne at 13,000 Ft. (2019), Sarah Gavronâs Rocks (2019), Armando Iannucciâs The Death of Stalin (2017), Pablo LarraĂnâs Jackie (2016), Barry Jenkinsâ Moonlight (2016), William Oldroydâs Lady Macbeth (2016), and Ben Wheatleyâs High-Rise (2015).
2023 Platform Programme
Dear Jassi Tarsem Singh Dhandwar | India
World Premiere
Platform Programme – Opening Night Film
Dream Scenario Kristoffer Borgli | USA
World Premiere
Great Absence Kei Chika-ura | Japan
World Premiere
I Told You So (Te lâavevo detto) Ginevra Elkann | Italy
World Premiere
The King Tide Christian Sparkes | Canada
World Premiere
Not A Word (Kein Wort) Hanna Slak | Germany/Slovenia/France
World Premiere
The Rye Horn (O Corno) Jaione Camborda | Spain/Belgium/Portugal
World Premiere
Sisterhood (HLM Pussy) Nora El Hourch | France
World Premiere
Shame on Dry Land (Syndabocken) Axel Petersén | Sweden
World Premiere
Spirit of Ecstasy (La VĂ©nus dâargent) HĂ©lĂ©na Klotz | France
World Premiere
Platform Jury Biographies
Barry Jenkins
Academy Awardâwinning filmmaker Barry Jenkins has directed three highly acclaimed features that screened at TIFF â Medicine for Melancholy, Moonlight, and If Beale Street Could Talk â as well as his award-winning television series The Underground Railroad. Most recently, Jenkins produced Charlotte Wellsâ Aftersun and Raven Jacksonâs All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt. His upcoming directorial work includes the 2024 theatrical release of The Lion King.
Nadine Labaki
Nadine Labaki is a writer, director, and actor. Caramel, her 2007 debut film, opened at the Directorsâ Fortnight at Cannes and was Lebanonâs official submission to the 80th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Her next film, Where Do We Go Now?, premiered at Un Certain Regard in 2011 and won the Peopleâs Choice Award at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival. Labaki wrote, directed, and starred in both. Most recently, she directed Campernaum, which won the Jury Prize at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
Anthony Shim
Anthony Shim began his career as an actor, theatre director, and producer. In 2019, Shim wrote, directed, and produced his first feature film, Daughter. His second film, Riceboy Sleeps, had its World Premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the Platform Prize.
Just For Laughs is excited to announce a whole new roster of artists who have joined the 41st edition of the festival.
JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARD SHOW – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 3:00 PM
Hands-down, the funniest celebration with the biggest stars in comedy is the Just for Laughs Award Show! Don’t miss the raucous festivities and sincere camaraderie as friends, mentors, and fellow comics honour the comedy stars who made us laugh the most in 2023.
This yearâs recipient:
Comedy Impact Award â Rainn Wilson
Award-winning actor, writer, producer, and NY Times Best-Selling author, Rainn Wilson is known for his diverse comedic and theatrical roles. He gained recognition in HBO’s “Six Feet Under,” which earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award. However, his most iconic role was the unforgettable “Dwight Schrute” on NBC’s Emmy-winning comedy “The Office,” which earned him three Emmy nominations. As an author, Wilson’s most recent NY Times best-selling book dropped last spring titled, âSoul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolutionâ. In the book, he explores the possibility and hope for a spiritual revolution to address todayâs greatest issues â mental health, racism and sexism, climate change, and economic justice. Wilson’s digital media company, SoulPancake, has over 3.5 million subscribers and explores various topics such as religion, art, science, philosophy, and culture. In 2020, Wilson hosted a six-part docuseries, âAn Idiotâs Guide to Climate Changeâ on YouTube that he created with SoulPancake. In the series, Wilson embarks on a quest to better understand climate change basics and how individuals can help combat its dangerous effects on the planet. Most recently, Wilson hosted a six-part travel docuseries âRainn Wilson and The Geography of Blissâ in which he travelled around the world to discover how different cultures find happiness. In addition to his artistic endeavours, Wilson co-founded the non-profit organisation “The LidĂš Foundation,” providing arts and literacy education to at-risk adolescent girls in Haiti, alongside his wife, author Holiday Reinhorn.
Joining the Awards festivities:
Rachid Badouri â who will present to Ronny Chieng
Neal Brennan â who will present to Bert Kreischer
Carolyn Taylor â who will present to Mae Martin
Ramy Youssef â who will present to Quinta Brunson
Hosted by the Master of Award Shows,
Comedian, James Davis
SURROUNDED – Tuesday, July 25, 2023 â Thursday, July 26, 2023 | Studio Hydro-Quebec | 7:30 PM & 10:00 PM
Join us at Surrounded, an electrifying comedy show where the audience is the material. Today’s best comedians take the stage with nothing more than the mic and their wit, turning everyday interactions into memorable punchlines. In the intimate venue, anyone surrounding the comedian is fair game. It’s all about the unexpected! With no script or pre-planned jokes, we guarantee a night of hilarious improvisation, one-of-a-kind moments, and uproarious laughter. Because each show is 100% crowd work, all six shows will be completely different! Get ready to be “Surrounded” by today’s best comedic talent and have a chance to become a part of the action!
Star-studded lineup includes Mae Martin, Marlon Wayans, Jess Hilarious, Sam Morril, Fortune Feimster, Chris Redd, Jay Pharoah, Sasheer Zamata, Brad Williams, Steph Tolev, Che Durena, Hannah Berner, Preacher Lawson, Joel Kim Booster, Brian Simpson, Rosebud Baker, Nate Jackson, Felipe Esparza, Dan Soder, and Annie Lederman, with more names to be announced on the website shortly!
COMEDYPRO SPECIAL EVENT
AIRPLANE! Live All-Star Cast Read directed by David Zucker – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 4:00 PM
JFL celebrates the 43rd anniversary of the ground-breaking and legendary comedy film, AIRPLANE! with a raucously fun live staged reading of select scenes from the original script, by an All-Star cast of comedians including: Jack Whitehall, Sasheer Zamata, Craig Robinson, Brad Williams, Joel Kim Booster, Chris âShockwaveâ Sullivan and more surprise guests. Led by Writer-Director David Zucker the reading will be followed by an “In Conversation” revealing candid insights and true stories from his upcoming book, âSurely You Canât Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! â
Rainn Wilson Keynote Address – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 11:30 AM
Rainn Wilson delivers the American Keynote Address at this yearâs ComedyPRO.
Canadian Pie: Steph Tolev Keynote Address – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 2:00 PM
Comedian Steph Tolev delivers the Canadian Keynote Address at this yearâs ComedyPRO.
State of the Industry Address with Jessica Kirson – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 4:45 PM
Jessica Kirson is being hailed as an overnight successâŠeven though that night has been 24 years in the making. And now the next milestone, Jessica Kirson is taking the reins of one of most anticipated and (for some) dreaded Just For Laughs traditions, the annual State of The Industry Address. Previously delivered for 20+ years by Andy Kindler (and once by his hologram) the State of the Industry has always been a comic’s comic event. Come this year to hear a new perspectiveâsome roasting, a sear, and some low simmer pot stirring from one of the industry’s funniest members.
Building Your Comedy Audience Up Close and Vertical, presented by TikTok – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 2:30 PM
This timely panel brings together popular comedy creators Hannah Berner (@hannah_berner), Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn_official), and Zarna Garg (@zarnagarg) whoâs dedicated and engaged followers on the platform have empowered them to find new paths to success. Join moderator Darcy Michael (@thedarcymichael) and TikTok’s Head of Entertainment, North America, Catherine Halaby, as they delve into the role of entertainment platforms in the future of the comedy industry, successful social strategies, the connection between on-platform community and IRL audiences, and how the platform will continue to shift comedy culture.
Panel Features:
Darcy Michael (Moderator)
Hannah Berner
Jonathan Van Ness
Zarna Garg
Catherine Halaby (TikTok Head of Entertainment, North America)
Hulu presents The Out of this World cast of Solar Opposites – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 2:00 PM
Join stars Thomas Middleditch and Sean Giambrone as they crash land at JFL for a fun and insightful trip through the world of “Solar Opposites.” In anticipation of its season 4 launch theyâll share sneak peeks clips, discuss their charactersâ otherworldly chemistry, and reveal if we really are all just bricks in âthe Wall.â Season 4 of Solar Opposites premieres Aug. 14 on Hulu.
Panel Features:
Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley)
Sean Giambrone (The Goldbergs)
NEW SOLO SHOWS ADDED
Marlon Wayans – Thursday, July 27, 2023 | Le Studio TD | 9:30 PM
Marlon Wayans is an actor, producer, comedian, writer and film director. His films have grossed more than $736-million in domestic box office and $1-billion in global box office. As a stand-up comedian, he is selling out nationwide and adding shows every weekend. His newest stand-up special, God Loves Me, premiered on HBO Max in March 2023. Wayans can most recently be seen on the big screen in Ben Affleckâs Nike drama AIR for Amazon Studios. Wayans is commonly recognized for his role as Marcus Copeland in Columbia Picturesâ 2004 hit comedy White Chicks. He also starred in the horror comedy spoof films Scary Movie and Scary Movie 2.
Mae Martin & Friends – Thursday, July 27 & Friday, July 28, 2023 | ThĂ©Ăątre Sainte-Catherine | 11:59 PM
Award winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer, Mae Martin is seeing their star rise to fame at record speed. Their hit Netflix series, Feel Good is a scripted, semi-autobiographical comedy drama series, which they also created and co-wrote continues to collect international awards and nominations, making it one of the most trending series on the platform. They are also an accomplished author of Can Everyone Please Calm Down?: A Guide to 21st Century Sexuality, published in May 2019 by Hachette imprint Wren and Rook. Their standup specials have garnered rave reviews. First, Netflixâs Dope, which focuses on addiction; and most recently, Netflixâs SAP that continues to rake in high praise from critics and fans. The festival is honoured to have them return this year to accept the JFL Award for âRising Comedy Star of the Yearâ.
ALOK â Saturday, July 29, 2023 | Salle Ludger-Duvernay â Monument-National | 7:00 PM
ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. As a mixed-media artist their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. They are the author of Femme in Public (2017), Beyond the Gender Binary (2020), and Your Wound/My Garden (2021) and the creator of #DeGenderFashion: an initiative to degender fashion and beauty industries. Over the past decade, they have toured in more than 40 countries, most recently selling out their runs at the Soho Theatre in London, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and the Kennedy Performing Arts Center. On television, they can next be seen in the critically acclaimed series SORT OF opposite Bilal Baig. They have also appeared on Huluâs Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne, ABCâs PRIDE: To Be Seen â A Soul of A Nation, Netflixâs Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, HBOâs Random Acts of Flyness and The Trans List.
Trey Kennedy: Grow Up â Saturday, July 29, 2023 | Club Soda | 9:30 PM
Trey Kennedy never expected to enter the entertainment industry. While attending college at Oklahoma State University, Kennedy found fame on the mobile app Vine, amassing more than 2.5 million followers. He was a top creator on the app for more than three years and, through this experience, discovered a passion for entertainment. He has now continued his social media success on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok where he has a combined 12+ million followers. He currently has a podcast titled Correct Opinions and just concluded a sold-out comedy tour selling out cities across the United States. Treyâs self-produced comedy special Are You For Real? can now be streamed on YouTube. He hopes to continue creating fun and relatable content in order to deliver some joy where it’s needed and help people find some common ground through comedy.
Alingon Mitra â Tuesday, July 25, 2023 | Le Studio TD | 9:30 PM
Alingon Mitra is a stand-up comedian and comedy writer living in New York. He has written for
Comedy Centralâs The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and was also staffed on TruTVâs Adam
Ruins Everything. He has performed stand-up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CONAN, Late Night with Craig Ferguson, and Adam Devineâs House Party. After becoming a semi-finalist on NBCâs Last Comic Standing, Mitra won the coveted âComic Comebackâ award to appear in the season finale. He was selected for the prestigious honour of being named a âNew Faceâ at Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal in 2015. He graduated from Harvard, where he was a writer for the illustrious Harvard Lampoon.
Noel Miller â Friday, July 28, 2023 | MTELUS | 7:00 PM
Noel Miller’s biting one-liners and topical social commentary has made him a force to be reckoned with in the comedy world. Between directing, touring, podcasting, music and streaming, Noel’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. In addition to starring in popular YouTube series That’s Cringe, and comedy duo + podcast Tiny Meat Gang with fellow comedian Cody Ko, Noel has created successful series on his own including his format around hit British Reality show, Love Island. His broad reach has landed him deals with companies such as SeatGeek and Old Spice, as well as solo comedy gigs across the country. Miller has also found success as a filmmaker, being the creative mind behind Tiny Meat Gang’s hit music videos including Walk Man, which has garnered over 19 million views, and their recent releases, Broke Bitch, Daddy and Sofia, which have collectively gathered 20M+ views. Outside of music, he recently released his first short film, Suki, a dark comedy about a relationship between a detective and a serial killer. Additionally, he has recently leaned into streaming, resulting in a rapidly growing Twitch following.
Ali Macofsky â Saturday, July 29, 2023 | ThĂ©Ăątre Sainte-Catherine | 8:30 PM
Ali Macofsky is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer who began her comedy career at the age of 7 when she would join Ryan Seacrest on KIIS FM every weekday morning and prank call listeners as her character âLil Allyâ and has continued to pursue comedy ever since. Shortly after high school, Ali quickly established herself in the L.A. comedy scene where she became the first regular to perform on over 100 episodes of the Comedy Storeâs weekly Kill Tony podcast. Soon after, she started to open for huge names in the comedy world like Russell Peters and Joe Rogan. In 2022, Macofsky was named a âNew Face of Comedyâ at the Just for Laughs Comedy festival in Montreal. Aliâs stand up has been featured on Just For Laughs digital receiving over 3 million views and her stand up has been seen on TikTok over 10 million times. She has a popular series on her Instagram where she talks to strangers online and she hosts a weekly podcast called Resting Bitch.
New OFF JFL performances have been added featuring,
Sydnee Washington, Robby Hoffman, Dulcé Sloan, Debra DiGiovanni,
Josie Long, Nimesh Patel, and a special live podcast to commemorate
The Comedy Storeâs 25th Anniversary!
Just For Laughs MONTRĂAL would like to thank its sponsors without whom this edition would not have been possible: Beneva and Chevrolet. We would also like to acknowledge the exceptional help and support of our public partners:
Government of Canada through Canada Economic Development and Canadian Heritage, the Gouvernement du Québec through the ministÚre du Tourisme, the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine and the SODEC, as well as the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal and Montréal centre-ville.
TICKET DETAILS:
Tickets are available at www.hahaha.com
Looking for the best way to experience Just For Laughs MONTRĂAL? Get a JFLMTL Pass!
Passes available include: the JFL 2-Show Pass for $115.00 + tax, 3-Show Pass for $155.00 + tax and 5-Show Pass for $235.00 + tax. Each pass includes up to 12 free tickets from July 14 to July 29, 2023 (some restrictions apply).
When it comes to music, Canada has plenty to celebrate! Today, Canadaâs Walk of Fame announces that 13 of the countryâs rock royalty from the â70s and â80s will be added to its distinguished ranks: April Wine, Chilliwack, Glass Tiger, Lee Aaron, Lighthouse, Loverboy, Max Webster, Michel Pagliaro, Platinum Blonde, PRISM, Rough Trade, The Parachute Club, and Trooper.
To commemorate this first-of-its-kind mega induction, Canadaâs Walk of Fame presents Canadaâs Rock of Fame at Massey Hall on September 28, alongside official partners Anthem Entertainment and Live Nation. This is the first of two induction ceremonies in 2023 as part of the organizationâs 25th anniversary events, followed by the annual induction ceremony and broadcast in December. (See Important Media Note below).
All 13 rock legends will be in attendance during this unforgettable night featuring live performances of the hits that music lovers have enjoyed for decades, special guests, a reunion of Canadian DJ legends, and more. Led by award-winning musical director Lou Pomanti, a whoâs who of presenters, performers and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for Canadaâs Rock of Fame go on sale Friday, July 14 at 10 a.m. ET at Ticketmaster.com.
Todayâs announcement of iconic Canadian rock bands and musicians join previously announced 2023 Inductees, including a champion of Human Rights and Social Justice, Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella (Humanitarianism), the Canadian youth culture phenomenon, Degrassi (Arts and Entertainment), Canadaâs record-breaking NHL Sensation, Connor McDavid (Sports and Athletics), beloved television superstar and influential commentator, Rick Mercer (Arts and Entertainment), and the oldest living Inductee at 104 years young, Canadaâs preeminent neuropsychologist, Dr. Brenda Milner (Science, Technology and Innovation). More Inductees will be announced in the coming months, along with this yearâs Allan Slaight Music Impact and National Hero Honourees.
âThese trailblazing musicians have had an extraordinary impact on our Canadian Rock landscape. Their longevity, many of whom still tour and sell out venues, is inspiring; and we are proud to welcome them each to Canadaâs Walk of Fame,â said Jeffrey Latimer, CEO of Canadaâs Walk of Fame.
âCanadaâs Rock of Fame at Massey Hall will be a historic and rockinâ night of music celebrating these 13 newly inducted bands and musicians whose successful recording careers and decades-long journey of live performances have set the stage for the Canadian concert industry,â said Jody Shivdasani, Director of Operations, Canadaâs Walk of Fame.
Important Media Note: Canadaâs Rock of Fame at Massey Hall on September 28th is a special one-time music induction celebration for the 25th anniversary events. It should be noted that this event is separate from the annual Canadaâs Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Saturday, December 2, where all of the 2023 Inductees will be honoured. The annual Induction Ceremony will feature memorable performances and tributes from todayâs brightest stars and esteemed Alumni from the past 25 years. A special broadcast will air at a later date on CTV.
About Canadaâs Rock of Fame Inductees:
Hometown: Halifax, NS
Years Active: 1969-1986, 1992 – present
April Wine is a legendary Canadian rock band known for their infectious melodies and timeless hits. With over 10 million albums sold worldwide, their extensive discography includes over 20 studio albums, with classic hits like Bad Side of the Moon, Roller, I Like to Rock, and Just Between You and Me, which was the first video by a Canadian artist to be played on MTV. Their fifth album, âStand Back,â has gone double platinum in Canada, cementing their status as a national treasure. In 2009, April Wine was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame and received the JUNO Lifetime Achievement Award. The following year, they were also inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.
Years Active: 1970-1988, 1997 – present
Award-winning, gold and platinum-selling supergroup Chilliwack produced some of the most enduring Canadian rock songs of the 1970s and â80s. Among the bandâs Canadian and international hits are Lonesome Mary, Fly at Night, California Girl, My Girl (Gone Gone Gone) and Whatcha Gonna Do. Releasing 12 albums over a 14-year period, Chilliwackâs catchy, easygoing hooks and bright, melodic style were distinguished by the falsetto vocals and tasteful guitar playing of lead singer and songwriter Bill Henderson. In 2019, Chilliwack was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Hometown: Newmarket, ON
Years Active: 1983 â present (hiatus 1993-2003)
Grammy Award nominees and five-time JUNO Award winners (13 times nominated), Glass Tiger formed in the early â80s out of Newmarket, Ontario and has become one of the most successful bands in Canadian music history with over 5 million albums sold. Their 1986 debut album, âThe Thin Red Lineâ went multi-platinum in Canada, gold in the U.S. and led to the hit singles Donât Forget Me (When Iâm Gone) and Someday. Throughout their illustrious career, Glass Tiger has shared stages and performances with some of the worldâs leading acts, such as Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Bryan Adams, Journey, Julian Lennon and Cheap Trick, to name a few.
Hometown: Brampton, ON
Years Active: 1980 – present
Lee Aaron is one of Canadaâs most iconic vocalists, songwriters, producers, and fearless re-inventors. With an impressive 40+ year career spanning 18 albums and multiple hit singles, she has undertaken successful forays into rock, pop, jazz and even opera.
A pioneer of female-fronted rock in Canada, Aaron released her debut album, âThe Lee Aaron Project,â in 1982. Her sophomore release, 1984âs âMetal Queen,â established Aaron as a trailblazer for women in the genre, elevating her to icon status with legions of rock fans worldwide. The title track is a genderless anthem of empowerment for all fans. A 10-time JUNO Award nominee, Aaronâs 1989âs âBodyRockâ and 1991âs âSome Girls Do,â achieved multi-platinum status and included hit singles like Whatcha Do to My Body, Hands On, and Some Girls Do.
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Years Active: 1969 – present
Lighthouseâs brand of free-wheeling, jazz-rock-classical fusion took Canada by storm following their debut in May 1969 at Torontoâs Rock Pile. Touring up to 300 days a year across Canada, the US, Europe and Asia, Lighthouse was recognized as one of the best-performing acts of their time. Fifty-five years later, they’re still touring and creating that same high-spirited excitement for fans old and new. Lighthouse has received multiple awards and honours, and their impressive catalogue of 23 albums, several reaching Diamond, Platinum and Gold status, have produced hits such as Sunny Days, One Fine Morning, Pretty Lady, Take it Slow (Out in the Country) and Hats Off (To The Stranger), all of which continue to receive daily radio play and covers.
Hometown: Calgary, AB
Years Active: 1979-1988, 1989, 1991 – present
For more than 40 years, Loverboy has been delighting audiences worldwide with their trademark red leather pants, bandannas, big rock sound and high-energy live shows. Loverboy has sold more than 10 million albums, earning four multi-platinum plaques, a trio of double-platinum releases and a string of rock staples, including Working for the Weekend, Lovinâ Every Minute of It, and Turn Me Loose, still heard on many classic rock radio stations around the world. The multiple JUNO Award winners and Canadian Music Hall of Famers were the first Canadian group to earn Columbia Recordsâ exclusive Crystal Globe Award, celebrating the sale of over five million albums. Loverboyâs reputation as an incredible live act has always been its calling card as the group continues entertaining fans of all ages.
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Years Active: 1972â1981, 1990, 1995â1996, 2007
Canadian rock band Max Webster was formed in Toronto in 1972. With frontman Kim Mitchell at the helm, the band released seven albums from 1976-1981 — six of which received Gold status certification and one Platinum certification in Canada. Max Webster cranked out a string of Canadian hits that include Hangover, High Class in Borrowed Shoes, Diamonds, Diamonds, Let Go The Line, A Million Vacations and Paradise Skies. From the mid-1970s to the early â80s, the band toured heavily, playing up to 250 dates a year and opening for rock music heavyweights such as Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Blondie, The Cars, Cheap Trick, Peter Gabriel, Genesis, The Guess Who, Kansas, Ted Nugent, Rainbow, Rush, REO Speedwagon and Styx.
Hometown: Montreal, QC
Years Active: 1966 – present
Singer-songwriter, producer and guitarist Michel Pagliaro rose to fame in the 1970s with his English and French language rock albums, and bridged the gap between anglophone and francophone Canada. His classics include the French hits Fou de toi, Si tu voulais, Louise, Lâespion and JâEntends Frapper, which was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010 and became the bestselling single in Quebec history, and English favourites Lovinâ You Ainât Easy, Rainshowers, Some Sing, Some Dance and What The Hell I Got. Among his many accolades, Pagliaro received the Governor Generalâs Performing Arts Award in 2008 and was the first artist in Canada to have hit singles and gold records in both English and French. Pagliaro still performs today to crowds of loving fans.
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Years Active: 1980-1990, 2010 â present
Known for meticulously arranged coifs and sturdy new-wave hooks, Platinum Blonde was founded in 1980 by British-born musician, composer and producer Mark Holmes.The band quickly rose up the charts in 1983 with their self-titled EP before releasing their debut album âStanding In The Darkâ while on tour with Bryan Adams and Billy Idol. In 1985, they released their sophomore album âAlien Shores,â which received multi-platinum status and delivered generation-transcending hits Situation Critical, Somebody Somewhere and Crying Over You. Their third studio album, âContact,â exceeded the ten times platinum sales mark and garnered the band a Gemini Award for Best Music Video. Platinum Blondeâs new wave sound defined a decade in Canadian music. In 2010, the band was Inducted into the Music, and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame, and in 2012 released the critically acclaimed album Now & Never. Holmes continues to record and tour, with a new record set for 2024.
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.
Years Active: 1977-1982, 1988 â 2011
PRISM was formed in 1977 by producer Bruce Fairbairn, songwriter Jim Vallance, guitarist Lindsay Mitchell and singer Ron Tabak. The founders very quickly recruited John Hall (keyboards) and Rocket Norton (drums), followed by Al Harlow (bass) who joined in 1978. On the strength of eight albums and 21 singles, including âSpaceship Superstar,â âArmageddon,â and âNight to Remember,â PRISMâs live concerts sold out the countryâs arenas, holding attendance records at many venues. PRISM won GROUP OF THE YEAR at the JUNO AWARDS in 1981.
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Years Active: 1974-1988
Rough Trade was formed in Toronto in 1974 by multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples and vocalist Carole Pope. Notorious for the openly sexual nature of their songs and the burlesque theatricality of their live performances â which often included bondage and sexual satire â the band was one of the first mainstream musical acts to include explicitly gay and lesbian references. Four-time JUNO Award winners Rough Trade are best known for the risquĂ©, controversial hit single High School Confidential, which was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. Rough Trade The Musical, written by Pope and Kate Rigg and starring Chilina Kennedy, is being workshopped in New York. A documentary on Caroleâs life based on her autobiography Anti Diva is in development with theCBC,produced by Michelle Mama and Gay Agenda.
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Years Active: 1982-1989
Toronto-based music collective, The Parachute Club was active from 1982-1989. Formed by lead vocalist/guitarist Lorraine Segato and drummer Billy Bryans, the four-time JUNO Award-winning group emerged from the artistic fertile breeding ground of the Queen Street West neighbourhood that exploded throughout the â80s. Known for lyrics that embraced feminism, anti-racism and LGBTQ2S+ causes, they were one of the first mainstream acts in Canada to integrate world music influences into their sound, such as reggae and soca. Having performed throughout Canada, the U.S. and Germany, The Parachute Club released several top 40 hits, including At the Feet of the Moon, Love Is Fire, Love & Compassion and Rise Up, which is celebrating 40 years of being an anthem for social justice causes.
Hometown: Vancouver, B.C.
Years Active: 1975 – present
Vancouver-based Trooper has churned out platinum albums and crowd-pleasing hits since 1975 with classic radio staples Raise a Little Hell, Boys in the Bright White Sports Car, and Weâre Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time). With its blend of upbeat pop and energetic rock, the JUNO Award-winning group has sold millions of records, recorded a couple of dozen hits, and is recognized as one of Canadaâs top five-selling bands of all time. Trooperâs ten studio albums have earned multiple gold and platinum awards, and their multi-platinum greatest hits, Hot Shots, continues to be one of the countryâs most enduring party soundtracks.
TICKETS: Tickets for Canadaâs Rock of Fame go on sale through Ticketmaster.com on Friday, July 14, at 10 a.m. ET. A limited number of tickets will be sold during a general on-sale on Thursday, July 13, between 10 a.m.-10 p.m. ET, while supplies last. AMEX cardholders qualify for Front of the Line ticket access from Wednesday, July 12 at 10 a.m. ET to Thursday, July 13 at 10 p.m. ET.Â
lJust For Laughsâ ComedyPRO returns with their exceptional annual global gathering for the comedy industry’s biggest players. This four-day industry experience grants exclusive access to a wide range of highly sought-after events, including captivating keynotes, pitch panels, entertaining cast panels, networking events, and live comedy podcasts. Additionally, ComedyPRO is proud to present the annual, prestigious Just For Laughs Awards Show and red carpet, which is one of the most buzzworthy events of the festival. The awards honour and celebrate iconic and influential names in comedy that span generations, creating a memorable and star-studded afternoon that embodies the spirit of the comedy industry.
JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARDS SHOW
JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARD SHOW – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom |
3:00 PM
Hands-down, the funniest celebration with the biggest stars in comedy is the Just for Laughs Award Show! Don’t miss the raucous festivities and sincere camaraderie as friends, mentors, and fellow comics honor the comedy stars who made us laugh the most in 2023.
This yearâs recipients include:
Comedy Person of the Year – Quinta Brunson
The multi-talented Emmy award-winning actor, producer, writer, and creator, Quinta Brunson, has rapidly emerged as a prominent figure and game changer in the entertainment industry. She has been recognized as one of Time 100’s Most Influential People, Forbes’ 30 Under 30, and The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen Rising Young Stars. Brunson made history as the first Black woman to receive three Emmy nominations and win in the “Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series” category for her ABC series, Abbott Elementary. The show has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including five Golden Globe and six Critics Choice Awards among many other awards. Brunson was named one of the Just For Laughs New Faces: Creators in 2017, and since then, she has continued to make waves in the industry with her exceptional talent and groundbreaking work. The festival is honored to have her return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Comedy Person of the Year”.
Stand Up Comedian of the Year – Bert Kreischer
Bert Kreischerâs career has evolved from earning Rolling Stoneâs 1997 âNumber One Partier in the Nationâ, to one of the top grossing stand-up comics in the business. Ranked #4 in Pollstar’s “Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours” in 2022, Kreischer performs to sold-out arenas worldwide on his ongoing 2023 Tops Off World Tour and this summerâs Fully Loaded Comedy Festival. Renowned for his storytelling abilities, he authentically shares tales of family and fatherhood, showcasing how he seamlessly brings his party-boy persona into middle-age. On March 14th, 2023, Kreischer released his highly anticipated 5th stand-up special, Razzle Dazzle on Netflix. Shameless â and shirtless â as ever, Bert spills on bodily emissions, being bullied by his kids, and the explosive end to his family’s escape room outing. His stand-up specials, Secret Time, The Machine, and Hey Big Boy are also currently streaming on Netflix. Additionally, he stars in and produced the 2023 film The Machine, based on his own experiences with Russian mobsters during a college trip. Alongside his successful comedy career, Kreischer is a celebrated podcaster, hosting Bertcast and co-hosting Two Bears One Cave with Tom Segura. As the founder of Berty Boy Productions, his media company supports various podcasts, including Wife Of The Party and the digital series, Something’s Burning. Bert Kreischer continues to captivate audiences with his humor and versatile talent and the festival is honored to have him return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Stand Up Comedian of the Yearâ
Breakout Comedy Star of the Year â Ronny Chieng
Stand-up comedian, actor and correspondent on The Daily Show, Ronny Chieng has broken out with a mega successful acting career, starring in the worldwide hit film, Warner Brosâ Crazy Rich Asians. In addition to Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Disney’s Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., Universalâs M3GAN, NBC’s Young Rock, Disney+ series American Born Chinese, amongst his comedy specials currently available to stream on Netflix. Next, fans will see him in Huluâs upcoming series Interior Chinatown. The festival is honored to have him return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Breakout Comedy Star of the Yearâ.
Rising Comedy Star of the Year- Mae Martin
Award winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer, Mae Martin is seeing their star rise to fame at record speed. Their hit Netflix series, Feel Good is a scripted, semi-autobiographical comedy drama series, which they also created and co-wrote continues to collect international awards and nominations, making it one of the most trending series on the platform. They are also an accomplished author of Can Everyone Please Calm Down?: A Guide to 21st Century Sexuality, published in May 2019 by Hachette imprint Wren and Rook. Their standup specials have garnered rave reviews. First, Netflixâs Dope, which focuses on addiction; and most recently, Netflixâs SAP that continues to rake in high praise from critics and fans. The festival is honoured to have them return this year to accept the JFL Award for âRising Comedy Star of the Yearâ.
SPECIAL EVENTS
AIRPLANE! Live All-Star Cast Read directed by David Zucker – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 4:00 PM
Join us in celebrating the 43rd anniversary of the ground-breaking and legendary comedy film, AIRPLANE! with a raucously fun live staged reading of select scenes from the original script, by an All-Star cast of comedians and surprise fan-favorite guests. Writer-Director David Zucker will then join us “In Conversation” for candid insights and stories from his upcoming book, Surely You Canât Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! (St. Martinâs Press, Oct, 3, 2023).
CAST PANELS
Universal Television presents: The Cast of KILLING IT – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon
Ballroom | 2:30 PM
Meet the cast of KILLING IT, Peacock’s hit seriesabout class, capitalism, and one manâs quest to achieve the American Dream. But first he has to overcome vicious criminals, nature run wild, and worst of all, corporate America. This panel will feature never-before-seen clips from the seriesâ upcoming sophomore season, and hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from its stars who are sure to leave you laughing! KILLING IT, Season 2 returns this summer on Peacock.
Panel Features:
Craig Robinson (The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine)
Rell Battle (Superior Donuts)
and Claudia O’Doherty (Our Flag Means Death, Love)
HULU presents THIS FOOL: Sneak Peek Screening And Cast Conversation â Wednesday, July 26, 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 4:30 PM
Join us for a special sneak peek screening of the season two premiere episode of the critically acclaimed HULU series THIS FOOL and a conversation with its âprimoâ stars, Chris Estrada and Frankie Quiñones. Chris and Frankie will discuss their journey from stand up to scripted TV, their hilarious on-screen dynamics and the importance of authentic on-screen representation. If we are lucky, they may even give some hugs to us thugs. THIS FOOL season two premieres on July 28th on Hulu.
Panel Features:
Chris Estrada
Frankie Quiñones
CRAVE presents: The Cast and Creators of THE DESSERT âThursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 3:00 PM
Crave serves up the next generation of irreverent Canadian sketch comedy with an all-out, boundary-pushing expedition to the edge of decency. Join the executives, cast and creators of THE DESSERT as they take us through the creative development process of this audacious and rapid-fire celebration of the absurd. Executive Produced by Bruce McCulloch (Kids In the Hall), and Produced by LaRue Entertainment and Platonic Friends Productions the series premieres on Crave July 7th.
This panel discussion will be moderated by Executive Producer,Max Kerman (Arkells),
joined by:
Shane Cunningham, Co-Creator/Writer/Actor/Producer
Jonathan Popalis, Co-Creator/Head Writer/ Producer
Mike Veerman, Co-Creator/Writer/Director/Producer
Isabella Campbell, Writer/Actor
Jillian Smart, Writer/Actor
Justin Stockman, VP, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media
IN CONVERSATION SERIES
Faith In Comedy: In Conversation with Ramy Youssef – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 1:00 PM
Award-winning creator and comedian Ramy Youssef artfully portrays his Muslim faith with both devotion and defiance in his hit Hulu comedy show Ramy, while also expressing his faith in the divine art of stand-up comedy each time he takes the stage. Ramy and a special guest will discuss the polarizing, unifying, and contradictory intersections of religion and comedy in their personal writing and performance.
Featuring:
Ramy Youssef (Ramy, Mo, #1 Happy Family U.S.A.)
In Conversation with Please Donât Destroy – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 12:30pm
From Twitter to Studio 8H and now to the silver screen! Please Don’t Destroy trio Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy are live and In Conversation for the first time at JFL.
Join this hysterical trio as we hear the origin story of how they came together, rose through the SNL Digital Shorts ranks, and made the leap from short-form to long-form with their feature film, which is produced by Judd Apatow, coming out on November 17th on Peacock.
Panel features:
Ben Marshall
John Higgins
Martin Herlihy
COMEDYPROâS PREMIUM PODCASTS
ComedyPRO is thrilled to announce the return of Acast as the presenting sponsor of the ComedyPRO Premium Podcast Series. With an impressive lineup of today’s top charting comedy podcasts, Acast brings the excitement of live and in-person shows that will surely delight fans and industry insiders alike. Get ready to experience the laughter firsthand as Acast presents these highly acclaimed podcasts live at the festival.
The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 2:30 PM
Stand-up comedian and lifelong cynic Gianmarco Soresi interviews people more famous than him about all the downsides to their life. This is a podcast where complaining is encouraged, and negativity is celebrated. Misery loves company, and so does ComedyPRO! Leave your optimism at the door, and join Gianmarco and co-host Russell Daniels in debunking silver linings.
Let’s Make A Sci-Fi – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 4:45 PM
Can three comedians create a legit sci-fi movie? Comedians Ryan Beil, Maddy Kelly, and Mark Chavez are going to find out. In this hour-long live presentation of the Webby Award-winning podcast from CBC Podcasts, the three hosts sit down with a guest to pitch each other ideas for a serious science fiction movie and then hilariously hash it out to determine which idea Hollywood should make. Named, âBest Podcast of 2022â by The New Yorker; âA fun and lovely seriesâ by Vulture and “Best Podcast of 2022” by Amazon Music.
StraightioLab – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 12:30 PM
Straight culture: terrifying, fascinating, and endlessly entertaining. Very smart comedians George Civeris and Sam Taggart get to the BOTTOM of the mystery that is heterosexuality and its intricacies on their intellectual and hilarious TOP notch podcast StraightioLab. Scared? Good. From Big Money Players Network.
Kill Me Now with Judy Gold – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room 2:00 PM
Award winning comedian and writer, Judy Gold always seems to be pissed-off about something. Whether it’s your cheap friend who always gets up from the table when the check comes, to socio-economic injustices, we can all get angry at the mundane sometimes. So, come laugh your ass off while Judy vents with wit, humor and passion on her podcast Kill Me Now.
My Momma Told Me – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 11:00 AM
From Big Money Players Network, Comedians Langston Kerman and David Gborie take a deep dive into the most exciting, ground-breaking and sometimes problematic Black conspiracy theories. Theyâll have guests cover silly conspiracies, scary conspiracies and conspiracies they learned from that uncle who used to wear jeans when he went swimming in the public pool.
Steph Infection: The Podcast – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room 12:30 PM
Comedian Steph Tolev wants to know whatâs going on with your body. Gross ailments, crazy accidents, things doctors can’t figure out, and anything in between. Drop by and check in at the Ovation room for Steph Infection: The Podcast.
What’s Up Fool? – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 4:30 PM
Comedian Felipe Esparza talks with random people he finds interesting. It might be somebody kind of famous or it might be that homeless guy at the end of your street who you walk past every day without saying hello. Everyone has a story to tell about how they got where they are, no matter who they are.
Acast hit podcasts include,
The Best Hang Podcast – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 11:00 AM
Acastâs The Best Hang Podcast is a comedic weekly pop culture review, co-hosted by seasoned conversationalist Mike Veerman, Arkells frontman Max Kerman and comedian Shane Cunningham. Authentic and candid updates that cover media, pop culture, sports and the hostsâ unconventional circle of friends.
Phone a Friend with Jessi Cruickshank – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 12:00 PM
Comedian Jessi Cruickshank needed a safe space to talk about EVERYTHING without getting in trouble, and sheâs found it at ComedyPRO. On her podcast, Jessi gives her hot takes on whatâs happening in the world, in her home and in Pop Culture. But when she wants to dive deeper, sheâll get to Phone a Friend!
and the previously announced Giggly Squad â Thursday, July 27 2023 | Club Soda | 9:30pm
With more to be announced soon!
JUST FOR LAUGHSâ NEW FACES
The most highly anticipated industry showcase which serves as a launching pad for the next generation of comedic talent, the infamous New Faces series will take place Wednesday, July 26 â Friday, July 28, 2023. Handpicked by JFL producers, this platform not only provides these emerging talents with invaluable exposure but also serves as a catalyst for their careers, opening doors to new opportunities, representation, and industry recognition. This showcase continues to be a celebrated tradition, shining a spotlight on the brightest comedy stars of tomorrow.
This yearâs cohorts will be announced on Monday, July 24, 2023. But donât wait to get your tickets as these shows are some of the most in demand and sell out quickly.
New Faces of Comedy: Group 1 – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 7:00 PM
New Faces of Comedy: Group 2 – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 9:30 PM
New Faces of Comedy: Creators – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 1:00 PM
New Faces of Comedy: Characters – Thursday, July 27 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 7:00 PM
New Faces of Comedy: Unrepped – Thursday, July 27 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 9:30 PM
New Faces of Comedy: International – Friday, July 28 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 7:00 PM
New Faces of Comedy: Canada – Friday, July 28 2023 | Salle Ludger-Duvernay, Monument-National | 9:30 PM
Varietyâs Top 10 Comics to Watch
Earlier this month, Variety revealed their highly anticipated 2023 cohort of Varietyâs Top 10 Comics to Watch. This annual list showcases their list of the industry’s brightest and most promising comedic talents. Join us in person for their two annual festival events to honor these artists.
Cohen Gardner LLP presents Variety 10 Comics To Watch Showcase – Saturday, July 29 2023 | Monument National- Ludger-Duvernay | 9:30 PM
Catch the best and brightest from â10 Comics To Watchâ and let them show you why they made the 2023 list. For the full list, visit: (link)
Participating in alphabetical order:
Hannah Berner, Kurtis Conner, Zarna Garg, Ian Lara, Joanne McNally, Leanne Morgan, Nimesh Patel, Brian Simpson, Sabrina Wu.
Cohen Gardner LLP presents VARIETY’S “10 COMICS TO WATCHâ Uncensored 2023 â Friday, July 28 | 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 12:30 PM
We sit down with Varietyâs 2023 â10 Comics to Watchâ for an hour of spontaneous and honest conversation about comedy. Hear about their struggles, epiphanies, crashes and breakthroughs, as these best and brightest comics of the year come together to share their comedy origin stories and whatâs next for them on the road ahead.
Participating in alphabetical order:
Hannah Berner, Kurtis Conner, Zarna Garg, Ian Lara, Joanne McNally, Leanne Morgan, Nimesh Patel, Brian Simpson, Sabrina Wu.
Just For Laughs MONTRĂAL would like to thank its sponsors without whom this edition would not have been possible: Beneva and Chevrolet.
We would also like to acknowledge the exceptional help and support of our public partners: Government of Canada through Canada Economic Development and Canadian Heritage, the Gouvernement du Québec through the ministÚre du Tourisme, the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine and the SODEC, as well as the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal and Montréal centre-ville.
COMEDYPRO TICKET DETAILS:
Various ComedyPRO passes are available for purchase at www.comedypro.hahaha.com
Student Pass gives access to many events and live shows throughout ComedyPRO and networking opportunities. You must present your student card upon picking up your Student Pass at the event.
FESTIVAL TICKET DETAILS:
Festival passes and tickets for Just For Laughs MONTRĂAL and can be purchased at www.hahaha.com
Today, Corus Entertainment announces its upcoming lineup of new and returning premium original content for 2023/2024. This includes a total of 25 new and returning series, with 11 titles from Corus Studios and eight from Nelvana.
âCorus continues to produce the best Canadian content for our great channels and to delight audiences around the world. Our ever-growing slate of original content entices viewers with diverse scripted and unscripted series, which showcase real-life experiences, engaging storylines, and Canadian talent who are leaders in their industries,â said Colin Bohm, Executive Vice President, Content and Corporate Strategy, Corus Entertainment. âThrough Corus Studios, Nelvana, Aircraft Pictures, Waterside Studios, and our esteemed production partners, we are proud of our upcoming slate of new titles and tried-and-true formats, sure to delight audiences.â
With programming sold to more than 150 countries around the globe, Corus Studios has proven itself a leader in original Canadian lifestyle and unscripted content, extending its catalogue with 11 new and returning titles across Top 10 specialty stations*, Food Network Canada, HGTV Canada, and The HISTORYÂź Channel.
Nelvana maintains its position as a world-renowned international producer and distributor of childrenâs animated and live-action content, with programming seen in over 180 countries around the world. This year is no exception, with eight new and returning series coming soon to Corusâ leading kidsâ networks, Treehouse and YTV.
LIFESTYLE
Food Network Canada
A Top 10 specialty network* and the ultimate culinary destination, Food Network Canadaâs esteemed culinary competition series Top Chef Canada, a Top 10 specialty entertainment series last year*, makes its epic return for Season 11 (8Ă60) expected to premiere in late 2024. A new roster of revered chefs will put it all on the line during this fierce and fiery culinary face-off, competing to take home the title of Canadaâs Top Chef. During this seasonâs fast-paced challenges, the chefs must impress Top Chef Canadaâs acclaimed judging panel, as well as notable names from the culinary world who will join each week as guest judges and tasters. Top Chef Canada is the homegrown version of the hit EmmyÂź Award-winning Bravo series Top Chef. The format is licensed globally by NBCUniversal Formats, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Corus Studiosâ The Big Bake will tantalize taste buds and hype up the holidays this fall with Season 4 (7Ă60 Halloween and 7Ă60 Holiday) of the larger-than-life themed baking series. Each episode of this fun-filled baking competition series gives three professional baking teams only five hours to design, bake and decorate a grand-scale cake creation based on a particular theme. In the end, the most ambitious, eye-popping and delicious cake will go home with a $10,000 prize.
HGTV Canada
HGTV Canada holds its position as the nationâs destination for all things home. The Top 5 specialty network* has inspiring and heart-warming programming that fits any style.
Viewers can look forward to a two-episode tease of the new Corus Studios series, Bryanâs All In (10Ă60) this fall, with the rest of the season airing in spring 2024. The series sees HGTV Canada star Bryan Baeumler travels off-the-beaten path to help struggling entrepreneurs renovate their businesses. These are ambitious dreamers who are risking it all for their passion projects, making major life changes to become their own boss â just like Bryan did. In each episode, Bryan hits the open road in his RV, spending a week helping a budding business owner through a make-or-break point in their reno. He acts as their coach and mentor, helping them overcome major hurdles, while tackling key builds in a race to open or revive their business.
The networkâs #2 program last summer**, Corus Studiosâ Scottâs Vacation House Rules also returns with new episodes this fall (7Ă60), with Scott McGillivray using his five rules to turn problem properties into profit. Along with designer Debra Salmoni, Scott unlocks the hidden rental potential of even the most neglected properties, updating and reviving them into unique and buzz-worthy places of paradise. As previously announced, this series has also been greenlit for Season 5, as part of HGTV Canada and Scott McGillivrayâs four-year production commitment and exclusivity deal, and will air in the spring of 2024.
The networkâs late 2024 schedule is expected to feature a diverse round-up of new and returning Corus Studios series. Hollywood icon Pamela Anderson returns for Season 2 of Pamelaâs Garden of Eden (8Ă60), which ranked within the Top 10 of Canadian original series across specialty television last fall. Also returning for a Season 2 is Gut Job (8Ă60) following seasoned builder Sebastian Clovis tackling down-to-the-studs renovations; and Hoarder House Flippers (8Ă60), a Top 10 program on the network last summer, featuring three sets of flippers transforming dilapidated houses. Fan-favourite Rock Solid Builds (8Ă60), a Top 20 specialty entertainment series last spring, kicks off Season 3, showcasing even more unique and challenging builds by Randy Spracklin and his crew in Newfoundland. Joining the HGTV Canada lineup in late 2024 is the new series House of Ali (8Ă60), following no-nonsense luxury home designer Ali Budd and her all-female firm, responsible for designing some of the most bespoke and upscale homes in North America.
The HISTORYÂź Channel
A Top 10 specialty network*, The HISTORYÂź Channel spotlights true stories, big adventures, and a diversity of underrepresented voices with its slate of six new and returning factual and documentary titles.
In honour of Canadaâs National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, picking up where Part 1 left off, True Story Part 2 (1Ă120), examines the painful legacy of the Indian Act and Residential School system on Indigenous peoples, the Sixties Scoop, the rise of Indigenous political movements and the role of Indigenous veterans in Canadaâs military.
This Remembrance Day, Our War Part 2 (2Ă60), will shine a light on extraordinary Canadians who made heroic contributions to WWI and WWII. From the descendant of a World War I nurse killed in a war crime to a Japanese Canadian survivor of a World War II internment camp, the docu-series follow descendants as they investigate the harrowing secrets their ancestors took to the grave.
Then in winter, the premium limited documentary series Sounds Black (4Ă60) examines the origins and impact of Black Music in Canada. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Cazhhmere, with contributions from legends including Kardinal Offishall, Jully Black, Fefe Dobson, Maestro Fresh Wes, Deborah Cox, Keisha Chante and more, the series explores Black Canadian music from its tangled diasporic roots to its international dominance.
A Top 10 program on the network last fall*, Deadmanâs Curse returns for Season 2 (8Ă60), with more adventures following the diverse team of explorers on their epic search for legendary lost gold in B.C. Ahead of the second season premiering next spring, the Corus Studios series has already been greenlit for a third season. The series is complemented by a previously announced companion podcast from Curiouscast, Deadmanâs Curse: Slumachâs Gold. Hosted by series star Kru Williams, the podcast takes listeners deeper into the history of Slumachâs legacy.
Rounding out the spring lineup of Corus Studios series, Rust Valley Restorers (8Ă60), a Top 5 program on the network last spring***, returns for Season 5, offering classic car fanatics some fresh adventures from Mike, Avery and Connor; as well as Season 2 of Backroad Truckers (8Ă60) following the wildest band of road runners as they crisscross the unforgiving terrain of Western Canada with bigger jobs, bigger machines, and even bigger feuds.
Hosted Segments
Following the success of the short-form content series W Networkâs Movie Date, hosted by Sarah Keenleyside, Brittnee Blair, and Noah Cappe, and Showcaseâs Watch Party, hosted by Fred Kennedy, HGTV Canada and Food Network Canada will introduce their own branded models this fall. HGTV Canadaâs DIY Studio will be hosted by Sebastian Clovis, Sarah Keenleyside and Kenny Brain and is designed to grab viewersâ attention with quick tips and fixes for their home renovation projects throughout the networkâs linear broadcast. Food Network Canadaâs hosted segments will be helmed by Chef Anna Olson who will be serving up all things delicious in snackable broadcast and digital content pieces that help audiences discover their next great recipe.
NELVANA & KIDS
YTV
This summer, the mystery continues with The Hardy Boysâ third and final season (8Ă60) premiering on YTV. Based on the beloved books by Franklin W. Dixon and nominated for a Daytime EmmyÂź Award and seven Canadian Screen Awards, things pick up where the shocking events of Season 2 left off. The Hardy boys and their friends dig up even more secrets, conspiracies, and threats as they piece together their great-grandfatherâs long-lost map and race against time to uncover a powerful ancient relic before it falls into the wrong hands.
Best & Bester (6Ă30) also returns with the pair of hilariously individual twins continuing their adventures living in a weird and wonderful alternate reality where your neighbour could be a pair of disgruntled trousers or your best friend a floating cloud of bottom burp.
Up next, based on the best-selling book series and produced by Corus Entertainmentâs Aircraft Pictures and WexWorks Media, Popularity Papers (26Ă30) continues to follow middle-school besties Julie and Lydia on their quest to demystify one of lifeâs greatest questions: what makes someone popular? Every social experiment they test comes with unexpected lessons about the value of friendship, kindness, and confidence, helping guide our characters through the struggles of middle school with humour and heart.
Treehouse
Treehouse original series Builder Brothers Dream Factory gets ready to GEAR UP and GET IT DONE with new episodes (10Ă11) beginning this fall. Distributed by Nelvana and co-produced by Sinking Ship Entertainment and Scott Brothers Entertainment, twin brothers Drew and Jonathan continue to use their extraordinary imagination, creativity, grit, and heart â coupled with a big dose of TWINSPIRATION to help friends and solve problems in the neighbourhood by dreaming big.
Fans of Thomas & Friends franchise can look forward to a new special with the beloved engines in Thomas & Friends: The Great Bubbly Build (1Ă30) airing this fall. The special sees Sandy and Carly set out to make an art project together, but when their ideas clash and the project fails, they learn that it needs the right mix of both ideas to succeed.
Agent Binky: Pets of the Universe, Season 3 continues (10Ă30) with more fur-raising adventures on Treehouse this summer and fall. Produced by redknot, a joint venture between Nelvana and Warner Bros. Discovery, P.U.R.S.T. agents Binky, Gracie, Gordon, Loo and Nola are ready to soar into new adventures and protect their human families and the entire world from even more aliens, robots, and the WURST villains. Packed with action, humour, and heart, the third season features fun-themed episodes and missions that are literally out-of-this-world.
This fall also sees the premiere of Nelvana short film Jelly (1Ă13), an inspirational modern fairy tale. The film follows Molly, a fiercely talented artist, debating whether to pursue her creative passion or work a soul-sucking factory job. She canât decide until she meets a mysterious liquid spirit who takes her on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery and helps make the choice easy.
Next summer, the Nelvana-produced series Millie Magnificent (52Ă11) premieres, inspired by Canadian author-illustrator Ashley Spiresâ popular childrenâs book, The Most Magnificent Thing, published by Kids Can Press. With a spark of imagination and endless determination, Millie and her Creato-crew friends, Maya and Ben, together with her adorable canine assistant, Wallace, strive to find the most magnificent solutions to their neighbourhoodâs challenges.
As part of Corusâ expansive distribution strategy, its originals portfolio extends to streaming with the latest episodes available on STACKTV, a portal to hit TV including scripted and unscripted series, and news programs. STACKTV features 16 of Canadaâs top TV networks, all on one platform. All series, movies and specials that air on Global Television, Food Network Canada, HGTV Canada, W Network, The HISTORYÂź Channel, Adult Swim, Slice, Showcase, National Geographic, Lifetime, TELETOON, Treehouse, YTV, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior.
Select series from Corusâ iconic lifestyle catalogue are also available live and on demand on a selection of the companyâs 45 FAST (free ad-supported television) channels on Pluto TV in Canada. Viewers can tap into Corusâ popular lifestyle series â for free â on Pluto TV with channels like Reno & Flip (Masters of Flip), Reno Rehab (Home to Win, Tackle My Reno, Holmes Makes it Right), Reno Duo (Property Brothers, Property Brothers: Forever Home), Fixers and Flippers (Love It or List It, Love It Or List It Vancouver) and so much more. In addition to Corus content, the popular FAST service is home to over 140 channels featuring hit movies, shows, local news, weather and so much more. Pluto TV is available for free, with no registration or subscription required. Canadian users can watch Pluto TV via web at www.pluto.tv, via the Pluto TV app for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Android TV, Chromecast, Samsung and LG devices, and via mobile apps on the App Store and Google Play.
About Corus Studios
Established in 2015, Corus Studios, a division of Corus Entertainment, is a premium content studio that develops, produces and distributes a wide array of original lifestyle, unscripted and factual content globally. Offering dynamic programming that entertains, informs and drives audiences across platforms, Corus Studios content is featured across Corusâ suite of channels, including HGTV Canada, The HISTORYÂź Channel, Food Network Canada, and SLICE™. To date, Corus Studios content has been sold in over 150 territories worldwide.
About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that develops and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. Engaging audiences since 1999, the companyâs portfolio of multimedia offerings encompass 33 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, digital and streaming services, animation software, technology and media services. Corus is an internationally-renowned content creator and distributor through Nelvana, a world class animation studio expert in all formats and Corus Studios, a globally recognized producer of hit scripted and unscripted content. The company also owns full-service social digital agency so.da, lifestyle entertainment company Kin Canada, leading 2D animation software supplier Toon Boom and childrenâs book publishing house, Kids Can Press. Corusâ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Magnolia Network Canada, The HISTORYÂź Channel, Showcase, Adult Swim, National Geographic, Disney Channel Canada, YTV, Global News, Globalnews.ca, Q107, Country 105, and CFOX, along with streaming platforms STACKTV, TELETOON+, the Global TV App and Curiouscast. Corus is the domestic advertising representative and an original content partner for Pluto TV, a Paramount Company, which is the leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service. For more information visit www.corusent.com.
About STACKTV
STACKTV is Corus Entertainmentâs premium multi-channel television streaming service that offers thousands of hours of exclusive hit content from 16 of Canadaâs top TV networks, all on one platform. All series, movies and specials that air on Global Television, Food Network Canada, HGTV Canada, W Network, The HISTORYÂź Channel, Adult Swim, Slice, Showcase, National Geographic, Lifetime, TELETOON, Treehouse, YTV, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior are available to stream on STACKTV live and on demand with new content added daily. STACKTV is available via Amazon Prime Video Channels, FuboTV, Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite Streaming. For more information, visit stacktv.ca.
About Pluto TV
Pluto TV, a Paramount Company, is the leading free streaming television service delivering hundreds of live linear channels and thousands of titles on-demand to a global audience of 79 million monthly active users. The Emmy Âź award-winning service curates a diverse lineup of channels, in partnership with over 400 international media companies, offering a wide array of genres, languages and categories featuring movies, television series, sports, news, lifestyle, kids and much more. Pluto TV can be easily accessed and streamed across mobile, web and connected TV devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Pluto TVâs growing international footprint extends across three continents and over 35 markets.
Just For Laughs, in association with Loto-QuĂ©bec, is proud to announce their newest lineup of artists performing at the 41st edition of the Just For Laughs MONTRĂAL festival, taking place from July 14 – July 29, 2023.
With a renowned reputation for creating legendary comedy moments over 40 years, the festival consistently delivers unforgettable experiences, and this year will be no exception!
New acts joining this yearâs lineup include:
GALAS
The Leslie Jones Gala – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – ThĂ©Ăątre Maisonneuve, 9:45 p.m.
Three-time Emmy nominee and SNL alum, Leslie Jones can currently be seen starring in Taika Waititiâs pirate comedy series Our Flag Means Death for HBO Max. Jones is currently collaborating with Ruben Fleischer and David Bernad to produce an untitled Christmas comedy for Lionsgate. Additionally, she will be lending her talents to her new podcast, The Fckury, alongside co-host Lenny Marcus on Stitcher. Recently, she completed filming her new role on the second season of the hit series, BMF for Starz which is executive produced by Curtis (50 Cent) Jackson and written/produced by Randy Huggins. Jones also wrapped production on Out of Office, a film featuring Ken Jeong, Jason Alexander, and Cheri Oteri. In 2020, she starred alongside Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall in Craig Brewer’s Coming 2 America, which earned her the “Best Comedic Performance” award at the 2021 MTV Movie and TV Awards; as well as a nomination for “Favorite Movie Star” at the 2021 People’s Choice Awards. Jones has an impressive filmography that includes hits The Angry Bird Movie 2, We are Family, Masterminds, Sing, Ghostbusters, Trainwreck, and more.
The Eddie Izzard Gala – Friday, July 28, 2023 – ThĂ©Ăątre Maisonneuve, 9:45 p.m.
One of the most celebrated comics of her generation since the early nineties, Eddie Izzard has an equally stellar reputation as a film, television and stage actor. Izzardâs world-renowned stand-up shows include Unrepeatable, Definite Article, Glorious and Dress to Kill, which earned her a New York Drama Desk Award and two Emmys. Izzard now tours her shows in four languages English, French, German and Spanish in countries all over the world. She completed her most recent global tour, Wunderbar, in 2020, to wide critical acclaim. Highlights from Izzard’s film career include Six Minutes to Midnight, Stephen Frearâs Victoria and Abdul, Oceanâs Thirteen, and Valkerie. TV credits include NBCâs Hannibal, Netflixâs Stay Close, and Showtimeâs United States of Tara, amongst many others. This summer, Izzard will transfer her critically acclaimed one-person show, Great Expectations, from Broadway to Londonâs West End.
The Mae Martin Gala – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – ThĂ©Ăątre Maisonneuve, 7:00 p.m.
Mae Martin is an award-winning Canadian comedian, actor, writer, and producer who can be seen starring in Feel Good; a scripted, semi-autobiographical comedy drama series, which they also created and co-wrote. Co-starring Lisa Kudrow and Charlotte Ritchie, the series launched globally on Netflix and Channel 4 in the UK to widespread praise and a perfect 100% âCertified Freshâ score on Rotten Tomatoes. Martinâs performance earned them a RTS “Breakthrough Award” and Bafta TV award nomination as well as “Best Comedy Writer” again at RTS. Feel Good also won the Edinburgh TV award for âBest Comedyâ as well as the âBest Comedy Drama seriesâ at the C21 award and “Best Scripted Representation of LGBQT+” at the Mipcom Diversify Awards. Their stand-up show, Dope, focused on addiction and was nominated for “Best Comedy Show” at the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Awards while earning four- and five-star national reviews in the UK. The show has since been turned into a stand-up special for Netflix as part of their first global stand-up series, Comedians of the World. Followed by their recently released Netflix special, âSAPâ which has been widely applauded by international critics as one of their best specials to date.
In addition, the previously announced must-see Galas this year include:
The RP4 â A Very Special Event – Hosted by Russell Peters – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 & Thursday, July 27, 2023 – ThĂ©Ăątre Maisonneuve, 7:00 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.
Join Russell Peters for a landmark Just For Laughs event as he hosts four special galas, each with a unique star-studded line-up of carefully curated comics. Always uncensored and honest, Russell will be at the helm of shows that will be guaranteed to be provocative, funny and unforgettable.
The Jack Whitehall Gala – Friday, July 28, 2023 – ThĂ©Ăątre Maisonneuve, 7:00 p.m.
Award winning comedian, actor and world traveller, Jack Whitehall, is making his way to Just For Laughs MONTRĂAL this summer to host his very own Gala. Widely celebrated for his hit Netflix show Travels With My Father, his starring role in the BBCâs adaptation of Decline & Fall and Bad Education, he can also be seen in Disneyâs The Nutcracker And The Four Realms, Amazonâs Good Omens and Clifford The Big Red Dog.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks when we announce the artists who will be joining these incredible line-ups for an evening full of laughs!
CONCERT SHOWS
Ronny Chieng – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – LâOlympia, 7:00 p.m.
Ronny Chieng is a stand-up comedian, actor and Correspondent on The Daily Show. He starred in the worldwide hit movie Crazy Rich Asians, his Netflix stand-up comedy special Asian Comedian Destroys America! and has appeared on Young Rock, Godzilla vs Kong, Bliss, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and has been featured in The New York Times, GQ amongst others. Most recently, he also starred in the mega Marvel Studio’s hit movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Neal Brennan: BRAND NEW NEAL – Friday, July 28, 2023 – LâOlympia, 9:30 p.m.
Three-time Emmy nominated writer, director, producer, and standup comedian Neal Brennan has become a force in the comedy world. Nealâs newest podcast, The Blocks Podcast – based on his newest comedy special, can be heard on all podcast platforms. That latest Netflix comedy special Neal Brennan: Blocks, was adapted from Nealâs hit one-man show Unacceptable. The stage show had a sold-out NYC residency in the Fall of 2021, with Interview Magazine lauding âtogether, Brennan and DelGaudio have crafted a genre-bending show focused as much on fun and laughter as it is on intimacy and honestyâ and Theatermania gushing âThe comedians Neal Brennan has written for is insane⊠Even more insane (in the best way), is the material Brennan writes for himself.â As in-demand behind the camera as he is in front of it, Neal was recently a writer, creative consultant, and on-air correspondent on Comedy Centralâs The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. He is a long-time collaborator of iconic comedian Dave Chappelle, with whom he has created multiple comedy fan favourites including the legendary Chappelleâs Show and the Emmy-winning Saturday Night Live episode immediately following the 2016 presidential election. Neal served as Executive Producer on Chris Rockâs recent standup special Chris Rock: Tamborine and as Director on fellow Daily Show Correspondent Michelle Wolfâs HBO special Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady.
Ramy Youssef – Friday, July 28, 2023 & Saturday July 29, 2023 – GesĂč, 7:00 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Ramy Youssef is an award-winning Egyptian American creator, actor, producer, director, and comedian who brings his unique voice and perspective to his storytelling. Youssef created, produces, directs and stars in the hit Hulu show Ramy, inspired by his own experiences centring around a first-generation Egyptian-American Muslim on a spiritual journey in his politically divided New Jersey neighbourhood. He won a Golden GlobeÂź in 2020 on behalf of Ramy in the category of âBest Performance by an Actor in a Television Series â Musical or Comedy.â In 2020, the Television Academy nominated Youssef for two Emmy AwardsÂź in the categories of âOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Seriesâ and âOutstanding Directing for a Comedy Seriesâ on behalf of the second season of Ramy. He also won the Peabody Award on behalf of the series. The third season of Youssefâs widely celebrated Ramy premiered on September 30th, 2022. Youssef was also nominated for a Criticsâ Choice Award and a Writers Guild Award for his one-hour HBO comedy special Ramy Youssef: Feelings, produced by A24.
Youssef is a co-creator and executive producer of Netflixâs new series Mo, a semi-autobiographical series inspired by Amerâs life as a Palestinian refugee growing up in Houston. Mo recently debuted to critical acclaim and was produced with A24 and Youssefâs new production company, Cairo Cowboy.
Darcy & Jer – Friday, July 28, 2023 – LâOlympia, 7:00 p.m.
Together for over 20 years, Darcy & Jer are first and foremost proud dads to their daughter Grace and their golden retriever Yuma. And second, theyâre idiots on the internet. Known for their hilarious videos around their relationship, ADHD, plants and more, Darcy & Jer have quickly become household names with a global audience. After just 3 years creating content online, they stand today with a combined total of over 4.5 million followers across platforms with an average of 50 million views a month. Darcy Michael and Jeremy Baer have become leaders in comedy content creation. Their comedy has allowed them to build a community that celebrates conversations around mental health, relationships, politics and living a happier life.
With Darcy having ADHD and the pair being members of the LGTBQ+ community, Darcy and Jer aim to create an inclusive, safe environment celebrating life with neurodivergence. Darcy and Jerâs sense of humour, joyful personalities, and unique content continues to build them an adoring fanbase. Aiming to grow beyond their online content, in 2023 Darcy & Jer debuted their live comedy show at the Just for Laughs Vancouver Festival. With plans for a full comedy tour across North America, they will also be following up their hit road-trip series Darcy & Jer Do America with season two Darcy & Jer Do Europe coming later this spring.
Brad Williams – Wednesday, July 26, 2023, MTELUS, 7:00 p.m.
Brad Williams is undeniably one of the funniest comedians in the industry today, earning his spot as one of the most sought-after and in-demand performers. Starting his stand-up comedy journey as a teenager, Williams has since embarked on successful tours that regularly sell out renowned venues across the nation and around the globe. Notably, he has made memorable appearances on esteemed stand-up television shows such as The Tonight Show, Dave Attell’s Comedy Underground, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. With his first one-hour special, Fun Size, becoming the highest-rated special on Showtime, Williams continued to amaze audiences with subsequent specials like Daddy Issues and his uproarious hosting at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. Garnering massive ratings and rave reviews, his ground-breaking special on Netflix, The Degenerates, solidified his status as a comedic force to be reckoned with. Beyond his comedy prowess, Williams has showcased his acting skills on TV shows like FX’s Legit, and Hulu’s original series Deadbeat and others. In a remarkable achievement, Williams became the first stand-up comedian to headline a Cirque du Soleil show, Mad Apple, receiving tremendous acclaim for his captivating performances. Alongside his career in stand-up and acting, Williams co-created and co-hosted the highly successful podcast About Last Night with fellow comedian Adam Ray. With his witty and inspiring observations on disability, relationships, sex, and race, Williams continues to win over audiences and prove that anyone can overcome their shortcomings. His electrifying stage presence often leads to standing ovations, prompting the late Robin Williams to aptly describe him as “Prozac with a head.”
Please Donât Destroy Live – Friday, July 28, 2023 â Club Soda, 7:00 p.m.
Please Donât Destroy is made up of Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy. They are currently writing and making videos for Saturday Night Live â favorites include âThree Sad Virginsâ featuring Taylor Swift and Pete Davidson, âGood Variant,â âHard Seltzerâ, âThe Stakeoutâ, âHangxietyâ and more. Theyâve been beloved repeat guests at NBCâs annual Miley Cyrusâs New Yearâs Eve Party. Even before their viral videos online, the guys performed live sketch together all over NYC â since then theyâve headlined at the Netflix is a Joke Festival, the New York Comedy Festival, were featured at The Life is Beautiful Festival in Las Vegas, and consistently sell out colleges and marquee shows across the country. Ben, John, and Martin wrote and will star in their first movie, produced by Judd Apatow, coming out on November 17th on Peacock.
Foil Arms & Hog: Hogwash – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – MTELUS, 7:00 p.m.
Foil Arms and Hog are an Irish sketch comedy group comprising Sean Finegan (Foil), Conor McKenna (Arms) and Sean Flanagan (Hog). The group performs on TV, radio, the stage and online. The trio write, shoot and edit a new sketch every week in their office, releasing it for YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Foil Arms and Hog do not have a specific genre, and make sketches that are often observational and occasionally topical. Popular sketches released to YouTube include When Irish People Can’t Speak Irish, An Englishman Plays Risk, WTF is Brexit, and How to Speak Dublin. Foil, Arms and Hog also perform live shows, primarily in Ireland and the United Kingdom, but also in the United States, Australia, Europe and a number of runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where they have become the biggest selling act for the last 3 years running. The group’s name evolved from nicknames each of the members had for each other, Foil (Finnegan) being the comedy foil, Arms (McKenna) was ‘All arms and Legs’ and Hog (Flanagan) because he ostensibly hogged the limelight. As of 2023, the group has 1.4 million followers on Facebook and 862 thousand YouTube subscribers. Their videos have amassed over 1 billion views online. They met each other in university, (where they studied engineering, architecture and genetics), formed the group and have been touring our live shows in Ireland, Europe, the US and Australia over the last thirteen years to audience and critical acclaim (no really).
Giggly Squad – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Club Soda, 9:30 p.m.
Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner bring their top-rated podcast on the road. This live show will make fun of pop culture, fashion, dating, and get the crowd involved like theyâve never been able to before. Giggles are guaranteed. See you in court.
Hannah Berner Live – Friday, July 28, 2023 – Le Studio TD, 9:30 p.m.
One of JFLâs 2022 New Faces, Hannah Berner emerged on the comedy scene by directing, editing, and acting in videos on Instagram and writing viral tweets. She has two podcasts, Giggly Squad and Berning In Hell, with over 20 million combined downloads. She was a co-host on Bravoâs Chat Room, as well as a member of Bravoâs Summer House for three seasons, and has over 3.3 million followers across her social media platforms. She currently performs standup in NYC and at clubs and theatres all around the country.
Jessica Kirson – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Club Soda, 7:00 p.m.
Jessica Kirson is a powerhouse on stage. Sheâs a hilariously relatable performer of sheer silliness, vulnerability, and ridiculous characters. Jessicaâs one-hour special Talking to Myself was executive produced by Bill Burr and debuted on Comedy Central. She has also been featured on Netflix, is a regular on This Week at the Comedy Cellar, and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The View, HBOâs Crashing, and Kevin Can Wait. Her countless comedic character videos have racked up over 200 million views on social media. Her audience is multigenerational, creating an excuse for large groups of friends and families to spend a night out together. In an era where only 10% of all touring comedians are female, she stands out as one of the strongest comedians regardless of gender.
Joanne McNally – The Prosecco Express – Friday July 28, 2023 – Club Soda, 9:30 p.m.
Described by the Sunday Times as a âtruly gifted stand-upâ, Joanne McNally has been taking Ireland and the UKâs comedy scene by storm, enjoying sell-out Edinburgh runs with her stand-up shows Wine Tamer and The Prosecco Express. Both shows have toured in Ireland, and she has sold out over 50 nights at Vicar Street in Dublin, four nights at the London Palladium, and three nights at Londonâs Eventim Apollo.
She is the co-host of the hugely popular podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, alongside her best friend Vogue Williams, which has over a million downloads a week. She created, wrote and presented the funny and insightful documentary Baby Hater which was broadcast in Ireland for TV3. Her first one woman show, Bite Me, a show about eating disorders, was nominated for multiple awards at the Dublin Fringe in 2016. Her numerous TV credits include ITVâs The Jonathan Ross Show, Comedy Centralâs Guessable and Comedians Solve World Problems, BBCâs Michael McIntyreâs The Wheel, Richard Osmanâs House of Games, Channel 4âs The Big Fat Quiz of Everything, and Joe Lycettâs Got Your Back.
Joe Dombrowski – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – Club Soda, 7:00 p.m.
Joe Dombrowski (aka Mr. D) took the world by storm in 2017 with a viral April Foolsâ Day spelling test prank that landed him multiple appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres show. Donât get it twisted though! It takes at least 20 years to be an overnight sensation! He has been doing stand-up comedy since he was eight years old in his third-grade talent show. Heâs never stopped! Since Joeâs rise to fame, he has been travelling the globe with his stand-up comedy which often highlights his crazy life as an elementary teacher. When heâs not getting creative on screens and stages, Joe spends his time in Seattle, Washington producing his podcast, Social Studies where he recaps absolutely insane stories from fans all over the world.
Felipe Esparza – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 – Le Studio TD, 9:30 p.m.
Felipe Esparza is a stand-up comedian and actor who has come a long way since winning NBCâs Last Comic Standing in 2010. While that may have opened doors and helped build his fan base around the country, his hard work and focus in more recent years has brought him longevity. With three successful stand-up specials on Netflix and HBO, his Whatâs Up Fool? Podcast holding steady as one of the top comedy podcasts for the last eight years, and his sold-out tour dates all over the country, he is now at a point where he is moving more into TV and film. He has been a recurring favourite on TV Shows such as Superstore, The Eric Andre Show, Gentefied, and Victor and Valentino, as well as appearing in films including Guest House with Pauly Shore, 7th & Union with Omar Chaparro, Daddy Daughter Trip with Rob Schneider and You People with Eddie Murphy and Jonah Hill.
CLUB SERIES
The Nasty Show – Tuesday, July 18, 2023 to Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Club Soda, daily at 9:30 p.m. **with two special midnight performances added on Friday, July 21, & Saturday, July 22.
NOTE: Mike Ward will not be performing on Saturday, July 22. The host for that evening will be announced shortly.
The Nasty Show is back and will be hands-down the filthiest show of the entire festival. Prepare yourself for a night of comedyâs dirtiest minds, and see for yourself why this is one of the festivalâs longest-running shows.
Drum roll, pleaseâŠ. This year’s host for The Nasty Show will be none other than the award winning, Guinness Record breaking, Supreme Court triumphing French Canadian comedy icon, Mike Ward! Ward has performed at every major comedy festival on the planet. The QuĂ©bec comic set a Guinness World Record for the most tickets sold for a podcast recording, selling more than 20,000 tickets for the recording of his hit franco podcast, Sous Ă©coute at the MontrĂ©al Bell Centre in July 2022. His stand-up has aired on TV in 20 countries including Showtime, HBO, France 2, Comedy Central, RTS Deux, and Network 10, just to name a few. With over 100 million downloads, his French podcast Mike Ward Sous Ecoute is the most listened to French-language comedy podcast in the world. Itâs not just a podcast, it has become a Quebec cultural phenomenon. He even sold-out the Bell Centre for a taping of an episode. 20,986 tickets sold, beating the previous world record by more than 7,000 thousand. You can listen to his English podcast, 2 Drink Minimum (with Pantelis & Poseidon), wherever you get your podcasts.
Joining this yearâs previously announced lineup that includes Donnell Rawlings, Steph Tolev and Adrienne Iapalucci will be Geoffrey Asmus.
Geoffrey Asmus began performing stand-up in 2013 immediately after wasting $143,548 on seven college degrees and becoming a 1st grade teacher. He regularly performs at the World-Famous Comedy Cellar in New York City, and was named one of the 2016 New Faces at MontrĂ©alâs Just For Laughs Festival. Amus has also opened for Dave Attell, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Fortune Feimster, Sam Morrill, and Daniel Sloss among others. He headlines comedy clubs nationwide. In 2021 his debut album âProdigal Little Bitchâ went to #1 on iTunes. He also records the weekly âYouâre An Idiotâ podcast with Alex Dragicevich. More recently, Asmus has found success growing his social media platforms with his unfiltered stand-up clips, and has recorded an hour special that will air later this year!
Thatâs not all! Additional acts will be announced soon.
Brit(ish) – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 to Saturday July 29, 2023 – Le Studio TD, 7:00 p.m.
Back by popular demand, Brit(ish) brings together a collection of uproariously hilarious comedians from across the pond. While the complete line-up is still to come, one thing is certain: prepare yourself for a sarcastic, irony-laden, and side-splittingly funny experience that is sure to leave you in stitches!
This year the Brit(ish) series will be hosted by none other than Jen Brister! Brister is a critically acclaimed stand-up comedian and writer who has been seen on BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, QI and Mock the Week. She is a regular performer on the UK and international comedy circuits and has written 7 solo shows which she has performed at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival and toured extensively around the UK. Her book, a comedy memoir, The Other Mother was published by Square Peg in 2019. Her stand up show Meaningless can be streamed on Soho Comedy Live. Next Up and Amazon Prime while her special, Waves for BBC Radio 4 can be streamed on BBC Sounds.
Brit(ish) will proudly welcome to the stage special guest, Alan Davies. Davies is a highly successful stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and TV personality, known as a staple of British television, for his performance as the titular character in Jonathan Creek; and as a permanent panellist on QI. He is also one of the UKâs best-loved comedians, with his stand-up shows Urban Trauma running in Londonâs West End and Life is Pain selling out in many cities. More recently, Davies published his second memoir, Just Ignore Him. His talk show, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, is now on its seventh season.
Rounding out the lineup, artists include:
Josie Long is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, podcaster, and film-maker. She is a trailblazer of the UK comedy industry, as the first woman to be nominated 3 times for Edinburgh Comedy Award (2010 – 2012). Her 9 critically acclaimed tours showcase her unique and powerfully original voice and have been performed globally to sell-out shows. Her various podcasts and original radio shows have garnered her a world-wide audience of dedicated listeners and multiple awards.
Gina Yashere is an internationally acclaimed comedian who is currently starring in Chuck Lorreâs series, Bob Hearts Abishola on CBS. Not only does Yashere star in the series, but she is one of the co-creators, co-showrunner, executive producer, and writer. She can also be seen on Netflix with her own specials, Skinny B@tch, Laughing to America and part of The StandUps season 2. Her TV credits include, The Neighborhood, Comedy Centralâs The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Def Comedy Jam, Live at the Apollo, TruTVâs Comedy Knockout, Comedy Centralâs @midnight, NBCâs The Tonight Show, HBOâs Crashing, ITVâs Married Single Other, The Lenny Henry Show and the animated series, Bromwell High and The Barbarian and the Troll. She came to the U.S. as a finalist on NBCâs Last Comic Standing, and never left! Yashere is also a published author. Her memoir, Cack-Handed was released last year to rave reviews.
Reuben Kaye is an internationally renowned cabaret host, with previous residencies in London, Berlin and Stockholm, in addition to an award-winning comedian, singer, and writer. Kaye made his TV debut in Australia, performing twice on ABC Australiaâs Melbourne Comedy Fest, as a guest on SBS Australiaâs Celebrity Letters & Numbers, and on ABC Australiaâs Spicks and Specks. Reuben has also appeared on UK television shows including BBCâs The Apprentice: Youâre Fired, Channel 4âs Kids React to Drag, and given a lauded keynote at TEDxCurrumbin titled, When Your Child Comes Out. In 2022, his comedy cabaret show, The Butch Is Back won three Green Room Awards: for Best Cabaret Artist, Best Production and Best Musical Direction. In 2021, both Perth Fringeworld and the Adelaide Fringe awarded Reuben their Best Cabaret Award, and Melbourne Comedy Festival nominated him for the Most Outstanding Show award.
Jamali Maddix is a critically acclaimed comedian and host of Vice’s Hate Thy Neighbour and Channel 4’s Adventures in Futureland. His unique voice and style make him one of the most sought-after comedians working today. With an assured stage presence and considered material that comes from a sharp perspective, he already has the aura of a comic well beyond his years. His last tour sold-out shows across the globe, playing the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America.âšâšJamali is currently a series regular on Never Mind The Buzzcocks and has been seen on Channel 4âs Taskmaster, BBC2âs Frankie Boyleâs New World Order, BBC2âs Live at the Apollo, More4âs 8 Out of 10 Cats, BBC1âs This is My House, Dara O’Briain’s Go 8-Bit, as well as many others.
Thatâs not all! Additional acts will be announced soon.
OFF JFL
Urzila Carlson: It’s Personal – Thursday July 20, 2023 to Sunday July 23, 2023 & Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to Thursday, July 27, 2023 – ThĂ©Ăątre St. Catherine, 10:00 p.m.
Urzila Carlson has garnered a legion of fans worldwide in recent years, not least of all thanks to her hit NETFLIX hour-long comedy special Overqualified Loser which was released in 190 countries, and its stable partner, Comedians of the World. She won the Melbourne International Comedy Festivalâs Peopleâs Choice Award for most tickets sold in both 2019 and 2022, and is a much-loved staple on Tenâs smash-hit panel show, Have You Been Paying Attention? both here and in NZ. Not content with owning the stage and the small screen, Carlson is now in the fourth season of her chart-topping premiere podcast Thatâs Enough Already! She also makes her feature animation debut in 2023 as the voice of Honkus in Ozi, alongside Donald Sutherland, Laura Dern, Ru Paul and Amandla Stenberg. Carlson has become one of the biggest names in comedy in Australia and New Zealand.
The Lucas Brothers – Thursday, July 20, 2023 to Sunday, July 23, 2023 & Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to Thursday, July 27, 2023 – ThĂ©Ăątre St. Catherine, 8:30 p.m.
The Lucas Bros, Keith and Kenny Lucas, are two of the freshest, most dynamic talents in entertainment. The Bros are two of the writers (story by) on the highly revered film Judas and the Black Messiah, which earned them Oscar and WGA Award Nominations for âBest Original Screenplay.â Adding to the massive success of JUDAS, The Bros have recently announced several high-profile upcoming projects, including a reboot of Revenge of the Nerds, with 20th Century Studios and Seth Macfarlane, a semi-autobiographical dramedy with Judd Apatow, and a new comedy feature with Universal and Lord Miller. The guys made their late-night debut when they performed standup on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in 2012 and have been a favourite on Fallonâs Tonight Show ever since, with multiple appearances. They were named one of Varietyâs 10 Comics to Watch of 2014, featured in Rolling Stone Magazineâs âHot List,â appeared on the cult hit TV show Arrested Development (Netflix) and HBOâs Funny As Hell, and were standouts at the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival with Paste Magazine selecting The Bros as one of the top acts of 2017. They are the first black identical twins to be nominated for an Oscar.
BriTANick – Thursday, July 20, 2023 to Sunday, July 23, 2023 & Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to Thursday, July 27, 2023 – ThĂ©Ăątre St. Catherine, 7:00 p.m.
BriTANicK is the sketch comedy duo of Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher. Together, they have written for Saturday Night Live, and Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia; and are currently writing for Dan Levyâs new animated show Standing By (or at least they were until the writersâ strike happened) (if the writersâ strike has been resolved please disregard but we friggin bet it hasnât been by now). Theyâve made a bunch of sketch comedy videos on the internet that were seen by a lot of people but they didnât monetize the videos because they didnât understand how to and theyâre still upset about that. Theyâve also performed live all over the world including a sold out run at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They love doing this show so much and would like you to please come and see it please.
Gina Yashere: The Woman King of Comedy – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – Le Balcon, 10:00 p.m.
In addition to joining the esteemed lineup of artists on this yearâs The Nasty Show, Gina Yashere will also do her solo set, Gina Yashere: The Woman King of Comedy. She brings her fierce and funny comedic style back to the stage this summer with this unique chance to hear her personal story of how she made it in Hollywood from the streets of London.
Kyle Kinane – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 & Friday, July 28, 2023 – CafĂ© ClĂ©opatra, 9:00 p.m.
Kyle Kinane is a comedian from Addison, Illinois. According to Wikipedia, he is a notable person from that town. Other notable residents of Addison have been the boxer Leon Spinks and a woman who wrote poetry about Beanie Babies. As a comedian raised in such a cultural fondue pot as this, it was natural for Kyle to find his way from warehouse work into show business. He has been seen on Conan, The Tonight Show, Netflixâs The Standups, and three of his own hour-length specials on Comedy Central. As an actor, heâs been in the Judd Apatow series Love and truTVâs Those Who Canât. He was also on Drunk History, where he unfortunately wasnât acting. As a voice over actor, he was the former voice of Comedy Central for 8 years and currently plays Bullet on the Netflix series Paradise PD. He is also co-host of the Boogie Monster podcast along with Dave Stone, and the podcast No Accounting for Taste with Shane Torres. His newest effort Shocks & Struts released in 2023 on YouTube marks his return to live-action stand-up after his 2018 set on Netflixâs The Standups, and When youâre Here, youâre Family.
River Butcher – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – PDA Claude-LĂ©veillĂ©e, 9:00 p.m.
River Butcher is a Los Angeles-based standup comic, actor, and writer. His first half-hour special A Different Kind of Dude, debuted on Comedy Central’s YouTube channel and was called “a masterclass in culture war commentary” by Esquire.com. The special also garnered the title of “Some of the Best Jokes of 2022 So Far.” They recently wrote and produced the FX pilot Belated, previously wrote for A League of Their Own, and created/starred in/wrote the critically acclaimed and GLAAD award nominated Take My Wife. You may have also seen them as nonbinary standup comic LB Brady on Good Trouble and Adam Conover’s sibling on Adam Ruins Everything or queer dinner guest Denim in the hit Friendsgiving. They’ve done stand-up all over the country, the globe, and the screen, including Ellen, Conan, Comedy Central, and HBO.
Tom Ballard: It is I – Friday, July 28, 2023 & Saturday, July 29, 2023 – PDA Claude-LĂ©veillĂ©e, 7:30 p.m.
Tom Ballard is an award-winning Australian stand-up whoâs trying to save the world with comedy lol. Since becoming the youngest ever winner of the Melbourne Comedy Festivalâs âBest Newcomer Awardâ in 2009, Ballards twice been nominated for âMost Outstanding Showâ at that festival, as well as scoring nominations for âBest Newcomerâ and âBest Showâ at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Heâs also hosted a panel show about the dark secrets of reality television and his own (very naughty) late-night show Tonightly with Tom Ballard; and in 2022, he released his debut book I, Millennial: One Snowflakeâs Screed Against Boomers, Billionaires & Everything Else. In 2023 Tom will star as the lovable/hopeless Sven in the Amazon Prime series Deadloch, and is stoked to return to Montreal for his fifth JFL with his hot new hour, It Is I.
Nath Valvo: Live – Thursday, July 27, 2023 – CafĂ© ClĂ©opatra, 9:00 p.m.
The 2022 & 2023 host of Just For Laughs, Australia TV series – Nath Valvo is one of the fastest rising stars in comedy. After storming the 2019 JFL stage in the Tiffany Haddish Gala, Nath Valvo now returns with his debut solo show. Nath was nominated for âMost Outstanding Showâ at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and âBest Newcomerâ at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Their razor-sharp wit and high-energy style have clocked over 10 million views on TikTok (and counting). Donât miss your chance to see one of Australiaâs funniest strutting his stuff.
Melanie Bracewell: Forget Me Not – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – Newspeak, 7:00 p.m.
At just 26 years old, she is taking the comedy world by storm. The Kiwi won the prestigious âBest Newcomerâ award for her first solo show in the NZ International Comedy Festival. With goofy observations and natural stage charisma, Melanie Bracewell is a master of anecdotes. In 2018, Melanie won the famed âBilly T Awardâ, in 2019 she performed as part of the invite only Just For Laughs Comedy Festival at the Sydney Opera House, and in 2021 she won the coveted Directorsâ Choice Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. And she only got busier in 2021 & 2022, co-hosting The Cheap Seats, which has been renewed for 2023 and making regular appearances on Have you Been Paying Attention? in Australia and New Zealand. When sheâs not on stage, Melanie is a social media powerhouse. Whether sheâs filming content for her TikTok channel, which has had over ten million likes and writing for the more than 250,000 followers of her meladoodle.tumblr.com blog.
Best of the Fest – Tuesday, July 25, 2023 to Friday, July 28, 2023 – Newspeak, daily at 7:30 p.m. & 9:45 p.m.
The title says it all, as one of the festival’s most exciting series, Best of the Fest promises audiences additional intimate access to the festival’s most hilarious acts. Line-ups are announced closer to the dates.
Tickets at hahaha.com.
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com