A Manitoba-wide Indigenous stand-up comedy contest will comes to its conclusion Thursday on a Winnipeg stage.
Club Happenings will host the finals for “Joke Around and Find Out,” a competition for new First Nations, Inuit and Métis comedians who are getting on stage for the first or second time.
Eight are competing for the $2,000 grand prize, as well as paintings, trophies and gift cards for other finalists.
“Our only one rule for the contest is let’s keep it a little rez,” said one of the organizers Jeff Gobeil.
“People have been keeping it rez and by that we mean authentic, true to yourself, and don’t try to be something you’re not.”
The winner will be selected by crowd reaction.
Gobeil, a member of Poplar River First Nation, has been a comedian for three years. He followed in the footsteps of his sister, who tried comedy first. Gobeil wrote material for his sister, but now he’s the one that takes the stage on a regular basis on the Winnipeg comedy scene.
Gobeil put together the contest with fellow comedian Lyle Wood from St. Theresa Point First Nation.
Wood and Gobeil reached out to St. Theresa Point for financial backing for the contest. The band responded with a $2,000 grand prize for the contest’s winner, on the condition that part of the contest would have to be held on reserve.
The community’s local radio station played host to the contest’s first event. On the first round in St. Theresa Point, 12 comedians signed up and 9 made the stage. The organizers were impressed by the turnout.
Two subsequent shows have taken place in Winnipeg, where Denny Frehley of Roseau River First Nation jumped on stage for the first time.
“I feel like I did pretty good but for the first time, there were some nicks and cricks I got to work on in the act,” said Frehley.
“Figure it out. Memorize more. Deliver the punchline in a more quick way.”
Frehley is no stranger to performing, as he is an actor looking to develop his comedy chops.
“I’ve always wanted to try stand-up, I just never gave it a shot,” he said.
Fellow actor and contestant Cilla Bean from Peguis First Nation also got on stage with hopes of finding new inspiration.
“I’ve always been on stages and performing but I had no idea that stand-up comedy was next-level intimidating, it’s total anxiety,” Bean said.
Bean added through a chuckle, “I did really well, but it might have been beginner’s luck.”
It’s often said that laughter is therapy. Gobeil agrees.
“Comedy encourages you to write and share stories but maybe provides a little bit of healing as well,” he said.
Gobeil said the shows have been fun, and “truly driven by a spirit of community.”
A photographer and video crew will be on hand on Thursday to document the contest’s final evening.
There are plans to run the contest again next year.
