Contest draws in local stand-up comedians

A comedian's job is to make people laugh, and if that means competing in the Smells Funny Stand-up Comedy Extravaganza, so be it, said Josh Charette.

The contest takes place on Aug. 5 at SRO, located at 93 Durham St. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $5.

Charette, the host and winner of the Crown of Comedy contest held during the Laugh out Loud comedy festival, said he wants to foster the growth Greater Sudbury's comedy scene.

“First and foremost, I'm interested in creating stage time for myself and other amateur comedians in Sudbury,” he said. “It doesn't seem like there's many opportunities besides the LOL festival.”

The lineup of aspiring performers, including Matt Watson, Matt Moskal, Becca McDonald, Brian Schutt, Dwayne Lemieux, Maher Khalil, Pat Suley, Mike Lynch, Dylan Armstrong and Greg Stringer, will compete for bragging rights and a cash prize of $300.

“A lot of them, I've performed with before, or are personal acquaintances who've tried comedy before, or haven't tried it before, and I encourage them to just give it a try,” Charette said.

Advanced tickets, sold by the comedians themselves, have been selling like “hot cakes.”

“I was hopeful for this response,” Charette said. “I didn't expect it (to do so well). Most of the audience is going to be people who are there to see friends and family.”

Charette said talks are underway to make amateur comedy nights routine events in Greater Sudbury.

“We might make it a bi-weekly thing,” he said.

For more information, search Smells Funny Stand-up Comedy Extravaganza on Facebook, or contact Charette or any of the other performers by Facebook for tickets. Limited tickets will be available at the door.