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Katie-Ellen Humphries to headline Chemainus comedy show

The comedian looks forward to making Chemainus laugh, then getting everyone home at a reasonable hour

If your New Year’s resolutions include having more fun, laughing more often or leaving the house after 6 p.m., the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society has you covered.

They’re kicking off 2025 with a night of laughs in a show called Chemainus Comedy Club, featuring acclaimed comedian Katie-Ellen Humphries.

Fresh off being named “Best Comedian” in the Georgia Straight’s Best of Vancouver 2024 and a recent Juno nomination for her comedy album Ladyfinger, Humphries will bring her sharp wit and quirky charm to the Coffee Shack on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Originally from Victoria, B.C., Humphries cut her comedy teeth with the famed company Atomic Vaudeville before relocating to Vancouver, where she became a founding member of the popular monthly comedy cabaret The Lady Show.

This won’t be Humphries’s first trip to Chemainus.

“We made a day trip up to the city of murals when I was a kid,” she recalls. “A large blue bubble gum ice cream cone made a particularly indelible mark on my memory — and no doubt my face, hands and clothing.”

In recent years, she’s had the chance to visit the town again and is looking forward to performing for a Chemainus crowd.

“Like my hometown, Chemainus has what to me is an exciting mix of longtime residents who have been in town for generations and newer-to-town families who've made it their home in recent years,” said Humphries. “I think that can make for a fun blend of tradition coupled with fresh perspectives.”

Humphries’s impressive comedy resume includes nationally televised standup sets on CTV, CBC and APTN. She’s also been a featured performer at renowned comedy festivals such as the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Halifax Comedy Festival, San Francisco Sketchfest, and Just for Laughs Vancouver.

For those hesitant about attending standup comedy, Humphries offers some words of reassurance.

“It’s understandable to have concerns about standup,” she says. “Not every comedian is to everyone’s taste, and standup can have a bit of a sordid reputation. But I want everyone to feel comfortable, to relax, and to enjoy being entertained without worrying that they, or someone they love, will be made to feel less than.”

Humphries’s inclusive approach to comedy shines in her regular appearances on CBC’s The Debaters, where she consistently mixes “fact and funny” to delight audiences across Canada. Whether it’s on the radio, TV, or live in person, Humphries is a comedian who welcomes everyone to the party.

But when pressed further, Humphries reveals her true excitement about performing in Chemainus.

“As a morning person, my dream gig is a place where the audience, like me, wants to be in bed at a reasonable hour,” she says. “I feel like Chemainus and I are going to get along.”

Chemainus Comedy Club with Katie-Ellen Humphries takes place at the Coffee Shack Chemainus, located at 3055 Oak St., on Jan. 23. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online.



Morgan Brayton

About the Author: Morgan Brayton

I am a multimedia journalist with a background in arts and media including film & tv production, acting, hosting, screenwriting and comedy.
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