Montreal's sweetheart and the most loved comic to come out of the new immigrant wave. She is a completely harmless person of colour female woman who writes to include all groups in her jokes.

Adrienne Roy is a stand-up and sketch comedian who you may know from their performances at Montreal Sketchfest, Ladyfest, and Le Basement Comedy Festival. They are a co-producer for The Poly Mic and Corporate Circus Productions and the host of Queer Ears.

Carmina Berbari Daou is a Lebanese interdisciplinary artist and comedian and a staple of Montreal’s queer stand-up scene. You know her from Montreal Sketchfest, Montreal Fringe, Commicon, Ladyfest, the Minifest and the Bordel Comedie Club’s Gong Show.

I don't want to evoke memories of those bleak times a few years ago when we couldn't gather and have fun, but that's where this story begins.

Funny Women began in the UK in 2002, organized by Lynne Parker. Parker was sick of comedy spaces being dominated by men and the narrative that women don’t carry the same calibre of humour. Their goal was simple yet challenging: to see and support more women in comedy spaces.

Raquel Maestre is soft-spoken and poised, on stage and off. Her presence on stage captivates your attention from the start, then you’re hit by her jokes that are filled with wit and misdirection, making you explode with laughter.

I was a fan of comedy before I became a comic, and that perspective primed me for a nostalgia I hadn’t anticipated. If you’re into comedy, you have probably listened to many podcasts with seasoned comics waxing poetic about the scenes in LA or NYC.

My love for live stand up comedy bloomed at the Just for Laughs Festival (JFL) many summers ago. I was swept up by the magic comedians can create with only a few ingredients, primarily a microphone and a room full of lovely people. When I got on stage for the first time my love only deepened.

This spring, stand-up comedy fans will have a NEW festival to express their love and appreciation for the craft. Better yet, if it's your first time, you may just fall in love as I did. Enter: GIGGLEFEST.

A play. Me. Abby Stonehouse. Since when? Honestly, I was a little nervous because, okay look, I've always imagined people who see plays have a higher digit in the IQ scale. But that's trauma for another time. What. A. Rough. Beast. I feel seen. And I am smart enough?

Around the corner from the festival quarters is Cafe Cleopatra. It’s a classic Montreal establishment. No shenanigans happen here. Nothing but tasteful performance art occurs beyond the flashing neon lights.