Two festivals of funny adapt to pandemic
Gas Station, Park Theatre among venues
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This article was published 21/08/2020 (1965 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
When it comes to finding the humour in a pandemic, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and the Winnipeg Comedy Showcase are both ready to keep you rolling in the — physically-distanced — aisles.
The Gas Station is playing host to the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, on Aug. 21 to 28, along with shows at Rumor’s Comedy Club and Wee Johnny’s. The Park Theatre will host the Winnipeg Comedy Showcase on Sept. 4.
Headliners at the Gas Station largely feature Manitoba comedians, thanks to quarantine rules that limit travel, according to Nick Kowalchuk, executive director of the festival.
“We have a great variety of local performers, including Big Daddy Taz, Howie Miller, Lara Rae, Mike Green, Gerry Barret, and others,” Kowalchuk said. “We’ll have both free shows outside on our patio at 4 p.m., and then indoor shows at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $15 to $20 for the indoor shows, and we’re only selling 40 tickets out of over 200 seats, to keep everyone safe.”
Comedy is especially important at times like these, he said. “It’s so important to be able to safely get comedians back on stage, to get that personal interaction with a crowd. Zoom just doesn’t come close. You can’t tell a joke to a camera and get a laugh.”
Three indoor shows on the bill at the Gas Station include Red Man Laughing on Aug. 26, Laughs that Matter on Aug. 27, and WCF Unleashed on Aug. 28.
“Red Man Laughing features Indigenous comedians with host Ryan McMahon and musical guest Leonard Sumner. Laughs that Matter will be more edgy, more topical and I’m sure they’ll touch on COVID,” Kowalchuk said. “WCF Unleashed is our over-the-edge, dirty comedy night. Stirling Scott is coming in from Alberta to host this show.”
Over at the Park Theatre, the one-night event will feature six local funnymen and women, according to organizer Jared Story.
“We have a great mix of veterans of the Winnipeg comedy scene and people who are newer to the stage and finding their stride,” Story said. “That includes Matt Nightingale, Dana Smith, Benji Rothman and Julian Rowan, all of whom have been hosting comedy nights in town, and who bring their best every time. New blood includes Abby Falvo and Sarah London, who are participating in their first showcase.”
The 26th showcase was originally scheduled for May, but the pandemic put those plans on hold, according to Story, adding that the Park Theatre will hold audience numbers down to 40 per cent capacity in order to keep the event safe.
“There’s no way we can avoid the COVID-19 jokes, so be sure to expect some,” he said.
The Winnipeg Comedy Festival runs to Aug. 28 at the Gas Station, Rumor’s and Wee Johnny’s. For more, see www.winnipegcomedyfestival.com
The Winnipeg Comedy Showcase takes place Sept. 4 at the Park Theatre. For more, see www.myparktheatre.com
