Entertainment Features

Garden City Comedy Festival Returns !

Garden City Comedy Festival Returns !

By David DeRocco                            dave@gobeweekly.com  https://twitter.com/?lang=en 

It may take a green thumb to garden, but it takes a David Green to organize a Garden City Comedy Festival.

The affable Brit ex-pat and popular Niagara stand up comic has once again put together a stellar line-up for the sixth annual Garden City Comedy Festival (GCCF). Running from May 22nd thru May 25th at multiple venues in downtown St. Catharines, the Garden City Comedy Festival is a celebration of all things comedy in Niagara and as Green like’s to say, It’s Bloomin’ Funny!

Proudly presented by Ravenshead Homes, the festival brings together the funniest comics from the Niagara Region and beyond, highlighted by its Gala Night at the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre headlined the one of Canada’s most beloved comics Derek Edwards.

The goal of the festival is to provide four days’ worth of hilarious entertainment for Niagara Region residents and visitors, offer a platform for the region’s established and up-and-coming comedians to showcase their skills, promote the area’s arts and entertainment community, support local organizations, and raise funds for Birchway Niagara (Formerly Women’s Place).

Wednesday May 22nd – The Debut

The festival begins Wednesday, May 22nd with ‘The Debut’ the Festival Kick Off Show, a showcase of our Grassroots Comedy Course program. Starting at 8 p.m. at Mahtay Café and Lounge, The Debut will feature the graduates of the GCCF Intro to Stand Up Comedy Course performing their showcase sets. The show will be hosted by Instructor and comedian Jimmy England and headlined by the legendary performer Larry Smith!

Thursday May 23rd – The Monsters of Schlock

The laughs continue on Thursday May 23rd, with a special performance by 27-time Guiness World Record Holders The Monsters of Schlock! The world’s most extreme two circus sideshow comedy magic extravaganza! The show features a stacked lineup of some of Niagara's top comics including Mitch McBeaudry and Nik Duncan and hosted by Levi Mann.

Friday May 24th – Fundraiser for Birchway Niagara

On Friday May 24th we are proud to return with our annual comedy fundraiser for Birchway Niagara (Formerly Women’s Place). Showcasing a hilarious all female lineup of top comics, we will be raising funds for all the amazing work Birchway Niagara do for our community. Hosted by Niagara’s Deanna Jones, the show will also feature the talents of Rebecca Hardy, Silvi Santoso, Heather Fudge and hilarious headliner Keesha Brownie. There will be raffle prizes to be won and tons of laughter to enjoy!

Saturday May 25th – Garden City Comedy Festival Gala Night

The festival is highlighted by its Gala Night at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre on Saturday May 25th, headlined by Derek Edwards. Derek will be joined on stage by an all star lineup of top Canadian comics including Kate Davis, Simon Rakoff, Crystal Ferrier, Thomas Calnan and hosted by Niagara’s own David Green.

Green says he can't wait for an amazing celebration of comedy with tons of fun, laughs and surprises in store. Please visit the GCCF website for tickets and details at www.gardencitycomedyfestival.com 🌸

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