We were happy to be invited to the “SiriusXm’s Canadawide Top Comic Seach Finale” on Thursday evening. It was part of Toronto’s 10 day long “Just For Laughs Comedy Festival“, where, not only did we get to see the top ten finalists perform, we also enjoyed a set by last year’s winner, Chanty Morostica. The evening was hosted by Ben Miner. (We also went last year, when Chanty won — you can click here if you’d like to that in action.)
↑ Chanty Morostica during last year’s winning performance. ↑
Plus, comic DeAnne Smith also did a set! She’s one of my favourites and I’ve sent the link to this awesome Youtube video for Nerdy Love Song to pretty well everyone I know. In it she sings a song and plays the ukulele, “assisted” by an adorable and very persistent kitten. It’s so good! It was a real treat to see her live.
The annual Top Comic competition is a pretty big deal, as the winner gets a $25,000 cash prize, guaranteed solo shows at three of Canada’s biggest comedy festivals next year, a Just for Laughs TV performance in Montreal and a booking to perform in Australia. Two runners-up get $2,500 each, a Just for Laughs TV spot and a show at next year’s comedy festival.
Given that only ten finalists from across the country make it to the finale, based on a judged live semi-final performance (we went to one of those shows in June at Yuk Yuk’s, seen here) and online voting, it goes without saying that all of them are very talented, indeed. You can see/hear all of their semi-final performances at the SiriusXm site here.
I’m certain the judges had a difficult time choosing one winner and two runners-up. The winner was Adam Christie and the runners-up were Sophie Buddle and Ola Dada.
The finale was held at The Queen Elizabeth Theatre located on Exhibition grounds. The area looks very different during off season than it did a month ago, while the exhibition was in full swing. (You can see photos of our visit this year in this post, if you’d like to see the contrast.)
We entered the grounds at The Princes’ Gates.
Erected in 1927 to commemorate 60 years of Canadian confederacy, this 300-foot-long, 18-column structure with a 41-foot-high central arch, topped by the Goddess of Winged Victory statue, is still beautiful and still used as a gate to get into the fair. It’s name was decided when it was determined that two princes from Britain would be coming to Toronto for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Walking westward along Princes Boulevard, we passed Hotel X. (My friend Julie and I had fun at a party at the very top of the hotel last March, posted about here.)
I just watched Season Two of Handmaid’s Tale, (which I borrowed from the Toronto library if you’re looking for it), and was excited to see Hotel X’s gorgeous lobby featured, when Commander and Mrs Waterford west to Canada.
↑ Arriving at The Queen Elizabeth Theatre ↑
↑ Although I understand the reasoning, the photographer in me was pretty disappointed to see this sign. The show was general admission so on the way over we had planned where we’d try get seats, so I could get good pictures of everyone. We still got those seats, but my camera sadly stayed in my bag once the show got started. ↑
↑ I did catch a quick one of winner, Adam Christie, after the show ended. ↑
It was such a great night and we’re still quoting lines, making ourselves laugh all over again.
Thank you for reading. xo loulou
