Comedy fest overview

Whistler’s first ever comedy festival kicks off with an opening gala Thursday, Sept. 18 at the Whistler Conference Centre featuring performances by sketch comic Jessica Holmes of the Comedy Network’s the Holmes Show and a supporting lineup of top Canadian stand-up acts, including Martha Chaves, Nikki Payne, Chris Quigley and Russell Peters. Tickets $20-$25.

On Friday and Saturday local clubs and pubs become venues for an eclectic mix of comedy offerings.

Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets $20.

Performances by an all-western Canadian crew of comics. It takes a westerner to know a westerner and to poke fun at all things western.

The Crystal Lounge

Friday, Sept. 19 & Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 p.m. Tickets $14.

James Inman, winner of the San Francisco International Stand-Up Comedy Competition has been described as a cross hybridization of Don Rickles and Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys, and a rural punk comic modern generation-X anti-hero. Sounds like the ideal road trip companion. The show allows you to hit the road with Inman without having to get in your car.

The Cinnamon Bear in the Delta Whistler Resort

Friday, Sept. 19 & Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 p.m. Tickets $14.

A hit at this year’s Toronto Fringe Festival, Renee Percy and Jen Radomsky have taken their show on the road. A combination of sketch comedy, songs and video in what has been described as a cross between Monty Python and the Vagina Monologues. Let’s see Terry Gilliam animate that.

Merlin’s

Friday, Sept. 19 & Saturday, Sept. 20, 8 p.m. Tickets $14.

Professional improvisation is always an amazing thing to behold. Put the majority of people on the spot in front of an audience and they freeze like a deer in headlights. But put a select crew of professionals from the Vancouver acting and comedy communities on the spot on stage and they produce creative gems that most of us couldn’t come up with if we were given five years and a government grant.

Merlin’s - Friday, Sept. 19, 11:30 p.m.

Garibaldi Lift Co. - Saturday, Sept. 20, 11:30 p.m. Tickets $14.

The name pretty much says it all. It’s 11:30 p.m. and the kiddies are all tucked in. These late shows, featuring Terry Clement, Nikki Payne, Russell Peters and ribald singing duo the Wet Spots are not for those who turn the television off when someone swears.

MY (Millenium) Place

Saturday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tickets $20.

Yuk Yuks is the largest chain of comedy clubs in the world and attracts the best comedians to its roster. Saturday’s show features a handful of Canadian talent hot enough to carry the Yuk Yuk’s banner.

Whistler Golf Club

Saturday, Sept. 20, 1 p.m. Tickets $129 (includes green fee, cart)

Comedian Scott Harris has a mean long drive to match his arsenal of golf jokes. Duffers with a sense of humour can join him in this Texas-scramble style tourney.

Roundhouse Lodge (Top of Whistler Mountain)

Sunday, Sept. 21, 2 p.m. Tickets $45.50 (includes sightseeing gondola pass, lunch)

The best of the fest are set to gather at the top of the mountain to set a Guinness World Record for the highest elevation comedy show. Content at this one will be safe for the kiddies.

Tickets for all shows are available through Tourism Whistler’s Activity & Information Centre, and at the venues. For more information, call 604-938-2769, or log onto www.comedyinthesky.ca.