Photo of Montreal's Just For Laughs festival by CG Photos from Flickr.
Every year for the past quarter-century, the Just For Laughs festival has transformed the streets of Montreal into a massive comedic carnival. This year, it's Toronto's turn to join in the fun, as the first ever Just For Laughs Toronto hits the 416 this weekend.
Whether you've got cash to spend or are broke as a joke, whether you like making fun of people's ethnicity or pontificating about politicians, whether you like crazy explosions and people flying through the air or sitting in a plush seat in Massey Hall, there will be something for you. We've got a full roster of the festivities after the jump.
Thursday, July 26
GALA PERFORMANCE: Howie Mandel w/guests John Pinette, Alonzo Bodden, Bill Burr, John Mendoza, Kathleen Madigan, and Frank Skinner. Shows at 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. at Massey Hall. Tickets still available at Ticketmaster starting at $45.50.
Friday, July 27
STREET FESTIVAL: You'll come for the free Russell Peters show at Dundas Square at 7:00 pm, but you'll stay for the stilt-walkers, acrobats, fireworks, pogo sticks, pyrotechnics, explosions, ballet, extreme drumming, two guys dressed in mushroom costumes, and a misinformation booth, to name just a few. We recommend Toronto's own Team Ryouko, an extreme performance team who fuse martial arts, break dancing, and acrobatics into an inhuman performance. They go on at 7:00 and again at 9:40 across the street from Dundas Square on both Friday and Saturday. The entire street festival is free and runs from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Yonge street from Dundas to Queen.
GALA PERFORMANCE: Lewis Black w/guests Richard Lewis, Jeremy Hotz, Jo Koy, Bob Marley, Ardal O'Hanlon. Shows at 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. at Massey Hall. Tickets still available at Ticketmaster starting at $45.50.
Saturday, July 28
STREET FESTIVAL: Since it is physically impossible for you to have seen everything on Friday, the street festival is running the same schedule with the same crazy performers on Saturday night, minus one Russell Peters. If you missed them Friday, then you should definitely use your Saturday to check out Circus Orange's The Aviator. Inspired by the movie Mad Max, Circus Orange features pyrotechnics, crane-based aerial routines, dance, and much more. They have a variety of contraptions including a pedal-powered pyro-fueled gyrocopter that flies over the crowd with an aerialist suspended underneath. The Aviator is at the main stage in Dundas Square starting at 9:30 both Friday and Saturday. The entire street festival is free and runs from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Yonge street from Dundas to Queen.
GALA PERFORMANCE: Craig Ferguson w/ guests Russell Peters, Greg Giraldo, Tom Papa, Derek Edwards, and Elvira Kurt. Shows at 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. at Massey Hall. Tickets still available at Ticketmaster starting at $45.50.
ETHNIC HEROES OF COMEDY: Angelo Tsarouchas w/guests Frank Spadone, Jo Koy, Sugar Sammy, and the Doo Wops. Shows at 7:30 and 9:00 p.m. at The Winter Garden Theatre. Tickets still available at Ticketmaster starting at $45.50.
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