Comedy is alive and well in Hamilton. The Vibe had a chance to sit down with several comedians, including Betsy Dee who was opening at Levity Comedy Club this past weekend for top Canadian comedian Carla Collins who brought her playful, silly and slightly absurdist humour straight to our downtown core.
Now based in the US, where (unlike Canada) hecklers are removed from shows, Carla told us she loves Canadian audiences as the interaction here keeps her sharp and reinforces her love for being on stage. This is her first time in front of a Hamilton audience. Locally born comedian Andrea Araya says Carla will find “Hamilton is slightly gross, definitely raw, and undeniably beautiful - it's people are pretty much the same”
Hamilton is a fitting stop for a national headliner, as we have a long history of making people laugh as the birthplace of comedy royalty like Martin Short and Eugene Levy, who both attended Westdale School before reshaping North American sketch comedy on SCTV and beyond. The city was also the production hub for tv staples like The Red Green Show at the CHCH studio that featured Hamilton resident Patrick McKenna as the memorable Harold Green.
The sharp wit continues to thrive in local independent creative spaces and workshops. For years, institutions like The Staircase, have served as a critical incubator for the city's talent. As co-founder Hugh McLeod shared, “(The Staircase Improv) has been a kind of a hub for people that want to get a taste of comedy in an affordable, supportive way." Generations of Hamilton performers have found their voice and sharpened their timing.
The local comedy scene has a supportive and collaborative feel. Hugh shared “When people say they are looking to do stand up I point them to Scott Falconbridge’s program at Levity.” Jerry Schaefer, now a sketch comedy workshop leader at The Staircase, was on the Red Green Show as Ed Frid, the Possum Lake animal control officer. It’s all connected.
The dedicated community of stand-ups and producers host numerous open mics at bars like Aquanova Brewing, The Judge, Lionshead and Emerson 109. Ryan Sim, host of the monthly comedy night at Hendry’s the Barbers shared “Good comedy nights are like skin tags. If you look hard enough you are sure to find one”. Ryan pointed out that most comedians are not doing this full time, but their love of the stage means their “Side gig is their 100% passion.”
That passion drove Mayce Galoni from Binbrook, delivering routines at age 15 between homework assignments, to being JUNO and Canadian Comedy Award nominated and becoming a staff writer on “This Hour has 22 Minutes.” Now based in Los Angeles, he recently recorded his YouTube special here at the Blue Grotto on John St North.
That love of comedy and Hamilton’s grittiness is reflected by others, like comedian Andrea Araya with her Roast Therapy show that she brings to Art Crawl and other local street festivals. She notes “Comics are interacting with the audience, gaining new fans, talking about the joy of live-comedy with passersby, and discovering that people love comedy.”
On the west side of the city Aleco Gammal has established an often sold out show, Apres Cafe “to provide a place for people to hangout with friends and make new ones while bonding through laughter. After the café closes, the comedy starts.” He is now also doing shows at Fairweather Brewing maintaining the same cozy intimate vibe of a candlelit café but in a bigger space with a larger audience drawing comedians from across Southern Ontario. But Aleco ensures “I always have local comedians of different levels to ensure the Hamilton comedy community continues to grow.”
There are also a range of diverse shows that come to places like The Centre for Talking Arts including Black, Desi, Ukrainian and even Alien! The Staircase regularly hosts Uncloseted Comedy, a celebration of queer joy and the city also has a strong drag show component led by House of Adam and Steve.
Carla concluded “With the way the world is right now, people laugh at what's funny and they want to be taken out of their own head for a while.” With no shortage of laughs in the city there is no reason not to try a show, check out an open mic or maybe even sign up for your own set of classes. Who knows, you might be the next headliner or following a passion that Betsy Dee jokes ensures “My plan was to die penniless and I am well ahead of schedule.”
For a list of regular comedy nights, improv and open mics in Hamilton check out our Recurring Vibe or for one off shows and events subscribe to the weekly events listing.
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