The Just For Laughs comedy festival has a variety of comics laughing into your hearts from Montreal and Toronto to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. There are a variety of performers including my home boi RUSSEL PETERS, who will perform a free show for his fans at Dundas Square next Saturday. Another Canadian favorite is Howie Mandell aka BOBBY will crack you up when he hits the stage.
In addition, last week I was LMAO when I sat down at the Pantages Hotel to interview the ETHNIC HEROES of Comedy touring on this festival. First, another brown sugar Sugar Sammy was telling me that he doesn't want to be considered a role model to many South Asian people because he said, once you come see me perform, you won't think of me as a role model because of my 'dirty jokes'. However, this Brown Town hero is getting praises around the WORLD for his multi-cultural spin on comedy. In his hometown of Montreal, he has been voted the most HIGHlarious comedian 3 years straight. He has been on many television shows, however, he told me his biggest accomplishment to date is when he opened up for insane laugh factor Dave Chappelle. He told me that he was nervous before he went on stage for that gig and even after! Crackin' some jokes beside Sugar Sammy was Fat Tony...I mean Frank Spadone. This Italian native jokester got his comedic start by doing impressions and accents of not famous people but everyday people. For example, in High School he did an awesome impersonation of his Principal. His favorite impression he loves doing is of his old NONA. However, he did not always know he was going to be a comedian growing up. He went to Humber College for believe it or not, Photography. Frank believes that having diverse talents and abilities challenges you and allows you to creatively use those talents together. His biggest inspiration is his grandfather because he would always tell stories. Whether the stories he told were real was another question, however, he got them listening and laughing. The final ethnic comedians I interviewed were fun and funny. John and Dave from the Doowops. Get it? DOO WOPS. Their Italian! lol These boys sure made me laugh with their witty sense of humor. The only thing I didn't like about them is that they went to York U. (Go RYERSON!) Anyways, that's where the 2 met. My interview with them was ridiculous because we were just throwing at each other some really funny shit. They told me that they were excited to be touring with close friends on the road and told me that there will definitely be some pranks. They told me that visine is not only good for red eye but it's a good laxative. See what I mean? The want kid to chase after their dreams and while Dave says to stay in school, John says not to. Oh dear. The Doopwops cd and dvd 'Almost Nearly Recognizable' can be purchased online.
All the comedians we interviewed told me that it is hard to make it as a comic. That's why you have to practice on your friends or family. In addition, it is hard to get paid in the beginning. You have to perform for free at shows and work hard at your material. Nevertheless, I asked these boyz the ageless question if laughter truly is the BEST MEDICINE? Sugar and Frank agreed, however, they don't receive salaries like Doctors.
Don't forget to catch at least one show for the Jus Pour Rire Comedy Festival from July 8th to the 29th!
No comments:
Post a Comment