On your Marc
His WTF With Marc Maron podcast has introduced his laid-back and savvy personality to audiences around the world, and he’s built on that brand with a bestselling book and TV show. But veteran stand-up Maron is still best seen live, as he demonstrated at least year’s JFL42. Don’t miss him as he delivers a sure-to-be-talked-about keynote address at NXNE Interactive. June 18 at the Hyatt Regency. nxne.com/tickets.
Kurt’s cut-ups
Comics don’t come much more sarcastic than Kurt Braunohler, whose debut disc, How Do I Land?, is a favourite of every comedy nerd I know. Don’t miss his weekend of sets at the Comedy Bar, June 20 and 21 (where his openers include DeAnne Smith, one of the funniest queer comics I know), and then June 22 hosting Sunday Night Live. comedybar.ca.
Proud and hilarious
Speaking of queer and funny, World Pride has brought out some of the best local and international LGBTQ talent around. On-the-brink-of-stardom comic James Adomian headlines Yuk Yuk’s, from June 25 to 28 (he’s the feature act of Robert Keller’s OUTrageous Show on June 25), yukyuks.com. Two headliners in their own right team up in Gavin Crawford And Sharron Matthews Are Vicious Bitches, June 22 at Second City (416-343-0011) and June 26 at Buddies in Bad Times. Also at Buddies, Drew Droege, known for his dead-on impression of Chloë Sevigny, headlines Bitch Salad Pride on June 27, and Elvira Kurt, Richard Ryder, Shawn Hitchins, Susan Fischer and Dawn Whitwell are on the Homo Night In Canada bill on June 28. For all Buddies shows call 416-975-8555, buddiesinbadtimes.com.
Fringe faves
The summer’s biggest theatrical blowout, the Toronto Fringe, always contains lots of laughs, and this year is no exception. The aforementioned Elvira Kurt, one of the country’s best stand-ups ever, pairs with Megan Fahlenbock in Parallel Play, a comic revue about womanhood in. Ace character comic Kathleen Phillips performs Trust Me, It’s Fine. I Figured It Out. In Lost And Found, Marilla Wex chronicles her journey from England to Toronto. Before she takes it to Edinburgh, Canadian Comedy Award winner Chelsea Manders (one-half of beloved Fringe duo the Nefarious Black Roses) mounts her music-filled autobiographical comedy Don’t Tell My Dad. And Sex T-Rex, an improv troupe who play hilariously with genre, present Watch Out Wildkat!: Yer Dealin’ With The Devil. July 2 to 13 at various venues. 416-966-1062, fringetoronto.com.
