Icebreakers bring laughs back to icewine festival
For a fifth straight year, there will be some laughs to go with the icewine this month.
The Icebreakers Comedy Festival returns Jan. 24 to 27 as part of the annual Niagara Icewine Festival, bringing local and headlining comics to four Niagara-on-the-Lake venues. More than 20 comics will perform a variety of themed shows, with a gala live recording of CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud scheduled for the final day at the Court House Theatre.
Among the scheduled comedians are Kenny Robinson, Jean Paul, Chris Robinson and Niagara’s Joe Pillitteri.
In just five years, the festival has attracted national attention, says organizer and Yuk Yuk’s comedian Jeff Paul. He says it was high school friend and Ravine Vineyards owner Paul Harber who prompted him to pitch the idea of a comedy event to the icewine festival committee. It has now grown to four different mini festivals under the Icebreakers umbrella.
On Jan. 24 at Jackson Triggs will be The Locals (8 p.m., $25), featuring Niagara comics Pillitteri, Levi Mann and Mark Matthews.
The Out-of-Towners follows Jan. 25 at Oast House Brewers (9 p.m., $25), an urban-themed show featuring
Robinson, Aisha Brown, Marito Lopez and Jean Paul.
Corks Wine Bar will host two shows on Jan. 26. At 7 p.m. will be Top Comic ($20) with SiriusXM’s Canada Laughs host Ben Miner. He’ll showcase Chris Robinson, Chantal Marostica and Rob Bebenek.
Later that night will be the return of the festival’s ‘Meltdown’ night at 10 p.m. ($20), featuring some Rrated material not for sensitive ears. Paul will be joined by Sandra Battaglini, Tyler Morrison and Jarrett Campbell.
“Some people like their jokes a little darker than others, so it’s good to have options,” says Paul.
“But for those who like their jokes clean and friendly, we have our gala show Saturday night with live recordings for CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud program.”
Starting at 7 p.m., the radio taping ($35) will feature Shannon Laverty, Rob Ross, Arthur Simeon, Sara Hennessey, Rob Pue, Graham Chittenden, John Hastings and Laugh Out Loud host Ali Hassan.