Special Guest: Sandra Shamas

Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Sandra studied improvisation at Second City in 1982, and joined its touring company in 1984. She came to national attention in 1987 with the Edmonton Fringe Movement performance of My Boyfriend’s Back and There’s Going to Be Laundry.

Among her other works are: The Cycle Continues, Wedding Bell Hell (all published under the title: My Boyfriend’s Back and There’s Going to Be Laundry and subsequently nominated for the Stephen Leacock Award and the Governor General’s Award) and Wit’s End (1998). She has toured across the country and the US and Great Britain.

She is premiered her highly-anticipated new show, Love Life, in February 2011, and takes it to Ottawa’s National Theater Center this April.

In her own words, “Love Life is the last in the Wit’s End trilogy. It’s about threshing through the first 50 years of my life, deciding what to keep, what to change and what to let go of, in order to move into the second half of this big adventure, I call Life. I’m 50, I’m blowing hot and cold, and I want what I want … and I really like it! They don’t call it ‘The Change’ for nothing!”

Rhiannon Archer

Although Rhiannon Archer hasn’t been on the scene long, she is quickly becoming a favorite at venues across the country. She was born near a river and was raised by a family of trout, who she insists has not influenced her comedy in any way. Dreaming of the bright lights of show business, she packed her bags very young in life, said goodbye to her parents, and made the long swim down river (she’s wasn’t raised by filthy salmon) to the big city.  Rhiannon has already established herself to the point where she has appeared in many of the hugely successful Nerdgasm shows, preformed in the very popular Bitch Salad shows, is a part of comedy collective, StandUp For Your Sisters, and recently performed in the Brantford Comedy Festival.

For more information go to www.rhiannonarcher.com

Becky Bays

In addition to possessing the best name in show business, Becky Bays has an acerbic comedic style that has left Toronto audiences in stitches. Becky’s quirky observations of life are not only dead on, but fun and hilarious.

Great for corporate events, clubs or anything in between, her clean, smart humour wows every audience. She has also appeared in numerous theatrical productions, including Beauty and the Beast, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding and the one-woman show See Bob Run. From Vancouver to Toronto, Becky has made audiences sit up and take notice. She is definitely one to watch! You can see Becky next at Absolute Comedy Ottawa from February 24 to 27.

Shelley Kidwell

On or off the stage, Shelley Kidwell is a comedic performer you just instantly love.  This buxom, blonde, Texan beauty has captivated audiences and critics alike with her witty observations, comedic timing and southern style. Taking centre stage Shelley flamboyantly shares her stories of love, life and her desire to live in a bedazzled world.

Appearing on MuchMusic, Party Mama’s and the popular SmoberUp web series along with stand-up performances on countless stages are only a few of the accolades Shelley has notched into her rhinestone belt.  Whether she is bringing to life her over-the-top character Tammi Starr or leaving audiences in stitches in The Full Bawdy Comedy Show, Shelley Kidwell is someone you will want to see again and again.  Bold, brassy and brilliant…bless her heart!

Muniza Rauf

In 2008, Muniza took a standup class and unknowingly got herself mixed up with some pretty die hard broads!  She doesn’t regret a thing and thanks her standup sisters for all the encouragement and support while she travels down the funny road.

Daniela Saioni

Daniela is the shyest extrovert you’ll ever meet.  In high school her nickname was Brainiac, but her IQ never stopped her from making incredibly unwise and impulsive decisions.  Her distinct blend of smart and subversive writing is directly inspired by the ridiculous twists and turns her life has taken.

Daniela is a gifted character actress who has appeared in several films and tv series, and is a burgeoning television writer.  She earned a film degree and a post-grad diploma in comedy screenwriting before training as an improviser at Second City, then turned to stand-up in 2008.  She has since performed all over Eastern Canada,  San Francisco and New York and was recorded for XM radio.  She produces this and other comedy events, including West End Girls, Best of West End Girls and Bocche Fresche: a festival of new Italian Canadian comedy.

Envoy

http://www.envoy.ca/