Spring Comedy Festivals in Eastern Canada
Enjoy Great Laughs in Halifax, Quebec City, and Toronto
Feb 26, 2009
Springtime comedy festivals in eastern Canada include events in Halifax, Toronto, and Quebec City. With shows in English or French, these festivals promise a taste of the east coast Canadian culture in its most lighthearted form.
The Halifax Comedy Festival, Nova Scotia
Running from April 20–25, 2009, the Halifax Comedy Festival boasts a unique brand of east coast humor. This Canadian comedy festival features dozens of local, national, and international comedians who get audiences chuckling around Halifax.
While there are gala events at the Dalhousie Arts Centre, the festival also features more relaxed and risqué performances in Halifax pubs and bars. Visitors will enjoy the more informal atmosphere with a Nova Scotia brew or glass of local wine in hand. Phone 1-800-874-1669 for tickets and details.
The World of Comedy Film Festival in Toronto, Ontario
This Canadian film festival offers locals and visitors alike a dose of laughs just when it is most-needed: at the beginning of spring when the weather still resembles winter.
This comedy film festival screens both comedic shorts and feature films. The festival runs from Feb 27–March 1, 2009, offering seminars for filmmakers and the curious. For ticket details visit the World of Comedy Film Festival box office at the Innis Town Hall Theatre, 2 Sussex Ave., Toronto, during the festival.
Le Festival Grand Rire in Quebec City, Quebec
For three weeks in late spring, Quebec City bursts with laughter during the Grand Rire Festival—a French-language comedy festival. Le Festival Grand Rire runs from June 12–July 5, 2009 and offers about 100 comedy events in French.
The outdoor shows in particular emphasize the community feel due to the required attire. What is this mysterious dress code? It's a $10-fake-nose that grants audience members admission into the shows.
The only catch for the festival is that all events are in French. Although not ideal for English-speaking visitors, a French-language comedy show is a perfect and fun immersion for language students. For ticket details call 1-877-441-7473.
Other Canadian Comedy Festivals
In addition to these springtime comedy festivals, Canada offers many other fabulous laugh-centric events. The comedy festival in Montreal, Just for Laughs, is perhaps the most famous. During the event, which runs from July 16-26 2009, crews film the Just for Laughs TV comedy series. In the winter, enjoy the Hubcap Comedy Festival in Moncton, New Brunswick, slated in 2010 for February 10-13. This Canadian comedy festival embodies the national spirit with events in both English and French.
No matter the season, the region or the language, Canadian comedy festivals offer something different for each visitor and provide a lighthearted insight into Canadian culture.
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