Laugh your mask off as local comedy makes a comeback after rough year

As British Columbia continues to come back to life—local arts groups are breathing a sigh of relief after a very long layoff.

"I think people can't wait to get out and laugh again," says Rob Balsdon, owner of Train Wreck Comedy in Kelowna.

"The entertainment industry took it on the chin through COVID-19, but focusing on what has happened isn't going to change it. I know all the comedians that I work with are just excited to get back on track and start making people laugh again."

After months of not knowing when live entertainment would be allowed to come back on stage, local comedy groups are happy to get back to work.

Balsdon tells Castanet Train Wreck Comedy has already announced six shows in three nights from July 8-10.

The shows will run at 7 and 9:15 p.m. on July 8 at Wings West Kelowna, July 9 at the Kelowna Yacht Club and July 10 at Freddy's Brewpub. Balsdon says the events will comply with the latest COVID-19 protocols and will feature tables of two, four and six. Tickets are available here.

"Grab your friends and come laugh your mask off," Balsdon says.

The shows will feature one of Canada's top comedians, Byron Bertram, who has worked on stage with the likes of Zach Galifinakis, Flight of the Concords, and Eddie Izzard. He was a big hit with the judges on Britain’s Got Talent and has also been seen on ABC’s Once Upon a Time, Dirks Gently, Riverdale, and heard regularly on SiriusXM.

Byron has been working with Train Wreck Comedy for the last seven years and is best known by many people in the Okanagan for his role as the melodramatic, sick husband, from the famous "Pam Call My Mom" Nyquil commercial.

Stuart Jones will also be performing at Dakoda's Comedy Lounge along with local comedians Jordan Strauss, Zawer Suleiman, and Kyle Ferris on June 19th.