Features
Festivals
ShowbizMonkeys.com is sometimes lucky enough to cover major events and festivals in film, music, comedy, and pop culture. Whether a major international spectacle like the Academy Awards or a more regional festival like the Winnipeg Folk Festival, we're on the scene with interviews, photos, video, and special commentary.
One thing certain about the newly-returned Just for Laughs Toronto is they've branched out into a variety of venues that we would have never seen before, including the Randolph Theatre in the Randolph Centre for the Arts, a Methodist church turned into a community arts space and education centre.
First of all, I want to continue my trend of pointing out under-appreciated Canadian treasures. Nour Hadidi absolutely crushed it as Hari's opener. She was so good that Hari was able to get laughs off of callbacks to her jokes. I've never seen that before.
JFL Toronto Review: Sarah Millican - "Late Bloomer"
Posted by: Matthew Ardill • September 21, 2025 @ 9:10am
When I heard Sarah Millican's Late Bloomer tour was going to make a stop in Toronto as part of the revived Just for Laughs Toronto, I was delighted. When I heard it would be literally a five minute walk from my house, I knew there was no way I could miss that.
On my way out to my first show of Just For Laughs Toronto 2025, I was starting in a familiar space made unfamiliar. Comedy Bar is easily my favourite space for comedy in the city and the cabaret space my favourite room, and it couldn't have started in a more pleasant way.
JFL Toronto Review: The Alternative Show with James Adomian
Posted by: Andrew Lizotte • September 19, 2025 @ 12:15pm
I have been reviewing this festival for a long time now, and one thing remains as true as ever: The Alternative Show is the best show of the fest.
The new producers of JFL Toronto are doing a lot of things right this year. First of all, The Alternative Show is back at the original Comedy Bar location.
In an effort not to bury the lede: You're going to want to see Conner O'Malley.
In a time when the news is overwhelming and it feels like satire might be dead – because reality is just too over the top – his show on Saturday at JFL Toronto was actually kind of healing. It made me laugh in a way that almost knocked me off balance and I didn't see coming.
Wrapping up the 50th edition of the Winnipeg Folk Festival
Posted by: Nicolien Klassen-Wiebe • July 30, 2025 @ 10:41am
Well, folk friends... we did it! We feasted and frolicked, celebrating Winnipeg Folk Festival's 50th festival! Word on the street is that this edition ranked high on many people's lists of favourite festival years.
I certainly wasn't disappointed.
Finally, another Winnipeg Folk Festival is nigh! This is no ordinary year, though... it's the 50th anniversary!! This prairie celebration of music, art, and community has been bringing joy for half a century, my friends.
The 2025 edition of the Winnipeg Folk Festival will take place July 10–13, in Manitoba's Birds Hill Provincial Park.
The Stanley County Cut-ups: Winnipeg Folk Festival Interview & Performance
Posted by: Nicolien Klassen-Wiebe • June 29, 2025 @ 8:44am
The Stanley County Cut-ups were everywhere at the 2024 Winnipeg Folk Festival. Besides their own concert, they were in several workshops throughout the weekend.
Winnipeg Folk Fest Interview & Performance: Madeleine Roger
Posted by: Paul Little • September 10, 2024 @ 6:16pm
Winnipeg's Madeleine Roger has been releasing music for nearly a decade – as a solo artist, with her brother Lucas as Roger Roger, and recently accompanying The Fretless on tour and for a few songs on their upcoming new album.
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