#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL RETURNS JULY 16-27, 2025

Today at a press conference in Montréal, Sylvain Parent-Bédard, President and CEO of Just For Laughs, announced the highly anticipated return of the Just For Laughs Festival in Montréal, running July 16 to 27, 2025. This year’s edition welcomes comedians Tom Segura, Russell Peters, Adam Ray, Fortune Feimster, Michelle Buteau, Kumail Nanjiani and Mae Martin, among others, marking the beginning of a bold new era for the Festival. 

With an incredible programming lineup featuring exclusive performances, international talent, major premieres and returning favourites, the 2025 Festival promises to be one of the most memorable in Just For Laughs’ renowned history. Montréal will once again serve as a global hub for comedy drawing acclaimed performers, standout comedic voices, rising stars, and fans from around the world to experience the transformative power of laughter and creativity. Performances will take place at the Quartier des Spectacles and iconic venues including Place des Arts, Le Gesù, L’Olympia, Théâtre Saint-Denis, Espace Saint-Denis, MTelus, Club Soda and Studio TD.

Previously announced media partnerships will see some of the Festival’s most popular programs, the JUST FOR LAUGHS GALAS and ROAST BATTLE CANADA, taped before live audiences to air on CBC and CTV Comedy Channel & Crave respectively, bringing the laughs to comedy fans across Canada. 

This year’s lineup also features can’t-miss solo performances from comedy heavyweights alongside returning favourites offering something for every comedy enthusiast.

Sylvain Parent-Bédard, Just For Laughs president and CEO had this to say about the announcement:

“Just For Laughs is back — and this moment is one of true gratitude. As we find our voice again, we do so with heart, humility, and profound gratitude. To all the artists, agents, managers, producers, broadcasters, sponsors, governments, and — more than anyone — the fans who support us and believe in the power of laughter: thank you. This return isn’t ours alone. It’s a collective achievement. A shared belief that comedy has the power to unite, soothe, and inspire — now more than ever. Let’s keep building, together. Let’s keep laughing, together.”

Highlights of the 2025 Just For Laughs Festival Montréal include:

TWO INCREDIBLE FREE OUTDOOR SHOWS AT PLACE DES FESTIVALS

TOM SEGURA: COME TOGETHER
Place Des Festivals
July 26 at 9pm

Actor/Comedian/Writer Tom Segura is one of the biggest names in the comedy business. Tom’s previous tour, I’m Coming Everywhere World Tour, played over 300 shows and his hit podcasts Your Mom’s House which he co-hosts with his wife, comedian Christina Pazsitzky, 2 Bears 1 Cave which he co-hosts with Bert Kreischer, draw millions of listeners each week.. He is currently selling out venues all over the world on his Come Together tour, andJust For Laughs is closing out the Festival with a bang with this amazing free show.

ADAM RAY IS DR. PHIL LIVE
Place Des Festivals
July 24 at 9pm

With over 10 million views online, Dr. Phil LIVE has become one of the most fun things to see in comedy. From comedian/actor Adam Ray (Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Barbie Movie, MadTV, Hacks, Pam & Tommy, The Heat) the live show provides a wild late night feel with crowd interactions, standup, huge celebrity guests, surprise characters, and hilarious moments you can’t see anywhere else.

EXCLUSIVE TV TAPINGS

JUST FOR LAUGHS GALAS in partnership with CBC
Théâtre Maisonneuve
July 25 – 26, 6:30pm – 9:30pm

The iconic Just For Laughs Galas deliver stand-up comedy’s biggest international nights. Hosted by Fortune Feimster (July 26 @ 6:30 PM) and Michelle Buteau (July 25 @ 9:30 PM) with two hosts yet to be announced, each Gala features a curated mix of global stars and breakout voices from across the comedy spectrum. Taped live at Théâtre Maisonneuve, the shows capture the electric energy, sharp writing, and international flair that have made Just For Laughs a premier comedy destination for fans and industry alike. Presented in partnership with CBC.

“The CBC Galas at Just For Laughs have long been a defining moment for so many Canadian and international comedians,” said Trish Williams, Executive Director, Scripted Content. CBC. “They offer a national platform for standout emerging and established talent, and a chance to be part of a celebrated comedy tradition that CBC is proud to play a part in. We’re excited to continue to share these performances with audiences across the country.”

In addition, Big Yellow Taxi Productions returns to Montreal this summer to curate Season 23 the of JFL Montreal TV series for Australia and New Zealand. Playing across multiple platforms including WBD, Paramount+ and Network 10, Just for Laughs continues to draw large TV audiences for its host broadcasters “down under”

ROAST BATTLE CANADA in partnership with Bell Media
Espace St-Denis
July 20 – 22, 5pm – 8pm – 10:30pm

Roast Battle Canada’s fifth scorched-earth season will be filmed for the first time ever this year at the Festival. Judges Russell Peters, Sabrina Jalees, and K. Trevor Wilson return with their signature mix of wit and brutal honesty. Hosted by the razor-sharp Ennis Esmer, the series sees Canada’s boldest comics go head-to-head in savage insult battles where no punchline is off-limits. Roast Battlers to be announced soon. Produced in association with Bell Media.

“We are excited to bring a new season of Roast Battle Canada to The Just For Laughs Montreal Festival,” said Carlyn Klebuc, General Manager, Original Programming, Bell Media. “Roast Battle Canada showcases and provides a platform for some of the sharpest and quickest minds in Canadian comedy, and filming during the Festival allows us to capture the incredible energy and spirit it creates.”

ACCLAIMED CONCERTS AND SOLO SHOWS

Some of the biggest names and most relevant brands in comedy will be making stops at the Festival this year, giving Montreal audiences and tourists alike a taste of whatever flavour of comedy they seek.

KUMAIL NANJIANI
L’Olympia
July 26 at 7pm

Following his sold out shows at JFL VANCOUVER, former JFL New Face turned Marvel movie star Kumail Nanjiani returns to perform stand-up in Montreal. Kumail is an Oscar-nominated writer, Emmy-nominated actor, and critically acclaimed producer and comedian. Catch him for one night only at L’Olympia this summer in Montreal.

MAE MARTIN & FRIENDS
L’Olympia
July 25 at 9:30pm

MAE MARTIN is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer who currently hosts the smash hit comedy podcast HANDSOME alongside Tig Notaro and Fortune Feimster, and can be seen in OUTSTANDING: A COMEDY REVOLUTION, a Netflix documentary which premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival that explores the history of LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy and its importance as an instrument for social change over the past five decades. They rose to fame as the star of their own Netflix series FEEL GOOD, and are back from hosting a Just For Laughs Gala in 2023 to present an amazing evening at L’Olympia, surrounded by some great, funny friends.

RUSSELL HOWARD LIVE
L’Olympia
July 24 at 7pm

After the global success of writing and starring in 182 episodes of The Russell Howard Hour (Sky) and Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC) combined, plus six stand-up specials, with clips amassing over 1 billion views on social media and selling 1.5 million tickets to his gigs worldwide so far, Russell Howard is back on the road once again with his fourth and biggest world tour to date, Russell Howard Live. Russell Howard Live has already seen him perform runs in the UK, Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand.

NICK MOHAMMED IS MR. SWALLOW: SHOW PONY
Le Gesù
July 23 – 26, 7pm – 9:30pm

Ted Lasso star and Taskmaster UK loser Nick Mohammed brings his critically acclaimed alter-ego Mr. Swallow to Just For Laughs Montreal for the first time with his brand-new show: Show Pony. Recently seen on Amazon Prime’s hit show Last One Laughing UK, Mr. Swallow has also appeared on numerous episodes of Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown with many of his performances in Dictionary Corner going viral.

Show Pony has been described by Mr. Swallow as “a golden opportunity for anyone who didn’t come to the last tour” and “my most personal/libelous show to date” and will cover everything from not having his own sitcom to not having his own sitcom… and everything in between (critical race theory). Expect magic, music and a whole load of brand-new mistakes.

DANNY BHOY: DEAR WORLD
Le Gesù
July 22 – 27, 7pm – 9:30pm

Scottish comedy superstar Danny Bhoy returns to Just For Laughs Montreal! From his first appearance here back in 2003, Danny quickly became a favourite with Canadian audiences. He now regularly sells out some of the biggest theatres across the whole country with his unique observational storytelling style of comedy. In a comedy landscape littered with social media, Danny has built up a worldwide following largely through the most reliable platform of them all, word of mouth. In 2025, fresh from it’s completely sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, he brings his latest show ‘Dear World…’ to our shores. It’s the sequel to his 2015 smash hit show ‘Dear Epson…’ which he describes as a hybrid of stand up and theatre, and it’s sure to delight audiences in Canada as much as it did in his hometown.

DROPOUT IMPROV
L’Olympia
July 26 at 9:30pm

From the minds behind Dropout comes an evening of improv, minigames, and off-the-wall shenanigans. Hosted by Kurt Maloney, and featuring the improv talents of Kimia Behpoorni, Jeremy Culhane, Lou Wilson, Jacob Wysocki, and Scott Passarella.

SMOSH READS REDDIT STORIES
L’Olympia
July 26, 4pm

Smosh Reads Reddit Stories is coming to you LIVE in Montreal! Join host Shayne Topp (33m) and his friends from Smosh as they delve into Reddit’s wildest stories and updates, share their own hilarious commentary, and more. Mark your calendars & get your pancakes out – this is one live show you DON’T want to miss.

BRAD WILLIAMS
MTelus
July 24 at 9:30pm

Pound for pound, Brad Williams is the funniest comedian in the continent right now and has become one of the most in-demand comedians working today. Williams started doing stand-up comedy as a teenager and has been touring successfully ever since, routinely selling out prestigious venues all over the country and world.

In addition to stand-up and acting, Williams co-created and co-hosted one of the most successful podcasts in the world, with friend and fellow comic Adam Ray, entitled About Last Night, which was always a mainstay on the iTunes charts during their five-year run. (Fun fact: Brad has also received a standing ovation at every Just For Laughs Gala he has ever performed on)

RACHID BADOURI: THE TALE OF THE SYRIAN DRAGON
Club Soda
July 23 at 9:30pm

Celebrated French-Canadian stand-up comedian Rachid Badouri, renowned for captivating audiences in French across the globe with three specials and over 1 million tickets sold in 10 countries, is set to make his ground-breaking English debut. Known for his humour and captivating stage presence, Rachid brings a fresh perspective to stand-up comedy, blending cultural anecdotes with his vibrant energy.

UPDATING
Club Soda
July 25, 7pm

UPDATING is the critically acclaimed New York City-based live dating & comedy show bringing two singles on blindfolded first dates in front of live audiences. Dubbed “the most raw dating show in existence,” what follows is a hilarious show with audience participation, raw moments, and relatable feedback on modern romance in real-time with real people. Reality TV…unfolding & unedited on stage! Created, Produced, and Hosted by NYC-based comedians, Brandon Berman & Harrison Forman.

NINA CONTI
Studio TD
July 22, 9:30pm

Virtuoso ventriloquist, BAFTA nominee and British Comedy Award winner Nina Conti returns with a brand new live show ‘Whose Face Is It Anyway?’

Following countless five star reviews at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe where she debuted the show, and fresh from sell-out runs in London’s West End and New York, and a sold-out national UK tour this Spring.

With her beloved monkey in tow, join Conti for ‘Whose Face Is It Anyway?’ as she presents an unparalleled, unscripted new show that delves deep into who we are, hijacking faces to spark a bold, hysterical reality warp.

CAT COHEN
Studio TD
July 23, 9:30pm

Actress, comedian, singer and writer, the glamorous Catherine Cohen can be seen in Season 4 of the award-winning Hulu series ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, as well as in the Netflix series GIRLS5EVA alongside Ashley Park and Sara Bareilles. She starred in THE FRENCH ITALIAN which premiered this year at The Tribeca Film Festival.

In 2022, Catherine dropped her first Netflix comedy special, called “The Twist …? She’s Gorgeous” to rave reviews and in August of 2019 won the coveted title of Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival.

CLUB SERIES: RETURNING FAN FAVOURITES

NEW FACES OF COMEDY: STAND-UPS AND CHARACTERS
Espace St-Denis
July 23 – 24, 7pm – 9:30pm

The New Faces showcase is one of the most anticipated events at the Festival, with a long-standing track record of launching comedy’s biggest stars, in both stand-up and sketch. Alumni include global icons like Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Ali Wong, Jo Koy, Tim Robinson, and Kumail Nanjiani, Saturday Night Live cast members like Jimmy Fallon, Pete Davidson, and Heidi Gardner, as well as Canadian Comedy Award winner DeAnne Smith, and Letterkenny’s K. Trevor Wilson. Recent New Faces include rising stars like Derrick Stroup, Leslie Liao, and Marcello Hernandez, whose stand-up sets have racked up millions of views online.

THE NASTY SHOW
Club Soda
July 16 – 22, 9:30pm – 11:59pm

The Nasty Show is back! A Festival staple for decades, this show once again promises to be its filthiest and most shocking show, pushing boundaries and encouraging audiences to check their political correctness at the door… let go, and laugh! This summer’s lineup is hosted by stand-up comedian and viral sensation Che Durena and features a killer lineup including Jiaoying Summers, Jay Jurden, Amos Gill, and more!

JFL CULTURE SHOW
Club Soda
July 16 – 22, 7pm

JFL’s long tradition of breaking stereotypes and boundaries with comedy continues with The Culture Show. Hosted by comedian and actor Asif Ali (Deli Boys, WandaVision, The Mandalorian) and featuring former New Face Andrea Jin, and from Frankie Quiñones (What We Do In The Shadows) and more, this cultural melting pot for comedy has become a Festival staple, hilariously tearing down barriers and bringing people closer together.

BRIT(ISH)
Studio TD
July 23 – 26, 7pm

Get ready to cross the pond (ish) without leaving the city. Brit(ish) is a comedy showcase celebrating the sharp wit, dry humour, and distinctive style of top-tier comedians from Britain, but could also include friends from Ireland, or elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Hosted this year by acclaimed UK comedian Ed Gamble, co-host of the award-winning mega-hit podcast Off Menu, the show offers a fresh, hilarious perspective from some of the funniest voices in comedy today.

MIDNIGHT SURPRISE
Studio TD
July 23 – 26, 11:59pm

The Midnight Surprise Show is one of the Festival’s most exciting and unpredictable events, offering a high-energy, spontaneous experience for both performers and audiences. As you might expect, the show is typically held at midnight and features a surprise lineup of top-tier comedians, many of whom may be performing impromptu sets or testing new material. You never know who might drop in!

Additional programming details—including the full festival schedule, free outdoor shows, daytime ComedyPRO sessions, The Just For Laughs Awards show, New Faces: Writers and New Faces: Creators showcases, fireside chats, keynotes, fan events, and screenings of Just For Laughs Shorts and Pilots—will be announced in the coming weeks. (a.k.a we’re just getting started!)

TICKET INFORMATION

EXCLUSIVE PRESALE – JUST FOR LAUGHS MEMBERS
Tickets are on sale now via exclusive presale for Just For Laughs Members. Members save 30% from Thursday, May 8 through Monday, May 12 at 12:00pm on select shows. Become a Just For Laughs Member at HAHAHA.COM.

GENERAL PUBLIC ONSALE
The general public can take advantage of a limited-time 20% discount on select shows from Monday, May 12 at 12:00pm to Monday, May 19 at 12:00pm.

All remaining tickets will be available at regular price beginning Monday, May 19 at 12:00pm.

Tickets can be purchased and the complete Just For Laughs Montréal schedule found at HAHAHA.COM.

JUST FOR LAUGHS PARTNERS
The Just for Laughs Festival Montréal is extremely thankful for the support of its partners: Énergir, Belle Gueule, Distillerie des Appalaches, YUL Aéroport de Montréal, and its official broadcast partners CBC, Crave, CTV Comedy Channel, Bell Media, ICI Télé, ICI TOU.TV, TVA, illico+, Noovo, TV5, UnisTV, Warner Bros Discovery, Paramount +, Network 10, CANAL+, France Télévision, and the Canada Media Fund. The Festival would also like to recognize the financial support of the Gouvernment du Québec, the Government of Canada, the Ville de Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, the Quartier des spectacles, Montréal centre-ville and la Place des Arts, without which none of this would have been possible.

ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS
Created in 1983, Just For Laughs is a world leader in comedy. Just For Laughs organises numerous festivals, including the world’s largest comedy festival in Montréal. The company has launched the careers of many renowned comedians and entertained millions of spectators each year through its festivals and content broadcast in more than 150 countries. Just For Laughs manages the careers of artists and produces shows, musicals, television series and films. Just For Laughs is a leading brand of the Just For Entertainment Group which, since its foundation in 1997, has established itself as an international leader in creating a world of entertainment. Just For Entertainment was historically known as ComediHa!

#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS SIGNS-ON TO PRODUCE BROADWAY MUSICAL ” REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES”

Just For Laughs has signed on as co-producer of the Broadway musical Real Women Have Curves, set to begin previews at Broadway’s James Earl Jones Theatre on April 1, 2025. Sylvain Parent-Bédard, new owner of Just For Laughs and CEO of Just For Entertainment Group – who produce the Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, the world’s largest comedy festival – and Jérôme Tremblay, producer for the group, are joining the producing team.

This collaboration with National Artists Management Company (NAMCO) and TruWorthy Productions marks a significant milestone for the Quebec-based company in the field of theatrical and musical productions. In addition to the amazing comedy festivals that Just For Laughs has been producing around the world, the company has also created French-language adaptations of beloved musicals such as Mary Poppins, Annie, Waitress, Chicago, and many more. It was after collaborating with Barry and Fran Weissler, along with NAMCO’s executive producer Alecia Parker, on the French adaptations of Waitress and Chicago in Montreal, that the company was approached for the co-production of Real Women Have Curves on Broadway.

“Collaborating once again with our Quebec partners at Just For Laughs, this time in New York, is truly exciting. We have built a wonderful relationship and it’s a pleasure to have them as co-producers on Real Women Have Curves. They are incredible and valuable partners.” says Barry Weissler, producer of Real Women Have Curves and founder of NAMCO, the New York-based company with an impressive track record of nearly 50 years of experience in producing world-class productions. Whether on Broadway, the West End, or with international tours, NAMCO’s productions have earned 93 Tony Award nominations and 8 Laurence Olivier Award nominations, winning 24 Tony Awards and 2 Olivier Awards.

“This new and exciting adventure confirms the position of Just For Entertainment as a leader in musical theater production in Quebec and marks a significant expansion for its Just For Laughs division, opening the door to new opportunities in New York, the United States, London, and internationally.” said Sylvain Parent-Bédard, president and new owner of Just For Laughs, a division of the Just For Entertainment Group. “Although comedy has always been our focus, we are convinced that theater—whether musical, comedic, or dramatic— can be an equally powerful unifying force. We are excited about expanding the Just For Laughs brand with musical productions on Broadway, and it is an honor to begin this new chapter for the company with trusted partners like Barry and Alecia.”

“Our involvement as co-producer of Real Women Have Curves is a natural extension of our successful collaboration with NAMCO for the world premiere of Waitress in French last year and now for the production of Chicago. I must also say that we were immediately captivated by this original musical. The songs by Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez are absolutely beautiful, and the show powerfully demonstrates that a heartfelt story about the real challenges faced by immigrants can also be a funny, inspiring, and uplifting celebration of family, community, and resilience. It’s truly a show that brings people together!” concludes Jérôme Tremblay, producer at Just For Entertainment.

Based on Josefina López’s acclaimed play that inspired the iconic HBO hit film by Josefina López and George LaVoo, Real Women Have Curves is a captivating new show that explores life’s unexpected turns with strength and emotion. This adaptation marks a historic first on Broadway: a musical where the entire creative team (book, music, choreography, and direction) is made up of Latin artists, including music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning artist Joy Huerta and composer/lyricist Benjamin Velez, book by Lisa Loomer with Nell Benjamin, and direction and choreography by Tony and Olivier Award winner Sergio Trujillo. Music Supervision is by Nadia DiGiallonardo. The show will star Tatianna Córdoba in her Broadway debut, alongside Screen Actors Guild Award-winner Justina Machado, and has been cast by X Casting/Victor Vazquez, CSA and ARC/Duncan Stewart, CSA.

ABOUT JUST FOR ENTERTAINMENT

Since it was founded in 1997, Just For Entertainment/Juste pour divertir (formerly ComediHa!) has firmly established itself as an international entertainment leader in the world of live shows, television, film and festivals. In 2024, the acquisition of the Just For Laughs Group added to ComediHa’s strengths and values. We solidified our position as the benchmark in the comedy industry for “Making people laugh around the world”. Established in 1983, Just For Laughs is internationally renowned for organizing the world’s largest comedy festival, attracting millions of visitors to Montreal and Quebec City. It’s also celebrated for its role in promoting comedy worldwide and for catapulting the careers of countless comedy stars. Today, Just For Entertainment goes far beyond comedy to deliver a diverse range of content, including music, drama and much more. Our talented team is made up of nearly 200 permanent employees and 6,000+ temporary employees and collaborators, who always bring their shared passion and creativity to the table. Our mission is clear: Bring together talent to create a world of entertainment through inspiring brands and content. Our brands and products now captivate hundreds of millions of viewers around the world via our broadcast partners, festivals, social media, and digital platforms, which are followed by over 70 million engaged fans and have accumulated over 100 billion views so far.

ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS

Established in 1983, Just For Laughs stands as a global beacon of comedy, orchestrating the world’s grandest Comedy festival in Montreal. It has fostered the ascent of esteemed comedians and entertains millions of viewers annually through its festivals and content broadcast in over 150 countries. Just For Laughs also produces shows and musical comedies and organizes the “ComedyPRO” conference.

#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERS

Just For Laughs is proud to reveal Loto-Québec as a signature partner of the 2025 Just For Laughs Montréal Festival. Partners in laughter and happiness, Loto-Québec reinforces its commitment alongside the world’s biggest comedy festival, which has welcomed tens of millions of festivalgoers over more than 40 years, and whose group has now amassed over 70 million subscribers on its various digital platforms.

“This irreplaceable support from Loto-Québec consolidates our position as a leader in the comedy industry and allows us to prepare a memorable edition for 2025. Loto-Québec is a key partner in our mission: to make the world laugh, everywhere, and especially in Montréal,” declares Sylvain Parent-Bédard, President and Chief Executive Officer of Just For Laughs.

“It is with great pride that we will once again be supporting the Just for Laughs Montréal Festival as part of the Rendez-vous Loto-Québec in 2025. We are very pleased to play a role in showcasing Québec’s comedy and highlighting Montréal’s radiance by contributing to this world-renowned festival. Next summer, the Just for Laughs Montréal Festival will offer a unique opportunity to be entertained and to discover a multitude of local talent,” says Benoit Lefrançois, Corporate Vice-President of Responsible Commercialization, Social Responsibility and Public Affairs of Loto-Québec.

The Just For Laughs Montréal Festival is a world famous gathering for comedy, bringing together hundreds of artists and thousands of artisans from the English and French-speaking worlds each year. Together, they celebrate comedy in all its forms, in a unique spirit of festivity and collaboration, to the delight of all comedy lovers.

“This partnership promises a rich, exclusive, and diverse program, especially designed to bring families and friends together in a spirit of joy and conviviality. Thanks to the support of Loto-Québec, we will be offering a program combining stand-up comedy, visual comedy, musical

comedy, interactive shows and free outdoor events to provide memorable and unique moments for over a million festival goers,” states Josée Charland, head of French programming.

#FIRSTLOOK: COMEDIHA! TO OPERATE UNDER JUST FOR LAUGHS FESTIVAL – QUEBEC BRAND

Sylvain Parent-Bédard, President and Founder of ComediHa! and the new owner of Just For Laughs (acquired in June 2024) announces that ComediHa ! Fest-Québec will now operate under the Just For Laughs Festival – Quebec brand. This marks a new era for the comedy event in the city, where the head office of the Quebec entrepreneur’s new group is based.

“Last June, our group acquired the biggest comedy brand on the planet, Just For Laughs. I’m proud that the head office of the world’s number one comedy group will now be based in Quebec City. After careful thought and analysis, I decided that the Quebec City festival should bear the name of Quebec’s favourite comedy brand, Just For Laughs—the province’s favourite entertainment brand along with Cirque du Soleil” – Sylvain Parent-Bédard, President and CEO of Just For Laughs.

Quebec City now joins a prestigious global network of Just For Laughs venues that includes Sydney, Australia, Bermuda, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, along with other major international cities soon to be announced as part of the brand’s new strategic plan.

This latest addition helps solidify Quebec City’s position as a must-visit destination for comedy, reinforced by the exceptional reputation of Just For Laughs (which will operate as the English-language brand of the Quebec City festival).

For more than 40 years, the Just For Laughs brand, a Quebec cultural institution celebrated by French- and English-speaking communities alike, has played a major role in promoting comedy worldwide, helping catapult the careers of many renowned French- and English-speaking comedians. Just For Laughs plays host to iconic events where up-and-coming talents meet the industry’s best-known artists.

This new chapter for the festival is testament to Parent-Bédard’s strong commitment to the Quebec City community and underscores the city’s potential as a dynamic cultural hub ready to shine on the international stage.

From August 6 to 17, 2025, the Just For Laughs Festival-Quebec City promises to captivate comedy fans, coming together to enjoy an experience worthy of the world’s leading comedy brand. The festival will also feature an impressive English-language lineup to welcome an increasingly diverse audience from around the world.

ComediHa! Group changes its name to Just For Entertainment Group

The ComediHa! Group is making a decisive shift by grouping all its activities under the new banner of the Just For Entertainment Group. This consolidation follows a period of significant growth, marked by a number of major musical events, including the relaunch of SuperFrancoFête, as well as several acquisitions in recent years. These acquisitions, including Les Boys, Les Productions Martin Leclerc and the Just For Laughs / Juste pour rire Group, have helped redefine the Group’s influence in the entertainment world. This evolution signals a new identity for its operations, inspired by the worldwide reputation of the Just For Laughs Group.

With the slogan “A world of entertainment,” the Just For Entertainment Group now offers a wide range of content that includes festivals, shows, tours, audiovisual content, digital platforms, artist representation, global content distribution and more.

About Just For Entertainment

Since it was founded in 1997, Just For Entertainment/Juste pour divertir (formerly ComediHa!) has firmly established itself as an international entertainment leader in the world of live shows, television, film and festivals.

In 2024, the acquisition of the Just For Laughs Group added to ComediHa’s strengths and values. We solidified our position as the benchmark in the comedy industry for “Making people laugh around the world”. Established in 1983, Just For Laughs is internationally renowned for organizing the world’s largest comedy festival, attracting millions of visitors to Montreal and Quebec City. It’s also celebrated for its role in promoting comedy worldwide and for catapulting the careers of countless comedy stars.

Today, Just For Entertainment goes far beyond comedy to deliver a diverse range of content, including music, drama and much more. Our talented team is made up of nearly 200 permanent employees and 6,000+ temporary employees and collaborators, who always bring their shared passion and creativity to the table.

Our mission is clear: Bring together talent to create a world of entertainment through inspiring brands and content.

Our brands and products now captivate hundreds of millions of viewers around the world via our broadcast partners, festivals, social media, and digital platforms, which are followed by over 70 million engaged fans and have accumulated over 100 billion views so far.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW JUST FOR LAUGHS COMEDY FESTIVAL DATES SET

ComediHa!, the new proud owners of the iconic international comedy brand Just For Laughs / Juste pour rire, are thrilled to announce several upcoming festival dates as the organization moves forward under new leadership. ComediHa! officially acquired Just For Laughs this past June, marking the beginning of a new era for the beloved comedy brand.

JUST FOR LAUGHS SYDNEY

Looking ahead, ComediHa! is pleased to announce the highly anticipated return of the 12th edition of the Just For Laughs SYDNEY festival taking place November 18 – 23, 2024. The festival, which has been a staple in the global comedy calendar, promises to deliver a stellar lineup of talent. This year’s lineup, announced this past Monday, features world-renowned comedians including Trevor Noah, Eric Idle, Brad Williams and the All-Star Gala hosted by Melanie Bracewell, and many more, ensuring an unforgettable experience for comedy fans.

JUST FOR LAUGHS BERMUDA

In addition to the return of the Sydney festival, ComediHa! is excited to confirm that Just For Laughs BERMUDA will be returning for its 17th edition from January 22 – 24, 2025, bringing world-class comedy to the beautiful island.

JUST FOR LAUGHS VANCOUVER

Following closely on its heels, the 9th edition of JFL VANCOUVER will make its much-awaited comeback February 13 – 22, 2025. These festivals will once again bring the best in comedy further solidifying Just For Laughs’ presence on the global stage.

JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL

As the team gears up for these international festivals, one of ComediHa!’s top priorities remains making the next summer’s JFL MONTREAL festival, running July 16 – 27, 2025, one of the most memorable in the brand’s storied history. Returning to the city where this international brand was born, ComediHa! is committed to honouring the legacy of the festival and its profound impact on the world of comedy. With an eye towards the future, the new leadership promises to blend the festival’s rich traditions with the evolving landscape of comedy, ensuring a prosperous and exciting future for Just For Laughs.

Sylvain Parent-Bédard, president of ComediHa!, Just For Laughs’ new owner, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming festivals: “We couldn’t be more excited to present these incredible festivals under the new leadership of ComediHa!. Each of these festivals holds a long and significant history that we deeply respect and cherish. Working with our festival partners, we are bringing a new breath and vision into these events, which we believe will resonate with both long-time fans and new audiences alike. I’d also like to acknowledge our exceptional programming team, some returning and some new programmers, who are working swiftly and diligently to put together some truly remarkable lineups. Their dedication and creativity are at the heart of what will make these festivals a resounding success.”

Nick Brazao, Head of Programming at Just For Laughs, added, “Programming these festivals is an exciting opportunity to innovate while staying true to the core of what has made Just For Laughs so special for over four decades. We’re focused on curating a diverse mix of established names and emerging talent to platform and celebrate comedy’s best. We’re embracing the industry’s dynamic future, and we can’t wait for audiences around the world to experience what we’re putting together.”

Stay tuned for more festival news in the coming months as Just For Laughs will also unveil plans for live tours along with some exciting TV projects in the works.

#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS’ “SURROUNDED” BACK FOR SECOND SEASON

Just For Laughs announces today that season two of the immersive VR stand-up comedy series, Surrounded (60×6) will return for six new episodes starting December 29, 2023, with a very festive Holiday Special, exclusively on Meta Horizon Worlds. Filmed at the prestigious 2023 Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL comedy festival, Surrounded is a hilarious unscripted comedy show where the audience inspires the jokes, and everyone is fair game!

With their Meta Quest VR headset, viewers are transported into the comedy show through Meta’s Comedy Night Market, where they get to watch comedians performing improvised sets in the round, using the audience as inspiration. Viewers will be Surrounded with laughter!

Surrounded promises to deliver big laughs with this year’s host, Lil Rel Howery. Episodes will feature today’s top comedians including

Marlon Wayans, Jack Whitehall, Mae Martin, Fortune Feimster, Mark Normand, Chris Redd, Dan Soder, Jay Pharoah, Meg Stalter, Felipe Esparza, Rosebud Baker, Sam Morril, Joel Kim Booster, Hannah Berner, Nate Jackson, Brad Williams, Preacher Lawson, Sasheer Zamata, Brian Simpson, Steph Tolev, Annie Lederman, and Che Durena.

“Really excited about hosting season 2. I had so, so, so much fun. This is crowd work and freestyling at its best.” – Lil Rel Howery

Premiering with a Holiday Special on December 29, 2023 at 10:00 AM PT, additional episodes will drop every Wednesday in January 2024. Each week, be part of the audience and witness an unscripted barrage of crowd work like you’ve never seen before!

Marina Di Pancrazio, Chief Content Revenue Officer for Just For Laughs, shares, “Season two of Surrounded finds us once again at the intersection of entertainment and innovation with our exceptional partners, Meta. We’re always keen to outdo ourselves. This second season builds off the success of the first, delivering an elevated experience and incredible lineup of comedians to audiences.”

Spencer Griffin, the Head of TV Development at Just For Laughs adds, “Comedy shows in the metaverse are another way that Just for Laughs provides platforms for artists to showcase their hilarious talents. Surrounded not only offers an unparalleled experience for the artists but also for the audience who get to have the best seat in the house.”

Adapted exclusively for Meta Horizon Worlds, and filmed in VR, Surrounded originated as a stand-up comedy show created by Mike Falzone. The Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL festival is renowned as the world’s largest comedy festival, with a rich history and reputation for launching the careers of comedy legends. The iconic festival provides the ideal setting for this unscripted humor that defines this one-of-a-kind virtual comedy experience.

Filmed at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montréal in July 2023, Surrounded is executive produced by Marina Di Pancrazio, Bruce Hills, and Spencer Griffin of Just For Laughs; and Thomas Stockwell as Executive Producer for Meta, and Mike Falzone, who created the concept for the show.

#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS VANCOUVER 2024

Get ready for some big laughs as Just For Laughs VANCOUVER, in association with SiriusXM Canada, brings the lively spirit of comedy back to the city with their 8th edition of the festival running February 15 to 24, 2024. As Western Canada’s biggest comedy festival, this year’s lineup will feature many of your favourite comedians including comedy icons you’ve always wanted to see, and emerging stars you may already know from TikTok and YouTube; alongside hilarious hosts of today’s most downloaded comedy podcasts. Also joining are some of today’s prominent international stand-up comedians from Egypt, Mexico, Australia, the U.K. and Brazil, who will also perform in various languages. We will continue to showcase vibrant comedic voices from across Canada, including rising talent from Vancouver, adding an extra layer of excitement as we prepare for a truly memorable festival ahead. Plus, there’s more to come! We will be revealing additional artists joining the roster in the coming weeks.

Festival Director, Heather Wallace shares, “As we approach our 8th edition, we’re excited to build on the legacy of consistently delivering top-tier comedy to our city. We take tremendous pride in presenting the world’s biggest comedy stars; artists who are truly making waves across the industry.” She adds, “The valued support of our festival partners makes it possible for us to continue to grow and produce ten days of incredible programming that has something for everyone!”

To get in on all the action, tickets for Just For Laughs VANCOUVER will go on sale to the general public this Friday, December 1, 2023 at 10:00 AM PST at JFLVancouver.com

Performing at the 8th edition of Just For Laughs VANCOUVER, in association with SiriusXM Canada,

Rogers Arena

Bill Burr I Friday, February 23, 2024 I Rogers Arena I 8:00 PM

Emmy and Grammy-nominated comedian Bill Burr stands out as a leading comedic voice of his generation, achieving major success in numerous television and film roles as well as the live stage. In October, Burr’s film, OLD DADS, which he directed, co-wrote and stars in, premiered as the most-watched film on Netflix in its first and second week of release. On November 21, Burr starred with Adam Sandler in the animated Netflix film, LEO, which also premiered as the #1 film on Netflix. His diverse roles include appearances in the Judd Apatow film, The King of Staten Island, Disney+’s The Mandalorian, Hugh Jackman’s film, The Front Runner, and the Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell film, Daddy’s Home just to name a few. Additionally, he hosted Saturday Night Live and played the memorable recurring role of ‘Kuby’ on the acclaimed AMC show, Breaking Bad. Renowned for hosting his widely downloaded ‘Monday Morning Podcast’, in 2023. Burr toured arenas and amphitheatres throughout North America and Europe. In 2022 he made history as the first comedian to perform at Fenway Park. His 2022 Netflix special, Bill Burr: Live At Red Rocks, shot at the legendary venue, further stakes his role as one of the most versatile talents of his time.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Ronny Chieng: The Love to Hate It Tour I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Queen Elizabeth Theatre I 9:30 PM

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.

Wanda Sykes: Please and Thank You I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Queen Elizabeth Theatre I 7:00 PM

Wanda Sykes is an Emmy winning stand-up comic, writer, actress and producer who has been entertaining audiences for over twenty years. She has ranked among Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Funniest People in America” and her peers have called her “one of the funniest stand-up comics” in the field. In 2023 she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Nominations; Two for her Netflix special Wanda Sykes; I’m an Entertainer (her sixth stand-up special) and another for her role as in Crank Yankers. In 2020, she received Emmy nominations for both her role as real-life comic Moms Mabley in The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel and for her voice work in Crank Yankers. Her guest-starring role on ABC’s Black-ish also brought her two back-to-back Emmy nominations. Her fifth standup special, Wanda Sykes: Not Normal, is streaming on Netflix and was nominated for two 2019 Primetime Emmy Awards.

The Orpheum

Ben Schwartz and Friends I Sunday, February 18, 2024 I The Orpheum I 8:00 PM

Ben Schwartz can next be seen in Lord & Miller’s AppleTV+ miniseries The After Party, as well as the second season of Greg Daniels and Steve Carell’s Netflix series Space Force, in which he stars opposite Steve Carell and John Malkovich. Previous credits include the Disney feature, Flora and Ulysses, based on the popular novel, the indie feature Standing Up, Falling Down, for which He received rave reviews for his lead performance opposite Billy Crystal; Night School.

He starred opposite Don Cheadle & Kristen Bell in the Showtime comedy series House of Lies and acted alongside Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt and Aziz Ansari as Jean Ralphio on Parks and Recreation. As a writer, he has published four books and written television shows and movies for many major studios.

Vogue Theatre

Marlon Wayans I Saturday, February 17, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 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 Affleck’s Nike drama AIR for Amazon Studios. Wayans is commonly recognized for his role as Marcus Copeland in Columbia Pictures’ 2004 hit comedy White Chicks. He also starred in the horror comedy spoof films Scary Movie and Scary Movie 2.

Bassem Youssef I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 (Arabic show) & Wednesday, February 21, 2024 (English show) I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

Bassem Youssef will return for an encore performance to make history at the festival this year as the first artist ever to do one show in Arabic, and one show in English.

His one-of-a-kind solo English comedy performance, the audience is taken on a personal journey from Youssef’s career as a heart surgeon in Egypt to finding himself in the middle of the Arab Spring and becoming the host of the largest political satire show in the history of the Arab World. His jokes earned him worldwide recognition as “The Egyptian Jon Stewart,” but also got him arrested, interrogated, and ultimately prompted his escape to America just as the country was going through its very own identity crisis.

For his Arabic show: Youssef’s Arabic standup show is a unique and new experience showcasing a 90-minute show of ground breaking Arabic comedy. Standup comedy is a relatively new art form for Arabic culture. The show challenges the audience with subversive narratives that use very “strong” language that is not usually are not heard on Arabic live shows. That is why there is a clear warning for Arabic audiences to attend “at their own risk”. Youssef connects with all Arabic audiences from all the Arab countries which is almost an impossible task knowing that Arab dialects extremely vary from one country to another with totally cultural references making each

dialect almost have its own comedic language. He takes the audience into a very personal journey for Hal life before the fame touching on hilarious nuances that connect different generations and cultures. A unique performance of Arabic comedy that has had massive success in the US, Canada, Europe and the Middle East.

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the PTSD-List I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I

6:30 PM

Kathy Griffin is a two-time Emmy and Grammy Award winning comedian, television star, best-selling author and advocate known for her biting satire and fearless comedy. The legendary performer holds the Guinness Book of World Records for writing and starring in an unprecedented 20 televised stand-up specials. She is perhaps best known for her hit Bravo series, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, which aired for 6 years and won 2 Emmys. She starred on NBC’s Suddenly Susan and guest starred on Seinfeld, Law & Order: SVU, Glee, You, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She has lent her unique voice to animated characters in Shrek Forever After, The Simpsons, American Dad, Futurama and Dilbert. She co-produced and co-hosted CNN’s New Year’s Eve special, with Anderson Cooper for 10 years. Her memoir, Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin, debuted at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. Her second book, Kathy Griffin’s Celebrity Run-Ins: My A-Z Index, was also a New York Times Best Seller.

Nicole Byer I Friday, February 16, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 9:30 PM

Nicole Byer is one of the most versatile voices in the comedy landscape today. An actress, comedian, writer, author and podcaster, she is perhaps most well-known as the host of Netflix’s Emmy nominated competition baking series Nailed It!, which has gained a cult following of viewers since its premiere on the streaming platform in 2018. In 2020, she made history by becoming the first black woman ever to be nominated in the category of “Outstanding Host for A Reality or Competition Program” and was nominated again in 2021 and 2022. The series premiered its seventh season in October 2022. She can currently be seen in her debut solo stand-up special on Netflix Nicole Byer: Big Beautiful Weirdo and the NBC comedy Grand Crew. She is also known for her standout appearances on MTV’s hit show Girl Code, a female-driven comedy series that opens the dialogue for the wonders and woes of womanhood.

Bob The Drag Queen I Thursday, February 15, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

The alter ego of non-binary comic/actor Caldwell Tidicue, “Bob The Drag Queen” describes herself as “hilarious, beautiful, talented and…humble.” Their unabashed confidence won them the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar on season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, multiple acting roles for HBO, Netflix, Sony Tristar, MTV, and VH1. The third season of her Emmy Award nominated HBO Max series We’re Here was released in 2022. They are also an accomplished stand-up comedian with two solo specials under their belt and a starring role in the recent Netflix comedy concert film Stand Out executive produced by Wanda Sykes. Sibling Rivalry – Bob’s podcast with his comedy partner Monet X Change – is now on its sixth season and is also hitting the road playing major venues in the US and Canada.

Christina P. I Friday, February 16, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

Christina P. is a stand-up Comedian, podcaster and mother of two young, savage boys. She recently premiered her second one-hour Netflix special, Christina P: Mom Genes, which led to her being written about in outlets such as The Los Angeles Times and Forbes, with Ready Steady Cut calling it, “One of the best specials of the year.” Her previous one-hour stand-up special, Christina P: Mother Inferior, premiered in 2017. Her second half-hour special is featured on The Degenerates, shot in Las Vegas in 2018 and is streaming on Netflix as well. She has a hugely successful podcast Your Mom’s House which she hosts with her husband, comedian Tom Segura, and is a top-rated comedy podcast on iTunes. Launched in October of 2010, the podcast has acquired cult-like status and continues to raise low and loose jeans worldwide. If you enjoy 7th grade humour, you’ll love Your Mom’s House.

Tom Papa: Good Stuff Tour I Friday, February 23, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Tom Papa is one of the top comedic voices in the country, finding success as an actor, host, and author, in film, TV, radio and podcasts as well as on the live stage. The comedian has had 5 highly rated stand-up specials on Netflix including his most recent Netflix special, What A Day! The special was taped at the iconic Wilbur Theatre in Boston. His other critically acclaimed specials include Human Mule, Freaked Out and Tom Papa Live in New York City, two of which were directed by Rob Zombie. On June 6, 2023, he released his highly anticipated third book, We’re All In This Together…So Make Some Room.

Jessica Kirson I Sunday, February 18, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

Jessica Kirson is a powerhouse on stage. She’s a hilariously relatable performer of sheer silliness, vulnerability, and ridiculous characters. 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, Kirson stands out as one of the strongest comedians regardless of gender. She produced FX’s Hysterical, a feature-length documentary that premiered at SXSW 2021. Her one-hour special Talking to Myself was executive produced by Bill Burr and debuted on Comedy Central. She 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, HBO’s, Crashing, Netflix’s, Friends Who Kill, and Kevin Can Wait. She also acted in and served as a consultant, producer, and writer on the Robert De Niro film, The Comedian.

Patti Harrison: My Huge Tits Huge Because They Are Infected NOT Fake! I Saturday, February 17, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 9:30 PM

Patti Harrison can currently be seen in the Sundance hit comedy Theater Camp, which will be released later this year by Searchlight. Last year was an amazing year for her, with audiences seeing her in the Paramount blockbuster The Lost City, and being nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead in Nikole Beckwith’s Together Together, co-starring Ed Helms. Later in the summer, she performed to rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a sold-out residency at London’s famed Soho Theatre. She can be seen on I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson, High Maintenance, and Search Party. She can currently be seen on the current and upcoming seasons of HBO Max’s hit series Made For Love and She Hulk, on Disney+.

Che Durena I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 9:30 PM

Haitian Canadian comedian Che Durena was born and raised in British Columbia and is based in Toronto after spending time performing standup in Mexico. He is known for his work as a host and writer for My Most Amazing Top 10 (over 7.6 million subscribers) and he has amassed a social media following of over 7 million with over 197 million likes on his viral TikTok rants and commentary. He has appeared on JFL All Access, Comedy Network, Crave, and recently dropped his debut comedy album Tales From My Butthole. His comedy offers an absurd angle on his experiences living abroad and his perception of matters like culture, race, relationships and drugs.

Justin Willman: Magic for Humans in Person Tour I Monday, February 19, 2024 I

Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

Justin Willman wants to melt your brain while making you laugh. He’s best known as the star and creator of the hit Netflix series Magic For Humans. But you may recognize him from one of his many television appearances on The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Ellen, Conan and many more. Or maybe you know his work as a host: Baking Impossible; Cupcake Wars; Win, Lose or Draw. Or maybe he’s the child magician you hired in suburban St. Louis in the ‘90s. If you don’t know him, he’s a magician and comedian who’s mastered the art of turning cynics into believers (or at least getting them to laugh).

Sooshi Mango: Off The Boat I Sunday, February 18, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 4:30 PM

Eight years ago, three average guys sat in their cars and started producing truly relatable content. Brothers Joe Salanitri, Carlo Salanitri and their best mate, Andrew Manfre came together for what started out as a fun hobby, which has now turned into what we know as Sooshi Mango. The Melbourne based trio are the only comedy act ever to sell out Rod Laver Arena three times in a row. Receiving an AACTA award for Favourite Australian Digital Comedy Creator in 2021, starring in Wog Boys Forever with Nick Giannopoulos and Nick Colosimo. They toured with their Off the Boat Tour across Australia in 2022, 7 states, 50 shows and a whopping 150,000+ tickets sold. With over 600+ million views online and over 2 million subscribers to their platforms, they continue to grow their brand.

Carlos Ballarta: TLATOANI (All Spanish Show) I Thursday, February 22, 2024

Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

Carlos Ballarta is a Mexican standup comedian and actor, born in Mexico City, with a ten-year career in the Spanish speaking stand up scene and to this day he is the only stand-up comedian with 3 jokes about elotes. He has three Netflix specials: El amor es de put*s (2016), Furia ñera (2018) and Falso profeta (2021). His most recent special, Rebelde Comodino, was released on Youtube in 2023. He has successfully toured all around Mexico, Latin America, the United States, Canada and many cities in Europe.

This is That Live I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 4:00 PM

Each week, hosts Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring introduce you to the voices and stories that give this country character in this 100% improvised, satirical send-up of public radio, society and Canadian culture.

Rio Theatre

Big Jay Oakerson I Friday, February 23, 2024 – 7:00 PM & Saturday, February 24, 2024 – 9:30 PM I Rio Theatre

Big Jay Oakerson is one of the most beloved and easily recognizable comedians working today. His laid-back style and dirty delivery are the signature marks of his comedy. Jay’s career spans two decades, starting in Philadelphia as a “comic’s comic” before rising mainstream fame in New York. Oakerson, co-hosts a weekly radio segment on Sirius XM 95, The Bonfire. On the screen he can be seen on This is Not Happening, Comedy Underground, Inside Amy Schumer and more. This year, he released his newest hour, Dog Belly on YouTube.

Catherine Cohen: Come For Me I Friday, February 23, 2024 – 9:30 PM & Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Catherine Cohen is best known for her hit Netflix comedy special The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous, which premiered earlier this year. The same live show won her the coveted title of Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in 2019. She can be seen next in the Paramount+ feature film, At Midnight, and in the upcoming Hulu series What Was I Doing While You Were Breeding. Last year, she found herself in Comedy Central’s Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, and she joined the cast for Season 3 of FX’s critically acclaimed series What We Do in The Shadows. Additionally in 2021, she published her first book entitled God I Feel Modern Tonight, which is her collection of comedic poetry.

Chris Redd I Thursday, February 15 & Friday, February 16, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 9:30 PM

After becoming a JFL New Face in 2016, Emmy-winning comedian Chris Redd has made his mark on comedy with his 5-year tenure on Saturday Night Live and his starring role on Peacock’s Bust Down, which he co-created, writes, and stars in. Recently, Redd featured in the biographical drama Spinning Gold, alongside Jeremy Jordan, Wiz Khalifa, and Jay Pharoah. His one-hour comedy special Why Am I Like This? premiered on HBO Max in November 2022. He received the Emmy Award in 2018 for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the SNL song “Come Back, Barack.” Over his impressive career, he has appeared in the Lonely Island film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, opposite Kathy Bates in the Netflix comedy Disjointed, and featured in NBC’s Kenan, Big Mouth, Wet Hot American Summer, Will & Grace, Netflix’s Love, and more. Later this year, he will star in Prime Video’s Candy Cane Lane, a Christmas comedy with Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Nick Offerman, among others.

Zarna Garg: Practical People Win I Wednesday, February 21 – 7:00 PM & Thursday, February 22, 2024 – 9:30 PM I Rio Theatre

Zarna Garg is “One in a Billion”, and that’s not the just name of her first comedy special. She’s also the only Indian mom comedian taking on her mother-in-law. She was recently profiled as one of the gutsiest women in comedy on Apple TV’s new Gutsy Women series, and featured on This American Life with Ira Glass. When she’s not doing 15 shows a week at Comedy Cellar in New York City, she is touring the world with her show. She is the winner of Kevin Hart’s Lyft Comics, the winner of the 2021 Ladies of Laughter Award, and has over a million followers across social media platforms. Her debut feature screenplay, Rearranged won Top Comedy Feature award at Austin Film Festival in 2019 and was a 2019 Nicholl Fellowships Semi-Finalist.

Aparna Nancherla: Uh Oh, I’m Back…and I Have Some Thoughts I Friday, February 16 – 7:00 PM & Saturday, February 17, 2024 – 9:30 PM I Rio Theatre

Aparna Nancherla is an acclaimed comedian, writer, and actor. Praised by critics and fans alike for her distinctive dry, existential, and whimsical sense of humour, she has toured her standup comedy extensively around the U.S. and the world. A true multi-hyphenate, her work spans film, TV, podcasts, and books. She presently hosts The Introvert’s Survival Guide, a new eight-part self-help interview podcast that premiered on Audible via Fresh Produce Media, which features a plethora of notable guests such as Seth Meyers, Elyse Myers, and Eric Smith. On TV, she has starred in many memorable roles on such series as Search Party, Space Force, Bojack Horseman, Corporate and many more. Her late-night standup debut was on Conan in 2013 and she was named a Just For Laughs New Face.

Caroline Rhea: I Identify As A Witch I Thursday, February 22, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Caroline Rhea is a stand-up comedian and actress, best known for her role as Hilda Spellman on the ABC hit series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and numerous comedy specials on Comedy Central, HBO and Showtime. She is currently starring in Disney Channel’s Sydney to the Max, and hosts Caroline and Friends, her hit game show for Game Show Network, now in its second season. She is a regular panellist on ABC’s Match Game with Alec Baldwin and is often on other game shows such as Hollywood Squares and Funny You Should Ask. She was the host of the Caroline Rhea Show, has appeared on Phineas and Ferb for over 10 seasons, and has guest starred on many hit series, including Two Broke Girls, The Marc Maron Show, and The Grinder. She starred as Noleta Nethercott in the cult classic series Sordid Lives and reprised her role in the film A Very Sordid Wedding, which ranked #1 on Amazon Films for a full month following its release. Most recently, she can be seen on the dais of Comedy Central’s Roast of Alec Baldwin. This marks her 30th year as a stand-up comedian.

Mo Gilligan: In the Moment World Tour 2024 I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 9:30 PM

With his high-energy style and stunning physicality, triple BAFTA winner Mo Gilligan is one of the UK’s biggest comedy stars with an online reach running into multiple millions. Named “The Funniest Man in Britain” by The Times, his debut Coupla Cans stand up tour was a total sell out, including a huge two-week residency in London’s West End. The show went on to be recorded as his debut Netflix Original Momentum, which was globally released in 190 countries. Gilligan fronts his own multi award winning entertainment format The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan, which saw him win his first BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance in 2020. That year he also produced and fronted the ground-breaking documentary Mo Gilligan: Black, British and Funny (Channel 4), which achieved huge critical acclaim.

Rafi Bastos: Unfamiliar Territory I Saturday, February 17, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Rafi Bastos is a 6’7” tall Jewish-Brazilian comedian with an accent like Dracula and a rapidly growing social media presence of stand-up clips in English. Many of his super-viral stand-up clips come from nightly performances at the prestigious Comedy Cellar. In his home-country of Brazil, he is a trailblazer of comedy, media and is one of the first comedians to pioneer the art of American-style stand-up comedy in Brazil. His 17-year comedy and acting career, before coming to the United States, garnered many firsts and was covered in an interview on The Joe Rogan Experience. He has starred in movies, had his own controversial talk show, been an infield journalist and hosted reality shows Ultimate Beastmaster for Netflix. He is the Co-Founder and owner of Comedians, the largest comedy club in South America. Let’s just say Bastos has done almost everything in Brazil and now he’s in the USA to do it all with a fresh perspective.

Chris Fleming I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Chris Fleming was named one of Variety’s Ten Comics to Watch for 2019. He has amassed over 70 million views on his Youtube channel and has appeared in Comedy Central’s Corporate, Splitting Up Together, Netflix’s Last Laugh and Twelve Forever. The Huffington Post has called him “perhaps one of the best things on the internet.” Of his live show, Chortle says, “you can’t take your eyes off this unpredictable, exciting performer.” Splitsider says, “a madman and I think, genius.” According to Vulture, “equal parts imagination and inferiority complex, a combination that has led him to create some of the most bizarrely funny performance art taking place online and onstage today.”

Lewberger I Sunday, February 18, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Lewberger is Keith Habersberger, Alex Lewis, and Hughie Stone Fish. This handsome 3-man comedy band based in Los Angeles, CA, got a standing ovation on America’s Got Talent and were finalists on NBC’s Bring The Funny. Their viral songs have been heard by millions online and on TV and they’ve been described as the illegitimate love child of Lonely Island and Flight of the Conchords. Lewberger has played clubs and colleges all over the country. Their latest comedy special Lewberger: Live at Lincoln Hall can be found on Amazon Prime, and their podcast Celebrity Theme Song can be heard on all streaming platforms. Habersberger is a member of internet sensations The Try Guys, boasting millions of subscribers and their own production company. Lewis is an actor and comedian who can be seen on several TV shows and the movies All About Nina as well as the remake of MGM’s Valley Girl. Stone Fish is an Emmy Award-winning songwriter and a music producer/educator with a non-profit bringing arts education to his hometown of Syracuse, New York.

Celebrity Memoir Book Club I Thursday, February 15, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Celebrity Memoir Book Club is the podcast where New York comedians Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton read celebrity memoirs so you don’t have to. An Apple Podcast top comedy podcast, a Vulture must listen, and featured in the New York Times, This podcast follows them as they comb through the pages of celebrity memoirs for the juiciest moments. Lauded by Vogue as “deftly balancing a tongue-in-cheek, humorous look at its celebrity specimens with generous doses of empathy” and named a best podcast of 2022 by Esquire, they are analyzing the celebs and giving unfiltered takes on celebrity gossip using the celebrities’ own words.

 Get ready for some big laughs as Just For Laughs VANCOUVER, in association with SiriusXM Canada, brings the lively spirit of comedy back to the city with their 8th edition of the festival running February 15 to 24, 2024. As Western Canada’s biggest comedy festival, this year’s lineup will feature many of your favourite comedians including comedy icons you’ve always wanted to see, and emerging stars you may already know from TikTok and YouTube; alongside hilarious hosts of today’s most downloaded comedy podcasts. Also joining are some of today’s prominent international stand-up comedians from Egypt, Mexico, Australia, the U.K. and Brazil, who will also perform in various languages. We will continue to showcase vibrant comedic voices from across Canada, including rising talent from Vancouver, adding an extra layer of excitement as we prepare for a truly memorable festival ahead. Plus, there’s more to come! We will be revealing additional artists joining the roster in the coming weeks. 

Festival Director, Heather Wallace shares, “As we approach our 8th edition, we’re excited to build on the legacy of consistently delivering top-tier comedy to our city. We take tremendous pride in presenting the world’s biggest comedystars; artists who are truly making waves across the industry.” She adds, “The valued support of our festival partners makes it possible for us to continue to grow and produce ten days of incredible programming that has something for everyone!”

To get in on all the action, tickets for Just For Laughs VANCOUVER will go on sale to the general public this Friday, December 1, 2023 at 10:00 AM PST at JFLVancouver.com

Performing at the 8th edition of Just For Laughs VANCOUVER,

in association with SiriusXM Canada,

Rogers Arena

Bill Burr I Friday, February 23, 2024 I Rogers Arena I  8:00 PM

Emmy and Grammy-nominated comedian Bill Burr stands out as a leading comedic voice of his generation, achieving major success in numerous television and film roles as well as the live stage. In October, Burr’s film, OLD DADS, which he directed, co-wrote and stars in, premiered as the most-watched film on Netflix in its first and second week of release. On November 21, Burr starred with Adam Sandler in the animated Netflix film, LEO, which also premiered as the #1 film on Netflix. His diverse roles include appearances in the Judd Apatow film, The King of Staten Island, Disney+’s The Mandalorian, Hugh Jackman’s film, The Front Runner, and the Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell film, Daddy’s Home just to name a few. Additionally, he hosted Saturday Night Live and played the memorable recurring role of ‘Kuby’ on the acclaimed AMC show, Breaking Bad. Renowned for hosting his widely downloaded ‘Monday Morning Podcast’, in 2023. Burr toured arenas and amphitheatres throughout North America and Europe. In 2022 he made history as the first comedian to perform at Fenway Park. His 2022 Netflix special, Bill Burr: Live At Red Rocks, shot at the legendary venue, further stakes his role as one of the most versatile talents of his time.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Ronny Chieng: The Love to Hate It Tour I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Queen Elizabeth Theatre I 9:30 PM

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.

Wanda Sykes: Please and Thank You I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Queen Elizabeth Theatre I 7:00 PM

Wanda Sykes is an Emmy winning stand-up comic, writer, actress and producer who has been entertaining audiences for over twenty years. She has ranked among Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Funniest People in America” and her peers have called her “one of the funniest stand-up comics” in the field. In 2023 she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Nominations; Two for her Netflix special Wanda Sykes; I’m an Entertainer (her sixth stand-up special) and another for her role as in Crank Yankers. In 2020, she received Emmy nominations for both her role as real-life comic Moms Mabley in The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel and for her voice work in Crank Yankers. Her guest-starring role on ABC’s Black-ish also brought her two back-to-back Emmy nominations. Her fifth standup special, Wanda Sykes: Not Normal, is streaming on Netflix and was nominated for two 2019 Primetime Emmy Awards.

The Orpheum

Ben Schwartz and Friends I Sunday, February 18, 2024 I The Orpheum I 8:00 PM

Ben Schwartz can next be seen in Lord & Miller’s AppleTV+ miniseries The After Party, as well as the second season of Greg Daniels and Steve Carell’s Netflix series Space Force, in which he stars opposite Steve Carell and John Malkovich. Previous credits include the Disney feature, Flora and Ulysses, based on the popular novel, the indie feature Standing Up, Falling Down, for which He received rave reviews for his lead performance opposite Billy Crystal; Night School.

He starred opposite Don Cheadle & Kristen Bell in the Showtime comedy series House of Lies and acted alongside Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt and Aziz Ansari as Jean Ralphio on Parks and Recreation. As a writer, he has published four books and written television shows and movies for many major studios.

Vogue Theatre

Marlon Wayans I Saturday, February 17, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 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 Affleck’s Nike drama AIR for Amazon Studios. Wayans is commonly recognized for his role as Marcus Copeland in Columbia Pictures’ 2004 hit comedy White Chicks. He also starred in the horror comedy spoof films Scary Movie and Scary Movie 2.

Bassem Youssef I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 (Arabic show) & Wednesday, February 21, 2024 (English show) I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

Bassem Youssef will return for an encore performance to make history at the festival this year as the first artist ever to do one show in Arabic, and one show in English.

His one-of-a-kind solo English comedy performance, the audience is taken on a personal journey from Youssef’s career as a heart surgeon in Egypt to finding himself in the middle of the Arab Spring and becoming the host of the largest political satire show in the history of the Arab World. His jokes earned him worldwide recognition as “The Egyptian Jon Stewart,” but also got him arrested, interrogated, and ultimately prompted his escape to America just as the country was going through its very own identity crisis.  

For his Arabic show:  Youssef’s Arabic standup show is a unique and new experience showcasing a 90-minute show of ground breaking Arabic comedy. Standup comedy is a relatively new art form for Arabic culture. The show challenges the audience with subversive narratives that use very “strong” language that is not usually are not heard on Arabic live shows. That is why there is a clear warning for Arabic audiences to attend “at their own risk”. Youssef connects with all Arabic audiences from all the Arab countries which is almost an impossible task knowing that Arab dialects extremely vary from one country to another with totally cultural references making each

dialect almost have its own comedic language. He takes the audience into a very personal journey for Hal life before the fame touching on hilarious nuances that connect different generations and cultures. A unique performance of Arabic comedy that has had massive success in the US, Canada, Europe and the Middle East.

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the PTSD-List I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I

6:30 PM

Kathy Griffin is a two-time Emmy and Grammy Award winning comedian, television star, best-selling author and advocate known for her biting satire and fearless comedy. The legendary performer holds the Guinness Book of World Records for writing and starring in an unprecedented 20 televised stand-up specials. She is perhaps best known for her hit Bravo series, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, which aired for 6 years and won 2 Emmys. She starred on NBC’s Suddenly Susan and guest starred on Seinfeld, Law & Order: SVU, Glee, You, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She has lent her unique voice to animated characters in Shrek Forever After, The Simpsons, American Dad, Futurama and Dilbert. She co-produced and co-hosted CNN’s New Year’s Eve special, with Anderson Cooper for 10 years. Her memoir, Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin, debuted at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. Her second book, Kathy Griffin’s Celebrity Run-Ins: My A-Z Index, was also a New York Times Best Seller.

Nicole Byer I Friday, February 16, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 9:30 PM

Nicole Byer is one of the most versatile voices in the comedy landscape today. An actress, comedian, writer, author and podcaster, she is perhaps most well-known as the host of Netflix’s Emmy nominated competition baking series Nailed It!, which has gained a cult following of viewers since its premiere on the streaming platform in 2018. In 2020, she made history by becoming the first black woman ever to be nominated in the category of “Outstanding Host for A Reality or Competition Program” and was nominated again in 2021 and 2022. The series premiered its seventh season in October 2022. She can currently be seen in her debut solo stand-up special on Netflix Nicole Byer: Big Beautiful Weirdo and the NBC comedy Grand Crew. She is also known for her standout appearances on MTV’s hit show Girl Code, a female-driven comedy series that opens the dialogue for the wonders and woes of womanhood.

Bob The Drag Queen I Thursday, February 15, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

The alter ego of non-binary comic/actor Caldwell Tidicue, “Bob The Drag Queen” describes herself as “hilarious, beautiful, talented and…humble.” Their unabashed confidence won them the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar on season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, multiple acting roles for HBO, Netflix, Sony Tristar, MTV, and VH1. The third season of her Emmy Award nominated HBO Max series We’re Here was released in 2022. They are also an accomplished stand-up comedian with two solo specials under their belt and a starring role in the recent Netflix comedy concert film Stand Out executive produced by Wanda Sykes. Sibling Rivalry – Bob’s podcast with his comedy partner Monet X Change – is now on its sixth season and is also hitting the road playing major venues in the US and Canada.

Christina P. I Friday, February 16, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

Christina P. is a stand-up Comedian, podcaster and mother of two young, savage boys. She recently premiered her second one-hour Netflix special, Christina P: Mom Genes, which led to her being written about in outlets such as The Los Angeles Times and Forbes, with Ready Steady Cut calling it, “One of the best specials of the year.” Her previous one-hour stand-up special, Christina P: Mother Inferior, premiered in 2017. Her second half-hour special is featured on The Degenerates, shot in Las Vegas in 2018 and is streaming on Netflix as well. She has a hugely successful podcast Your Mom’s House which she hosts with her husband, comedian Tom Segura, and is a top-rated comedy podcast on iTunes. Launched in October of 2010, the podcast has acquired cult-like status and continues to raise low and loose jeans worldwide. If you enjoy 7th grade humour, you’ll love Your Mom’s House.

Tom Papa: Good Stuff Tour I Friday, February 23, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Tom Papa is one of the top comedic voices in the country, finding success as an actor, host, and author, in film, TV, radio and podcasts as well as on the live stage. The comedian has had 5 highly rated stand-up specials on Netflix including his most recent Netflix special, What A Day! The special was taped at the iconic Wilbur Theatre in Boston. His other critically acclaimed specials include Human Mule, Freaked Out and Tom Papa Live in New York City, two of which were directed by Rob Zombie. On June 6, 2023, he released his highly anticipated third book, We’re All In This Together…So Make Some Room.

Jessica Kirson I Sunday, February 18, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

Jessica Kirson is a powerhouse on stage. She’s a hilariously relatable performer of sheer silliness, vulnerability, and ridiculous characters. 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, Kirson stands out as one of the strongest comedians regardless of gender. She produced FX’s Hysterical, a feature-length documentary that premiered at SXSW 2021. Her one-hour special Talking to Myself was executive produced by Bill Burr and debuted on Comedy Central. She 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, HBO’s, Crashing, Netflix’s, Friends Who Kill, and Kevin Can Wait. She also acted in and served as a consultant, producer, and writer on the Robert De Niro film, The Comedian.

Patti Harrison: My Huge Tits Huge Because They Are Infected NOT Fake! I Saturday, February 17, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 9:30 PM

Patti Harrison can currently be seen in the Sundance hit comedy Theater Camp, which will be released later this year by Searchlight. Last year was an amazing year for her, with audiences seeing her in the Paramount blockbuster The Lost City, and being nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead in Nikole Beckwith’s Together Together, co-starring Ed Helms. Later in the summer, she performed to rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a sold-out residency at London’s famed Soho Theatre. She can be seen on I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson, High Maintenance, and Search Party. She can currently be seen on the current and upcoming seasons of HBO Max’s hit series Made For Love and She Hulk, on Disney+.

Che Durena I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 9:30 PM

Haitian Canadian comedian Che Durena was born and raised in British Columbia and is based in Toronto after spending time performing standup in Mexico. He is known for his work as a host and writer for My Most Amazing Top 10 (over 7.6 million subscribers) and he has amassed a social media following of over 7 million with over 197 million likes on his viral TikTok rants and commentary. He has appeared on JFL All Access, Comedy Network, Crave, and recently dropped his debut comedy album Tales From My Butthole. His comedy offers an absurd angle on his experiences living abroad and his perception of matters like culture, race, relationships and drugs.

Justin Willman: Magic for Humans in Person Tour I Monday, February 19, 2024 I

Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

Justin Willman wants to melt your brain while making you laugh. He’s best known as the star and creator of the hit Netflix series Magic For Humans. But you may recognize him from one of his many television appearances on The Tonight Show, The Today Show, Ellen, Conan and many more. Or maybe you know his work as a host: Baking Impossible; Cupcake Wars; Win, Lose or Draw. Or maybe he’s the child magician you hired in suburban St. Louis in the ‘90s. If you don’t know him, he’s a magician and comedian who’s mastered the art of turning cynics into believers (or at least getting them to laugh).

Sooshi Mango: Off The Boat I Sunday, February 18, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 4:30 PM     

Eight years ago, three average guys sat in their cars and started producing truly relatable content. Brothers Joe Salanitri, Carlo Salanitri and their best mate, Andrew Manfre came together for what started out as a fun hobby, which has now turned into what we know as Sooshi Mango. The Melbourne based trio are the only comedy act ever to sell out Rod Laver Arena three times in a row. Receiving an AACTA award for Favourite Australian Digital Comedy Creator in 2021, starring in Wog Boys Forever with Nick Giannopoulos and Nick Colosimo. They toured with their Off the Boat Tour across Australia in 2022, 7 states, 50 shows and a whopping 150,000+ tickets sold. With over 600+ million views online and over 2 million subscribers to their platforms, they continue to grow their brand.

Carlos Ballarta: TLATOANI (All Spanish Show) I Thursday, February 22, 2024

Vogue Theatre I 7:00 PM

Carlos Ballarta is a Mexican standup comedian and actor, born in Mexico City, with a ten-year career in the Spanish speaking stand up scene and to this day he is the only stand-up comedian with 3 jokes about elotes. He has three Netflix specials: El amor es de put*s (2016), Furia ñera (2018) and Falso profeta (2021). His most recent special, Rebelde Comodino, was released on Youtube in 2023. He has successfully toured all around Mexico, Latin America, the United States, Canada and many cities in Europe.

This is That Live I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Vogue Theatre I 4:00 PM

Each week, hosts Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring introduce you to the voices and stories that give this country character in this 100% improvised, satirical send-up of public radio, society and Canadian culture.

Rio Theatre

Big Jay Oakerson I Friday, February 23, 2024 – 7:00 PM & Saturday, February 24, 2024 – 9:30 PM I Rio Theatre

Big Jay Oakerson is one of the most beloved and easily recognizable comedians working today. His laid-back style and dirty delivery are the signature marks of his comedy. Jay’s career spans two decades, starting in Philadelphia as a “comic’s comic” before rising mainstream fame in New York. Oakerson, co-hosts a weekly radio segment on Sirius XM 95, The Bonfire. On the screen he can be seen on This is Not Happening, Comedy Underground, Inside Amy Schumer and more. This year, he released his newest hour, Dog Belly on YouTube.

Catherine Cohen: Come For Me I Friday, February 23, 2024 – 9:30 PM & Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Catherine Cohen is best known for her hit Netflix comedy special The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous, which premiered earlier this year. The same live show won her the coveted title of Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in 2019. She can be seen next in the Paramount+ feature film, At Midnight, and in the upcoming Hulu series What Was I Doing While You Were Breeding. Last year, she found herself in Comedy Central’s Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, and she joined the cast for Season 3 of FX’s critically acclaimed series What We Do in The Shadows. Additionally in 2021, she published her first book entitled God I Feel Modern Tonight, which is her collection of comedic poetry.

Chris Redd I Thursday, February 15 & Friday, February 16, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 9:30 PM

After becoming a JFL New Face in 2016, Emmy-winning comedian Chris Redd has made his mark on comedy with his 5-year tenure on Saturday Night Live and his starring role on Peacock’s Bust Down, which he co-created, writes, and stars in. Recently, Redd featured in the biographical drama Spinning Gold, alongside Jeremy Jordan, Wiz Khalifa, and Jay Pharoah. Hisone-hour comedy special Why Am I Like This? premiered on HBO Max in November 2022. He received the Emmy Award in 2018 for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the SNL song “Come Back, Barack.” Over his impressive career, he has appeared in the Lonely Island film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, opposite Kathy Bates in the Netflix comedy Disjointed, and featured in NBC’s Kenan, Big Mouth, Wet Hot American Summer, Will & Grace, Netflix’s Love, and more. Later this year, he will star in Prime Video’s Candy Cane Lane, a Christmas comedy with Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Nick Offerman, among others.

Zarna Garg: Practical People Win I Wednesday, February 21 – 7:00 PM & Thursday, February 22, 2024 – 9:30 PM I Rio Theatre

Zarna Garg is “One in a Billion”, and that’s not the just name of her first comedy special. She’s also the only Indian mom comedian taking on her mother-in-law.  She was recently profiled as one of the gutsiest women in comedy on Apple TV’s new Gutsy Women series, and featured on This American Life with Ira Glass. When she’s not doing 15 shows a week at Comedy Cellar in New York City, she is touring the world with her show. She is the winner of Kevin Hart’s Lyft Comics, the winner of the 2021 Ladies of Laughter Award, and has over a million followers across social media platforms. Her debut feature screenplay, Rearranged won Top Comedy Feature award at Austin Film Festival in 2019 and was a 2019 Nicholl Fellowships Semi-Finalist.

Aparna Nancherla: Uh Oh, I’m Back…and I Have Some Thoughts I Friday, February 16 – 7:00 PM & Saturday, February 17, 2024 –  9:30 PM I Rio Theatre

Aparna Nancherla is an acclaimed comedian, writer, and actor. Praised by critics and fans alike for her distinctive dry, existential, and whimsical sense of humour, she has toured her standup comedy extensively around the U.S. and the world. A true multi-hyphenate, her work spans film, TV, podcasts, and books. She presently hosts The Introvert’s Survival Guide, a new eight-part self-help interview podcast that premiered on Audible via Fresh Produce Media, which features a plethora of notable guests such as Seth Meyers, Elyse Myers, and Eric Smith. On TV, she has starred in many memorable roles on such series as Search Party, Space Force, Bojack Horseman, Corporate and many more. Her late-night standup debut was on Conan in 2013 and she was named a Just For Laughs New Face.

Caroline Rhea: I Identify As A Witch I Thursday, February 22, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Caroline Rhea is a stand-up comedian and actress, best known for her role as Hilda Spellman on the ABC hit series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and numerous comedy specials on Comedy Central, HBO and Showtime. She is currently starring in Disney Channel’s Sydney to the Max, and hosts Caroline and Friends, her hit game show for Game Show Network, now in its second season. She is a regular panellist on ABC’s Match Game with Alec Baldwin and is often on other game shows such as Hollywood Squares and Funny You Should Ask. She was the host of the Caroline Rhea Show, has appeared on Phineas and Ferb for over 10 seasons, and has guest starred on many hit series, including Two Broke Girls, The Marc Maron Show, and The Grinder. She starred as Noleta Nethercott in the cult classic series Sordid Lives and reprised her role in the film A Very Sordid Wedding, which ranked #1 on Amazon Films for a full month following its release. Most recently, she can be seen on the dais of Comedy Central’s Roast of Alec Baldwin. This marks her 30th year as a stand-up comedian.

Mo Gilligan: In the Moment World Tour 2024 I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 9:30 PM

With his high-energy style and stunning physicality, triple BAFTA winner Mo Gilligan is one of the UK’s biggest comedy stars with an online reach running into multiple millions. Named “The Funniest Man in Britain” by The Times, his debut Coupla Cans stand up tour was a total sell out, including a huge two-week residency in London’s West End. The show went on to be recorded as his debut Netflix Original Momentum, which was globally released in 190 countries. Gilligan fronts his own multi award winning entertainment format The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan, which saw him win his first BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance in 2020. That year he also produced and fronted the ground-breaking documentary Mo Gilligan: Black, British and Funny (Channel 4), which achieved huge critical acclaim.

Rafi Bastos: Unfamiliar Territory I Saturday, February 17, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Rafi Bastos is a 6’7” tall Jewish-Brazilian comedian with an accent like Dracula and a rapidly growing social media presence of stand-up clips in English. Many of his super-viral stand-up clips come from nightly performances at the prestigious Comedy Cellar. In his home-country of Brazil, he is a trailblazer of comedy, media and is one of the first comedians to pioneer the art of American-style stand-up comedy in Brazil. His 17-year comedy and acting career, before coming to the United States, garnered many firsts and was covered in an interview on The Joe Rogan Experience. He has starred in movies, had his own controversial talk show, been an infield journalist and hosted reality shows Ultimate Beastmaster for Netflix. He is the Co-Founder and owner of Comedians, the largest comedy club in South America. Let’s just say Bastos has done almost everything in Brazil and now he’s in the USA to do it all with a fresh perspective.

Chris Fleming I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Chris Fleming was named one of Variety’s Ten Comics to Watch for 2019. He has amassed over 70 million views on his Youtube channel and has appeared in Comedy Central’s Corporate, Splitting Up Together, Netflix’s Last Laugh and Twelve Forever. The Huffington Post has called him “perhaps one of the best things on the internet.” Of his live show, Chortle says, “you can’t take your eyes off this unpredictable, exciting performer.” Splitsider says, “a madman and I think, genius.” According to Vulture, “equal parts imagination and inferiority complex, a combination that has led him to create some of the most bizarrely funny performance art taking place online and onstage today.”

Lewberger I Sunday, February 18, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Lewberger is Keith Habersberger, Alex Lewis, and Hughie Stone Fish. This handsome 3-man comedy band based in Los Angeles, CA, got a standing ovation on America’s Got Talent and were finalists on NBC’s Bring The Funny. Their viral songs have been heard by millions online and on TV and they’ve been described as the illegitimate love child of Lonely Island and Flight of the Conchords. Lewberger has played clubs and colleges all over the country. Their latest comedy special Lewberger: Live at Lincoln Hall can be found on Amazon Prime, and their podcast Celebrity Theme Song can be heard on all streaming platforms. Habersberger is a member of internet sensations The Try Guys, boasting millions of subscribers and their own production company. Lewis is an actor and comedian who can be seen on several TV shows and the movies All About Nina as well as the remake of MGM’s Valley Girl. Stone Fish is an Emmy Award-winning songwriter and a music producer/educator with a non-profit bringing arts education to his hometown of Syracuse, New York.

Celebrity Memoir Book Club I Thursday, February 15, 2024 I Rio Theatre I 7:00 PM

Celebrity Memoir Book Club is the podcast where New York comedians Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton read celebrity memoirs so you don’t have to. An Apple Podcast top comedy podcast, a Vulture must listen, and featured in the New York Times, This podcast follows them as they comb through the pages of celebrity memoirs for the juiciest moments. Lauded by Vogue as “deftly balancing a tongue-in-cheek, humorous look at its celebrity specimens with generous doses of empathy” and named a best podcast of 2022 by Esquire, they are analyzing the celebs and giving unfiltered takes on celebrity gossip using the celebrities’ own words.

Biltmore Cabaret

Joel Kim Booster I Friday, February 16, 2024 – 9:30 PM & Saturday February 17, 2024 – 7:00 PM I Biltmore Cabaret

Joel Kim Booster is a Chicago-bred, Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian, writer, and actor who was recently named one of TIME 100 Next (2022) as an emerging advocate and creative, and a 2022 Variety Screenwriter to Watch. Joel has also been recognized as one of The Queer Young Comics Redefining American Humor by the New York Times. He has starred in shows like Search Party and Hulu’s Shrill, as well as writing and producing Netflix’s Big Mouth and HBO Max’s The Other Two. In 2022, Booster starred in the critically praised Fox Searchlight rom-com Fire Island alongside Bowen Yang. The film, which he also wrote, received a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Screenplay, a Gotham Award, and a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film. His first stand-up special for Netflix, PsychoSexual, also premiered in 2022. He currently stars on the Apple TV+ series Loot alongside Maya Rudolph.

Annie Lederman I Wednesday, February 21, 2024 – 7:00 PM & Thursday, February 22, 2024 – 9:00 PM I Biltmore Cabaret

Annie Lederman is a comic, podcaster, writer & actress. She is co-host of the hit podcast Trash Tuesdays along with Khahlya Kuhn and Esther Povistky, as well as featuring on a number of others. Most recently, Lederman can be seen featured in Showtime’s hit documentary miniseries The Comedy Store alongside Jay Leno, David Letterman, Joe Rogan, and many other Comedy Store legends. Additionally, Lederman has been seen or heard on many TV networks, including Comedy Central, MTV, E!, & Trutv. Lederman has also acted alongside Ron Livingston in the 2017 Cannes darling The Long Dumb Road. On the writing front, she wrote and starred in Stand Ups, a scripted Comedy Central pilot produced by Dan Powell of Inside Amy Schumer, while writing for Impractical Jokers and Borat. Additionally, she was a producer and writer on Sacha Baron Cohen’s series Who Is America?

Andrea Jin I Sunday, February 18, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM

Andrea Jin is a stand-up comedian and writer born in Shanghai, relocated to Canada, and currently based in Los Angeles. She gained recognition in the comedy scene after winning Comedy Album of the Year in 2021 at the Juno Awards from the Canadian Academy of Recording Artists for her solo album Grandma’s Girl. She recently made her first late night TV debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden, was selected as a New Face at the Just for Laughs Montreal Festival in 2021, and has performed at several festivals like JFL Northwest, SiriusXM’s Top Comic, Seattle International Comedy Competition, CBC’s The Debaters, and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. Her writing has been featured on Vice, CBC Comedy, and the Vancouver Sun among other publications.

Chris Gethard I Thursday, February 15, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 9:00 PM

Chris Gethard is a comedian, actor, and author who’s been doing comedy stuff for over twenty years. He’s the host of the Beautiful/Anonymous podcast, the former host of legendary public access television show The Chris Gethard Show, and had a special on HBO called Career Suicide where he talked about a few times he tried to kill himself. It was a comedy special. He’s acted on shows like The Office, Broad City, Space Force, Parks and Recreation, and a bunch more. He’s been in some movies like Don’t Think Twice, The Heat, The Other Guys, and Ghostbusters.

Emma Willmann I Thursday, February 22, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Emma Willmann is a stand-up comedian, actress, and podcaster originally from Blue Hill, Maine. A comic who’s mastered chaos under control, Willmann’s vibrant presence, warmth, and unflinching honesty make her a comedian to be reckoned with. She was a part of the inaugural season of Netflix’s The Lineup, and has made memorable appearances in CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Judd Apatow’s Crashing and The Good Fight on Paramount+. Willmann has also made multiple appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. You can catch her as a regular at the prestigious Comedy Cellar in New York City or on her podcast Ask Men Anything on the BETCHES network.

Jesus Trejo I Saturday, February 17, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 9:30 PM

Jesus Trejo is one of the fastest rising names in the stand-up comedy scene. Trejo will be taping his first hour stand-up special for Showtime this fall, which aired in 2020. He can be seen recurring on the Netflix series Mr. Iglesias, and in roles on Alone Together and Teachers. He was selected to be a New Face comedian in 2016 for the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, and was named a Variety Top 10 Comic to watch at JFL in 2017. Born and raised in Long Beach, CA, Trejo is a paid regular at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles.

Sydnee Washington: How To Start a Fire I Saturday, February 24, 2023 I Biltmore Cabaret 9:30 PM

Sydnee Washington was born in New York City but spent most of her childhood in Oakland, California. She is the host of her own Instagram Live show Syd Can Cook and the host of Headgum’s Hobby Hunter. She co-hosts the popular podcast The Unofficial Expert, where she discusses her many fields of expertise, like flirting, porn, daddy issues, online dating, cookouts, stalking, sex toys, and Runaway Brides. She was recently honoured as an “UpNext” comedian at Comedy Central’s Clusterfest. Washington also hosted a weekly comedy show at the Knitting Factory and can be seen on this season of TruTV’s Laff Mobb Laugh Tracks. Her humour and view toward vanity, dating both sexes, and how to party safely as a woman are both unique and refreshing.

Aaron Chen I Thursday, February 15, 2024  I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Aaron Chen has quickly climbed the ranks of the international comedy scene. He made his mark on Australian comedy with his debut solo show in 2017 and since then has toured nationally in front of sold-out crowds and rave reviews, earning him the sought-after awards for 2017 Best Newcomer and 2019 Director’s Choice. Since his critically acclaimed performance at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, he supported comedian Ronny Chieng on his Live Australian Tour, and had feature roles in Ronny Chieng International Student, Orange is the New Brown, and FISK. As a comedian, he also appears on Australia’s #1 panel show, Have You Been Paying Attention. His stand-up special, If It Weren’t Filmed, Nobody Would Believe was released on YouTube in September 2022 and has accumulated almost 1 million views.

Nathan Macintosh: Down with Tech I Friday, February 16, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Energetic, loud, and funny, Nathan Macintosh is a comedian and writer originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia now living in New York. Most recently performing for his second time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on NBC, he has also appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on CBS, Conan on TBS, and multiple Just For Laughs Galas. His debut album I Wasn’t Talking was featured in Exclaim Magazine’s ‘Top Ten Hilariously Good Comedy Moments’ and his newest special, ‘Money Never Wakes’, was reviewed highly by The New York Times. He also has a show called Trapped, that he wrote and starred in, which is on Bell Fibe, was reviewed by The Globe and Mail and has two seasons.

Leslie Liao I Friday, February 23, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Leslie Liao is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. Audiences around the world have been drawn to her relatable, introspective, and matter-of-fact style of humour which is often anchored around her experiences as a single Chinese-American woman living in Los Angeles. She was recently selected to be a New Face of Comedy at Montreal’s prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival 2023, and her debut set on Don’t Tell Comedy platforms, Fixing Straight Men, debuted boldly on YouTube with clips from her set going viral on Instagram and TikTok. She will next be seen in the new multi-comic standup series on Netflix called Verified Standup which will debut on the platform later in 2023. She has toured with some of the biggest names in comedy, including Fortune Feimster, and can often be seen in Los Angeles gracing the stages of The Comedy Store, Hollywood Improv, Laugh Factory, Flappers, and many more.

Mark Little I Friday, February 23, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 9:30 PM

Mark Little is an award-winning actor, writer and comedian. He has appeared on JFL and Conan, co-founded the sketch comedy group Picnicface and was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics To Watch For 2013. He has starred in multiple TV shows, including Mr. D and Cavendish, and has won a combined 15 Canadian Comedy Awards. In recent years, Mark has written and provided voices for numerous animated series, including Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Cupcake and Dino, and Doomlands. The second season of his animated series Gary and his Demons premiered on Prime Video earlier this year.

An Hour with Josh Johnson I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Josh Johnson is an Emmy-nominated writer, stand-up, actor, and NAACP award-winner from Louisiana by way of Chicago. He is currently a writer on The Daily Show, and is a former writer and performer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he made his late-night debut in 2017. In addition, Johnson is Comedy Central’s ‘most watched comedian ever’ with 40M+ views to date across their platforms. Johnson’s most recent stand-up special, Josh Johnson: Up Here Killing Myself, premiered on Peacock earlier this year to rave reviews.

Emil Wakim I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Emil Wakim is a stand-up comedian and writer based in Brooklyn, NY by way of Bloomington, Indiana. He recently made his late-night television debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and can be seen on the latest season of Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Featuring. He was selected as a New Face of Comedy at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He has opened for Roy Wood Jr., Kyle Kinane, Nikki Glaser and Neal Brennan.

Desi Comedy Fest – On Tour I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 9:00 PM

Desi Comedy Fest is the Biggest South Asian Comedy Festival in America. Their mission is to showcase the funniest South Asian comedians from around the world & create a unique live comedy experience for the South Asian diaspora.

The Pearl

Tina Friml: Something Very Particular I Thursday, February 22, 2024 I The Pearl I 7:00 PM

Tina Friml is a standup comedian who uses animated optimism to talk about living with cerebral palsy. Her sharp jokes and fearless honesty about the social assumptions that come with living with a disability has earned her a dedicated social media following with over 200K followers on Instagram and over 140K on TikTok. She made her late-night debut on the Comedy Central series Featuring series and was a 2019 New Face in the acclaimed Just For Laughs Festival. She performs all over the country to sold out audiences and fans.

Just For Laughs VANCOUVER is proud to welcome its partners SiriusXM Canada,Province of B.C., Creative BC, Destination Vancouver, BCLC, Phillips Brewing & Malting, Downtown Van, Huer Foods, Vancouver Sun, The Province, and DailyHive to its 2024 event.

FESTIVAL TICKET DETAILS:

Pre-sale tickets will be available starting today – Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at various times at www.jflvancouver.com

Tickets will be available to the public as of Friday, December 1, at 10:00 AM PT at www.jflvancouver.com

Joel Kim Booster I Friday, February 16, 2024 – 9:30 PM & Saturday February 17, 2024 – 7:00 PM I Biltmore Cabaret

Joel Kim Booster is a Chicago-bred, Los Angeles-based stand-up comedian, writer, and actor who was recently named one of TIME 100 Next (2022) as an emerging advocate and creative, and a 2022 Variety Screenwriter to Watch. Joel has also been recognized as one of The Queer Young Comics Redefining American Humor by the New York Times. He has starred in shows like Search Party and Hulu’s Shrill, as well as writing and producing Netflix’s Big Mouth and HBO Max’s The Other Two. In 2022, Booster starred in the critically praised Fox Searchlight rom-com Fire Island alongside Bowen Yang. The film, which he also wrote, received a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best First Screenplay, a Gotham Award, and a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film. His first stand-up special for Netflix, PsychoSexual, also premiered in 2022. He currently stars on the Apple TV+ series Loot alongside Maya Rudolph.

Annie Lederman I Wednesday, February 21, 2024 – 7:00 PM & Thursday, February 22, 2024 – 9:00 PM I Biltmore Cabaret

Annie Lederman is a comic, podcaster, writer & actress. She is co-host of the hit podcast Trash Tuesdays along with Khahlya Kuhn and Esther Povistky, as well as featuring on a number of others. Most recently, Lederman can be seen featured in Showtime’s hit documentary miniseries The Comedy Store alongside Jay Leno, David Letterman, Joe Rogan, and many other Comedy Store legends. Additionally, Lederman has been seen or heard on many TV networks, including Comedy Central, MTV, E!, & Trutv. Lederman has also acted alongside Ron Livingston in the 2017 Cannes darling The Long Dumb Road. On the writing front, she wrote and starred in Stand Ups, a scripted Comedy Central pilot produced by Dan Powell of Inside Amy Schumer, while writing for Impractical Jokers and Borat. Additionally, she was a producer and writer on Sacha Baron Cohen’s series Who Is America?

Andrea Jin I Sunday, February 18, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM & 9:00 PM

Andrea Jin is a stand-up comedian and writer born in Shanghai, relocated to Canada, and currently based in Los Angeles. She gained recognition in the comedy scene after winning Comedy Album of the Year in 2021 at the Juno Awards from the Canadian Academy of Recording Artists for her solo album Grandma’s Girl. She recently made her first late night TV debut on The Late Late Show with James Corden, was selected as a New Face at the Just for Laughs Montreal Festival in 2021, and has performed at several festivals like JFL Northwest, SiriusXM’s Top Comic, Seattle International Comedy Competition, CBC’s The Debaters, and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. Her writing has been featured on Vice, CBC Comedy, and the Vancouver Sun among other publications.

Chris Gethard I Thursday, February 15, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 9:00 PM

Chris Gethard is a comedian, actor, and author who’s been doing comedy stuff for over twenty years. He’s the host of the Beautiful/Anonymous podcast, the former host of legendary public access television show The Chris Gethard Show, and had a special on HBO called Career Suicide where he talked about a few times he tried to kill himself. It was a comedy special. He’s acted on shows like The Office, Broad City, Space Force, Parks and Recreation, and a bunch more. He’s been in some movies like Don’t Think Twice, The Heat, The Other Guys, and Ghostbusters.

Emma Willmann I Thursday, February 22, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Emma Willmann is a stand-up comedian, actress, and podcaster originally from Blue Hill, Maine. A comic who’s mastered chaos under control, Willmann’s vibrant presence, warmth, and unflinching honesty make her a comedian to be reckoned with. She was a part of the inaugural season of Netflix’s The Lineup, and has made memorable appearances in CW’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Judd Apatow’s Crashing and The Good Fight on Paramount+. Willmann has also made multiple appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. You can catch her as a regular at the prestigious Comedy Cellar in New York City or on her podcast Ask Men Anything on the BETCHES network.

Jesus Trejo I Saturday, February 17, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 9:30 PM

Jesus Trejo is one of the fastest rising names in the stand-up comedy scene. Trejo will be taping his first hour stand-up special for Showtime this fall, which aired in 2020. He can be seen recurring on the Netflix series Mr. Iglesias, and in roles on Alone Together and Teachers. He was selected to be a New Face comedian in 2016 for the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, and was named a Variety Top 10 Comic to watch at JFL in 2017. Born and raised in Long Beach, CA, Trejo is a paid regular at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles.

Sydnee Washington: How To Start a Fire I Saturday, February 24, 2023 I Biltmore Cabaret 9:30 PM

Sydnee Washington was born in New York City but spent most of her childhood in Oakland, California. She is the host of her own Instagram Live show Syd Can Cook and the host of Headgum’s Hobby Hunter. She co-hosts the popular podcast The Unofficial Expert, where she discusses her many fields of expertise, like flirting, porn, daddy issues, online dating, cookouts, stalking, sex toys, and Runaway Brides. She was recently honoured as an “UpNext” comedian at Comedy Central’s Clusterfest. Washington also hosted a weekly comedy show at the Knitting Factory and can be seen on this season of TruTV’s Laff Mobb Laugh Tracks. Her humour and view toward vanity, dating both sexes, and how to party safely as a woman are both unique and refreshing.

Aaron Chen I Thursday, February 15, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Aaron Chen has quickly climbed the ranks of the international comedy scene. He made his mark on Australian comedy with his debut solo show in 2017 and since then has toured nationally in front of sold-out crowds and rave reviews, earning him the sought-after awards for 2017 Best Newcomer and 2019 Director’s Choice. Since his critically acclaimed performance at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, he supported comedian Ronny Chieng on his Live Australian Tour, and had feature roles in Ronny Chieng International Student, Orange is the New Brown, and FISK. As a comedian, he also appears on Australia’s #1 panel show, Have You Been Paying Attention. His stand-up special, If It Weren’t Filmed, Nobody Would Believe was released on YouTube in September 2022 and has accumulated almost 1 million views.

Nathan Macintosh: Down with Tech I Friday, February 16, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Energetic, loud, and funny, Nathan Macintosh is a comedian and writer originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia now living in New York. Most recently performing for his second time on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on NBC, he has also appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on CBS, Conan on TBS, and multiple Just For Laughs Galas. His debut album I Wasn’t Talking was featured in Exclaim Magazine’s ‘Top Ten Hilariously Good Comedy Moments’ and his newest special, ‘Money Never Wakes’, was reviewed highly by The New York Times. He also has a show called Trapped, that he wrote and starred in, which is on Bell Fibe, was reviewed by The Globe and Mail and has two seasons.

Leslie Liao I Friday, February 23, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Leslie Liao is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. Audiences around the world have been drawn to her relatable, introspective, and matter-of-fact style of humour which is often anchored around her experiences as a single Chinese-American woman living in Los Angeles. She was recently selected to be a New Face of Comedy at Montreal’s prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival 2023, and her debut set on Don’t Tell Comedy platforms, Fixing Straight Men, debuted boldly on YouTube with clips from her set going viral on Instagram and TikTok. She will next be seen in the new multi-comic standup series on Netflix called Verified Standup which will debut on the platform later in 2023. She has toured with some of the biggest names in comedy, including Fortune Feimster, and can often be seen in Los Angeles gracing the stages of The Comedy Store, Hollywood Improv, Laugh Factory, Flappers, and many more.

Mark Little I Friday, February 23, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 9:30 PM

Mark Little is an award-winning actor, writer and comedian. He has appeared on JFL and Conan, co-founded the sketch comedy group Picnicface and was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics To Watch For 2013. He has starred in multiple TV shows, including Mr. D and Cavendish, and has won a combined 15 Canadian Comedy Awards. In recent years, Mark has written and provided voices for numerous animated series, including Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Cupcake and Dino, and Doomlands. The second season of his animated series Gary and his Demons premiered on Prime Video earlier this year.

An Hour with Josh Johnson I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Josh Johnson is an Emmy-nominated writer, stand-up, actor, and NAACP award-winner from Louisiana by way of Chicago. He is currently a writer on The Daily Show, and is a former writer and performer on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he made his late-night debut in 2017. In addition, Johnson is Comedy Central’s ‘most watched comedian ever’ with 40M+ views to date across their platforms. Johnson’s most recent stand-up special, Josh Johnson: Up Here Killing Myself, premiered on Peacock earlier this year to rave reviews.

Emil Wakim I Saturday, February 24, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 7:00 PM

Emil Wakim is a stand-up comedian and writer based in Brooklyn, NY by way of Bloomington, Indiana. He recently made his late-night television debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and can be seen on the latest season of Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Featuring. He was selected as a New Face of Comedy at the prestigious Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. He has opened for Roy Wood Jr., Kyle Kinane, Nikki Glaser and Neal Brennan.

Desi Comedy Fest – On Tour I Tuesday, February 20, 2024 I Biltmore Cabaret I 9:00 PM

Desi Comedy Fest is the Biggest South Asian Comedy Festival in America. Their mission is to showcase the funniest South Asian comedians from around the world & create a unique live comedy experience for the South Asian diaspora.

The Pearl

Tina Friml: Something Very Particular I Thursday, February 22, 2024 I The Pearl I 7:00 PM

Tina Friml is a standup comedian who uses animated optimism to talk about living with cerebral palsy. Her sharp jokes and fearless honesty about the social assumptions that come with living with a disability has earned her a dedicated social media following with over 200K followers on Instagram and over 140K on TikTok. She made her late-night debut on the Comedy Central series Featuring series and was a 2019 New Face in the acclaimed Just For Laughs Festival. She performs all over the country to sold out audiences and fans.

Just For Laughs VANCOUVER is proud to welcome its partners SiriusXM Canada,Province of B.C., Creative BC, Destination Vancouver, BCLC, Phillips Brewing & Malting, Downtown Van, Huer Foods, Vancouver Sun, The Province, and DailyHive to its 2024 event.

FESTIVAL TICKET DETAILS:

Pre-sale tickets will be available starting today – Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at various times at www.jflvancouver.com

Tickets will be available to the public as of Friday, December 1, at 10:00 AM PT at www.jflvancouver.com

#SPOTTED: NICOLE BYER, MICHELLE BUTEAU, NEAL BRENNAN, ANDREW SCHULZ, JAMEELA JAMIL, CAST OF “NAPOLEON DYNAMITE” AND MORE AT JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO 2023

It’s Festival Season and JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO, presented by Beneva in collaboration with SiriusXM, is back with yet another knockout lineup for us this year. One of the world’s premiere Comedy Festivals is back in its 11th year, running from September 21st to September 30th. A free Street Festival with shows by Jinx Monsoon and Fred Armisen. 15 venues. 42 Comedians. Huge headliners – names like Andrew Schulz, Leslie Jones, Nicole Byer, Ronny Chieng, Marlon Wayans, Jonathan Van Ness and more. We were floored by Just for Laughs going bigger than ever last year and this year proves a worthy followup.

A reel of highlights!:

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MICHELLE BUTEAU

Kicking things off opening night was Michelle Buteau who saw a huge profile boost this year with the success of her hilarious Comedy Series SURVIVAL OF THE THICKEST, based on her collection of essays of the same name. Above this, she is host of wildly-popular reality competition THE CIRCLE on Netflix. The funnywoman takes her FULL HEARTS, TIGHT JEANS Tour across North America, selling-out in many cities, before wrapping this December in Austin, Texas. So thrilled we got to catch Buteau who was a pure joy live as we’ve been waiting forever, bringing effervescent energy to Elgin Theatre for two back-to-back shows, of which the first was sold-out completely. She was awarded the Blaze Award in 2020 during TIFF by the Firecracker Department and couldn’t even make it then due to pandemic restrictions! This was so long overdue. This was the best and she even had everyone signing Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September“!

Not sure if you got to catch her as guest host on CTV‘s The Social, but she killed it!

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NICOLE BYER & NETFLIX JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO MIDNIGHT PARTY

This is the absolute pinnacle for me of the Fest! I love Nicole Byer too much. I am so grateful for discovering her comedic talents over the Pandemic, watching NAILED IT! on Netflix, the best flop baking reality competition series ever. Byer makes me giggle when she riffs off of Chef Jacques Torres, purely delightful. But above this, her actual Standup Comedy is raw, biting and relatable, giving us all this range and dimension we only get glimpses of on the Baking Show. Her BBW (Big Beautiful Weirdo) Netflix Comedy Special is one of my favourites of all time and she does it all so effortlessly. A dream come true seeing her perform live at Meridian Hall as one of the Festival’s Headliners. Nobody was spared in her set: Tom Cruise, John Cena and some of her exes and ongoing struggles to find love. She is so real and honest. Always a breath of fresh air.

We got to attend the Just for Laughs Toronto Midnight Party, held at Chef’s Hall where several of the Festival’s “42” Comedians and Headliners came out for some delicious snacks – Sliders, Tacos, Donuts, Bao, Mini Bagels, Spring Rolls, Cocktails and so much more! We got to have amazing chats with burgeoning star Dulcé Sloan, Reggie Watts, Ronny Chieng and Brandon Ash-Mohammed, the latter who crushed it opening for Byer earlier i the evening. Sloan even practiced some of her new material on us!

Check-out this epic reel:

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NEAL BRENNAN

Neal Brennan is certainly the moment. The three-time Emmy nominee writes, directs, produces and does stand-up Comedy, selling-out two shows at The Elgin easily and we see exactly why. His star continues to rise with his The Blocks Podcast being very popular, talking to his friends and colleagues about things that make them feel isolated and lonely.

JINKX MONSOON

This iconic Drag Queen and runaway winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 7 is coming off a run on Broadway, with a historic starring role as Roxie Hart in CHICAGO. Her year couldn’t be getting any better and Toronto got to be a part of it with an add to the Just for Laughs Street Festival lineup. That’s right – it was completely free of charge to see her do a set live!

Bringing along her accompanying Pianist MAJOR SCALES, the audience got to her personal anecdotes, song and jokes. What more could we ask for? Monsoon got real personal going into detail about her struggles with rigidly-gendered airport scans which often cause her grief. What a force!

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JAMEELA JAMIL

The delightful and charming Jameela Jamil made her Toronto debut at JFL, taping an episode of her popular BAD DATES WITH JAMEELA JAMIL Podcast at The Elgin. You know Jamil from The Good Place, Marry Me, DC League of Super Pets and more recently Love at First Sight. Joining her on-stage for the conversation were Comedians Sabrina Wu (loved them in 2023’s JOY RIDE), Catherine Cohen and Gavin Crawford, while Dulce Sloan filled opener duties. The show was sold-out completely and Jamil‘s guests got really personal telling hilarious stories about their wild dating adventures. Only to be outdone by Jamil and a wild story involving two people in her life! Absolutely hilarious being a part of this sold-out audience.

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NAPOLEON DYNAMITE

19 years ago, eventual Cult Classic NAPOLEON DYNAMITE would get released. This small unsuspecting Indie Comedy with a $400k budget would go on to gross over $46.1 million around the world, celebrating awkwardness and geekdom. Almost 20 years later, the Film gets celebrated at JFL Toronto with stars Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez and Jon Gries here to present the Film at The Elgin once more for fans, followed by a conversation about NAPOLEON DYNAMITE‘s lasting legacy.

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COLIN QUINN

SNL Alumni Colin Quinn is still fire! We were obsessed in the late ’90s with his Weekend Updates and prominent roles in hits like Grown Ups, Girls, Trainwreck and Inside Amy Schumer. His Comedy Specials Colin Quinn & Friends: A Parking Lot Comedy Show and The New York Story show off his smart brand of humour and deep understanding of humanity. Was a blast seeing him live for the first time at JFL Toronto, just one a few shows at The Royal where he reflected upon people today and their incessant need to elevate themselves and their opinions to the world. I don’t disagree.

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JESSICA KIRSON

Jessica Kirson has risen as one of Comedy’s leading women and had the audience erupting with cheers. Of all the JFL shows I’ve been to, I have never seen as may fans queueing the stage door as I have for her, following her completely sold-out shows at The Elgin. She gain even more popularity over the Pandemic with her prank call album THE CALL GIRLS and also her Podcast DISGUSTING HAWK launching.

RORY SCOVEL

Rory Scovel has continued to build his impressive catalog of work, more recently on series like Superstore and Physical. He played The Elgin also, the first of two shows, ending this Festival on a high note! He is absolutely lovely!

ANDREW SCHULZ

So amazing meeting the Festival’s headliner, Andrew Schulz who played the first of two shows at Scotiabank Arena, where he brought us The Life Tour, selling-out both nights – setting a record for JFL’s fastest-selling arena tickets ever!

Everyone’s hooked on his commentaries about politics and life and we totally get why. He is everything!! Yet another formidable talent whonsaw a huge boost during the Pandemic with his Podcast FLAGRANT and Netflix Special, SCHULZ SAVES AMERICA.

More on tickets and this year’s complete lineup here.

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#FIRSTLOOK: JUST FOR LAUGHS TORONTO ANNOUNCES RETURN OF STREET FESTIVAL

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 11^th annual festival, running across the city from September 21 – 30, 2023.

THE RETURN OF THE STREET FESTIVAL

If you know…you know…last year’s inaugural street festival is still the talk of the town. Now, back by popular demand, Just For Laughs TORONTO’s 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, it’s 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 – 10:30 PM;

Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24 from 1:00 PM – 10:30 PM.

Local restaurants joining in on the fun include patios & in-restaurant dining is Biff’s Bistro, CC Lounge, Fresh On Front, Sultan’s 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).

 “As an insurance company, Beneva is defined by its mutualist roots. We’re 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,” said Jean-François Chalifoux, President and Chief Executive Officer of Beneva. “We’re 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.“

The Beneva Stage will feature performances that Toronto has been waiting for!

Headliners

Fred Armisen – 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 IFC’s Emmy-nominated series Portlandia, which he created alongside Carrie Brownstein. He is currently in the hit Netflix series Wednesday as Uncle Fester, and as “Tico ” in HBO’s 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 IFC’s hit show Documentary Now, for which he has received two Emmy nominations. He has also appeared in HBO’s Our Flag Means Death, Judd Apatow’s The Bubble, and Amazon’s series Forever (which he was also an executive producer on). He has appeared as a voice actor in Netflix’s Big Mouth and The Mitchells vs. The Machines. An 11-season veteran of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Armisen has engaged audiences with memorable impressions and characters. In 2014, Armisen was named band leader of the “8G Band” 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 – 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 CBS’s 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. Watts’ first Netflix special Spatial released to massive critical acclaim, with the New York Times calling it “a giddy rush of escapist nonsense” and dubbing Watts “the most influential absurdist in comedy today.”

Additional headliner to be announced next week!

Additional Performances to include;

The Soul Proprietor – 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 — 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 – Friday, September 22, 2023 – 6:00 PM

“A powerhouse band and vocals that shake the foundations”. 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 “The Reckless One”. The follow up to 2018’s Juno-nominated “Run To Me”, “The Reckless One” 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 – 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 “Flashback”. 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 – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 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 – Saturday, September 23, 2023 & Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 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 “Fred Heads”. 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 – 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 – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 4:00 PM

With over 20 years’ 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 Toronto’s 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 – Saturday, September 23, 2023 – 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. “How It Breaks” 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 – 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 today’s most celebrated comedians. It has consistently been a must-see event of the JFL MONTRÉAL 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 D’Souza, 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 – 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. She’s had starring roles on CBC, Global TV, and CTV. She’s everyone’s 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 – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 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. RupLoops’ 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) – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 3:15 PM

Two of Toronto’s 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 – Sunday, September 24, 2023 –   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 – Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 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 Toronto’s Dundas Square during World Pride 2014. In just one month, during Pride 2018, she became the first Drag Entertainer to work with Hudson’s 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 CBC’s 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, he’s best known for his multidisciplinary protest pieces decked out in draglesque. Gay Jesus is featured on Season 1 of CBC Arts’ docuseries Canada’s 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, Canada’s 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 Toronto’s 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 Montréal; 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.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW NAMES ADDED TO JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL 2023

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 year’s recipient:

Comedy Impact Award – 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, “Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution”. In the book, he explores the possibility and hope for a spiritual revolution to address today’s greatest issues – 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, “An Idiot’s Guide to Climate Change” 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 “Rainn Wilson and The Geography of Bliss” 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 Lidè 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 – who will present to Ronny Chieng

Neal Brennan – who will present to Bert Kreischer

Carolyn Taylor – who will present to Mae Martin

Ramy Youssef – who will present to Quinta Brunson

Hosted by the Master of Award Shows,

Comedian, James Davis

SURROUNDED – Tuesday, July 25, 2023 – 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 “Shockwave” 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, “Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! “

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 year’s 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 year’s 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 success…even 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 perspective—some 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) who’s 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 they’ll share sneak peeks clips, discuss their characters’ otherworldly chemistry, and reveal if we really are all just bricks in “the Wall.” 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 Affleck’s Nike drama AIR for Amazon Studios. Wayans is commonly recognized for his role as Marcus Copeland in Columbia Pictures’ 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 | Théâtre 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, Netflix’s Dope, which focuses on addiction; and most recently, Netflix’s 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 “Rising Comedy Star of the Year”.

ALOK – Saturday, July 29, 2023 | Salle Ludger-Duvernay – 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 Hulu’s Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne, ABC’s PRIDE: To Be Seen – A Soul of A Nation, Netflix’s Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness and The Trans List.

Trey Kennedy: Grow Up – 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. Trey’s 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 – 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 Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and was also staffed on TruTV’s Adam

Ruins Everything. He has performed stand-up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CONAN, Late Night with Craig Ferguson, and Adam Devine’s House Party. After becoming a semi-finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Mitra won the coveted “Comic Comeback” award to appear in the season finale. He was selected for the prestigious honour of being named a “New Face” 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 – 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 – Saturday, July 29, 2023 | Théâtre 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 “Lil Ally” 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 Store’s 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 “New Face of Comedy” at the Just for Laughs Comedy festival in Montreal. Ali’s 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 Store’s 25th Anniversary!

Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL 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 ministère 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 MONTRÉAL? 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).