The Winnipeg Comedy Festival gets closer!

Check out the website for information about the 40+ shows featured in this year's festival.
We start featuring some FREE outreach comedy shows as we get closer to the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.

Thursday, March 17th
at the Handsome Daughter

Wednesday, March 23rd
at Jekyll & Hyde's

Thursday, March 24th
at McNally Bookstore at Grant Park Mall

Tuesday, March 29th
at the King's Head (Comedy Knights)

Wed, March 30th
at the Park Theatre (Comedy Amuse-Bouche)



Then we have the Winnipeg Comedy Festival actually start, which means that Winnipeg EXPLODES with comedy. So much comedy, so much stand-up, so much improv, so much sketch, so much funny and so many jokes.

Check out the website for information about the 40+ shows featured in this year's festival.



Some highlights?

 CRUMBS & Friends
Yes, you'll see CRUMBS with DJ Hunnicutt at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival with some very special guests.

The High School Improv Super Show
The return of this favourite show. Hand selected players from the Canadian Improv Games FINALS will be assembled into a Super Team. This show will be hosted by Caitlin Curtis and Stephen Sim.

Lost in Translation, Perdu en quoi? 
The French and English improv show all about miscommunication. A hit last year, sure to be a hit again. Get your tickets early for this one, the venue is small and the laughs are huge.

The Sketch Comedy Revue hosted by Kevin McDonald
A comedy festival must include sketch comedy. Here we have sketch comedy legend Kevin McDonald hosting this sketch comedy revue. The show will include Craig Lauzon (Royal Canadian Air Farce), Wes Borg (Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie), Hot Thespian Action, H.U.N.K.S., Stephen & Caity and Bucko.

But really... there are so many great shows to check out!


Thank you!

The Winnipeg Comedy Festival approaches

Well spring is feeling like it's here already. Is it global warming? Is it wishful thinking? Let's just enjoy the weather and smile and go to shows.

The Winnipeg Comedy Festival is almost here... well, it's here April 3rd - 10th but that seems like soon to me. I'm busy working on making sure all the festival things happen and that is no small feat. There are MANY amazing shows in the festival to announce, but there are also some shows coming up before the festival to talk about to. So many shows!

Versus Improv Show RE-MATCH
Tuesday, Mar 1st
at the King's Head Pub 9PM

This is part of the FREE comedy that happens at Comedy Knights at the King's Head at 9pm. The Versus Improv Show has two teams face off with SECRET improv challenges. Last time we had the U of M Improv group defeat the U of W Improv group. This show is the re-match. Last time we had secret challenges like "rap battle" and "write an improv poem"... who knows what secret challenges we will have this time?

Then we start featuring some FREE outreach comedy shows as we get closer to the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.

Thursday, March 17th
at the Handsome Daughter

Wednesday, March 23rd
at Jekyll & Hyde's

Thursday, March 24th
at McNally Bookstore at Grant Park Mall

Tuesday, March 29th
at the King's Head (Comedy Knights)

Wed, March 30th
at the Park Theatre (Comedy Amuse-Bouche)

Then we have the Winnipeg Comedy Festival actually start, which means that Winnipeg EXPLODES with comedy. So much comedy, so much stand-up, so much improv, so much sketch, so much funny and so many jokes.

Check out the website for information about the 40+ shows featured in this year's festival.

Some highlights?

CRUMBS & Friends
Yes, you'll see CRUMBS with DJ Hunnicutt at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival with some very special guests.

The High School Improv Super Show
The return of this favourite show. Hand selected players from the Canadian Improv Games FINALS will be assembled into a Super Team. This show will be hosted by Caitlin Curtis and Stephen Sim.

Lost in Translation, Perdu en quoi? 
The French and English improv show all about miscommunication. A hit last year, sure to be a hit again. Get your tickets early for this one, the venue is small and the laughs are huge.

The Sketch Comedy Revue hosted by Kevin McDonald
A comedy festival must include sketch comedy. Here we have sketch comedy legend Kevin McDonald hosting this sketch comedy revue. The show will include Craig Lauzon (Royal Canadian Air Farce), Wes Borg (Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie), Hot Thespian Action, H.U.N.K.S., Stephen & Caity and Bucko.
But really... there are so many great shows to check out!

The Canadian Improv Games
The FINALS for the Manitoba Regional Tournament
Were on Saturday, Feb 27th at MBCI (Jubilee Place) 7PM

The Canadian Improv Games have been produced in Winnipeg by the Manitoba Improv League since 1998 and has been sending a team to represent Manitoba at the National Tournament in Ottawa. Congratulations to KELVIN for winning the tournament and being the face of Manitoba improv for 2016!


This is the very best in High School improv from right here in Manitoba and across the country. This is why Canadians are famous for our improv!

Improv & Comedy coming up in Winnipeg

Winnipeg shows are coming up. Yes, the world seems to end in February and it seems like nothing will ever be good again. But instead of being depressed, let the comedy and improv melt your heart and make you feel good.

Thank you to all the people in Berlin who came out to the Virtual CRUMBS show we had at the Ratibortheater in Berlin. Lee was live on the stage while Stephen was live in his living room using the magic internet.

What's that? Upcoming shows? Of course!

Tue, Feb 16th

The Comedy Double Date Show

The Comedy Double Date is a real live double date of 

comedy. Two of Winnipeg's power couples of comedy, spanning the world of stand-up, improv and sketch, unite. Tim Gray, Dana Smith, Caitlin Curtis and Stephen Sim combine forces and let you tag along like a fifth wheel on their comedy double date.

All happening at the King's Head Pub as part of the Comedy Knights comedy series that happens ever single Tuesday night.

FACEBOOK EVENT

Look for CRUMBS during the Winnipeg Comedy Festival as it gets closer and closer. Fri, April 8th at the Gas Station Arts Centre.

LINK

The Winnipeg Comedy Festival approaches!

Well hello there readers of websites, lovers of improv and seekers of the good comedy. You have come to the right place. I'll hook you up to the proper information that will reward you with comedy + comedy + comedy. While Lee White is touring the CRUMBS name across Europe (Here and Here and also Here), Stephen Sim is making the most of being in Winnipeg... helping out with the Winnipeg Comedy Festival!


The Winnipeg Comedy Festival returns for it's 14th year, produced by the Gas Station Arts Centre. The official festival runs from April 6th to April 12th and there are many, many events to enjoy.

Here are some of the shows that I suggest, and I suggest them because I have something to do with putting them together.

Tuesday, April 7th

Gas Station Arts Centre

The High School Super Improv Show

Hosts Stephen Sim and Caitlin Curtis have hand picked high school improv students involved in the Manitoba Improv League and will be showcasing the future of improv in Winnipeg.

7PM $5 

LINK TO BUY TICKETS

Thursday, April 9th

Metropolitan Entertainment Centre

T.V. Dinner A Multimedia Improv Show

Don't touch that dial! We turn down the sound and then turn up the Comedy on Classic Canadian TV. Plus you get to eat a delicious meal (inspired by TV Dinners) while the expert improv comedians weave the hilarity.

Who is in the show:

Kevin McDonald (The Kids in the Hall)

Wes Borg (Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie)

Ryan Belleville (check out his credits)

Tricia Cooper (The Royal Lichtenstein Theatre Company)

Stephen Sim (Yes... me)

and music by DJ Hunnicutt

5PM cocktails

6PM Dinner

7PM Show

$40 Dinner and Show

$15 Just the show (Balcony and no dinner)

LINK FOR SHOW INFO

LINK FOR TICKETS

Thursday, April 9th

Gas Station Arts Centre

Hot Thespian Action UNCORKED

In the first ACT we will be showcasing some sketch comedy. Sketch comedy by Bucko and Wes Borg, as well as a presentation of some brand new sketches by a group of Winnipeg comedians under the direction of Kevin McDonald. The second ACT will feature Winnipeg's premiere sketch comedy troupe Hot Thespian Action.

9:30PM $18 (plus agency fees)

LINK FOR INFO

LINK FOR TICKETS

Friday, April 10th

Centre Culturel Franco Manitobain

Lost in Translation/Perdu En Quois?

The French and English improv show that was inspired by CRUMBS playing improv all over the world and in different languages (and how we don't understand what the hell everyone is saying). We've now done the show a couple times with our French improv friends. Come and see our latest bilingual creation.

8PM $10 (plus agency fees)

LINK FOR INFO

LINK FOR TICKETS

What other shows are cool?

Pre-Festival Outreach shows leading up to the festival will be a great way to get a free taste of some comedy, and to get you into the comedy mood. It will also be at these Outreach events that the Comedy Festival will be giving away free tickets to some amazing shows.

Mondays

HUB (at the U of M)

Host: Ben Walker

9PM FREE

Tuesdays

King's Head Pub (Comedy Knights stand-up show)

Host: Dan Verville

9PM FREE

Wednesdays

Jeckle & Hyde's stand-up comedy

Host: Ben Walker

9PM FREE

Thursdays

The Handsome Daughter stand-up comedy show

Host Mike Green

8PM FREE

Thursday, March 26th

McNally Bookstore

(Officially Winnipeg Comedy Festival Outreach Show)

Host: Al Rae

Improv with Stephen Sim & Caitlin Curtis
Sketch Comedy with Bucko
Stand-up comedy by Mike Green & Rachel Sommer

7PM FREE

Sunday, March 29th

The Purple Room

(Live Taping of The Supporting Act Podcast)

Host: Matt Moskal and JD Renaud

Guests: Al Rae (Artistic Director of the WCF)

Stephen Sim (Outreach Overlord of the WCF)

Melanie Dahling and Paul Rabliauskas

8PM FREE

Wednesday, April 1st (April Fool's Day!)

The Park Theatre 

(Officially Winnipeg Comedy Festival Outreach Show)

Host: Jared Story

John B Duff, Keener, Dana Smith, Tyler Penner, Matt Nightingale

8PM FREE     INFO LINK

And then... well... and then we have the rest of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.

Lots and lots of shows and lots and lots of great local comedy, and lots of lots of great comedy and comedians coming into town to make the funniest city in Canada that much funnier. Now that's one hell of a sentence!

Friday, April 10th

Good Will Social Club

Portage Street Live

The comedy show that is "street" and "urban" that has "street smarts" and is filled with "hardcore hilarity". This show will be "off the hook". Am I in this show? No. Will I be there? Hell yes. Oh, and my good buddy DJ Hunnicutt will be there too.

9:30PM $15

LINK FOR INFO

LINK FOR TICKETS

What else should you do? Go see all the rest of the shows! There will be FREE shows every day at noon somewhere in the city. There will be huge Gala shows at the Pantages Playhouse that will be made into TV specials.

There will be shows at the Park Theatre. There will be shows at the King's Head Pub.

There will be comedic theatre shows at the Gas Station Theatre (like "HA!" starring my friend Wes Borg... which just happens to be THE BEST play ever written about being a stand-up comedian).

LINK FOR THE OFFICIAL WCF WEBSITE

LINK FOR THE WCF TWITTER

... Now go see all the shows, buy all the tickets and laugh at all the jokes!





Thanks Dad for the typo finding.

It's finally 2015!

The future is now... or at least the future is soon.

It is finally 2015, the futurist sounding year since 2001 and 2010. Unfortunately it happens to be the year that the Back to the Future franchise named in their movie so now we the public are going to be bombarded with Back to the Future references, jokes and complaints.

 The most common complaints will of course be:

- Where's my flying car?
- Where's my Hoverboard?

Instead it really should be:

-Why aren't we all using FAX machines so much?

But enough about Back to the Future... really... I'm wishing already that the movie franchise had been more ambiguous with the date.

2015 looks like a pretty good year, at least when it comes to shows. The first CRUMBS show of 2015 happened already at the King's Head, and it was pretty great. The Theatre Projects Manitoba season of 2015 started with "White Rabbit Red Rabbit" and that was pretty great. CRUMBS member Stephen Sim was lucky enough to be one of the rabbits.

When is the next CRUMBS show?

Tuesday, Feb 3rd at the King's Head

CRUMBS brings you an improvised show that has not only taken the world by storm, it has actually caused storms, and the storms are super crazy. Perhaps you've heard of a little thing called "Global Warming"? Yeah, sorry about that. The King's Head pub hosts a weekly comedy night aptly named "Comedy Knights". It happens every Tuesday and it happens to be FREE. These shows have been so good, the climate has changed so much, that the room has been PACKED and the icecaps are MELTING. Show up early to ensure you have a good seat and that your home isn't too close to the rising sea levels. Dj Hunnicutt will be serving up the sweet sultry tunes and the King's Head will be serving up the sweet sultry boozes. Let's all drink and laugh together before the world ends and all the Polar Bears have drowned.

When are the other CRUMBS shows?

Feb 17th + March 3rd (and they continue of course but you'll see some more updates)

What else is going on?

Comedy shows are so ongoing and weekly. Let me tell you about some of the live comedy shows that keep happening in Winnipeg.

Sundays at the Cavern:
This is an open mic comedy night that happens at the Cavern (below the Toad on Osborne St). It is hosted by John B. Duff and it happens every other week.

Mondays at the HUB:
This is a stand-up show all the way down at the University of Manitoba and is one hot room.

Tuesday at the King's Head:
This show is of course the legendary Comedy Knights comedy show and you of course know it. Sometimes it's CRUMBS, sometimes it's stand-up comedy, sometimes it hosts other experimental comedy shows... but it is always super awesome and super free.

Wednesdays at Jeckle & Hyde's:
This is a great stand-up room hosted by Ben Walker. This is honestly one of my favourite stand-up rooms.

Thursdays at the Handsome Daughter:
This stand-up comedy show is hosted by Mike Green at the bar that used to be the Rose & Bee (and it also used to be the Standard, Eddie's Garage and who knows what else).

Fridays & Saturdays... 
Just go to Rumors, or go out and and make your own comedy or find some special theatre show to go to at the Gas Station Theatre.

Speaking of the Gas Station Theatre:

Did you all know that the Gas Station Arts Centre produces the Winnipeg Comedy Festival? Did you know that CRUMBS' own Stephen Sim is now working for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival? Did you know that the Winnipeg Comedy Festival just got a whole lot funnier as a result of that?

Look for more Comedy Festival posts and info soon on this site and on their official site!

CRUMBS thanks y'all

Thanks to everyone who showed up for the CRUMBS show on Feb 22nd. The stand-ups killed it and the improv was beautiful (if we do say so ourselves). So who won the battle for comedic victory? Was is the rapid fire polished jokes of the stand-up comics? Was it the smooth hilarious narratives of the improv? It was the audience who won, the audience always wins.

 Thanks to Leif for doing his musical music thing for the show.

Thanks to Ben "Old Ball Coach" Walker for being the Dodge Neon of comedy.

Thanks to John B Duff for kicking Cancer in the ass!

Thanks to Dan "Mad Genius" Robertson for drinking the "Pirate Lemonade".

Thanks to Paul "Baby Face" Rabliauskas for being like a VHS tape.


So now what? So what shows are coming up next? Well let me tell you...

#1
March 4th at the King's Head
The last show for CRUMBS before Lee goes away on tour and leaves Stephen home to hold the fort down. C'mon down to this FREE and special show at the King's Head.

#2
You do know that you can (and should) be going to the King's Head every single Tuesday for a FREE comedy show as part of the ongoing and never ever stopping comedy shows on Tuesday at the King's Head. We've renamed the show COMEDY KNIGHTS at the King's Head, but it is still the same old FREE LAUGHS show that promises the best in improv, stand-up and comedic comedy live for you.

#3
What other regular shows are out there? Well, Wednesdays at the Cheer in Osborne Village hosted by Ben "OBC" Walker. You can also be a part of a new night happening on Thursdays at the Times Changed on Main Street hosted by Chantal Marostica.


#4
The CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival is coming up in April and that means that Winnipeg becomes the funniest place on Earth for one week. There will be some amazing comedy converging in this city and you all need to be a part of it. There will also be some improv happening, Mark Meer from the Irrelevant Show on CBC radio will be doing some improv and YOU simply MUST experience the BRILLIANCE of this show.

Here is the show LINK for you to CLICK

#5
Friday, April 18th at the Park Theatre
The Winnipeg Comedy Showcase featuring the stand-up amazingness of:
John B Duff, Mike Green, Dan Verville, Ryan Ash, Dan Glasswick and Keener. Get your tickets and then get your laugh on.

Here is the LINK for this SHOW




You know what? There's probably even more shows. I'll have to update this even more because Winnipeg is just exploding with amazing live comedy shows.