15 Canadian comedians to watch in 2019
Maybe it's the maple syrup or the long winters but Canadians have an iconic reputation for humour in every style from wacky to dry, surreal to observational. Here's a list of some of our favourite comedic voices of the year.
1. TRANNA WINTOUR (Montreal)
Tranna Wintour is a transgender comedian who is as uniquely glamours as she is funny. Her old Hollywood charm and contemporary values make her one of Canada's most compelling comedic voices. She recently released her first comedy special and the second season of her popular podcast, Chosen Family, just launched on CBC Podcasts.
FOLLOW TRANNA: @trannawintour
2. D.J. MAUSNER (Toronto)
D.J. Mausner is an award-winning stand-up, sketch, and improv comedian. D.J.'s surreal observational style tackles the darker corners of life in the most fun way (we promise). Off stage, she writes for some of your favourite shows like Gary and his Demons, This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Baroness Von Sketch Show.
FOLLOW D.J. MAUSNER: @djmausner
3. THE EL-SALOMONS (New York / Montreal)
Comedians Jess Salomon and Eman El-Husseini met and fell in love at a comedy club in Montreal nearly a decade ago. Jess is Jewish and Eman is Palestinian (basically enemies) but they somehow make it work. It's probably the hummus. Their comedy duo is full of heart, tension, and laughs.
FOLLOW THE EL-SALOMONS: @theelsalomons
4. YUMI NAGASHIMA (Vancouver)
Yumi Nagashima is a Japanese-Canadian comic and actress. She delivers her unique world view with a sassiness you'll love. Yumi is a mainstay on the Vancouver comedy scene, but you may have also heard her on the CBC's The Debaters, or seen her on CBC TV at the 2019 Winnipeg Comedy Festival.
FOLLOW YUMI: @yumicomedy
5. HOODO HERSI (Toronto)
Hoodo Hersi is a Somali Canadian comedian whose career is quickly gaining steam. She's been featured on The Comedy Network's Homegrown Comics and is the subject of a documentary by TVO called Stand Up Toronto.
FOLLOW HOODO: @hoodocomedy
6. NATALIE NORMAN (Toronto)
Natalie Norman's comedy has a strong feminist perspective. She loves talking about her period. So much so that she co-created The Crimson Wave, which is both a podcast about menstruation and a live comedy show. Her debut album is set o be released by Howl and Roar in the coming months.
FOLLOW NATALIE: @stalkingnatalie
7. FATIMA DHOWRE (Vancouver)
Fatima Dhowre's smile and energy are infectious. Her quick establishment in the Vancouver comedy scene has led her to national exposure. She's been featured in CBC's The Debaters, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, JFL NorthWest, and Sirius XM's Next Top Comic.
FOLLOW FATIMA: @fatimadhowre
8. BEN SOSA WRIGHT (Toronto)
Ben Sosa Wright is a self-identified Taurus icon. Ben blends his kooky comedy style with his experiences as a queer and Latinx person. Ben is a consummate performer whose been featured on the prestigious stages of JFL42, NXNE, Limestone Comedy Festival, Toronto's Big City Improv Festival, Bruce McCulloch's Young Stars Showcase, and The Museum of Comedy in London.
FOLLOW BEN: @jk_miss_thing
9. RYAN MCMAHON (Winnipeg)
Ryan McMahon is an Anishinaabe comedian, writer, media maker & community activator based out of Treaty #1 territory (Winnipeg, MB). Ryan is a seasoned comedian whose delightful storytelling style examines Indian Country & the mainstream. He made history in 2012 by becoming the first Native comedian to record a comedy special with CBC TV.
FOLLOW RYAN: @rmcomedy
10. BRANDON ASH-MOHAMMED (Toronto)
Brandon Ash Mohammed was named one of Now Magazine's Breakthrough Stage Artists of 2018. He is also the brainchild behind The Ethnic Rainbow, which is Canada's first comedy show featuring LGBTQ comedians of colour.
FOLLOW BRANDON: @bearackobama1
11. CHARLES HAYCOCK (Edmonton)
Charles Haycock is a quirky comedian whose playful style will give you the giggles. He's appeared on TV tapings for the 2018 Winnipeg Comedy Festival and the 2017 Halifax Comedy Festival.
FOLLOW CHARLES: @charleshaycock
12. LEONARD CHAN (Toronto)
Leonard Chan has two engineering degrees which he's put to good use in transforming into a fast-rising comedian. Born and raised in Toronto, he regularly performs in his hometown and across Canada or you can catch him now on Winnipeg Comedy Festival on CBC Gem streaming service.
FOLLOW LEONARD: @theleonardchan
13. NELU HANDA (Toronto)
Nelu Handa is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory program and a Bob Curry Fellow. She's appeared on a variety of TV shows, including The Beaverton, Workin' Moms and The Baroness Von Sketch Show. She is also the creator of the live show Yas Kween which showcases ethnic women.
FOLLOW NELU: @neluhanda
14. SOPHIE BUDDLE (Vancouver)
Sophie Buddle is a prodigy comedian who started stand-up at 15. She released her debut album, Lil Bit of Buddle, and is a writer on This Hour Has 22 Minutes.
FOLLOW SOPHIE: @sophbuds
15. TOM HENRY (Toronto)
Tom Henry's surreal humour and deadpan delivery will have you in stitches. He's opened for comics such as Tim Meadows, Nikki Glaser and Todd Barry and has been a regular on Andy Kindler's Alternative Show. Kindler also chose him as The Next Big Thing in 2017 stating "Tom Henry is a comic who you could say he's a little bit like Mitch Hedberg, a little bit Steven Wright, but he's in a category by himself." Last year his debut album, Tom Henry Kills, reached number one on the iTunes comedy charts.
FOLLOW TOM: @tomdhenry