NXNE Comedy officially started two years ago; however, NXNE has been showcasing comedic talents for longer than that. This year, the festival has teamed up with the likes of Empire Comedy Live, the Canadian Comedy Awards Alumni Show, Comedy Records, Rapp Battlez, Fan Fiction The Show (for a performance of Sailor Moon,) The Epic Nerd Show, Raw & Hard, The Sketchersons’ Sunday Night Live, Vapor Central, and Strip Comedy. With this fun-filled lineup, what’s not to like?
As a fan of stand-up comedy, I find myself drawn to comics whose sense of humour matches my own. This is the case with DeAnne Smith. DeAnne is a three-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee (2011, 2012, 2013) who has performed all over the world, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Iceland Comedy Festival, and Just for Laughs Montreal and Chicago. She’s also been on TV in four countries, including Last Comic Standing on NBC.
If you’ve been following Canadian comedic talent, you probably know her and her work. For those of you who are not familiar with DeAnne, here is a short interview about her work, and where we can see her post NXNE.
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| Photo Courtesy of DeAnne Smith |
HM: Having performed locally and internationally, what is the response to your material from these audiences? Anything that is seen as more risqué in some places versus others?
DS: I’ve never focused too much on local material, so pretty much everything I do translates easily. I will say that crowds in Edinburgh can be pretty rowdy, especially 2 a.m. crowds that have been drinking for hours. I’m afraid to discover what type of material might too risqué for them.
HM: What has been like to be part of Last Comic Standing?
DS: It’s been great! I’ve always loved Roseanne’s comedy, so you can imagine it’s quite a trip to perform in front of her and have her give me feedback on my stuff. She did say “I love you.” Not that I’m holding onto it or anything, but I’m pretty sure we’re gonna get married.
HM: How do you decide which questions to tackle for each podcast?
DS: I often let the guest propose a question that’s been on their mind, or one that they’re uniquely poised to answer. I think it’s more interesting that way, and I want the conversation to be lively. My guests also come up with stuff that I never would, like “What’s better, penis or vagina?”
HM: NXNE is here. After this festival, what’s next for you?
DS: I have a busy summer ahead! I’ll be in Just for Laughs, and also hosting my show that mixes stand up with burlesque, Stand Up / Strip Down, in OFF-JFL. I’m really excited about it. I have a killer roster of Montreal’s best burlesque dancers– Miss Sugarpuss, Elle Diabloe, and Ruby Rhapsody— and some of the world’s best stand ups. Last year, Jimmy Carr, Kyle Kinane and Andy Kindler were a part of things. One of the shows is on my birthday, so it’s the perfect way to celebrate.
DeAnne’s shows at Just For Laughs in Montreal also sound quite fun. This week, however, you can catch DeAnne’s show presented by Empire Comedy at NXNE Comedy this Thursday, June 19th. Shows at 8:00 and 10:00pm. Wristband holders get in for free; single tickets are $20 and can be purchased online here. For the full lineup at NXNE Comedy visit nxne.com/comedy.
