Big Laughs, Big Love - A Ladyfest Experience
While this year marked the 7th Edition of Ladyfest, it was my first time attending, making me more than fashionably late. Still, in a way the timing was perfect. I've been following some of these performers closely, plugging acts from the sidelines, and this was the best chance for me to see some of the biggest names in the scene all in one festival. As is so often the case, the magic was in the details.
Ladyfest kicked off on a Sunday afternoon with Abby Stonehouse recording her podcast House of Stone live. While 1PM is a unique showtime in these circles, it was the perfect show for the slot. I imagine I'm going to a live TV show recording, but the guests (Alo Azimov, Ilana Belfer) and host are all comics so I know it'll be more wonderfully fucked up than that. The Diving Bell Social Club during the day is exactly as it is at night, dim with a perpetually indefinable sense of time. Drinks are already flowing, and people are caffeinated and smiling. Wait, is that a snack table? Yes it is, because Abby couldn't have her friends and fans turn out without bringing something to offer. There was watermelon, mini muffins, a definite party vibe as friends, fans, and comics turned up to celebrate (I finally got to meet Alo Azimov, too!). Contrary to popular belief I don't usually find myself ordering drinks this early, but a Caesar is the perfect breakfast beverage -- wait, did someone just walk in with homemade cinnamon buns? Yes, and they're still hot, and she's in oven mitts, and this is the most loving, familial show I've ever been to. I already love this festival.
Abby opens by announcing this is her third live podcast recording, and Andrew Jamieson and I immediately smile at each other, realizing that we've been to all three recordings. Each has been a different experience, the topics ranging from comedy scene nightmares, to dating, to the core scars we carry from our high school embarrassments. With each guest she remains open for anything they might offer up in the moment, as quick with a comeback as she is with a comforting word.
On Tuesday night, Darragh Mondoux and Lucy Gervais presented Underthunk Cabaret. This show was literally laughs on wheels with hosts Darragh Mondoux and Lucy Gervais risking life and limb on roller skates (no, not rollerblades). It added energy and spectacle as they made their way through the packed house. There was some suspense too, as Darragh advised us she may or may not make it safely through the evening. The show prides itself on its varied display, gathering "comedians, clowns and burly beasts", and they didn't disappoint. After hearing her name everywhere, I finally witnessed Elspeth Wright and saw exactly why folks are talking!
The next night, back at Diving Bell it was hard to snag a seat, which is wonderful! I finally got to meet Sara Meleika, Ladyfest organizer, comic, and producer of They Go Low, We Go Laugh. I'm sure she had a million things on her mind, but she was gracious and calm in her element, with everything around her running smoothly. I hope she was as proud of herself as I was impressed. Additionally, Sara has a shiny smile, a welcoming energy, and a hilarious bit about both that I won't soon forget.
The third night happened to mark the 2nd anniversary of Melissa G and Marielle McCrum's This & That, so the theme was Birthday Party! The vibe was joyful, with longtime fans in the crowd to celebrate. It bears mentioning that every show I attended had other comics in the audience. There was a beautiful display of community as performers turned up to support one another, something I've rarely seen at other festivals. We popped out for a quick smoke, and on our way back in we were met with a giant cake in the doorway with Marielle inside! It was part of their show's finale, and while we could've squeezed by, we opted to stay for pics and giggles. Suddenly in on a secret, we took bets as to whether the cake would clear the doorframe. It did, and we followed the cake into the room, hanging back as it was wheeled to the stage. Marielle popped out with mini cupcakes and announced that there were cupcakes for everyone! "Filled with gluten and animal by-products," she specified, which is how I prefer my desserts.
I was particularly stoked to see Funny Over Forty: Exceptional and Exhausted, because I'm three of those four things. It turned out I wasn't the only one eager for laughs in my age range, as the show was standing room only. It was wonderful to see so many people crowded into the space to celebrate a demographic of women so often deemed invisible, and it was amazing to see jokes on exactly that point. While everyone on the lineup slayed, Dawn Ford sent me. I was smitten by her fearlessness, her steel cervix honesty, and slick delivery.
As a sidebar for those familiar with the venue, I'd never visited Diving Bell so many times in such quick succession. At first I was pleased with how I took the stairs, but soon noticed my thighs were burning. Then the stairs became daunting and oh so steep, but after many trips I'm feeling pretty good, and thinking if we can squeeze another festival in there right away I'll be in short shorts by winter.
Friday night, another great turnout and I was glad to catch They Go Low, We Go Laugh, "a variety show where folx of colour and marginalized identities take the stage" to use their voices however they choose. It was great to see another set by Sara Meleika, and Joanna Selverajah (who I'd caught at Zoofest this summer) slayed me again. This was my first time catching Sloan Kooshan, and all the good things I'd heard were true. Later, at Tales of Gender Affirmation, I watched Tranna Wintour own the stage with her signature wit and confidence.
Admittedly, I missed some of the action. It turns out that I am, in fact, merely human, and just couldn't be in attendance for every show. There was Priddy Playful Productions Bridgerton, Improvised (in full costume), and I Don't Belong Here (with Dana Saleh, Mariam Khan, Kyra Carleton, Lauren Mallory and more), as well as Chinatown Comedy Night, hosted by Andrina Learmonth (with Yumi Blake, Ellie Gill, Kristina Guevarra, Psyberia, and Ké), and Raquel Maestre’s A Very Pretentious Comedy Show. Among the audience and performers I chatted with, I heard all sorts of great feedback about these shows, and saw some pretty fab pics too! I also had my heart set on Ladyparty, the closing karaoke dance party, but flesh is weak, and I needed a nap.
Bridgerton, Improvised - Photo by Elly Pond
This year's Ladyfest coincided with Diving Bell Social Club's 5th anniversary. Considering the recent announcement of its imminent closure, it's certainly a bittersweet celebration. As this was my first real immersion in the space, there night after night and sometimes multiple times a night over the week, the importance of the space we're losing struck me. If you haven't heard Andrew Jamieson on the importance of venues, listen to him here. Venues in themselves are the settings for our events. The physical stage is almost an afterthought: from the moment we walk into a space, the stage has been set. The Diving Bell stage provides a warm and welcoming space for those who may not always feel welcomed. This past week it provided a veritable playground for producers, performers, comics and fans to experience a rare slice of comfortable community.
Ladyfest was amazing. Somehow, this team has found the secret sauce of pulling off a giant feat of a run while making it look like a fun and easy time. It was touching to see the turnout, the support within the community, to see fans catch up with performers and give them their kudos. Time and again and always just when I need it, the Montreal comedy scene gives me faith in community. This festival had me all up in my feelings in that regard, but thankfully I was so busy laughing that I didn't make things weird.
See you next year, y'all.
Photo by Elly Pond
