Homegrown Comics – July 24, L’Astral LiveEvents July 18, 2015 5317 Just for Laughs presents Homegrown Comics It’s no coincidence that the biggest comedy festival in the world is in Montreal! Despite being overly apologetic and storing milk in bags, Canadians are comedy pioneers. So many of the best comics in the world are Canucks, it’s basically our greatest export. Join the tradition as young hopefuls battle it out for the title of Best Homegrown Comic presented by National Bank Club Series. The show will be hosted by Shaun Majumder, featuring John Cullen, Chris James, Aisha Alfa, Guido Cocomello, Julia Hladkowicz, Matt Falk, Matt Wright, Daniel Woodrow, and Sean Emeny. Hosted By: Shaun Majumder He’s on TV: Shaun is a Gemini award-winning actor/comedian who most recently played Andrew Palmer on the NBC/Global Television series The Firm, and in 2010 starred in the critically acclaimed drama series Detroit 1-8-7 on ABC. In addition to being a regular cast member on CBC’s This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Shaun starred in Hatching, Matching and Dispatching, Republic of Doyle, and Robson Arms on CTV, and Da Kink in My Hair on Global. He’s in the spotlight: HBO’s feature documentary Every Word is Absolutely True followed Shaun as he embarked on his first national standup tour, garnering critical praise for its candid look beyond the public persona to reveal a more intimate and complex side. He’s a documentarist: In May 2014, Shaun’s documentary series Majumder Manor began its second season on the W Network in Canada. Majumder Manor revolves around his dream to transform his hometown of Burlington, Newfoundland (population 350) into a high end, sustainable tourist destination. Featuring: Chris James He’s really lucky: Chris was once lucky enough to have his stand up featured on the CBC. He’s a good person: Mostly, Chris just wants you to think he is nice. Aisha Alfa She’s inspiring: Aisha Alfa is a stand-up comedian, actor, motivational speaker and life coach. Alfa was honoured to be a TEDx Manitoba speaker in 2012 and host/MC in 2013. She speaks on the topics of laughter, simplicity and being true to your authenticity. She wins awards: Aisha has won Winnipeg’s Funniest Person with a Day Job Award and was one of the top five Winnipeg finalists for Canada’s Next Top Comic. She received a nomination for the Woman of Distinction Award and was a finalist for the Future Leaders of Manitoba Award (in the Arts Category). Guido Cocomello He’s well-traveled: In 2013, Guido presented his Italian one-man show Crisi d’Identita in Rome, and has been featured at the 2014 ZooFest Festival with his show My First Time, the 2014 Boston Comedy Festival and SiriusXM Canada’s Top Comic competition. He’s a natural on stage: As an actor, Guido trained at the late Mike Nicol’s Master Class in New York. Theatre credits include the Centaur Theatre productions The Envelope, The St. Leonard Chronicles, Steve Galluccio’s In Piazza San Domenico, directed by Centaur Artistic Director Roy Surette, as well as the Hudson Village Theatre comedy Wife Begins at 40. Julia Hladkowicz She’s in the circuit: Julia was showcased at LAFF (Ladies are Funny Festival) in Austin, Texas, the LA Comedy Fest and the Canadian International Comedy Fest. She was also a semi-finalist in The Great Canadian Laugh Off, a finalist in SiriusXM Canada’s Next Top Comic and performs regularly at NXNE. She’s all over your TV and radio: Julia has appeared on The Comedy Network, Much Music’s Video on Trial, is on MTV’s Losing It, YTV’s Extreme Babysitting and on SiruisXM’s Laugh Attack. Matt Falk He’s number one: His album Apple Pie & Scars reached #1 on the iTunes Comedy Charts; it is currently being played on Sirius XM Canada/USA and was named one of the Top Ten Comedy Albums the year of its release. He’s acclaimed: Falk was called “Effortlessly Funny” by the CBC, and his clean stand-up comedy act has gained him many accolades including placing 2nd in The World Series of Comedy in Las Vegas. Matt Wright He’s a real, authentic, Newfie: Matt knows exactly what the cool kids of Newfoundland do. He recommends going to Yuk Yuk’s, checking out some live music, preferably in a small venue where you can go dance with some locals, and learning how to do that wink/head tilt combo without looking like a perv. He’s a natural: Matt Wright was introduced to the comedy world in the Yuk Yuk’s “Funniest Newfoundlander” contest, eventually placing 2nd overall in the competition in his 3rd ever show. Daniel Woodrow He’s got style: Despite being new on the scene, Daniel’s signature style is a mix of laid-back, observational, and calls-it-like-he-sees-it humour that is becoming widely recognized within the comedy community. He gets around: Daniel’s comedy has been seen and heard on CTV, Comedy Network, Video On Trial, and Sirius XM. You may also recognize him from the numerous TV commercials he’s starred in, as the self-professed “Token Black Guy”. Sean Emeny He tours: Sean Emeny started performing in Vancouver in 2009 and has been honing his abstract, short-joke style ever he since he now tours nationally. He’s been around: He has opened for Gilbert Gottfried, Michael Winslow and Marc Maron. He’s clean: Also, he has never smoked a cigarette in his life. John Cullen He gets around: John Cullen was raised in the suburbs of Toronto, and moved to the suburbs of Vancouver when he was 13, where he still lives (though he managed to escape from his parents’ basement). He’s a natural: John marked his first year in comedy by finishing runner-up in The People’s Champ Comedy competition against 60 other comics. He curls: In addition to being funny, he is also travels across Canada on the World Curling Tour, conquering the famed curler-comic demographic where so many others have failed. For tickets and information: www.hahaha.com 514-845-2322 Just For Laughs The 33rd edition of the Just For Laughs Festival promises to be the most star-studded lineup ever with TV and cinema’s biggest comedy names, top touring comedians, cult-favourites and up-and-comers all converging on Montreal this summer. Galas, street performers, theatrical productions and stand-up shows in indoor venues and in the streets. Guaranteed to keep audiences in stitches. Check out the full festival line-up at www.hahaha.com
