The Comedy is Art Festival is returning for its fifth year, and this time, it’s bigger and better than ever. 

Primarily focusing on female-identifying artists, the festival showcases some of Toronto’s funniest performers, with 50+ comics taking the stage over five nights.

Some beloved names in Canadian comedy are set to perform from October 22-26 at The Theatre Centre, including Andrew Phung and Rakhee Morzaria from Run The Burbs, Nelu Handa, Alia Rasul, and Hannan Younis.

Festival curator liza paul shared what audiences can expect from this year’s edition of Comedy is Art. “This year we have put even more emphasis on programming artists who take unconventional approaches, who work hard, who aim high, who are thoughtful about the material they deliver, who polish the writing and rehearse the bits.”

liza also emphasizes how the festival is a safe space for artists and audiences alike, and suggests these shows as an entry point for anyone who feels too intimidated to go to a comedy club. “You’re not going to be the butt of anyone’s joke!”

If you’re looking for a heartfelt laugh, or just an escape from the everyday, these shows will infuse some much-needed humour and levity into your week, no matter if you prefer improv, standup or musical comedy.

“These artists are doing a lot for our city. It’s dark times out here…while a night at the theatre is not going to change any of that, it does give people that kind of recharge that they need to go out and make the change in the world that they want to see,” liza says.

We asked liza to take us through the best of the women-led acts at this year’s Comedy is Art Festival. Read on for her insights!

It’s a Vibe – October 22 

“We’re opening the festival with a standup show hosted by Bougie B Bougé. She is a hilarious comedian. It’s very important to me that the festival open with a woman. When you say stand-up comedian, in your mind’s eye, the first person you see is a dude…I think it’s just how we’ve been conditioned. I’d like to push back against the notion that the main event always has to be a guy. Bougie has got some really excellent comedy.”

“On that night, Faiza Kulle is also featured, and she is just a bright ray of sunshine. She’s a hilarious up-and-comer, and her whole vibe really embodies what it is that we’re about—she’s smart and she’s having fun, and the audience is having fun too.”

“We also have Daphney Joseph. She’s also just a ray of sunshine, one of these people who’s got a very specific point of view and points out things that you’re like, Yeah, why have I never noticed this? She’s just so joyful about the way that she approaches these absurd observations about the world.”

“There’s another artist named Rae Gallimore who, her approach to comedy, I’ve never seen anything like it. She intermingles her comedy with these little musical interludes and her delivery is so deadpan, it’s so funny.” 

Holiday! An Improvised Musical – October 23

Celebrate Halloween at Holiday! Based on audience suggestions, this talented cast from Bad Dog Theatre improvises an entire Halloween musical about love, relationships and all things spooky.

“Bad Dog Theater is a woman-led organization and the cast is primarily, primarily women as well—AP Bautista, Kyah Green, Nadine Djoury, Sam Hancock, Stephanie Malek, —I try to stack it with the ladies!”

Wednesday Night Snack Pack Hosted by Alia Rasul – October 23

Dora Award nominated Filipina artist and producer Alia Rasul (who you may also recognize from The Tita Collective) will host this evening of comedy featuring Kenneth Cheung, soft hands, and All-Inclusive Comedy.

“Alia is going to be hosting the later show on Wednesday. That was one thing I thought was important—to make sure that women were prominently featured as hosts as opposed to just the one woman on a man’s bill.”

Thursday Night Snack Pack hosted by Rebeca Araniva – October 24

Standup comic Rebeca Araniva will host this late night show featuring comedy troupe Small Friend, Tall Friend performing a brand-new sketch comedy revue all about pop culture, identity politics, and being in your 20s.

Also performing on Thursday will be Monica Garrido Huerta and Patricia Taborda of Bad Bunnies—an ESL Latinx duo that mixes improv comedy with reggaeton.

“They are two Latinx artists whose approach to comedy is also ridiculous, but they’re very assured and very happy performers.”

Hannan Younis and Rakhee Morzaria present “I’m with Stewwwww pit” – October 26

On Saturday, Rakhee Morzaria (Run The Burbs) and Hannan Younis (Bria Mack Gets a Life) will come together for this never-before-seen experimental comedy show.  

“The two of them have been friends and colleagues for years. I’ve been watching their comedy for years, they are very committed and very talented, and I love their points of view. I said to them, whatever you guys are interested in doing, please bring it! All I know is that it’s an experimental variety slash game show, and I look very much forward to seeing what that looks like.”

The Comedy is Art Festival is running from October 22-26 at The Theatre Centre. Purchase tickets and view the full lineup of performances on their website.