The nation’s capital may be a buttoned-up government town by day, but that doesn’t mean people here don’t know how to let their hair down and have good laugh.
Perfect for chasing away the winter blues, the next few months are busy times in Ottawa, with both well-known and amateur comics slated to take the stage.
This week, performing at the downtown Yuk Yuk’s Thursday through Saturday is headliner Shannon Laverty with Michelle Shaughnessy and Claire Brosseau in a discretion-advised show. Next month features Kate Davis from Feb. 4-6, Tom Simmons from Feb. 11-13, a Valentine’s Day show Feb. 14, Dana Alexander and Peter White Feb. 18 to 20 and Chris Quigley Feb. 25 to 27.
Over at the Preston Street Yuk Yuk’s, Glen Foster, called That Canadian Guy, is performing his One-Month Stand show this month. There’s still time to catch Foster, a headliner on the Canadian comedy circuit for more than 20 years, Friday and Saturday.
Stand-up veteran Lawrence Morgenstern is on stage Feb. 5 and 6, Mike Beatty is on Feb. 12 and 13, and Peter White, who was named one of the top five up-and-coming comics in Canada by CBC Radio One, along with Wafik Nasralla, are scheduled for Feb. 19 and 20. Graham Chittenden is on Feb. 26 and 27.
Think you got what it takes? In February and March, grab the mike and ham it up in the 2010 Laugh Off.
Comics are asked to prepare six-minute sets for the contest, which is open to all amateur and professional comics. The contest runs Wednesdays. Yuk Yuk’s will book 14 acts per week for a total of 56 spot in February. Sign up by calling 613-236-5233; lines open at 10 a.m. on Feb. 2. There is no fee to participate, but since the spots go fast, organizers suggest to keep trying until you get through.
The competition will be held every Wednesday starting Feb. 3, with the semifinals — consisting of the top three from each week for a total of 12 acts — held on March 3.
The final on March 10 will consist of the top six.
The contest will be judged by Ottawa media and celebrity types.
The Ottawa winner will go to the final 64 in Toronto for a shot at $25,000.
