Stage Door News

Toronto: Just For Laughs Toronto adds a free street festival to its offerings

Friday, August 26, 2022

Just For Laughs TORONTO (formerly JFL42), presented by Beneva, in collaboration with SiriusXM Canada, is back in full force this September, promising to provide audiences with the ultimate comedy festival, stacked to the nines. Running in venues across Toronto from September 22 to October 1, 2022, Just For Laughs TORONTO continues to keep their word and deliver a first-rate festival experience for all with an entirely free street festival, and the expansion of their daytime convention, ComedyCON.

FREE STREET FESTIVAL

Conveniently located in the city’s downtown core, close to transport links, this epic, three-day outdoor comedy celebration will feature an accessible site together with a varied and eclectic program of entertainment with something for everyone to enjoy – including both local and international comedians, DJs and much, much more.

Running from September 23-25, 2022, on a 130,000 sq-ft site at Front St. E and Berczy Park, the inaugural free street festival will feature a large main stage BEVENA STAGE presented by Beneva, food trucks, bars featuring Muskoka Brewery beers & Muskoka Spirits Hard Sparkling Waters, local area restaurants, art installations and other activities in collaboration with Toronto’s arts communities. The first of its kind, Just For Laughs TORONTO’s street festival will boast daytime and evening programming, including performances from an array of comedy and music performers, many of the acts reflecting Toronto in all its diversity.

“We are delighted to be back to mark our 10th anniversary of Just For Laughs TORONTO with such an impressive lineup for this year’s event especially with the introduction of the free street festival”, shares Just For Laughs president, Bruce Hills. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the City of Toronto to offer both locals and visitors alike the opportunity to experience free outdoor comedy shows, live music and activations while also getting the chance to see some of the biggest names in comedy as well as discover fantastic newcomers in venues across the city”.

“At Beneva, we feel that laughter is indeed the best medicine, and that it contributes to our collective well-being. That’s why we’re proud to be the presenting partner of this popular event. We’re even more proud that this edition of the festival will allow people from Toronto to attend, for the very first time, a series of free shows in spectacular outdoor locations. An inclusive and caring approach which is perfectly in step with our organizational values. So, I hope you load up on the laughs and have a blast at the festival! shares Martin Robert, Executive Vice-President and Leader - Talent, Culture and Communication at Beneva, the presenting partner of Just For Laughs TORONTO.

Performing on the outdoor stage as part of the street festival are:

Russell Peters’ Old School Mixtape Live - Saturday, September 24, 2022 | 9:00 PM

What’s better than comedy and classic hip hop and dance music? Combining all of them! Toronto’s very own Russell Peters and the legendary DJ Starting From Scratch will be hosting an unforgettable outdoor show that’s sure to be the ultimate throwback party to squeeze that last bit of summer in. With some very special musical guests to be announced soon, get ready for this once in a lifetime free concert event in the heart of the six!

Craig Robinson & The Nasty Delicious - Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 9:00 PM

Funnyman actor/comedian Craig Robinson (The Office, Brooklyn 99) introduced his band, The Nasty Delicious, in 2007. The nine-piece crew have been electrifying audiences around the globe with their powerful fusion of Chicago-House, funk, hip hop and R & B, all topped off with Craig’s soulful voice, edgy humor, and improved crowd participation.

The members include bassist Ethan Farmer, drummer Asa Watkins, guitarist David Sampson, saxophonists Lakecia Benjamin and Reggie Hines, trumpeter Wynston Byrd, percussionist Bendji Allonce, and Craig's younger brother and music director/keyboardist Chris “Rob" Robinson. All the members of the band have their own creative projects, and have also toured and recorded with countless legendary artists across the genres, including Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, John Legend, Lauryn Hill, Chaka Khan, Beyonce, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Angie Stone, Macy Gray, Anita Baker, and many more.

Bob the Drag Queen & Monét X Change - Friday, September 23, 2022 | 9:00 PM

You better get your currency in check: Monét X Change is here with fellow drag superstar Bob the Drag Queen for a (FREE) variety show extravaganza!

They're two of the most beloved stars in "RuPaul's Drag Race" herstory and, together, they're even more powerful. Bob the Drag Queen notably emerged victorious in Season 8, while Monét X Change competed in Season 10 before re-emerging in All Stars 4. After Drag Race, the pair even joined forces for their hit podcast "Sibling Rivalry" because let's face it, chosen family is everything. This year at JFL TORONTO, these icons are hosting a stellar variety show composed of dancing, singing, laughter and fierceness. Brown. Cow. Stunning!

Bob The Drag Queen: The alter ego of non-binary comic/actor Caldwell Tidicue, “Bob The Drag Queen” describes herself as “hilarious, beautiful, talented and... humble.” Bob’s unabashed confidence won her the title of “America’s Next Drag Superstar” on season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, multiple acting roles for HBO, Netflix, Sony Tristar, MTV, and VH1. The third season of Bob’s Emmy Award nominated HBO Max series We’re Here is coming out at the end of 2022. Bob is also an accomplished stand-up comedian with two solo specials under his belt and a starring role in the recent Netflix comedy concert film Stand Out executive produced by Wanda Sykes. “Sibling Rivalry” – Bob’s podcast with his comedy partner Monét X Change - is now on its sixth season and is also hitting the road playing major venues in the US and Canada in the Fall of 2022 and Winter of 2023.

Monét X Change: Born and bred in New York City, MONÉT X CHANGE is a comedian, singer, and actress and one of the winningest contestants in Drag Race History. Monet was named Miss Congeniality in season 10, co-winner in All Stars season 4, and the runner up on All Stars season 7. “Sibling Rivalry” – Monét’s podcast with his comedy partner Bob the Drag Queen - is now on its sixth season and is also hitting the road playing major venues in the US and Canada in the Fall of 2022 and Winter of 2023. Monét has also recently entered the stand-up comedy space, with a sold-out tour of clubs and small theaters kicking off in the summer of 2022.

Puddles Pity Party - Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 8:00 PM

Puddles Pity Party, the 7-foot sad clown whose golden voice is comparable to rock legends like Tom Jones and Freddie Mercury, has amassed nearly 900K YouTube subscribers and performed to sold out shows all over the globe. He recently performed in Homeward Bound: A Grammy Salute to the Songs of Paul Simon for CBS and is a surprise guest on the Season 4 finale of ABC’s The Conners. Deftly combining melancholy with the absurd, his one-of-a-kind “textured voice laced with melancholy” (NY Times) has been hailed as “operatic” (Boston Globe) and his show both “life-affirming” (Herald Scotland) and “hysterically funny” (LA Weekly). Not bad for a “loser” from America’s Got Talent!

Tanika Charles - Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 4:00 PM

Toronto-based 2x Juno Award nominee and Soul music power house, Tanika Charles, has slowly but surely inserted herself as a staple of the genre both at home and abroad. Her music revels in honesty and attitude, her live show is high energy and endearing, and she continues to win audiences over one album, one stream, and one encore at a time. Tanika recently released her third album, Papillon de Nuit: The Night Butterfly. Papillon again follows Tanika’s formula of marrying classic soul influences with modern sensibilities and features the songs “Frustrated”, “Million Ways”, and the disco-infused lead single “Different Morning” featuring Toronto rapper DijahSB.

Drag Me to Street, hosted by Tynomi Banks - Friday, September 23, 2022 | 7:15 PM

Now what the F is going on in here on this day? A free drag extravaganza, that’s what! Featuring amazing drag artists from across Canada, hosted by Tynomi Banks (Canada’s Drag Race), HercuSleaze (Call Me Mother), Miss Moćo (Canada’s Drag Race), Gisele Lullaby (Canada’s Drag Race) & Toddy (Call Me Mother).

Josh Adam Meyers and The Goddamn Comedy Jam - Friday, September 23 through Sunday, September 25, 2022, daily at 6:00 PM

Every comic wants to be a rockstar and The Goddamn Comedy Jam is the intersection of comedy stardom and rock & roll dreams. Comedians will perform a stand up set and short story followed by a song of their choosing, accompanied by a live band. It is an unprecedented opportunity to shine as both a comedic star and rock God in an electrified outdoor rock concert atmosphere. Hosted by Josh Adam Meyers (Comedy Central/Netflix), and his house band, Elemenopy.

New Faces of Comedy: Canada - Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 5:15 PM

Come see the freshest Canadian comedians in the game gear up to take the microphone and change the face of comedy. These up-and-coming artists made a big splash at JFL MONTRÉAL this year, have been able to persevere through the global pandemic, perfect their craft, and are finally ready to share their talents on the Toronto stage. This year, our showcase includes Allie Pearse, Ajahnis Charley, Ben Sosa Wright, Bree Parsons, Clare Belford, Conner Christmas, Laura Leibow, Malik Elassal, Mike Green, and Wassim El-Mounzer.

DJ Cipha Sounds - Saturday, September 24, 2022 | 7:00 PM

After an illustrious career in New York radio with Hot 97, where he was responsible for breaking artists like Rihanna and Rick Ross, Cipha Sounds turned years of touring as a DJ for major artists into a respected career in comedy. Since becoming the official DJ for Comedy Central’s Chappelle's Show, he has continued to work with Dave Chappelle, joining him on tours as both a DJ and opening comedian. He is a regular DJ at Saturday Night Live after parties, and appeared in Michael Che’s Netflix Special, Michael Che Matters. Having shared the stage with everyone from Jay-Z to Dave Chappelle, Cipha Sounds is truly a one-of-a-kind link between comedy and Hip Hop in New York.

DJ Killa-Jewel - Sunday, September 25, 2022 | 7:00 PM

A 25-year veteran of the underground Hip-Hop scene and turntablist community, DJ Killa-Jewel has rocked the decks across Canada, the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia at some of the most prestigious clubs, concerts and festivals to date. Well-known for her collaboration with Thud Rumble’s DJ Q-Bert in his Do It Yourself Vol. 2 DVD, and trained in classical music, she spent years fusing Hip-Hop with the theatre milieu by composing “turntable music” live for theatrical productions, and touring extensively with Canadian actor and director Robert Lepage on his highly acclaimed productions Zulu Time (Co-produced by Peter Gabriel) and The Buskers Opera. She marries two different sonic worlds; one for the hardcore turntablist fans who enjoy a range of different scratch techniques, and the other for those whose ears are more attune to the time signature and electronically-synthesized sounds of modern-day trap music.

For full show details, artist bios and photos, visit the official Just For Laughs TORONTO website here.

TICKET DETAILS:

Just For Laughs TORONTO operates as a pass and ticket based interactive comedy festival through the JFLTO App, powered by Virgin Plus. The app allows for increased interactivity, efficient messaging and a more streamlined credit system.

Pass holders are given the opportunity to see headliners and all of the “42” & CON acts over 10 days, along with the freedom to create their own schedule and experience. Once checked in at a show, their show credit is immediately returned, allowing for the opportunity to book another show instantaneously. With this revolutionized accessibility to the reservation system offered by the app, more and more people are able to check out the hilarious acts all across Toronto.

Passes and tickets will be available to the public as of Friday, August 26 as of 10:00 AM at toronto.hahaha.com.

Festival passes range from $69 to $209 CDN (excluding service charges). Single tickets range from $29.50 to $69.50 CDN (excluding service charges).