The Funny and Gay Comedy Festival runs Tuesday, Nov. 10 to Sunday, Nov. 15 across several Vancouver venues, including Little Mountain Gallery.
The Story
The Funny and Gay Comedy Festival is set to launch in Vancouver this November, with six days of queer comedy beginning Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Founders Aron MacDonald and Andrea Feltri say it is the first festival dedicated to members of the LGBTQ+ community in Western Canada. MacDonald said they were surprised to learn that a queer comedy festival had not happened in Vancouver, or in Western Canada more broadly, adding that similar festivals exist in Montreal and Toronto.
MacDonald said they wanted to “do something that was really specifically queer here,” while Feltri said her inspiration came from work in film. She pointed to the presence of the Vancouver Queer Film Festival and said there was already a festival model in place, but “there isn't something in the comedy space.”
Organizers also said the lineup will draw from the various queer comedy shows happening in Vancouver, including events that are monthly or otherwise not on a set schedule. MacDonald said “Boy-ish was produced once in the summer, but this is the second time we're bringing it back to the city,” and the festival will include different comedy formats such as drag brunch, stand-up and improv.
In describing the festival’s name and message, Feltri said it is “about reclaiming those terms and phrases that were once used to insult and oppress people,” adding, “And owning them, flipping the script, laughing and embracing it.” She later said, “We're using it,” and added: “It's our community, it's about us, we think it's funny, and we're comfortable using it.” MacDonald agreed, saying, “No notes.”
MacDonald said there are more than 50 queer performers taking part over the six days, and that the festival is meant to give local talent a chance to “shine on stage together.” Organizers said they are also looking to make Funny and Gay a yearly event.
The festival takes place Tuesday, Nov. 10 to Sunday, Nov. 15 at a variety of locations, including Little Mountain Gallery. Tickets range from pay what you can to $25.
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