How would you describe your comedy style?

My comedy style has been described as beautiful nonsense or freestyle yelling. A lot of crowd interaction. Although I do have a lot of material, everyone has a story, and because I do a lot of international shows, I enjoy hearing about different people’s lives, perspectives, etc.

Who are some of your influences?

So many people ask me this. I wouldn’t say that people influence me, but I’m definitely influenced by my surroundings. I’m a huge social butterfly, and I love people watching. I’m influenced by just being a fly on the wall watching the world go round.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Again, wasn’t passionate about comedy growing up, so I would have to say Dave Chappelle because literally every millennial grew up on the Chapelle show.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Sounds basic and mainstream, but honestly, there is nobody more effortlessly funny than Shane Gillis, dude is an animal.

What is your pre-show ritual?

Depends on whether I’m on tour or at home. But if there is music, a cocktail or a hot tub or a pool involved, that’s usually a good shout for what I’m doing. When I’m at the venue before the show, I like to look at the front row and let the creative juices start flowing before we kick it off.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

Budapest. Amazing city with a vibrant nightlife scene and super cool venues. So many people from all over the world go there to party, so every time I have done a show there, you always get like 15+ nationalities in the audience. Super cool.

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

I have actually almost never sat down and wrote a joke. Maybe in the first few years of my career, but as long as I can remember, I just get an idea and bring it onstage and work it out there. Get the reps in at mics and get it to the level I want it to. Being able to work my craft on the fly and have it feel organic and genuine to me is something that I can definitely be proud of.

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

Aside from my personal comedy career, I also manage a comedy club in Ottawa. Seeing new or up-and-coming comics shine on my stage is one of the best parts of running the business.

Tell us a joke about your city.

Nah, I’m off the clock.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

Anybody heading to Ottawa should check out any of the shows we have at the Laugh Lounge. We are a moody new york style speakeasy comedy room right in the middle of the Byward Market, open Thursday-Sunday every week with the absolute best comics in Canada coast to coast.

Where can we follow you?

Come see my nonsense on Instagram

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

In my native city of Ottawa, the best up-and-coming comic is Rob Morgan by a mile. Guy is an absolute superstar in the making.

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Nick Burden appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Name:

Miserable Weekend

Genre:

Softcore Punk

Founded:

2019

# of Albums:

3

Latest Album:

We’re Just Like You

Latest Single:

Chordada

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

Adrian: John Paul Jones.
Mitch: John Bonham.
Andrew: Munky.
Pavel: David Gilmour.
Cecil: Nat King Cole

Favourite musician now:

Ad: Micheal Becker.
M: Cindy Lee.
An: Ari Hoenig.
P: Skinshape.
C: Prison Affair

Guilty pleasure song:

Ad: What’s Up? – 4 Non Blondes.
M: I Touch Myself – The Divinyls.
An: Deliverance – Opeth.
P: Believe In Yourself – The Creatures.
C: MacArthur Park – Richard Harris

Live show ritual:

We huddle in a circle, we chant an invocation to the old gods, shake each other’s hands firmly and hydrate.

Favourite local musician:

Zones, Luge, Slash Need, Aniqa Dear, C’est La Fete, Essie Watts, not a band, Forming, High Alpine Hut Network, B.A Johnston

EP or LP?

EP’s are fun because two of them make an LP!

Early bird or night owl?

Depends on whether we have work in the morning

Road or studio?

Layin’ tracks is fun, but there’s nothing like going on an adventure with your buds!

Any shows or albums coming up?

Our new EP ‘We’re Just Like You.’

Where can we follow you?

Bandcamp | Instagram

***

Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

Pho Linh for pre-show vermicelli

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Shaw Street, the North-South expressway of choice for West Toronto cyclists.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Bickford Park is always full of life. The dog park provides plenty of free entertainment, and in summer evenings, bats swoop over your head to eat mosquitoes. Saw a hawk teach its fledgling how to fly here once, very cool!

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

Seen so many amazing shows at the Danforth Music Hall, would be awesome to play there one day. But for local shows, Handlebar feels like home.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Paul’s Boutique! Their retro synth collection is miraculous.

The post Five Minutes With: Punk Band Miserable Weekend appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

There is, however, strong evidence that Rose brings so much passionate, vulnerable, kind, curious, raw honesty to every moment that most of the people who know them would happily bear their love child. (It is possible that Mr. Momoa is actually one such love child, because what is time, really?)

As a fan and witness to a few of their recent miracles, I will testify to the obvious facts: Rose is more metal than your platinum jockstrap and gentler than a bulldozer-load of butterfly kisses. Rose goes so hard that Mercury melts down, Saturn jumps through hoops and Uranus clenches, repeatedly. Who knows what extraordinary, unworldly feats of generosity and perceptive clarity you yourself might accomplish if you pay attention? Rose knows.

-Written by David F, Rose’s head chef

***

Which ’hood are you in?

The Annex. I keep finding my way back here, and it keeps taking me back. Long live the Tranzac, RIP basement of Sonic Boom, and thank you Vietnam Lovely Noodle for being casual and comforting.

What do you do?

I act and perform, and I’m a capital T taurus, so for balance, I try to buck my attachments to the material world. Bruce Lee and I call this practice: be water. Shapeless, formless, flowing. This is what I do. Materiality being connected to literality, and my current project being a non-narrative, reflexive, process-based contemporary performance piece, I’ve got a tremendous opportunity right now to be water in a deep-sea reef.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a performance called The Herald, written and directed by Jill Connell. It explores the concept of labour, working a job, how we see and (de)value other people’s work. We experiment in collective dramaturgy, improvisational choreography, myth, time, sound. It feels Piscean, lush, and avant-garde. Aiming for alternate dimension, but I’m happy with whatever soft caress of magic might emerge.

Where can we find your work?

Do you know how Simone Weil defines labour? Labour: to feel with one’s whole self the existence of the world. When you’re there, that’s where I’m trying to be, too.

The Herald runed March 4-14 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, and I’ll also be performing in take rimbaud by Susanna Fournier, running May 6-23, also at Buddies. I would love it if you came.

The post “A Day in the Life” with: Performing Artist Rose Tuong appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your channel called and what is it about?

I share content on TikTok and Instagram with the goal of romanticizing my life in Toronto and urging Torontonians to go out and experience the best the city has to offer. From standout restaurants to sports games and experiences. I post about it all:)

When did you start it? What motivated you at the beginning?

I started posting during the pandemic on TikTok. At that time, like many others, I was working from home and craving connection. My content has evolved a lot since then, but at that time I made a lot of comedy videos about my background, which is Romanian on my mother’s side and French Canadian on my dad’s side.

Who were you inspired by? Any influences?

I have truly been inspired by so many people over the years. I feel like every time I open up my Instagram app, I am learning something new, which is such an advantage of living in these times. If I had to pinpoint one specific person, I would definitely say my boyfriend Conrad. He is also in the social media space, and he has truly taught me so much, from hooks to filming to organizing my time as a content creator. He is a bona fide veteran in the space.

How would you describe your audience?

My audience is the best. I love seeing the city alive and bustling with people, and I’d like to think that I contribute to that, even just a little bit.

What is your creative process? Do you have people who work with you?

Funnily enough, I actually have quite a rigid creative process. I like to break news fast, so I do a lot of research on new things opening in the city. I have found that researching and planning is the key to being a successful content creator. It is definitely not as spontaneous as I once thought.

How do you monetize your content? Do you also have another job?

I work part-time as a content creator for ToDoToronto, and I also do brand partnerships on my own personal channel. However, I actually used to work full-time as a corporate accountant up until 2025.

What is your favourite piece of content you have created?

Right now it would definitely have to be this since I am seriously looking forward to a spectacular Toronto summer.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part of what I do is definitely all the opportunities this job bestows me with. I get to do things that I could have never even dreamed of working a 9-5 in accounting. I have so many pinch me moments and “wow, I can’t believe this is my life right now” moments. As for the worst part, I feel like sometimes this industry can encourage a lot of comparison and competition, which you feel the need to disconnect from at times.

What are your future plans for your channel?

My goal for this year is to open up a bit more regarding my life on social media. The internet can be a scary place, but I truly want to put myself out there a bit more:)

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | TikTok

Thank you for all the support!

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another Canadian content creator that you love?

Valeria Lipovetsky! I remember meeting her at the Eaton Centre years ago and loving her since her early YouTube days in Toronto.

The post My Digital Life: Content Creator Ilinca Ducharme appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Once he’s outside and away from the bustle of the shelter, Juan starts to relax and becomes a wonderful walking companion. He walks nicely on leash and enjoys taking his time sniffing and exploring. Volunteers say that when things are calm, he’s happy to stay close by your side and take in the world at his own pace.

Juan can be a bit hesitant navigating certain areas of the shelter, especially busy hallways or unfamiliar obstacles, but with patience and encouragement – and plenty of treats 🙂 – he’s been making steady progress. In quieter moments, he also shows his affectionate side and enjoys simply spending time with his people.

Because he’s still building confidence, Juan would likely thrive in a calm, patient home where he can settle in gradually and continue learning that the world is a safe place. With kindness and understanding, this gentle boy has all the potential to grow into a loyal and loving companion.

Juan Jamon

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

Age: 3 years

Sex: Male

Size: L

Colour: Black

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 Juan Jamon the dog is looking for a new home in the Toronto area appeared first on Toronto Guardian.