Bobbie Garnons-Williams loves comedy, and she wants to share that love with everyone.
So, the WinterFest organizer has used her background in event planning to organize Bobbie’s Comedy Night in Qualicum Beach next week.
“I wanted to bring some more fun and enjoyment to Qualicum Beach,” she said.
This is actually the third night of laughs Garnons-Williams has put together in the area.
She helped organize a show for the Parksville Lions nearly two years ago, which then gave her the idea to host her own show this past March.
“That (idea for her own comedy event) was percolating for over a year,” she said. “I did a lot of background (research) before I hit the ground running.”
Nearly 80 people attended the show earlier this year and Garnons-Williams hopes the comedy night next week will draw an even bigger crowd.
Headlining the event will be Vancouver-based funny man Matt Billon. While he dabbles in all styles of comedy, Billon said he mainly performs what he calls “insult comedy.”
“You insult the audience and insult yourself,” he said. And while that might sound harsh, Billon said it’s never his intention to be mean.
“My intention is always to make the crowd laugh,” he said, adding that he thinks everyone -- including comics -- could use more comedy in their lives. “The one I’m talking to is laughing the hardest.”
“He works the crowd really well,” said Garnons-Williams.
Billon has a solid reputation that has landed him feature appearances and specials on CBC’s Madly Off In All Directions and The Debaters.
He’s also written for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and performed at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival and XM Satellite Radio’s Laugh Attack. He has also started touring in the States.
Alongside Billon, Victoria’s Myles Anderson will take the stage next week.
A life-long comedian, Anderson has performed stand-up since 2011. In 2013, he won the Blue Bridge comedy festival’s Best in Victoria comedy competition and in 2014 he appeared on the North West Comedy Fest doing shows with Mick Foley, Natasha Leggero and Judah Friedlander of 30 Rock.
“I really enjoyed his comedy,” said Garnons-Williams, who called Anderson’s comedy intelligent and observational.
Garnons-Williams will also partake in the show as emcee and a comic.
Her first crack at making an audience laugh was during a talent show in her years at Qualicum Beach Middle School. Even though comedy eventually took a back seat when she returned to Canada several years ago after living aboard, she once again took the stage at her March event.
While she had a full stand-up set at the last show, Garnons-Williams said she plans to keep her time short this go around since she hasn’t written too much material since March.
“I want them (the audience) to be satisfied,” she explained, saying she wants to keep the show as fresh as possible.
So, in order to round out the night, Garnons-Williams has invited new talent Peter Hudson from Nanaimo to perform.
The show will take place at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre on June 6 at 7:30 p.m. The night will also include a cash bar and 50/50 draw hosted by the Parksville Lions.
Tickets are $20 in advance and are available at Arbutus Emporium in Qualicum, Soak Essentials in Parksville, online at bobbiescomedynight.com or by phone at 1-877-808-2333. They are also available at the door for $25.
The five extra dollars from those tickets purchased at the door will be donated to the Parksville Lion’s Venture Land Playground, Garnons-William said. For those who buy their tickets in advance, there will also be an opportunity to donate to the same cause at the show.
“Any opportunity to raise funds for the park is fantastic,” Garnons-William said, adding that she hopes to continue to keep a charitable aspect to her comedy shows in the future.
“I definitely like the warm and fuzzies,” she said.