The Velvet Duke (onstage), Velvet Wells (offstage), they/them everywhere

Shows: Variety Performer

The Velvet Duke, Canada’s premier spontaneous balladeer, transforms your suggestions into memorable silly songs

Mocha Latte

Get ready for a night of fierce performances showcasing Ottawa’s BIPOC talent! Circus, Dance, Music, and Burlesque! Get ready for the first edition of Mocha Latte, Live! — a show packed full of variety and talent. Our fierce cast members: AIYANA, Becca Firefly, DJ MKWA, Kaylie Kreatrix, Makhena Rankin, Saffron St.James, Tadhana Ng Kapwa Ottawa, The Velvet Duke, Viva Van Diva

Emcee and Performer (labO, Sat. May 2)

Shows: Stand up Comedy

The Velvet Duke brings silly perspectives

In The Black 2.0

Produced by Dawn Xanklin Comedy, “In the Black 2.0” is a high-energy stand-up showcase featuring a dynamic lineup of comedians sharing sharp, funny, and meaningful performances rooted in culture, identity, and lived experience. Hosted by Rose-Ingrid Benjamin, the show includes Samson Imanirambonas, The Velvet Duke, Xavior Kayvon Gough, Janelle Niles, and Daphney Joseph.

Harold Shenkman Hall, Fri. May 8 – Tickets available now!

M.C. Emcee Velvet!

Velvet Wells is a calm, commanding master of ceremonies, events, and shows

“Velvet’s energy is always stellar!! ” Aly Joy-Lily McDonald, Arts Ottawa award winner 2026

2026

• Mocha Latte (May 2026)
• Murder Mystery – Gentlethems (Manor Park Brewer, February 2026)
• Black History Month Celebration (Kitty’s Korner, Swizzles Thurs. February 2026)
• Prix d’ARTS OTTAWA Awards (National Arts Centre, February 2026)

Festivals

Improvisation

• Funny Heist workshop will steal the show at the curated Improvizza Festival (Malta, September 16-19)
• All Request Radio and The Making Of… at Le Mini Grand Yes And! (Montreal, March 2026)

Training: Classes and Workshops

Interactive IDEA (Advocacy)

Into the Neighborhood

We’ll come together for an hour to share tactics around mapping and strengthening our community connections (PODIUM Choral Conference, May 14-17)

the care/shift

Now more than ever, we need to lean into community and care. In collaboration with the Black Pledge Collective, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre is exploring how we can deepen our care practises to centre equity and social justice in the workplace. What supports, tools and frameworks do we need to be more care-full? (Buddies in Bad Times, June 3-4)

Turning DEI Into Action – Practical Strategies for Inclusive Events (Feb 18)

Performing (Improv)

Velvet Wells facilitates classes and workshops to build (and sustain) your performance skills

• Suddenly Solo — a deep dive into thriving in solo improv moments (RSVP Wayward Improvised Theatre, Tuesdays in May)

Previously offered improv classes and workshops

Velvet-created improvisational formats

All Request Radio	Venndulum
Never heard before, spontaneous Top40 radio ready songs. Visit for more details: AllRequestImprov.com	Velvet plays two different scenes at once, based on each performer’s preferred game/scene style
The Penultimatum	Heist Stakes Puppet Trailer
“Reality-TV style drama spontaneous theatre” Showcase: April 26 https://www.tickettailor.com/events/vdp/2119499	Debuted at the Gilbert & Friends takeover show of Damn Fine Improv (Nov 2025)

“Velvet’s wonderfully joyful infectious energy stays long after the sessions are done”

Athira Vidyadhar

Velvet Wells (they/them) is the multi-award winning creator of “Ice Cream Justice – The Puppet Musical”; “Heist Stakes Improv”; “All Request Radio Live on Location”; “Ottawa Comedy Cruise Cabaret”; “(Re)Tired Magical Black Man”; “Djinn Joint”; and “Personal Demon Hunter.”

Image: Photo of Velvet and two puppets, all smiling and wearing red; Photo: Melody Maloney Photography

Velvet Wells is a Black, queer, disabled professional devised theatre artist living in Ottawa

Velvet Wells Compliments

“Improv & Beyond” award – Ottawa community at the 2025 Ottawa Improv Jamboree

On Velvet Wells’ Introduction to Improv androgogy (Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah)

Select Testimonials