12 days of festivities from August 8 to 19 - ComediHa! Fest-Québec unveils the programming of its 19th edition!

QUEBEC CITY, May 16, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - For its 19th edition, the largest francophone comedy festival in the world, the "ComediHa! Fest-Québec", in collaboration with TELUS and Loto-Québec, will bring together more than 450 artists and artisans, stars and up-and-coming talents, with a vivacious offering of all things funny. At this laugh and humor's global hub, it's through a humorous journey that combines over 20 unusual venues, two temporary festive and interactive villages inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe, and many attractions, activities, fun urban furniture, animation, a new gourmet zone "MiHa!M-Québec" and over 300 shows and hands on activities that festival-goers will be able to "See the funny side of life", indoors and outdoors. There will be so much to see, try and discover! After this festival, you will have calves of steel!

"A few days ago, TELUS proudly announced a five-year commitment to ComediHa! Fest-Québec. We are privileged to be able to contribute to the success and renown of this important summer event in Quebec City. This year, we will be onsite to enhance the festival-goers experience by offering fun activities under the theme of 'Mystery'. You will certainly understand that I am going to keep from revealing more details on this for the time being," says Nadia Paquet, Director, Communications at TELUS. "TELUS is also committed to giving back to the communities where our teams live and work. Funds will be collected in stores for the Véro & Louis Foundation and the Antoine Fund, both charities supported by ComediHa! Fest-Québec."

"Thanks to its long-standing partnership with ComediHa! Fest-Québec, Loto-Québec is proud to contribute to the acclaim of comedians throughout the province. By making an ever-increasing audience laugh year after year, ComediHa! Fest-Québec has established itself as a must-see comedy event. This festival perfectly illustrates the mandate of Loto-Québec's sponsorship program, which allows our clients and festival-goers to experience a whole world of entertainment," says Simon Robert, Societal Responsibility Director at Loto-Québec.

"The Government of Quebec and the Quebec City Tourism Board are providing $65,000 through the Tourism Industry Support Program—Regional Partnership Agreement for Tourism. This sum will allow the improvement of the festival-goers experience and a free offering of activities and urban animation for the population and tourists passing through the region. ComediHa! Fest-Québec is working to promote the destination," added Québec City Tourism director, André Roy.

AN INTERACTIVE HUMORISTIC CIRCUIT
A new experience awaits the public of ComediHa! Fest-Québec: one and all can design their own humorous circuit by attending one, two, three or even four shows per night, while enjoying the fun outdoor facilities all around and in the temporary villages.

In addition to presenting shows in the two venues of the Palais Montcalm and at the Imperial Bell, the ComediHa! Fest-Québec will set up near Grande Allée Street on Place George V and Parc de la Francophonie to offer numerous shows as well as comedic performances of all kinds in unusual venues such as big tops, a giant cube, tents, outdoor scenes, a "Ha!ngar" of containers, a school bus, animated terraces, a beer garden, etc.

NEW: A FESTIVE POLE—THE "VILLAGE GEORGE V" AND THE "VILLAGE PIGEONNIER"
A true attraction in itself, the festive pole of ComediHa! Fest-Québec will highlight two new sites in the Grande Allée area: the "Village George V" located on the square of the same name and the "Village Pigeonnier" at Parc de la Francophonie. These two villages make up hundreds of shows and activities of all kinds presented in many places and in animation stations. Take the opportunity to bring your girlfriend to see a comedy show, a magic show if you want, we can even find someone to get you married the next day.

NEW: A Free Experiential Component—Thanks to its partners, ComediHa! Fest-Québec improves its programming and sets up an experiential component with several free shows at "Village Pigeonnier". Everyone will appreciate the various animation stations where many free shows will be front and centre, including "La remise de Diogène" by Théâtre Rude Ingénierie, "Curiosités mystiques" by Cabinet de curiosités, the "Living Jukebox" and the play "ComediHa! Dell'Arte". Also, several interactive activities such as a rock-climbing wall, a zip line, an enchanted forest and an escape game will enhance the festival-goers' experience.

NEW AND SPECTACULAR: At a height of 40 feet and a distance of more than 150 feet, "LAUTREVU" tightrope walker and circus artist will offer a spectacular performance combining technical and aesthetic prowess that borrows from circus traditions. He will pass through the "Village Pigeonnier" on a daily basis to amaze the crowds that will gather around.

NEW: "MiHa!M Québec"—August is corn season in Quebec! Since we like to combine fun and festive experiences, there will be a new take on the traditional corn roast: 5 à 7 and new themes and activities daily! The MiHa!M-Québec will be organized in collaboration with restauratants and chefs from Quebec City. They will also cook unique appetizers every night in the beer garden, which has been specially designed at the "Village George V" during the festival. Do not forget to keep leftovers for our starving comedians!

The Big 45—The anglophone part of the ComediHa Fest-Québec
The anglophone part of the ComediHa! Fest-Québec 2018 offers a lot of talented Canadian comedians! They will get on stage for 45 or 60 minutes of show! You will see Jess Salomon, James Mullinger, Martha Chaves, Julien Dionne, Andrew Albert, Sandra Battaglini, David Merheje and Cory Mack!

BIG NAMES, EMERGING ACTS AND DISCOVERIES SERIES

The ComediHa! Galas, presented by TELUS, will unfold at Palais Montcalm, featuring Patrick Huard, Phil Roy, Jean-Michel Anctil, Véronique Cloutier, the Véronique Claveau and Mario Tessier duo and Fabien Cloutier. Each host will invite a series of distinguished guests on stage.

Headliners and emerging acts will make up the majority of the festival's programming. The "ComediHa! Club Best Of" and "L'heure de pointe" shows will feature, among others, comedians such as Jean-Thomas Jobin, Denis Drolet, Maxim Martin, Cathy Gauthier, Billy Tellier, Olivier Martineau and Rosalie Vaillancourt. Several headliners are also expected on the "Shows mystère" and "Comédie dans le noir" stages, where show line-ups will be unveiled once they have started.

Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to see top performers at themed shows, such as "Piment Fort", hosted by Normand Brathwaite, as well as in "Les Soirées Gladius" starring Alex Perron and Jean-François Baril who will invite us to play "Ticheur" and the "Guerre des clans". Emerging artists such as Cathleen Rouleau, Maude Landry, Franky, Alex Bisaillon, Simon Delisle, Gabrielle Caron, Matthieu Pepper, Neev, Yannick de Martino, Mike Beaudoin and Alex Roof will also participate in the festival at various shows, including "60 minutes de stand-up", the "Show XXX" and "Les p'tites vites".

The Discoveries Series are numerous this year and it is with the objective of showcasing all aspects of humour that the festival will present this year a line-up of hypnosis and magic shows starring Stéphane Dumais, the Somnifrères and Vincent C. as well as an improv series with "Impro Punch Club" and the exclusive creation "Impro texto" featuring Luc Senay and Réal Bossé. Podcast fans will be happy with "On jase là...", a series of different podcasts recorded in front of a live audience. On the international scene, the "Humour du monde" program will feature acclaimed comedians from several countries of the French-speaking world.

For all details: ComediHaFest.com.

BUY YOUR PASS NOW!

Regular Pass—The Regular Pass, giving access to more than 300 shows in 12 days, is on presale until June 30 for $35 plus tax on ComediHaFest.com and in participating Couche-Tard stores. Starting July 1st, the Regular Pass will be $50 plus tax. It is the perfect time to ask for a week off, but if you plan to see 300 shows in 12 days, ask for the other week off to get some rest.

An additional 15% discount will be offered to ComediHa! members from Tuesday, May 15 to Monday, May 21—You are not already a member? Sign up at ComediHaFest.com, it's free!

Reserved seating—ComediHa! Fest-Québec are general admission shows, first come first served. Festival-goers who want to make sure they have access to a specific show without being a victim of the infamous waiting line, the biggest fear of all impatient people, can book tickets online for $10 plus tax. This is accessible only to pass holders.

The "Accès Gala" Pass—The "Accès Gala" Pass gives access to everything, meaning access to many of the festival's shows and a reserved seat for a Gala of your choice. The "Accès Gala" Passes are on sale starting at $64 plus tax. They are only available online at ComediHaFest.com

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
ComediHa! Fest-Québec is always grateful for the invaluable help of collaborating partners, TELUS and Loto-Québec, as well as partners Discount, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Couche-Tard, St-Hubert Rotisseries, National Bank, Radio-Canada, Canal D, Unis TV, the Canada Media Fund, Réseau de transport de la Capitale, Journal de Québec, Énergie, Rouge, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada, the City of Quebec, the Quebec City Tourism Board, the National Capital Commission, Marrakech du Rire, Voo Rire de Liège, Morges Sous Rire in Switzerland, Cannes' Performance d'Acteur and the ComediHa! Agency.

ABOUT COMEDIHA!
ComediHa! is a leading creator of humorous content on multiple broadcasting platforms, including live shows and television. ComediHa! is an international leader in the comedy world among artists and the general public. The passion of our 60 permanent full-time employees and 1,400 full-time temporary employees contributes to "Making people laugh world wild. ComediHa! is more than 20 artists in management, 3 offices (Quebec, Montreal and Los Angeles), more than 25 million dollars in revenue, more than 1 million fans on our social media networks, more than 50 million viewers in Canada and 100 million worldwide, more than 3,000 shows, over 500 TV shows and broadcasts in over 100 countries, a major festival in August in Quebec and 5 associated festivals in the world. We might even set up a stage on Mars before it gets colonized.

SOURCE Festival international du rire