MAY 4 & 5 Everyone’s favourite observational humourist, Jerry Seinfeld, brings his trademark brand of stand-up to Toronto as part of his Just For Laughs tour. Though far removed from his namesake sitcom, the New York-based funnyman remains a major draw—comedy fans have four opportunities to see Seinfeld poke fun at the little things in life. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 7 and 9:30 p.m., $66 to $100; call 855-985-5000 or navigate here to purchase tickets.
Photo: Toyohara Kunichiki, 1879, Woodblock print, The Actor Kaharazaki Shasho in the role of General Yoshitsune Minamoto
Bursting with Asian eateries and quirky stores, nearby Richmond is also home to a thriving arts and culture scene. Check out Edo: Arts of Japan’s Last Shogun Age (pictured) at the Richmond Museum (to May 21), which examines Japanese society from 1603 to 1868. Also in Richmond this month: comedian Jay Mohr (Mar. 30) and psychic Sylvia Browne (Mar. 23), both at the River Rock Show Theatre.—Sheri Radford
Rococode from Vancouver is just one of the bands playing at Mavericks this weekend. Photo credit: Robyn Jamieson.
Friday, March 9
Start your weekend off right by partying it up with some fun indie bands at Mavericks. This is the LP release show for Anchors, the newest album from Ottawa indie rock band and show headliner Kalle Mattson. Also on the bill: Rococode, a three-boy and one-girl band from Vancouver that strives to make exciting and meaningful pop music; The Richardson Band, an Ottawa indie/folk band that just recorded its first EP; and the Ashleys, another Ottawa indie/rock band.
Get lucky at the first late night performance of Third Time Lucky, performed by Toronto-based comic storyteller Paul Hutcheson at The Gladstone. Pornography, an allergic reaction to shellfish, and orgies are just some of the topics Hutcheson covers in this solo show. Hutcheson has performed in more than 25 fringe festivals, winning awards in New York, San Francisco, Montreal, and Ottawa. This play is part of the Black Box Set Theatre Festival, which runs until March 17.
Get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day a few days early with Ottawa Irish Week. The week-long festival and longstanding Ottawa tradition invites you to celebrate Ireland through music, poetry, history, dance, theatre, and sport. This Friday, get entertained and eat Irish fare at The Erin Luncheon at St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa. Various events run from March 8 to 17.
Saturday, March 10
Laugh, cry, and support a good cause at The Vagina Monologues this Saturday. Carleton University’s own Vaginas Against Violence are once again putting on a fantastic show, which is run and performed by Carleton students. All proceeds from ticket sales go towards the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre and the international V-Day campaign, which supports victims of sexual violence in Haiti in an effort to end gender-based violence locally and globally. If you’ve never seen this show that serves up story after story to honour the female anatomy, you’re missing out. (more…)
Betty White comes to Vancouver in February
If laughter really is the best medicine, then let the Vancouver ComedyFest (Feb. 16 to 26) cure what ails you. The stellar line-up of funny folks guarantees a healthy dose of laughs, chuckles and guffaws. Without a doubt, this year’s highlight is Betty White. Everyone’s favourite grandmother has starred in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls and Hot in Cleveland, and she scooped up an Emmy Award for hosting Saturday Night Live in 2010. Don’t miss her performance Feb. 18 at The Centre, as she shares wit and wisdom gleaned from nine decades on this planet.—Sheri Radford
VANCOUVER COMEDYFEST Performers include David Hasselhoff (Feb 16), Jeremy Hotz (Feb 16-18), Betty White (Feb 18), Doug Benson (Feb 18) and Margaret Cho (Feb 19). The closing night gala featues Bob Odenkirk and David Cross (Feb 25). Various venues. www.comedyfest.com
Dec 13 Using showmanship, zany predictions and comedy, Kreskin wows the crowd. West End Cultural Centre.
David Sedaris photo by Robert Banks
His book titles alone tell you this is not your average essayist: Me Talk Pretty One Day. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. When You Are Engulfed in Flames. David Sedaris has made a career out of writing about his family, friends, boyfriend—and himself. His wry observations elicit chuckles and the odd guffaw as he analyzes everything from blind hunters to lancing a boil to guitar lessons taught by a midget. He brings his unique insights to The Centre (Nov. 5).—Sheri Radford
More information:
DAVID SEDARIS An evening of recollections and readings from the bestselling author and and regular National Public Radio contributor (Nov 5). 8 pm. $45-$57.50. The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, 777 Homer St. Tickets 1-855-985-5000. Full wheelchair access
In the midst of a third-successful season of The Ron James Show, the acerbic comedian hasn’t lost a bit of his sharp edge. On November 4 and 5, Ron James returns home to Halifax for two nights of raucous comedy, as he deconstructs a world gone mad.
Photo by Chris Helcermanas-Benge, copyright 2011 Summit Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved
If you imagine a movie about a 27-year-old with spinal cancer, you probably expect a 10-hankie weepfest, not an R-rated dramedy. But 50/50, which was filmed here in Vancouver, draws its emotions, both positive and negative, from screenwriter Will Reiser’s battle with cancer, allowing the occasional laugh to slip through. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and local lad Seth Rogen (both pictured) play best friends whose lives change forever—but not entirely for the worse—after a cancer diagnosis. 50/50 is in theatres now.—Sheri Radford
Circle Mirror Transformation photo by David Cooper
What’s all the hoopla at the Granville Island Stage? The 2011-2012 season kicks off with the Canadian premiere of Circle Mirror Transformation (to Oct. 22), an Obie Award–winning play by 29-year-old Annie Baker, a rising star in the American theatre world. This sharply funny but poignant comedy of secrets focuses on connections between individuals.—Sheri Radford
More information:
CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION When Marty gathers four locals for the first-ever drama class in a small Vermont town, she has no idea how an injection of hula-hooping and wacky acting games will change their lives—including, most unexpectedly, her own (to Oct 22). M-Sa 8 pm. Matinees W and Sa 2 pm. $29-$49.
Granville Island Stage, 1585 Johnston St. 604-687-1644.
www.artsclub .com
ON NOW It’s time to face the truth. Well, sort of.
The Second City dishes out its own skewed view of reality in its latest show, Dreams Really Do Come True (and Other Lies). Toronto’s funniest band of misfits exposes the absurdities of the lies we tell ourselves in a variety of sketches, improvisations and songs. Think of it as comic relief—just in case our dreams do not, in fact, work out. Wednesday to Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 8 and 10:30 p.m., Sunday 7 p.m., $24 to $29; call 416-343-0011 or check here to buy.
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