THANKS FOR A GREAT FEST!
Thank you for joining us at the 4th Annual Grindstone Comedy Festival. We hope to see you back in 2024!
The Grindstone Comedy Festival is an annual independent stand-up, improv and sketch comedy festival hosted at Edmonton’s Grindstone Theatre which brings both national performers and rising local talent together under the Edmonton spotlight.
Want to be a part of the festival? We are seeking Stand Up, Improv, and Sketch acts to perform Summer 2024.
2023 LINE UP
Extra Fun
Featuring
Ken Hall
The 11 O’clock Number
Andrew Packer
Two Girls One Trench Coat
Mark Little
Jarrett Campbell
Zabrina Douglas
Marc-Anthony Sinagoga
Austen Alexander
Amber Harper-Young
Lisa Baker
Kyle Patan
Henry Sir
Leif Oleson-Cormack, Alex Jocko, Natasha Lyn Myles, Kathleen McGee, Victoria Kucher, Brennan Asbridge, Michael Lutton, Justin Torres,
Girl Brain, Byron Martin, Katie Hudson,
Quinn Contini, Chris Borger, Matt Ness, The Debutantes, HAM, Wayne Jones,
Malachi Wilkins, Mhairi Berg, Curtis den Otter, Lee Boyes, Dallas Friesen, Sarah Dowling, Simon Abbott, Donovan Workun, Evan Dowling, Abby Vandenberghe, Aimée Beaudoin
Stand-Up Stand-Off Competition, Open Mic
Parties + More!
WHAT
A LOT OF LAUGHS
The Grindstone Comedy Festival is an annual independent stand-up, improv and sketch comedy festival hosted at Edmonton’s Grindstone Theatre which brings both national performers and rising local talent together under the Edmonton spotlight.
WHERE
THEATRE + BISTRO + PATIO
Main Venue:
The Grindstone Comedy Theatre & Bistro
10019 81 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6E 1W7
Secondary Venue:
The Howl & Roar Records Stage
10019 81 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6E 1W7
Located Outdoors- Across from Grindstone
Workshop Studio:
Mill Creek Studio 9562 82 Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T6C 0Z8
(Downstairs below the Mill Creek Cafe)
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OPEN MIC
STEP RIGHT UP
Open Mics are where jokes are born! Where comics strain and grunt to push out mushy, slime covered balls of noise they will one day work into useful parts of their act!! It’s also a place for comics to grow, to poop their pants and cry and to try figure out what the hell they are doing on stage!?!! Featuring Edmonton’s Best Comedians, right alongside first timers, up-and-comers and just plain bad comics, all side by side fighting for your laughs! Join us Wednesday, July 5th for this little miracle of an open mic!!
Wednesday, July 5th at 11:00PM
Free event!
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STAND-UP
STAND-OFF
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN
It’s the Stand-Up Stand-Off Comedy Competition Finale! Hosted by Adam Dyck! After four weeks of competition it all comes down to this; the final countdown, the minute of truth, the clash of the titanics! It’s the Stand-Up Stand-Off Finals where one comedian will be the winner and the others will be given a participation badge.
Disclaimer: no actual badge will be given, metaphorical badges only.
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PARTIES
HITTING THAT DANCEFLOOR
OPENING KARAOKE PARTY
Thursday, July 6th 10:30PM
DANCE PARTY
Friday, July 7th 11:59PM
AFTER PARTY
Saturday, July 8th 11:59PM
WORKSHOPS
TIME TO IMPROVISE
INTRO TO SKETCH COMEDY WORKSHOP
WITH BRENNAN ASBRIDGE
In this workshop you'll learn the fundamentals of developing your own original comedic sketches. Through a series of exercises we'll cover premise generation, pitching, basic structure, and getting things up on their feet. Bring a notebook!
Saturday July 8 from 12:00 - 2:00PM
Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW)
STAND UP FOR BEGINNERS WORKSHOP
WITH LISA BAKER
This workshop will give an overview on the fundamentals of stand up comedy, including joke writing, building a set, the comedy industry, local shows/venues, and professional etiquette.
Saturday July 8 from 12:30 - 2:30PM
Grindstone Theatre (10019 81 Ave NW)
FEEL SOMETHING, DAMNIT IMPROV WORKSHOP
WITH MICHAEL LUTTON
Learn how to get to the heart of the scene quickly in this two-hour workshop. By delving into our characters’ emotional reactions, we’ll discover how to make choices that are specific, grounded, and authentic, and that we can heighten for the greatest comedic effect. If you’re tired of premise-based scenes, and looking to create characters on the fly in an organic and truthful way, this workshop is for you!
Saturday July 8 from 2:15 - 4:15PM
Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW)
CLOWNPROV WORKSHOP
WITH KEN HALL
Clownprov is a beautiful hybrid of clown and physical comedy combined with improvised scenework. Participants will experience a variety of exercises focused on 'le jeu' (play) and discover their own vulnerable absurdities within scenes and themselves. In Clownprov, play is paramount which allows us to reveal the best versions of ourselves as we seek connection and interaction with audiences.
Sunday July 9 from 1:00 - 4:00PM
Grindstone Studio (9562 82 Ave NW)
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
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