Five must-see acts at this week’s Canadian International Comedy Fest

The funny folks behind Bite TV are putting on the very first Canadian International Comedy Fest this week, featuring a star-studded line-up of comedians for five straight days of laughter. The big draw of the festival is expected to be outrageous 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan. Here’s a run down of five other must-see acts that will be sure to get you ROFLing.
 

Chris Kattan

Funnily enough, the SNL alum who’s made us laugh with unforgettable characters like Mr. Peepers and Mango is new to stand-up comedy. This is supposed to be a brand new creative outlet for Kattan, so we’re sure he wouldn’t mind a few head-bobbers in the crowd.
Toronto Underground Cinema, 186 Spadina Ave., 647-992-4335. March 24.
 

Debra DiGiovanni 

Voted as Canada’s “Best Female Comedian” at the 2007 Canadian Comedy Awards, DiGiovanni also appeared as a top ten finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and is a favourite snarker on MuchMusic’s Video on Trial. And if those weren’t enough reasons to catch her act, she’s also been voted “the best comic to see after a messy breakup” — you’ll cry ‘til you laugh.  
The Best of Absolute Comedy, Absolute Comedy, 2335 Yonge St., 416-486-7700. March 21-24.
 

Steve-O

We didn’t know the Jackass star was a stand-up comic, but since he does have a flair for the obscene and a diploma from clown college, making a group of strangers laugh shouldn’t be too hard for the stuntman. At any rate, you can bet he’ll do something outrageous.   
The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., 416-778-8163. March 24.
 

Scott Thompson

One of the kids from Toronto’s legendary sketch troupe, The Kids in the Hall, Thompson brings his irrverant — and often flamboyant — humour back to his roots at The Second City stage. Here’s hoping Buddy Cole makes a cameo.  
Stand Up With Bite, The Second City, 51 Mercer St., 416-343-0011. March 21.
 

Julia Hladkowicz

You may not recognize Julia Hladkowicz’s name (or know how to pronounce it, for that matter) but you may recognize her face from that Lindt Chocolate commercial with tennis star Roger Federer. A quarter-finalist at the Great Canadian Laugh Off, this pretty and super-funny comic will be seen a this year’s NXNE fest.
Cool Chicks of Comedy, Yuk Yuk’s, 224 Richmond St. W., 416-967-6425. March 23 & 24.Cool Chicks of Comedy,

Canadian International Comedy Fest runs March 21-25 at various venues.

 

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