From relatable chuckles to topical yuks and full-on belly-laughs, it's time to put a helping of humour on this fall's entertainment menu.
Tickets are on sale now for a first-of-its-kind comedy event scheduled for South Surrey and White Rock in September.
The inaugural South Rock Comedy Festival will be coming to six Peninsula venues from September 19 to 21, featuring a line-up of more than 50 comedians from five different provinces and the U.S.
Joining previously-announced headliners Graham Clark (Just For Laughs Montreal), Charlie Demers (CBC's Debaters), Dave Nystrom (HBO) and Seattle comic Kermet Apio (Dry Bar Comedy) are Jane Stanton and Justin Nichol.
Stanton, from Vancouver, is known for her appearances at national festivals in Montreal, Winnipeg and Halifax, plus Debaters and Laugh Out Loud.
Nichol (Just For Laughs Vancouver) will headline the festival's all-new PNW LOL Showdown, a regional competition designed to spotlight the next wave of rising amateurs from B.C. and Washington State.
Added to the list of venues for the festival is Leon's Cafe (1688 152 St.), where White Rock's Ryan Lachance (Halifax Comedy Festival) and Vancouver's Niki Mohrdar will headline.
"We could not be prouder of the line-up we have put together," said festival co-chair and spokesperson Lizzie Allan.
"Not only do we have Canada's best comics coming to the festival, but we are also providing local South Surrey and White Rock comedians a chance to shine their light on stage with these professionals," she added.
"We have selected the very best up-and-coming talent, alongside Canada's finest, as part of our commitment to building a talented comedy scene in our own backyard."
While most individual shows are priced at $20 or $25, multi-show passes are also available, offering even greater value.
The full 5-Show Festival Pass provides a chance to see a show at all five time slots for just $80 (averaging out to around $16 per show). Alternatively, a 3-Show Pass ($55) allows festival attendees to pick and choose their preferred shows and times. Day passes for Friday (Sept. 20) or Saturday (Sept. 21) are just $38.
The festival gets underway at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19 with two options: The Deadbeat Dads Tour (Beecher Place, Crescent Beach) or the PNW LOL Showdown (Galaxie Public House, White Rock).
On Friday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. the choices are Crescent Beach Comedy with Jane Stanton (Beecher Place); White Rock Wit with Charlie Demers (Oceana PARC Playhouse, White Rock) and Hilarapy Showcase with Lizzie Allan (Elgin Hall).
At 9:30 p.m. Double Take Comedy follows at Elgin Hall.
On Saturday Sept. 21, White Rock Roars with Dave Nystrom, is at 7 p.m. at Oceana PARC Playhouse.
Comedy Cafe at Leon's Cafe and Ocean Park Laughs at Ocean Park Hall are both presented at 7 p.m. with a second show for each at 9:30 p.m.
For more information on shows, and to book tickets, visit southrockcomedyfest.com
