Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/08/2020 (1024 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s said that laughter is the best medicine, and if the number of comedy shows back on stage this summer — and the impressive (but still socially distanced) crowd sizes that make up the audience at these shows — is anything to go by, that statement is proving to be true.

It was only a few weeks ago that things in Winnipeg were starting to look up and people began venturing out more confidently to take in all the activities they love during summer.

For some, that was watching the Winnipeg Jets attempt to play something that vaguely resembled hockey. For others, it was heading out to Steep Rock for their annual summer Instagram photo.

And for those missing the joy of laughter in their lives, it has meant taking in a good old-fashioned (by which I mean pre-pandemic) standup or improv show. Here are some of the shows that graced the stages of Winnipeg this month, and a few that are coming up.

Socially Distanced Improv at The Toad in the Hole

The Toad in the Hole is comfortably nestled into its new location at 155 Osborne St. (formerly home to Buccacino’s) and the venue’s compact but well-equipped new stage is ready to entertain you.

With great acoustics and ample seating, The Toad currently hosts a variety of performances, including Stephen Eric McIntyre’s sporadically re-occurring show The (Socially Distanced) Improv Supper Club, a series with a long history of being hosted at The Toad since the venue was located on Main St.

The show featured special guest Cory Wojcik — actor, director, musician, father — who admitted to being nervous. Although Wojcik is no stranger to the stage, he hadn’t done improv in a while and the idea gave him a bit of anxiety.

But he had nothing to worry about as he followed the lead of McIntyre, a regular face on stage and screen with decades of improv experience under his belt.

Though the audience was small, they were mighty: a very supportive table of women in the far back corner; two friends sharing a table right up at the front of the stage; and myself and local artist Leah Borchert — readers right remember her from the time I chaperoned her on a digital Zoom date with a mystery man named Eddie (sadly, the relationship did not work out).

“I forgot what applause sounded like,” said Wojcik, after the show, with a big smile.

WOKE Comedy Hour at The Good Will Social Club

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, WOKE Comedy Hour — a comedy show devoted to showcasing womxn of colour, Indigenous womxn and non-binary folx of colour — had a bi-weekly spot at The Good Will Social Club at 625 Portage Ave.

The July 28 show marked the first since the pandemic hit and headliner Thiané Diop was thrilled to be back on stage.

“Being able to have a laugh with great people was just something I really needed at that point,” says Diop. “It was great timing.”

The show’s lineup featured Mayran Kalah, Kelechi Asagwara, Nampande Londe, Johanna Googoo, Ugonna Chigbo, Jié Yang and Zach Lavand, who performed an enthusiastic, large but still socially distanced crowd.

“The venue has put in some really great social distancing measures through seating and a cap of how many people could be in the venue,” Diop says of the venue, which has become a hub for BIPOC and LGBTQIA2+ artists for its commitment to ensuring a safe space for all.

“They had so many measures in place to make us feel safe and secure even though it is still a pandemic.”

New Faces 7 at Comedy at Wee Johnny’s

This recurring show at Wee Johnny’s (177 McDermot Ave.) hosted by Jimmy Skinner hands over the microphone to new faces on the standup comedy scene.

The Aug. 6 show featured Sofia Salsi, Kyle Gibson, Veronica Gingles, Nate Entz and improviser Carson Koschik, who recently began exploring the form of standup comedy.

“It felt good,” says Koschik about his performance that evening. “Even though it’s half capacity crowds, they are usually more into it because they had to buy tickets in advance instead of just aimlessly walking into a bar that just so happens to have a show going on in the background.”

Outside Joke at The Beer Can

This past Saturday night at The Beer Can — a pop-up beer garden at 220 Main St. — musical improv troupe Outside Joke took the stage twice in the same day (that’s right, early birds: matinées are back so we can still support live performance and be in bed by 10 p.m.)

The 6 p.m. performance — the troupe’s first live show since before the pandemic — brought together an enormous audience eager to share in some sun, fun and cold drinks.

“I ran into a friend of mine early today and they suggested I come out,” says Tanner Manson, a self-described fan of the group who went to the evening show. “This was the first time I’ve intentionally come to see a live thing and it was very special.

“It’s nice that we get to experience these offerings and good things in the world right now. I was reminded that laughing with people is a beautiful thing.”

Frances.Koncan@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @franceskoncan

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