How would you describe your comedy style?

Slice of life meets therapy, meets “oh my God, I had kids,” meets poverty.

Who are some of your influences?

Gertrude Stein, Genghis Khan, and the Earl of Sandwich.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Steve Martin — yeah, I’m old.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Sam Morril lately, but Norm MacDonald, Nick DiPaolo, Joan Rivers, and Brian Regan all time.

What is your pre-show ritual?

I used to do push-ups, but now I just pace in the back and get my 10,000 steps in.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

I’m lucky enough to work for David Goodman at Humour Me. We’ve raised over $29 million for various charities and hospitals, and I’ve trained over 50 CEOs, politicians, and celebrities to become stand-up comics for charity. For the last 11 years, I’ve had the pleasure of performing at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre. But to be honest, comedy is always best in a small, damp, tight space — so the original ComedyWorks in Montreal where I started, or back in the day the Downtown Yuk Yuk’s on Bay Street in Toronto, were always my favourites.

What is your favourite bit you have written, and why were you proud of it?

If I can make you laugh and relate to something that is supposed to be painful and sad, then my job is done. A good dick joke can also be painful and sad, so really it’s the same thing.

What is your favourite medium for finding new comedians?

Everything is on social media now, but nothing beats live comedy.

Tell us a joke about your city.

My wife’s into roleplay. The other night she wanted me to pretend I was the Toronto Maple Leafs — so I started strong and hard, but then just before I was about to climax, I started choking. I lasted one round.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

I’d like to promote giving the thank-you wave when someone lets you into traffic. But if you want more, check out my album Roleplay — and email SiriusXM to tell them to play it more often. My kid needs a PlayStation 5.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram, or hit me up on Facebook. Yes, I’m old.

PAY IT FORWARD — who is another local comedian we should know about?

So many good ones, but I recently worked with a young kid named Ben Bayfield — he’s going to be something special.

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Had a long day and just want to relax on the couch and read a book or watch TV? She’s happy to snuggle up next to you and take a snooze. Need a laugh? She’ll bring you her favourite toy and keep you amused with her antics! Ready for an adventure? Whether it’s to meet new human friends or just enjoy the smells along the way, Destiny is ready to tag along!

She is a curious and silly girl who will always greet you with a wagging tail and a ton of love; the only thing she’ll ask for in return is maybe just a bum scratch or two.

Destiny

Breed: Mixed Breed, Large (over 44 lbs fully grown), Mix

Age: 4 years

Sex: Female

Size: L

Colour: Rust / White

Spayed/Neutered: Yes

For Toronto Humane Society’s complete adoption process, please click here to learn more about how you can make this companion, a forever friend!

About this column:

Each week we feature animals available for adoption from local shelters in the Toronto area with the hopes that our readers will assist in finding good homes for them. If you, or someone you know, has the resources to take care of one of these animals, please do get in touch with the appropriate shelter via the links provided.

The post Destiny the dog is looking for a new home in the Toronto area appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Though he prefers to take things at his own pace, Shiloh has plenty of lovely quirks that show just how much potential he has. He is a huge fan of catnip, and tasty treats or a spot of wet food are the fastest ways to win his favour. During quiet moments, he shows his brave side by coming out to curiously explore his surroundings and offering delicate nose boops to say hello to his human friends. He feels most comfortable in cozy, sheltered hideaways where he can observe the world safely, making him a tranquil and low-maintenance companion.

If you have a peaceful home and a heart open to rewarding a gentle cat with patience and warmth, Shiloh would love to meet you. Reach out to learn more about welcoming this sweet boy into your life today.

Shiloh

Breed: Domestic Longhair, Mix

Age: 8 years

Sex: Male

Size: M

Colour: Brown / White

For Toronto Humane Society’s complete adoption process, please click here to learn more about how you can make this companion, a forever friend!

About this column:

Each week we feature animals available for adoption from local shelters in the Toronto area with the hopes that our readers will assist in finding good homes for them. If you, or someone you know, has the resources to take care of one of these animals, please do get in touch with the appropriate shelter via the links provided.

The post Shiloh the cat is looking for a new home in the Toronto area appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

Dark and playful. I love how comedy can invite people into uncomfortable subjects that are otherwise too difficult to talk about. I wrote a one-woman show about hiding my MS for 17 years called Multiple Neurosis; it’s about serious topics like internalized ableism … and it’s also a lot of fun. Why not laugh at the darkest aspects of the human condition; what else can we really do?

Who are some of your influences?

Mike Birbiglia, who pulls you in with his storytelling, makes you feel like he’s your best friend.

Hannah Gadsby, who isn’t afraid to make a point, isn’t afraid to not be funny.

Maria Bamford, who is so uniquely herself, and ventures fearlessly into the absurd.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

As a kid, my first memories of comedy were watching SCTV. I LOVED Andrea Martin, John Candy, Eugene Levy, and Catherine O’Hara. I even had the chance to go to The Second City to watch an improv show; it was so unpredictable and fun. Three years ago – in a full circle moment – I began taking classes at The Second City, and had my very first performance in The John Candy Box Theatre. Awwww.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

I love Mike Birbiglia’s podcast (Working It Out), Netflix specials, and I’ve seen him live. He’s the kind of comedian that can transform a massive theatre into an intimate space, and deliver material that reflects your innermost private experiences. His shows have a lot of heart.

What is your pre-show ritual?

I meditate right behind the curtain, so I can feel connected to the audience before I perform. I listen to them come in, chat with one another … now that I write this it sounds a bit creepy lol.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Edmonton! It was the last stop on my Fringe tour last summer. By then, I’d performed the show so many times that I could just have fun up there. A major highlight was meeting the many people with MS and other disabilities who came out to the show, and hearing their stories.

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

A lot of people don’t know this, but Multiple Sclerosis is a Latin term meaning, God breaking your legs one day at a time.

This joke is a favourite, because it’s one of the first I ever wrote, and it’s deeply authentic to my experience of MS. The joke always lands, and quickly lets the audience know that it’s safe to laugh with me.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

LIVE! I love sharing a laugh with strangers, and always come away knowing about new comedians, especially openers.

Tell us a joke about your city.

Having an MRI in the basement of St Michael’s Hospital, offers the same feelings of privacy and dignity, as a medical procedure on a subway platform.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

I’m performing my new storytelling show Who’s Gonna Push Your Wheelchair? at Sweet Action Theatre, August 18, 21, and 22. Tickets here.

You can find my 2025 show Multiple Neurosis on my YouTube Channel

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | YouTube | Facebook

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?

Stand Up Gals – comedians Madeleine Brown and Taryn Dougall. They are hilarious and produce Ladies First – an amazing fem/queer priority monthly open mic – and other shows around Toronto.

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Karin Fekko appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

The next chapter in one of gaming’s biggest franchises is almost here, and Canadian players will soon have a chance to get an early look at Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.

Activision is preparing for two beta weekends this August and September, giving players an opportunity to get hands-on with the upcoming title ahead of its full launch.

For Toronto gamers who have already pre-ordered the game, the first opportunity arrives on Friday, August 21, when the Early Access Beta begins. The first weekend runs through August 25 and is available to players who have pre-ordered Modern Warfare 4.

Players who have not pre-ordered will still have an opportunity to try the game during the second beta weekend, which opens to everyone across supported platforms.

Weekend One gives pre-order customers early access

The first beta weekend is being billed as the Modern Warfare 4 Early Access Beta.

It begins on Friday, August 21 and runs until August 25. Players taking part in Weekend One will require a beta code, with access available to those who have pre-ordered the game.

The Early Access Beta will be available on:

• Xbox Series X|S
• PlayStation 5
• PC

For players who receive a beta code through a promotion or giveaway, the codes are platform-agnostic. That means players can select the platform they want to use when redeeming their code rather than receiving a code tied to one particular system.

For Call of Duty fans who want to be among the first players to experience Modern Warfare 4, Weekend One provides an opportunity to get into the game ahead of the broader public beta.

Weekend Two opens the beta to everyone

Players who don’t have a pre-order will not have to wait long.

The Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta begins on August 28 and runs through September 1.

Unlike the first weekend, the second beta weekend is open to all players regardless of whether they have pre-ordered the game.

Weekend Two also expands platform availability, including Nintendo Switch 2.

That means the open beta will give a much larger audience the chance to try the new Call of Duty before deciding whether Modern Warfare 4 is a game they want to pick up.

What to expect from Modern Warfare 4

Modern Warfare 4 continues Activision’s long-running Modern Warfare series and is positioned as the latest major entry in the Call of Duty franchise.

The beta will give players an early opportunity to experience the game’s multiplayer offering and provide developers with an important opportunity to test the game with a large player base ahead of launch.

Beta periods have become an increasingly important part of major multiplayer game releases, allowing developers to gather feedback and identify technical issues while giving players a preview of what is coming.

For players, meanwhile, the appeal is simple: it’s a chance to get into the next Call of Duty before everyone else.

Toronto gamers can win a beta code

The Toronto Guardian will also be giving one lucky reader the opportunity to join the first week of the Modern Warfare 4 beta. The beta code will be platform-agnostic, giving the winner the ability to select their preferred supported platform when redeeming it.

For anyone eager to get an early look at Modern Warfare 4, the dates to remember are August 21 to 25 for the Early Access Beta and August 28 to September 1 for the Open Beta.

Whether you’re a longtime Call of Duty player or simply curious about the next Modern Warfare, the second weekend provides the easiest way to jump in, with no pre-order required.

Beta dates at a glance:

• Weekend One – Early Access: August 21 to August 25. Beta code required. Available to players who have pre-ordered on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC.
• Weekend Two – Open Beta: August 28 to September 1. Open to all players regardless of pre-order status, including Nintendo Switch 2 players.

How to Enter (Contest Ends August 19, 2026)

Open to Ontario residents only. Must be 18+ to enter. Must be following listed social accounts. Multiple entries accepted.

Facebook

1. Follow Toronto Guardian on Facebook so we can message the winner.

2. Share this Facebook Post.

3. Tag a friend in the comments of this Facebook Post who you will be playing with.

Instagram

1. Follow Toronto Guardian on Instagram so we can direct message the winner.

2. Tag a friend in the comments of this Instagram Post who you will be playing with.

3. Share the post to your stories.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Toronto Guardian (@torontoguardian)

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