New Montreal comedy festival unveils its summer programming

Get ready to laugh as a new comedy festival is coming to Montreal this summer.

On Wednesday, “ComediHa! Salue Montréal” unveiled their lineup for shows from July 18-28.

“It’s great for us, it’s great for the artists, and it’s great for the fans,” said ComediHa! president Sylvain Parent-Bédard.

The 10-day event includes activities with around 30 shows featuring nearly 200 artists.

“There’s a lot of different shows. Yes, there’s stand-up, but there’s also a country night. There are going to be musical shows. So I think there’s a beautiful variety of shows so that the shows can answer to different kinds of crowds,” said comedian, Richardson Zéphir.

“I’m happy because I’ve been going to Just for Laugh since I was young. I came to see a lot of shows. I did a lot of shows. I produced a lot of shows. So I’m happy to see that there’s a continuity, and I think it is exciting that it’s something new,” he adds.

In addition to the festival’s indoor programming, the event will offer free outdoor shows as well. The outdoor events will take place in locations such as Place des Festivals, Place des Arts, Théâtre St-Denis, and Théâtre du Vieux-Terrebonne.

In March, the Just for Laughs comedy festival announced it will not take place this summer, as the company that operates it, Groupe Juste pour rire Inc., filed for creditor protection.

“Downtown Montreal is North America’s playground. We’re known for festivals throughout summer and winter. So losing a festival during our critical months of July would have been quite negative. So this is wonderful news. We’re going to have a continuum of events throughout the summer. So it’s excellent news for both our businesses or hotels, and I would say for all Montrealers,” said Glenn Castanheira, executive director for Montreal Centre-Ville.

ComediHa! will not acquire Just for Laughs in its entirety, but take ownership of the Juste pour rire, Just For Laughs, ZooFest, ComedyPro and the Gags brands, in addition to obtaining the audiovisual catalogue, with the Quebec Superior Court approving the agreement earlier this week.

“It’s everybody’s bets to know if it’s going to be as successful as just for laughs. I think we have the best players in Quebec right now to ensure the success of this festival and to preserve the reputation we have of being North America’s capital for humor and for culture as well. So I think we’re in good hands,” said Castanheira.

The festival will mostly be in French, with some programs in English.

“We’re going to announce an English-speaking program soon, and it’s going to be under Just for Laughs brand that we just acquired,” said Parent-Bédard.

“I’ve been looking forward to have fun, to have a big and beautiful summer,” said Zéphir.