STANDING ON THE DANFORTH
PRESENTS
Wednesdays have been the night for comedy on Church Street since 1994 and Jo-Anna Downey has been the “Mama” with the most since 1996, making Spirits Open Mic Night an institution (in a good way).
Over time, the stage has featured countless comics just kicking off their comedy careers, many who have gone on to great success and still drop by to entertain or have a pint with friends. Spirits Open Mic Night has been the birthplace of many a comedy bit and character, however we still take the subway. Spirits is known as the home away from home for out-of-town comics who drop in from all over the globe and one never knows who will visit our stage.
Every Tuesday Night at a small Greek-Newfie bar, comedy thrives. In this unlikely location with a dedicated fan following, STANDING ON THE DANFORTH will celebrate 6 years of laughter. An unpredictable night with the most magical characters.
Look out! Jo-Anna Downey is a fearless, frank and sassy performer. This lady lives bravely - “doing it for the story” - and according to the Toronto Star, is a “storyteller par excellence... one of the most engaging women on the Toronto comedy scene”. Her interactive, irreverent style and quick wit will shock and delight.
Known as “Mama” to all, only brave (and foolish!) drag queens would dare to compete for her crown as the Queen of the Toronto Open Mic scene - she has been hosting two successful and beloved weekly stand-up comedy shows for nearly 15 years. She’s even been voted by the people of Toronto as their favourite stand-up comic in NOW Magazine and her lovely face graced its cover!
Jo-Anna’s credits include tours across Canada, Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and Toronto, appearances on CBC, the Comedy Network, the Discovery Channel and CTV’s comedy special Women of the Night (which earned a 2002 Gemini nomination). She’s also a been heard on the radio program CBC’s The Debaters).
CONTACT: bookwithjoanna@gmail.com