I'm excited to be back at Kwantlen Polytechnic University for another year of Kwantlen Improv, drop-in workshops open to students, alumni and members of the public!

Kwantlen Improv meets every Monday in Birch 250 from 5:00 pm to 6:50 pm, except for Holidays. Come learn theatre games, communication techniques, make new friends and have fun! No experience necessary, and workshops are free for students! $5 for alumni and $10 for members of the public.

Come for the whole workshop or drop by during your class break, and have a laugh with your fellow students!

 

I'm happy to share that I'm part of the amazing cast of Geoff and the Ninja, a TV series that filmed in Prince George and can be seen soon online and through Optik TV / Telus!

I play the role of Liam, Geoff's next door neighbour looking to get Ninjafied with the new ninja in town! We had a fantastic time on set, and I can't wait to see the project when it's complete!

Here's the official synopsis of Geoff and the Ninja:

GATN is a tale of a man and his roommate. A man who has hit absolute rock bottom - and can't stop digging deeper. A roommate who happens to be a ninja. Geoff's life changes forever as Ninja pulls him into impossible adventures while helping him get back on his feet. Will pirate kings, wizards, and time-space conundrums prove to be Geoff's end? Or will he learn valuable lessons about himself he never thought possible?

Stay up to date with GATN on the Facebook page, and check out this Prince George Citizen article on the show. Thanks, friends!

 

Every time I step onstage, I feel a responsibility to give the audience a great show. They not only paid for the ticket, but they took time out of their day to give to me, the entertainer. They give me their undivided attention for a few hours, and all they ask in return is a fun time.

Lasy night's Improv Against Humanity show felt extra important, as people braved the snow and cold to join us at the Rio Theatre. I'm proud to say that I feel we delivered on our promise of a fun time. Lots of laughs, kind feedback after the show, and some discoveries along the way.

Kwantlen Improv is back in action on Monday, January 9 with a brand new semester of comedy workshops. Whether you're new to improv, a long-time theatre lover, or just in need of laughs, everyone is welcome to join the fun at Kwantlen Surrey - FIR 324 every Monday afternoon from 5:00 to 6:50 pm. This new year will see us working on different improv skills, theatre games, and more.

Feedback on the first semester of Kwantlen Improv workshops has been fantastic, with students, alumni and members of the public discovering the joy of improv.

"Daniel provides a place where improvisers can cooperatively play and create scenes together, and to learn to say 'yes, and' to each other not only in the classroom but in other aspects of life. Daniel provides constructive feedback and is patient with his students when they are learning a new type of scene work or style of improv." - Seaira Enright

"Kwantlen Improv is a blast. No judgmental criticism, nor any worries about a right or wrong way to play, nor feeling like you have to catch up to the other players if you're a latecomer. Everyone's quite respectful of each other with each session, and Daniel Chai is a master as both a player and an instructor." - Clive "The Hitman" Ramroop

"(Kwantlen Improv) is so much fun and I laugh so hard when I am there. I feel that a lot of the skills we learn in this class can also be applied to giving oral presentations as it helps with public speaking, developing confidence and thinking on your feet." - Darlene Isaac

Weekly drop-in workshops take place from 5:00 pm to 6:50 pm in FIR 324 and are free for current students, $5 for alumni, and $10 for members of the public. For more information and updates, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and email kwantlenimprov@gmail.com! #KwantlenImprov

The internationally renowned Literary Death Match returns to Vancouver on Friday, with another Battle of the Books at Fox Cabaret.

Hosted and created by Adrian Todd Zuniga, Literary Death Match features a mix of four established and emerging authors performing for a live audience and a panel of three judges. After a pair of readings, the judges give feedback and commentary, focusing on literary merit, performance and intangibles.

More on Daily Hive Vancouver.

Fan Expo Vancouver has returned to celebrate everything geeky this weekend at Vancouver Convention Centre! From comics to cosplay, superheros to zombies, Fan Expo is the perfect time to get your nerd on with friends and family!

I'll be onstage all three days of #FanExpoVan 2016, and here's where you can find me!

Friday, November 11: Moderating TAHMOH PENIKETT Panel at 3:00 pm

Saturday, November 12: Geeks versus Nerds Panel at 3:30 pm, Improv Against Humanity with The Fictionals at 5:30 pm

Sunday, November 13: The Fictionals' Improv Mixer at 3:30 pm, The Improvised Adventures of Fan Expo at 4:30 pm

Come join the fun! #FanExpoVan

Even after 26 years in the business, comedy legend Dane Cook still gets a rush every time he steps onstage to perform.

“It’s just a glamourous to me today as it was when I started,” said Cook. “I get to share my ideas and have conversations with the audience every night. I feel privileged to be a professional comedian.”

Cook is headlining the Just For Laughs Comedy Tour 2016, and is onstage at the Vogue Theatre on November 18 and 19 with Vinny Fasline and John Campanelli. He promises a fun night of exploring relationships, communication and more.

More on Daily Hive Vancouver.

Looking for laughs in Vancouver this week? Check out these stand-up, improv and festival shows around the city.

1) Bruce MuCulloch's Young Drunk Punk at Lafflines Comedy Club, 7:00 pm on October 1
Legendary Kid in the Hall Bruce McCulloch combines stand-up, live music and assorted autobiographical insights in “Young Drunk Punk”. Bruce’s new solo show chronicles his journey from wild early days as a ‘young punk’ in 80’s Alberta, to his flannel plaid days and futon nights in 90s' Toronto, to becoming a ‘pajama-clad dad’ living in the Hollywood Hills. This infamous Kid may be all grown up, but his singular brand of humour and signature wit remain firmly intact.

2) The Secret Service Comedy Show at British Ex-Servicemen's Association, 8:30 pm on October 1
A hot lineup of comedians bring out their License To Laugh at British Ex-Servicement's Association on Saturday Night. Ed Hill presents Damian Johnson, Tia Jeannette, Joey Commisso and special guest Timmy Riney, first place winner of The Great Northwest Comedy Competition.

3) 17th Annual Vancouver International Improv Festival at Performance Works and The Revue Stage, October 4 to 8
Vancouver International Improv Festival returns to Granville Island with over 30 interactive performances, inspiring workshops, an opening night gala and more. Each night of #VIIF2016 features two exciting showcases at the Revue Stage and Performance Works at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm. International superstars, local comedy heroes, and new festival ensembles will take the stage with the coolest, newest and best improvisation the world has to offer.

4) Dirty Little Secrets Improv Show at XY YVR, 7:30 pm on October 4
A live comedy show inspired by audience secrets and featuring a mix of short form and long form improv. Founded in New York City by Dan Dumsha, Dirty Little Secrets returns to Vancouver with a cast of top improvisors exploring anonymous secrets on the XY stage on Davie Street.

5) Amateur Comedy Wednesdays at The Wise Hall, 8:00 pm on the first Wednesday of each month
Apocalypse Sunrise and The Wise Hall presents Amateur Comedy Wednesdays, hosted by Mark B. Hughes and featuring you! Everyone is welcome to test out their stand-up material, and you never know who's going to drop by to rock the mic.

Canadian comedy icon Cathy Jones is coming back to Vancouver from September 28 to October 8 to perform Stranger to Hard Work, the opening show to Firehall Arts Centre’s 34th Season.

Jones gets personal in her third one-women show as she shares her unique perspective on a variety of topics from food to money, and from the troublesome people in her life to the benefits of laughter.

More on Daily Hive Vancouver.

Looking for laughs in Vancouver this week? Check out these stand-up, improv and musical shows around the city.

1) Colin Mochrie with Vancouver TheatreSports League, at The Improv Centre at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm on September 23 (Sold Out) and at The Vogue Theatre at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm on September 24
Colin Mochrie, Vancouver TheatreSports alumna and star of Whose Line is it Anyway, returns to Vancouver for four special shows. The Improv Centre shows are sold out, but tickets are still available for the Vogue performances. Not only will they be funny, but the performances will benefit the Improv Comedy Institute’s Colin Mochrie Scholarship Fund. Established in 2014, the scholarship provides assistance to people wishing to study improv but are unable to do so because of financial barriers. Comedy for a good cause!

2) Catching Fire: The Musical at Studio 1398, Various times from September 23 to October 1
Catching Fire: The Musical by Mark Vandenberg is the hilarious sequel to last year's Vancouver Fringe smash hit Hunger Games: The Musical. Based on the Suzanne Collins novel and its successful film, this pop culture parody continues the story of Katniss Everdeen as she defies the Capitol, plays with Peeta's heart and belts out songs in the style of Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande.

3) LGBT Open Mic Comedy at XY, 8 pm on September 24
Open mic comedy early on Saturday nights in the heart of Vancouver's Davie Village. Co-hosted by Carrie Sully and Alissa MC

4) Super Scene at The Woods Studio, 8 pm on September 26
Super Scene is a long form improv show with an ensemble cast of veteran improvisers and one musical guest from all over the Vancouver improv community. Each improviser, using a suggestion from the audience and their own unique genre direct an improvised story just for you.

5) Paul Myrehaug at The Comedy Mix, 8:30 pm on September 29, 8 pm and 10:30 pm on September 30 and October 1
Paul began his comedy career in Alberta Canada and now is an internationally toured comedian with appearances on television, radio, festivals and world renowned comedy competitions. He has performed at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival, entertained troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and appeared on the hit show The Debaters on CBC Radio One.

Listen to Comedy With Chai on CKNW on Friday nights at 7:20 pm.