Just for Laughs and Zoofest

Sam Simmons and his Super Mario ’stache
 

So, there’s a small, virtually unknown comedy festival in town right now called Just for Laughs, and its pervy little brother Zoofest is along for the ride. Here’s an offering of some of the anglo highlights.

Tonight, Thursday July 19th is opening night for Australian comic and Super Mario lookalike Sam Simmons, in town for ten straight nights of absurdity in “About the Weather,” at Underworld. His set’s at 7 p.m. every night, and it’ll cost you $18.50.

Next week, from July 23rd to 28th, the same price gets you access to local heroine DeAnne Smith at 8:30 p.m., and if you play your cards wrong you can also be insulted by roast comic Anthony Jeselnik at 10:30 p.m., at Underworld as well.

British smart aleck Dave Gorman is presenting a PowerPoint at Théâtre Ste- Catherine starting tomorrow, July 19 until July 27, every night at 7 p.m., in which he explains how the world works to all the dummies.

You can also catch a linguistic showdown July 20 and 21 at Katacombes, when the Anglos vs. Francos show pits comics and humouristes against one another on a series of local themes selected by franglophone host Bruno Ly. That’s at 10:30 p.m., and it’ll set you back $21.

Montrealer Mike Ward will totally offend you with his “Pedophile Jokes and Death Threats,” running from July 20 to 28 at Katacombes. $18.50 buys you an hour of laughs, but the sense of righteous indignation is free.

Also at Katacombes, you can catch a triple header featuring Brendon Walsh (not that one), Ali Wong and Sean Patton, where $18.50 gets you an hour-long threesome –shop around! You can’t beat that price! – from July 23 til the 28th.

Also running from the 23rd to 28th is Glenn Wool’s “No Man’s Land.” Café Cléopatre hosts this Canadian-born comic as he takes on politics, music and more, every night at 7:30 p.m., $18.50.

Adam Hills is presenting an impromptu set July 23 – July 28 at the Mainline, where for $18.50 you can be just as surprised at the crazy shit coming out of his mouth as he will be. That’s at 7 p.m.

Saturday Night Live alum and podcast host Jim Breuer presents his “Mass Appeal” at Théâtre Ste-Catherine, at 8:30 p.m. July 24 – 28. FYI his comedy is super 4:20-friendly, not that I’d know.

Former WWE champion wrestler Mick “Cactus Jack” Foley will pretend to kick the shit out of your funny bone, playing a mash-up with Australian Brendon Burns, who got his start in the U.K. in The Eleven O’Clock Show, which launched the careers of the
likes of Ricky Gervais and Sacha Baron Cohen. Burns and Foley take the Underworld stage at midnight July 25, 26 and 27, and $18.50 gets you in.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the hilarious dark comedy Scottish Sperm, get on it. This play about the shitty relationships of characters Emma, Sarah and Robert continues its run at Théâtre Ste-Catherine every night at 8:30 p.m. until July 22nd, and it’s $21 at the door.

Finally, Zoofest is hosting a nightly Midnight Surprise, July 24 – 28 at Théâtre Ste-Catherine, for $18.50. In case the name wasn’t clear enough, it happens at midnight and, you guessed it, the act is a surprise – could be a local unknown, could be a sold-out headliner, and there is only one way to find out. ■

For more information, previews of the acts, and to buy advance tickets check out the full Just For Laughs/Zoofest program. The festivals run through to July 31.