Big laughs in rural places

A festival of funny is expected to launch in August in the County. Comedy Country will present some of Canada’s funniest stand-up, improv and sketch comedians – along with hilarious locals.

Anchored by a headlining performance from Cathy Jones, star of This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Comedy Country is to include a variety of shows at venues throughout the County. All of this, plus comedy classes so audiences can put their funny bone to work!

Festival founders and residents of Picton, Paul and Julianne Snepsts, are excited to bring their passion for live comedy to the community they love.

“The County is a special place full of hard working, passionate people with a great sense of humour. A comedy festival will fit right in,” says Paul. “Comedy Country is a mix of some of the best comedy Canada has to offer, hilarious locals, hands-on fun, interesting rural and small-town venues, and fantastic County partners.”

Canadian cultural icon Jones brings her one-woman show, ‘Stranger to Hard Work’ to the Regent August 29th. She will share her unique perspective on a variety of topics from food to money and the troublesome people in her life in a funny and thought-provoking mix of stand-up, character and video pieces.

The festival is set to kick off on Wednesday Aug. 26th at Fields on West Lake with a performance by veteran stand-up comedian Gilson Lubin and friends.  A Canadian Comedy Award winner, Lubin has appeared at the prestigious Just for Laughs festival and alongside Dave Chappelle. His many writing and performing credits include Comedy Central, HBO, CBC and the Comedy Network.

Running throughout the festival is The County… Improvised, playing from Thursday Aug. 27th to Sunday Aug. 30th at Rosehall Run. The fully improvised show is created by some of Canada’s top comedic performers, offering big laughs under the big tent. A show rich with local reference, featuring appearances by County “celebrities” and made up on the spot, based on audience suggestions, The County… Improvised is directed by Brighton native Carly Heffernan (The Second City, This Hour has 22 Minutes, CBC Radio’s The Irrelevant Show) and performed by a veteran cast of improvisers.

Late-night laughs will take over The County Canteen on Friday Aug. 28th and Saturday Aug. 29th with Nightcap Comedy.  The versatile comedians from The County… Improvised will perform in the intimate pub environment of The County’s newest hot spot with a variety show of comedic monologues, character bits, songs, stand-up and more.

The festival grand finale is to be Homegrown Hilarity at the Bloomfield Town Hall on Sunday Aug. 30th. Local funny folks will take to the stage for a talent show of hometown humour, featuring stand-up, improv, video, story-telling and comedy songs with a County flair. Confirmed acts include The Frere Brothers and The County’s Artisanal Improv Troupe: Taste That! Local acts who are interested in performing are encouraged to contact Comedy Country at homegrown@comedycountry.ca for information.

Alongside the festival performances, Comedy Country will present a series of Comedy Classes in partnership with the Libraries of Prince Edward County.  The public is invited to join performers from Comedy Country for an improvisation workshop and learn the basics from some of Canada’s finest teachers. These workshops, to be held at the Picton, Wellington and Consecon library branches are perfect for people with little to no improv experience.

Youth are invited to participate in Comedy Country, too. The Sunday Aug. 30th matinee of The County…Improvised will be designated “all ages” with references and content appropriate for school-aged children and tweens (recommended 10+). The Saturday Aug. 29th Comedy Class at Wellington Library is reserved for children and youth aged 8-15.

Comedy Country is a special project of the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to promoting and supporting Canadian comedic talent. Paul and Julianne Snepsts founded the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival in 2005, and remain Executive Director and Festival Producer of the organization.

Sponsors and partners for Comedy Country include the government of Ontario, Rosehall Run, 99.3 County FM, Steam Whistle Brewing, The County Canteen, and The Prince Edward County Libraries.