For
the second year, Festival Laval Laughs is coming back for more. From October 3
to 6, 2019, you can expect to see some of the most well known names in comedy
take to the stage with a fresh line-up, guaranteed to make you laugh. Get to
know the amazing comedians lined up to perform and what unique perspectives
they bring to Festival Laval Laughs! Plus, meet our Publisher, Luigi Morabito –
the man who brought this festival to fruition – for his take on what you can
expect to see this October.
Luigi
Morabito is the man who brought the idea of Festival Laval Laughs to life for
the first time last year. With over 25 years of experience in the worlds of
business, marketing, media and communication, he’s also an active resident of
Laval who thrives on getting involved. He launched the Laval Families and Laval en Famille magazines with that goal
in mind and currently sits as Publisher for both publications.
Now,
Morabito proposes something different; he wants to make you laugh! “This festival was a dream of
mine about four years ago,” he explains. “I like to support local talent and I
also want to give back to our vibrant community.” He adds that Laval is the
third largest city in Quebec, yet most festivals and entertainment bypass it
and focus on Montreal and Quebec instead.
Morabito met up with comedian
Franco Taddeo, who is now the Director of Programming, to chat about the
possibilities. Soon after, they built a business plan, found sponsors, and the
rest is history. The first edition of Festival
Laval Laughs (Festival Laval en Rires)
was launched in 2018.
This year’s
edition promises to be particularly entertaining. Morabito and his team
selected quality comedians who will push things to the next level. The festival
will run from October 3 to 6, and will feature
the ever-popular Ethnically Correct
show, which was sold out last year. “Laval is an ethnically diverse city,” says
Morabito. “They can relate to this kind of humour.”
A one-woman show in French with
comedian and sexologist Mélanie Couture is also on the roster, along with the Gala Laval en Rires, featuring a host of
other francophone performers. It’s an eclectic mix of well-known comedians, all
known for putting on a show that promises non-stop laughs!
Morabito is
excited that since its initial launch, the festival has gathered momentum and
developed a positive reputation. Agents are now starting to approach them—not
the other way around.
Morabito and
his team are also grateful for their sponsors’ loyalty. Big sponsors such as Jaguar Land Rover Laval, Pâtisserie
St-Martin,
and Outfront Media are all returning. It takes a
village to put on a festival of this magnitude and every bit of support goes a
long way. Curious about what else the festival has in store? You’ll just
have to attend to find out!
Armed with 20 years of experience in the field of comedy,
Franco Taddeo knows the industry inside out. Represented by one of the top
agencies, Giggles Entertainment, he’s been touring various cities from Boston to Winnipeg to Cornwall. He even has
his own CBC-TV Comedy Special entitled Whose Canada Is It?
Apart from being a stellar performer, who will once again
perform at this year’s Festival Laval Laughs, Taddeo is a man of many talents.
He’s also the Director of programming for the festival.
When he
teamed up with Luigi Morabito, the founder of Festival Laval Laughs, his
intentions were clear. “We wanted to leave our mark on the city of
Laval,” he says. “In the past, there weren’t many cultural events. A city is
defined by these and as comedy is an accessible art, the festival is a cultural
event that attracts the most interest.”
Taddeo is
particularly interested in this year’s second edition, which is more focused on
Canadian talent. The Ethnically Correct
show promises to delight audiences again, just like the sold out show did last
year. If you had the chance to see Taddeo’s performance at last year’s event,
then you already know his show is sure to keep you laughing all night long.
Taddeo is also working closely with other comedians in the show to put together
a truly amazing second edition of Festival Laval Laughs.
Taddeo
selects each performer carefully, in an effort to create a diverse menu of
different perspectives and flavours, so there’s something for everyone. The
ultimate goal is to make the second edition of Festival Laval Laughs another
raving success.
“When you come
to one of our shows,” he says. “We promise you’ll laugh and have a great time.
You’ll likely connect to what the comedians say because it will resonate with
your own experiences. Connectedness leads to happiness.”
Pino
Pirillo – a master of crafting jokes specifically tailored for Montrealers – is
another comedian on the roster this October. Who wouldn’t crack a laugh at
jokes about smoked meat,
poutine and potholes? It’s his witty humor and ability to connect with the
audience that has propelled his career to the next level. He exploded on the Montreal
scene and starred in Italian Bad Boyz of Comedy. He’s now branching out
and doing shows in Toronto, New York, and Connecticut, to name a few.
When asked why he
agreed to be part of this year’s line-up, Pirillo admits it was a no-brainer.
“This is history in the making, since this festival is the first of its kind in
Laval,” he says. “It’s a wonderful opportunity and the line-up is great!”
He’s especially excited to perform at the Ethnically Correct
show on October 3 at Cabaret C. He
was raised by an old school
Italian family, so he’s the
perfect candidate for it. And since Laval is a melting
pot of different ethnic groups, it works well. Expect some jokes where he reminisces back to the days where his
friends had to take off their shoes when they came over and sit on
uncomfortable furniture covered in plastic.
He’s currently polishing up some new
material and testing it out on various audiences. His jokes are almost always exclusively
drawn from personal experience, which gives them authenticity. Pirillo adds
that he’s never afraid to make fun of himself. “When it comes to comedy, one
should never take things too seriously,” he says. “Because at the end of the
day, comedy is about entertainment.”
Darren
Henwood is originally from Scotland, but has been entertaining Canadians since
2010. You’ll be able to catch his performance on October 3 at Cabaret C. His witty and quick paced
comedy is steeped in sarcasm and is guaranteed to keep audiences at the edge of
their seats. At times self-depreciating, his humour is always brutally honest
and draws from his own personal experiences.
He could
not be more excited because this will be his first time performing in Laval,
and hopefully not his last.
Franco Traddeo, the Director of programming for the
festival, had invited him. “I know Franco well from the comedy scene,” he
explains. “And since I heard such great things about the first edition, I was
eager to jump on board. Not all new projects succeed, but this one lives up to
its expectations.” He’s particularly eager to see how the festival has evolved
since last year.
Having lived in Montreal for almost a decade, he’s come to
appreciate its diversity, from the mix of French and English communities to the
many ethnicities in between, but he also offers a fresh perspective because of
his Scottish blood.
He’s currently tweaking some of the jokes
in his arsenal and is ready to put his best foot forward. Henwood also makes a habit
of keeping some of jokes off the cuff and interactive, “I was made to be
onstage, holding people’s attention,” he says. “When I was younger, I was
always putting on shows for everyone at school, much to the chagrin of my
teachers.” That natural charisma is one of his biggest assets, and has helped
carve out his professional career.
John Cotrocois is a rare blend, with talents that dip into the worlds of
comedy, storytelling, writing and performing. He performed at such reputable
venues as Centaur Theatre and Second City Mainstage in Toronto. He describes
himself as an “ordinary guy with extraordinary stories.” Festival Laval
Laughs is proud to have him as part of the lineup.
For Cotrocois, performing in Laval is coming full circle. He grew up in
Chomedy with his Greek family and knows the culture intimately. “I find Laval
audiences fun and very responsive,” he says. “Interestingly, residents here
seem to be even more open minded than in Montreal. Some of my dirty jokes fare
better here!”
He performed at last year’s
Festival Laval Laughs
in the Newbies Show, and will return
again to participate in the Ethnically
Correct show on October 3 Cotrocois is particularly excited to
perform for a
predominantly ethnic audience and is ready to tailor some of his jokes for
them. His cheeky sense of humour and high energy demeanour guarantee to keep
everyone on their toes. Yet all the while, he’s vulnerable and authentic,
allowing audiences to connect with him.
Believe it or not,
Cotrocois has stage fright. But he insists on facing his fears head-on. And
when he gets that first laugh, he’s instantly put at ease. Connecting to the
audience is such a rewarding feeling for him. At this year’s festival, he’s
looking forward to getting more involved and of course, making you laugh.
“I’m here to entertain people, pure and simple,” he
says. “I’m not a political comedian, and have no political agenda. I love talking
about universal themes I weave my jokes together through the art of
storytelling.”
One thing is for sure; if you’re looking for a good laugh, the roster of
comedians at Festival Laval Laughs will definitely deliver. Free up your
calendars from October 3 to 6. Visit festivallavallaughs.ca
for more information on show times and to reserve your tickets before they’re
sold out!
In The Latest Issue:Latest Issue:
- A Bittersweet Farewell
- The new Laval Aquatic Co...
- The End of an Era:
Articles
Calendar
Virtual- ANNUAL TEACHER APPRECIATION CONTEST
- APPUI LAVAL
- ARTS & CULTURE
- CAMPS
- CAR GUIDE
- CCIL
- CENTENNIAL ACADEMY
- CHARITY FUNDRAISING
- CITYTV
- COSMODÔME
- COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
- COVER STORY
- DINA DIMITRATOS
- ÉCOLE SUPÉRIEURE DE BALLET DU QUÉBEC
- EDITORIALS
- ÉDUCALOI
- EDUCATION
- EMPLOYMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- FÊTE DE LA FAMILLE
- FÊTE DU QUARTIER SAINT-BRUNO
- FAMILIES
- FESTIVAL LAVAL LAUGHS
- FÊTE DE QUARTIER VAL-DES-BRISES
- FINANCES
- GLI CUMBARE
- GROUPE RENO-EXPERT
- HEALTH & WELL-BEING
- 30 MINUTE HIT
- ANXIETY
- CHILDREN`S HEALTH & WELLNESS
- CLOSE AID
- DENTAL WELLNESS
- EXTREME EVOLUTION SPORTS CENTRE
- FONDATION CITÉ DE LA SANTÉ
- GENERAL
- HEARING HEALTH
- MESSAGES FROM THE HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA
- MENTAL HEALTH
- SEXUALITY
- SOCIAL INTEGRATION
- SPECIAL NEEDS
- TEENS
- THE NUTRITION CORNER
- THE NUTRITION CORNER - RECIPES
- VACATION DESTINATION
- WOMEN'S FITNESS
- WOMEN'S HEALTH
- HILTON MONTREAL/LAVAL
- HOME & GARDEN
- INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
- JAGUAR LAVAL
- LAVAL À VÉLO
- LAVAL FAMILIES TV SHOW
- LAVAL FAMILIES MAGAZINE CARES
- LAVAL URBAN IN NATURE
- LE PARCOURS DES HÉROS
- LES PETITS GOURMETS DANS MA COUR
- LEON'S FURNITURE
- LEONARDO DA VINCI CENTRE
- LFM PREMIERES
- LIFE BALANCE
- M.P. PROFILE
- MISS EDGAR'S AND MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL
- MISSING CHILDREN'S NETWORK
- NETFOLIE
- NORTH STAR ACADEMY LAVAL
- OUTFRONT MEDIA
- PASSION SOCCER
- PARC DE LA RIVIÈRE-DES-MILLE-ÎLES
- PÂTISSERIE ST-MARTIN
- PIZZERIA LÌOLÀ
- PLACE BELL
- PORTRAITS OF YOUR MNA'S
- ROCKET DE LAVAL
- SACRED HEART SCHOOL
- SCOTIA BANK
- SHERATON LAVAL HOTEL
- SOCIÉTÉ ALZHEIMER LAVAL
- STATION 55
- STL
- SUBARU DE LAVAL
- TECHNOLOGY
- TEDXLAVAL
- TODAY`S LAURENTIANS AND LANAUDIÈRE
- TODAY`S LAVAL
- WARNER MUSIC
- THIS ISSUE
- MOST RECENT
Magazine
The Second Edition of Festival Laval Laughs
Articles ~e 105,7 Rythme FM 4 chemins Annual Teacher Appreciation Contest Appui Laval Arts & Culture Ballet Eddy Toussaint Camps THIS ISSUE MORE...
CONTESTS Enter our contests
CONTESTS Enter our contests
CALENDAR
Events & Activities
COMMUNITY Posts Events
PUBLICATIONS Our Magazine Family Resource Directory
LFM BUSINESS NETWORK Learn more
COUPONS Click to save!
COMMUNITY Posts Events
PUBLICATIONS Our Magazine Family Resource Directory
LFM BUSINESS NETWORK Learn more
COUPONS Click to save!
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscribe to the magazine
Un-Subscribe
E-NEWSLETTER Subscribe to our E-newsletter Un-Subscribe
WRITE FOR US Guidelines & Submissions
POLLS Vote today!
E-NEWSLETTER Subscribe to our E-newsletter Un-Subscribe
WRITE FOR US Guidelines & Submissions
POLLS Vote today!
ADVERTISERS
How to & Media guide
Pay your LFM invoice
SUGGESTIONS Reader's Survey Suggest a Listing
LFM About Us Our Mission Giving Back Contact Us
SUGGESTIONS Reader's Survey Suggest a Listing
LFM About Us Our Mission Giving Back Contact Us
PICK-UP LOCATIONS
Get a copy of LFM!
TERMS & CONDITIONS Privacy | Terms
ISSN (ONLINE) 2291-1677
ISSN (PRINT) 2291-1677
Website by ZENxDESIGN
TERMS & CONDITIONS Privacy | Terms
ISSN (ONLINE) 2291-1677
ISSN (PRINT) 2291-1677
Website by ZENxDESIGN