On Friday, January 24, join us in the Atelier studio (Arts Court) to cheer on your favorite comedians!
Amuse Bouche Variety
A comedy show where the audience decides who gets more stage time
Comedians bring their new (and tried-and-true) comedic material* to win the audience’s affection and a chance to headline a future show!
Come cheer for your host, Michel Carpentier, your (new) favorite comedians: Zara Rahman, Ian Newman, Velvet Wells, Lily May Vers, Randolph and Bianca, Michael Lifshitz, David Haddad, Tina Cruz, Laura-Lee Balkwill, and Alex Callahan, and your headliner All Request Radio. Scroll down for performer bios
Tickets are $̶1̶5 $5 (New Year Special!) via Ticket Tailor
Atelier Studio in Arts Court (2 Daly Ave)
Show starts at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 7:00 pm
Masked mandatory event
There’s something for everyone… to laugh at!
Masked Mandatory event
This is a COVID-Safer Comedy show. While Arts Court has a good filtration and ventilation system, this is a masked mandatory event to protect the audience, performers and technicians. No eating or drinking in the space. Some KN-95/N95 will be available at the door.
Arts Court is a mobility device accessible venue
Performer Bios
Host
Michel Carpentier (he/him) is an Ottawa improv and stand up comedian. He was once cast in a 1990s high school dinner theatre production, tried stand-up once in 2017 and now performs with Ottawa improv troupes Indoor Recess and Cardigans Improv. He was the inaugural winner of the Maestro Improv competition show in Ottawa in 2023 and is an active participant in Improv Embassy classes and Embassy-adjacent workshops. Most notably, he’s been known to travel great distances to watch improv and stand up be performed by other more talented artists.
Exhibition Comedians
These comedians want to share their craft without the stress of competing
- Zara Rahman is a Ottawa/Toronto based stand up comedian that blends awkwardness with sharp, and playful insights. Follow her @zaratansyr on Instagram
- Ian Newman Follow him @actuallyiannewman on Instagram
- Velvet Wells is an Ottawa/Toronto based comedic creator-producer, gearing up for a new show at Ottawa Fringe Festival. There may be puppet improv. Follow them @thevelvetduke on instagram
Competing Comedians
These comedians know they will win you over!
- Laura-Lee Balkwill – Laura-Lee’s observational and occasionally absurdist comedic musings have been described as smart, relatable and a little bit weird.
- Alex Callahan – Alex is a fresh faced, up and coming stand up comedian spreading laughs with his fast paced clever style wherever he can. Follow him @alexbecause on Instagram
- Tina Cruz is a comedian known for her sharp, introspective humour that navigates of cultural identity, family dynamics, and personal experiences. Follow her @tinatellsjokes on Instagram
- David Haddad is a standup comedian who is addicted to over-sharing about his life. Follow him @davidhadfather on Instagram
- Michael Lifshitz has performed across Canada. Releasing an album this year called “Speech from the Throne: Living with a Disability in Canada.” Follow him @illumabilities on Instagram
- Randolph and Bianca – Two lovable improv misfits, 4 completely different characters and a series of stories to unfold. Join Randolph and Bianca as they weave through two timelines to give you incredible stories that are sometimes weird, sometimes heartwarming but always entertaining
All Request Radio – Your Headliner
All Request Radio featuring Lily May Vers (she/her), a queer musician and improv comedian, recently transplanted from faraway Toronto. She holds an MA in Music from York University, and is experienced in singing jazz, classical, rock, and a variety of popular styles.
Velvet Wells (they/them) created this musical format where performers are challenged to spontaneously create lyrics based on made up song titles from the audience and a randomized playlist. The format has toured festivals and shows across North America
* About Amuse Bouche Variety
While all comedic types (improv, sketch, standup, music, etc.) and experience levels welcome, the performers sign up to either share a sample or to compete for more stage time.
Punch down humour (i.e., racist, sexist, homophobic, and transphobic material) is never welcome in this space
#Ottawa #comedy #sketch #standup #improv #ThingsToDoOttawa #COVIDSaferComedy
The Velvet Duke 