CORNWALL, Ontario – The first LGBTQ+ comedy show to ever take place in Cornwall will be happening at La Maison Tavern on Friday, April 12.
Being organized by the folks at Off Your Rocker, ticket sales from the Big Gay Comedy Show will go to support Diversity Cornwall, an LGBTQ+ group that promotes diversity and holds events throughout the year in Cornwall.
“We need to work with community partners to ensure we have safe spaces for our events,” said Rhonda Quinn of Diversity Cornwall.
Quinn explained that some of the money raised will go to space rental costs for events. The group hopes to raise $1,000.
Quinn said that she has high hopes for the evening.
“It is going to be a fun night,” she said. “We are nearly sold out. It shows me that there is a need in the community, and support in the community and we are so excited for that.”
One of the much anticipated acts performing at the show is Kyle Brownrigg, who has been working in comedy for six years, three year professionally.
Originally from Ottawa, but currently living in Toronto, Brownrigg said that his passion for comedy took off after meeting some comedians while working in an art gallery.
“That planted a bug in my head and I did it and it went well and it was one of those things where I didn’t know I wanted to do it until it was in my face,” Brownrigg said.
Brownrigg describes his act as a little bit edgy.
“I do a lot of one-liners and misdirection,” Brownrigg said. “I do take downs of white privilege and I talk about my challenges as a member of the LGBT community.”
Brownrigg said that event-goers can expect some quality work from the comedians on stage.
“It is going to be a professional comedy show,” said Brownrigg, who is a finalist from Canada’s Next Top Comic. “This show will tell people should be aware of not only great Canadian comics, but also LGBT comics.”
Brownrigg is having a new comedy album launching on March 15 called Un-medicated, the New Fragrance, available on all major platforms.
Other acts appearing at the show include Jesse Reynolds, an Ottawa based comedian and former morning host with Jump! 106.9 and Laura McLean, a Queen’s graduate who regularly performs stand-up at Off the Rails at The Wellington Eatery and Swizzles Comedy Night at Swizzles Bar and Grill.