Over two years running and tonight’s Laffy Taffy may be one of the best yet.
The weekly stand-up comedy show at The Foxx Lounge at 16 Dunlop Street East has become a staple in not just the city’s comedy scene but also the Ontario scene as well.
Laffy Taffy Comedy even won an award at the 2018 I Heart Jokes Awards for “Best Out of Town Show”, which is a Toronto based award show nominated by fellow comedians and producers in the Toronto Comedy Community. Peter Smith is the host and co-producer of the event and is extremely proud of the crowds they get who keep coming back.
“Laffy Taffy Tuesday became a staple night at The Foxx back in the spring of 2016 when our show went from monthly to weekly, we’re known for having some of the best crowds out to our shows and consistent regulars who support our show every week,” said Smith. “We’ve been focused since day one on bringing the best comedy night we can to Barrie with great headliners that you might see at Just for Laughs, major comedy chains or even on TV. We know we’re doing something write when we have consistently good crowds, quality line ups and a community of comedians who enjoy coming to Barrie to perform on our show at The Foxx Lounge.”
While most comedy acts used to have rely on getting in at Yuk-Yuks in Toronto in order to gain any experience, that is no longer the case as many bars and restaurants are using funny performances to bring in the patrons. Smith said that there was a time when there was basically nothing locally but that all changed with the start of Laffy Taffy and others chipping in to supports local talent.
“Before our show started, there was little to no comedy scene here in Barrie,” said Smith. “With the help of our growing Barrie Comedy Community we have comics at every level coming out to perform on our show, giving them a stage to work new material, strengthen older material and even challenge themselves as they develop. We typically have 2 to 3 local comedians on each show, sometimes even as a host. We even have our Bomb Shelter Open Mic which is now held monthly on the 1st Tuesday of each month after the main show. This open mic gives first timers and regulars an opportunity to really cut their teeth and push themselves for growth as a comic. Having this show every week and the open mic, means that existing and aspiring comedians have a stage that they can rely on where they can go and be themselves with the encouragement of a great group of peers without having to drive hours to the city for stage time.”
Tonight’s event starts at 8:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 7:30 p.m. and features local favourites Jeff Faulkner and Daniel Shaw but the headliner is a comedian who Smith and others feel is destined for great things.
Jeff Leeson is a 33-year-old comic out of London who is cutting his own path on the comedy scene and got start like most other acts with honing his craft in school.
“I wouldn’t call it being a class-clown so much as just really a huge fan of stand-up comedy,” Leeson told BarrieToday. “I would run home after school and watch all the Just For Laughs and Improv shows and just really take it in. I was actually a quiet kid in class but when it came time for those class speeches mine were funny and kept everyone laughing. I remember one time my teacher pulled another teacher in to watch my speech because it was so funny, adults used to comment how advanced my humour was and it was great to be supported instead of held back on it.”
Leeson is about to head off on a big tour that he basically orchestrated himself as he does comedy full-time and learned not just the craft of telling jokes, but also producing, booking, travelling and all other aspects one needs to succeed in the business of entertainment. Tonight’s show in Barrie will be one that locals and fans of humour will appreciate.
“All my shows are kind of tailored to a particular town so people really enjoy that side of it,” said Leeson. “I make it that every show is different and new that way it is personal to the audience, in this social media world that is key. It used to be that television was the be all and end all for comedians, that’s no longer the case as Youtube and other forms of media are available. This show is stacked tonight and I know with my set I always feel like it is all about fun; there’s enough craziness in this world right now, just come out and have a laugh with comedy the way it was supposed to be.”
For more on the Laffy Taffy schedule, head to the website at www.foxxbar.com
For more on Jeff Leeson check out his website at www.jeffleesoncomedy.com
