Just Laugh Peterborough Comedy Festival in downtown Peterborough

Five comedy events during the last week of October to support the Canadian Mental Health Association and United Way

The Just Laugh Peterborough Comedy Festival takes place from October 23 to 30 at various locations in downtown Peterborough
The Just Laugh Peterborough Comedy Festival takes place from October 23 to 30 at various locations in downtown Peterborough

The Just Laugh Peterborough Comedy Festival, a fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association and the United Way, is taking place from October 23rd to 30th at various locations in downtown Peterborough.

The festival has been organized by Charmaine Magumbe of Just Laugh Peterborough.

“We are very excited to bring the Comedy Festival to Peterborough,” she says. “We believe it is the first of its kind. There will be plenty of opportunities for laughter as the festival features five different events, all in downtown Peterborough.”

All proceeds from the comedy festival will benefit the Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge and United Way Peterborough & District. Sponsors for the festival include Community and Race Relations Committee of Peterborough, Chemong Home Hardware Building Centre, and Camp Kawartha.

Tickets will be available at the door for each event (there are no advance ticket sales). For more information on the festival and the performers, visit www.justlaughpeterborough.com.


“Can Everyone In The Audience Tell Me What’s Wrong With Me?” at Curated on October 23

Lindsay native Dave Cave brings his latest "comedy reality show" to the Just Laugh Peterborough Comedy Festival (photo courtesy of Dave Cave)
Lindsay native Dave Cave brings his latest “comedy reality show” to the Just Laugh Peterborough Comedy Festival (photo courtesy of Dave Cave)

Performance artist and comedian Dave Cave returns with a new reality performance comedy show — audience driven and unscripted.

A rule of comedy is the audience shall not heckle, but hat if heckling was the basis of comedy? What if mental health was diagnosed by a public jury and not a private professional? Opening yourself up for criticism is healthy, and a dying art. Dave demonstrates how to invite feedback into your life, and put faith in the power of strangers.

Dave will invite people on stage with him to give thorough critique and advice on his life — with zero retaliation from him.

The show begins at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 23rd at Curated (Unit 5-203 Simcoe St., Peterborough). Tickets are $10 at the door ($5 for students).


“Opening the Doors to Laughter” at The Sapphire Room on October 24

This event features stand up comedy from Jordan Foisy and Hannah Hogan — and a clown performance by Hermione Rivison.

It takes place on Saturday, October 24th at 7:30 p.m. at The Sapphire Room (137 Hunter St., Peterborough). Tickets are $10 at the door.


“Kids, Laughs and Play” at the Peterborough Public Library on October 28

The Paddling Puppeteer Glen Caradus and clown Hilary Wear will present a clown improv workshop for children from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Peterborough Public Library (345 Aylmer St., Peterborough).

Tickets are $5 per child at the door (or $10 for three or more children).


“Clean Laughing at its Finest” at The Garnet on October 28

This night of stand up features comedians Hannah Hogan and Todd Brown with a special guest appearance by Denis Grignon. Comedian Aisha Brown is emcee for the evening.

The show beings at 7:30 p.m. at The Garnet (231 Hunter St., Peterborough). Tickets are $10 at the door.


“Laugh the Night Away” at The Gordon Best on October 30

The festival finale features: stand up comedy by Ronnie Edward; the Peterborough Improv Guild’s “The Wolf Pack” with Marck Pearce, August MacDonald and friends; and improv with Herbie Barnes, Chuck Vollmar, award-winner Lisa Merchant and Second City alum Jack Mosshammer.

The show begins at 8 p.m. at The Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St., Peterborough). Tickets are $20 at the door ($15 for students).