Funny Monsters Take Over Toronto

By Amanda Buckiewicz

This weekend, Yonge Street is bustling with all things wacky as the first annual Toronto Just For Laughs festival takes over the city. The street festival kicked off last night with a free Russell Peters show with guests Jo Koy and the Doo Wops. Dundas Square was packed with more than 15,000 people eager to be entertained by the comics, and they definitely were not disappointed.
After the show the crowd stuck around to be entertained by dozens of performers doing everything from stilt-walking to acrobatics to balloon costumes. It was almost overwhelming at times with how utterly awesome it was. If you missed out, have no fear, because it’s all going on again tonight starting at 6 p.m. For a full schedule, check out the Just For Laughs schedule.
If you’re still not sure, check out photos from last night’s festival after the jump.
All photos by Amanda Buckiewicz.

Trevor Boris.

The Doo Wops singing “No Gino No Cry.”

Jo Koy talking about the, erm, beauty of childbirth.

Fans packed into Dundas Square.

Russell Peters.

Stilt-walkers take a break on the side of a building.

Circus Orange’s The Aviator.

Circus Orange’s The Aviator.

Fireworks explode from the top of the soon to be completed Toronto Life building in Dundas Square, as two men rappel down the side.

Acrobats are silhouetted against Dundas Square advertisements as they perform while suspended by a crane.

Theatro Pavana.