Not your ordinary Zoo!
If you’re looking for a summer comedy festival to make you laugh out loud, look no further than Zoofest in Montreal. Zoofest is an alternative multidisciplinary festival that showcases up-and-coming artists in humor, theater, and music. Zoofest is a playground for new faces as well as established ones, who get to experiment with new concepts and material 60 minutes at a time. Zoofest is also the English counterpart of OFF-JFL, which is part of the world-famous Just For Laughs festival.
Zoofest has been on the Montreal scene since 2009, and every year it offers more than 125 shows in various venues across the city. Whether you’re into standup, improv, sketch, musical comedy, or something else, you’ll find something to tickle your funny bone at Zoofest.
Montrealnightlife.com will help you create your epic night by booking a table at one of Montreal’s fine restaurants. They will even hook you up with one of Montreal’s nightclubs or bars after the concert if you want to have a drink or two. That is not all; if you’re coming from out of town, montrealnightlife.com will also take care of your hotel needs in ideal areas of the city and your travel accommodations at the best rates. Call or text them now at 438-995-6496 to find out how you can have the perfect night in Montreal.
Top Performers and Venues
Zoofest 2023 will occur from July 13 to July 29, and the lineup looks fantastic. Here are some of the top performers and where they will be performing:
- Gina Yashere: The Woman King of Comedy. Gina is a British-Nigerian comedian who has appeared on The Daily Show, Live at the Apollo, and Netflix’s The Standups. She will perform her hilarious show at Club Soda from July 27 to July 29.
- Urzila Carlson: It’s Personal. Urzila is a South African-New Zealand comedian who has won multiple awards and starred in Netflix’s Comedians of the World. She will share her personal stories and observations at Club Soda from July 20 to July 27.
- The Lucas Brothers. Kenny and Keith Lucas are twin brothers who have written and starred in 22 Jump Street, Judas and the Black Messiah, and Netflix’s The Lucas Bros: On Drugs. They will bring their unique comedy style to Club Soda from July 20 to July 27.
- BriTANicK. Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher are a comedy duo who have created viral videos, appeared on SNL and Conan, and written for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. They will be performing their sketch show at Club Soda on July 26.
- Rachid Badouri: In English. Rachid is a Moroccan-Canadian comedian who has won several awards and sold-out shows in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec. He will perform his first English show at Club Soda from July 26 to July 28.
- Kyle Kinane. Kyle is an American comedian who has been featured on Comedy Central, Netflix, Conan, and The Tonight Show. He will showcase his witty and irreverent humor at Club Soda from July 27 to July 29.
- River Butcher. River is a Canadian comedian who has performed at Just For Laughs, JFL42, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and CBC’s The Debaters. He will be presenting his dark and absurd comedy at Club Soda from July 28 to July 29.
- Tom Ballard: It Is I. Tom is an Australian comedian who has won several awards and hosted ABC, SBS, and Triple J shows. He will deliver his sharp and provocative comedy at Club Soda from July 28 to July 29.
Text or call Montrealnightlife.com now at 438-995-6496 and plan your perfect weekend in Montreal.
A History of the Festival
Zoofest was founded in 2009 by Gilbert Rozon, the founder of Just For Laughs, to provide a platform for emerging comedy, theater, and music artists. The name Zoofest comes from the idea of creating a “zoo” of diverse and eclectic shows that would appeal to a young and adventurous audience.
Zoofest started as a French-language festival parallel to Just For Laughs but soon expanded to include English-language shows. In 2014, Zoofest teamed up with OFF-JFL, created by Andy Nulman, the co-founder of Just For Laughs, as an alternative festival branch featuring edgier and more experimental acts.
Since then, Zoofest and OFF-JFL have become synonymous with each other, offering more than 125 shows annually in various venues across Montreal. Some artists who have performed at Zoofest and OFF-JFL include Louis C.K., Hannibal Buress, Maria Bamford, Bo Burnham, Tig Notaro, Mike Birbiglia, and many more.
Zoofest and OFF-JFL are a showcase for new and established talents and a launching pad for their careers. Many artists who have performed at Zoofest and OFF-JFL have achieved international success and recognition, such as Sugar Sammy, DeAnne Smith, Phil Roy, and Katherine Levac.Zoofest and OFF-JFL also celebrate Montreal’s vibrant and diverse comedy scene, which is recognized as one of the best in the world. Zoofest and OFF-JFL feature local and international comedians and foster a spirit of collaboration and creativity among them.
Zoofest and OFF-JFL are more than just a comedy festival. They are a cultural phenomenon that attracts thousands of spectators yearly looking for a fun and memorable experience. Zoofest and OFF-JFL are the ultimate destination for comedy lovers who want to discover new artists, new concepts, and new material 60 minutes at a time.
Text or call Montrealnightlife.com now at 438-995-6496 and plan your perfect weekend in Montreal.
