Bruce McCulloch, Debra DiGiovanni to headline July 3-7 Grindstone Comedy Festival (2024)

The infinite energy squad at Grindstone Theatre is adding some mighty names to what’s shaping up to be a powerhouse summer of comedy.

With a July 6 solo show, Kids in the Hall’s Bruce McCulloch is among the headliners of the fifth-annual Grindstone Comedy Festival, as well as Juno Comedy Album of the Year winner Dave Merheje, Bonnie McFarlane — who’s appeared on Leno and Letterman — and Last Comic Standing’s Debra DiGiovanni.

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A mix of stand-up, improv and sketch, nearly 30 comics and long-running acts like The 11 O’Clock Number, Girl Brain and Weird Al Karaoke will roll through feature events including The Stand-Up Stand-Off Competition, the King of the Hill Improv Competition and the extremely must-see The Love On Kathleen McGee Fundraiser, featuring McCulloch, DiGiovanni, Sean Lecomber, Sterling Scott and of course cancer-fighter McGee herself.

Tickets for the July 3-7 festival at Grindstone (10019 81 Ave.) and the workshop studio at 9562 82 Ave. are now on sale at grindstonecomedyfest.com, ranging from $25 plus fees to the McGee fundraiser at $58.78, all in.

Last year’s Scott Thompson as Buddy Cole performances at the fest were the talk of the town, so don’t you miss out!

Also of note, Grindstone’s Disco in the Park is now Disco in the Parking Lot, bouncing away in front of the venue May 31, a co-production with Fruit Loop.

Scotland’s Natasha Kitty Katt, Pineo + Loeb of Halifax and Detroits Waajeed are among the turntablists at work at the condensed fourth annual fest, the outdoor portion starting at 5 p.m., then two afterparties happening at Grindstone and The Faculty (10151 82 Ave.).

Electric Religious and The Fever will do live shows, and DJs Davis Stone, Joluca and Neighbour will be spinning their beats.

An all-access pass at discointhepark.com is $99 plus fees, or you can pay for whichever part you want to go hit: a $45 plus fees afterparty tickets or — this is hilarious — just the outdoor fest for $69, plus $4.20 in fees.

Well now!

fgriwkowsky@postmedia.com

@fisheyefoto

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