Mommy, it’s over….Again!

An eight day run of comedy has come to an end. What have we learned from JFL42 ? That Toronto knows how to hold the most unique and interactive comedy festival in Canada. For a “first” year, the event went well, the turnout for shows were amazing and Twitter is still bursting with thank yous from all the acts and comedy goers alike. I think it’s fair to say that Robbie Praw is a happy camper this week. I would be to.

So what were your memorable moments? Good and/or bad. Because I was media, I didn’t get to experience being a pass holder. Though there were problems at first like credits not getting back to people and then folks not knowing how to use their smart phone properly, as the week progressed, everything was working like a well oiled machine. I have to say, for an original idea and a new take on using your phone to access your event, it’s fantastic! For social media junkies like myself, how can you resist the opportunity to gain more followers and network with folks like yourself. Twitter, Foursquare and Instagram are already big in the social media world and to utilize them in such a way is incredible. If you weren’t using them before, you are now!

For me the good and the bad at the same time was the distance between shows. I did miss a show because of this. At the same time, it was my second time in Toronto so discovering the little neighbourhoods all around downtown was neat. The Mod Club, definitely a cool, hip place to perform, was my favorite room. The Garrison I heard was another favorite venue for artists and audience as well. However if I lived here, the Comedy Bar is definitely the place you want to covet as a comedy lover. Great room for comedy, bar on the outside and a relax atmosphere. My kind of place.

There is always one act that sticks with you and for me it was Pomme is French for Apple. Not only was it a fluke that I saw them because Kelly Carlin was the show I booked, whether I got it wrong or not, I believe it was destiny for me to see these girls. Liza Paul and Bahia Watson have collaborated their work to create the most original piece of theatre you’ve ever seen. Oh, did I say it was funny? I mean really funny!? And if you know some West Indian culture, you will cry from hilarity. I telling you, pum is a word that everyone should know. Go check them out on You Tube at PommeTV. Another fave for me and JFL42 was Neal Brennan. He had quite a few shows to start with and had more added as the week went by. As a huge Dave Chappelle fan, it was a pleasure to see him live. “my buddy Neal…” And that’s exactly what you get. I laughed so much, it hurt. He killed it.

To sum it up, I had great experience during this festival and I really look forward to next years line up and changes. Day passes, week passes maybe even venue passes, more acts and longer nights, all to come to the same conclusion, laughter for your heart and soul.Whatever they do, I look forward to laughing all over again and again.