Friday, February 20th, 2026. 7PM.
Stories about trying something new and how that worked out.
Thursday, January 22nd, 2026. 7PM.
Free Times Cafe
320 College St, Toronto
Comedian
Carol Liu strives to make you laugh about minor annoyances in life. She likes to explore why we love to hate our families, relationships and work in modern life, and how to make things better or at least easier.
Improvisor/Clown/Comedian
Elisa Goldman is a York Theatre alumni. She currently teaches improv and clowning to adults with disabilities. For the last year she has been doing standup with a storytelling flair.
Comedian/Storyteller
Mike Shnall is a comedian who wanted to perform stand-up comedy for over thirty years. He got his big break by chance and with little notice in 2011 and describes the experience as a “rush.” Since then he enjoys the challenge of writing and performing stand-up comedy and shares his funny life experiences and observations with his signature comedic style to audiences in comedy venues across the GTA. He is currently writing a solo comedy show and plans to perform the show later this year. He recently has taken an interest in Storytelling often adding humour along the way.
Comedian/Storyteller
Justin Shaw is a comedian and storyteller originally from Prince Edward Island (and if you’re also from Prince Edward Island, his dad probably knows your dad.) He has been featured on CBC Laugh Out Loud, SiriusXM, Hubcap Comedy Festival, Yuk Yuks Official Roster, JFL42, Departure Festival, and has opened for Harland Williams and Fortune Feimster. Fusing comedy and storytelling, Shaw has created solo theatre shows that have toured across Canada, having presented works with Theatre Aquarius, Blyth Festival, Charlottetown Festival, Here For Now, and Live @ The Centre. Shaw’s latest comedy album Mostly Clean showcases his down-home yet outrageous sense of humour, and can be heard on Sirius XM Comedy Club.
Storyteller/Writer
Randall has studied improv and storytelling across Toronto, and has performed at But That’s Another Story, Tales Told Live at the Tranzac, and Replay Storytelling. He is also an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, as well as a screenwriting instructor at George Brown College. And through his company So, What’s Your Story?, he helps writers of all media explore their ideas and find their voices. Currently, Randall is an advisor to the Toronto Chinese Canadian Film Festival, where he runs the short film competition.
Host/Comedian/Storyteller
Michael is a nerdy Italian comedian and storyteller who performs stand up comedy and storytelling around Ontario including shows at Comedy Bar, Replay Storytelling and the Rivoli. He's excited to bridge the gap between storytelling and stand-up comedy with the Comedy X Storytelling series.
A unique storytelling comedy show in downtown Toronto featuring some of the city's most talented storytellers and comedians all telling true stories about their most embarrassing moments.
Monday, December 15th, 2025. 7PM..
Free Times Cafe
320 College St, Toronto (MAP)
Storyteller, Actor, Improvisor, Clown, Director, Writer
Christel Bartelse is a multifaceted performer whose work spans acting, comedy, storytelling, clown, directing, writing, and education. She began her career in comedy and improv as one half of the acclaimed physical comedy duo The Burnt Marshmallows (Canadian Comedy Award Nominees), and has since collaborated with a wide range of artists to create bold and original independent work.
She is mostly known for having created and written several solo shows, including Chaotica, ONEymoon, All KIDding Aside and most recently A Woman of my Age and she has toured extensively across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. earning her a reputation as a dynamic and inventive solo artist.
A fixture in the Toronto comedy scene, she is regularly seen on stage performing character work, physical comedy, stand-up, and storytelling. She was the co-producer and co-host of the hit storytelling show "But That's Another Story", and currently produces and hosts "Age Ain't Nothing but a Number" where veteran actors and comedians present material on the theme of Age. In addition to her performance work, she is a passionate educator, leading workshops in improv, physical theatre/clown, and solo performance across Toronto.
As a Director she has worked on several shows across various institutions but most recently directed Almost, Maine (Toronto Film School) The Ensemble for Toronto Fringe and their recent remount at The Second City Toronto and had the pleasure of just directing "The Marvellous Museum of Munsch" for George Brown Theatre Program.
Comedian
Artemis is a Toronto comic, she's got a witty abrasive style that's quick and punchy. Catch her all over the city at shows or pretty much every crappy open mic!
Storyteller
Elaine is a comedian and storyteller. She was a featured storyteller on Tinder Tales for 5 years doing shows all over Toronto and out of town. She has done many storytelling shows including Replay, and so many other shows. Elaine loves to honestly tell her hilarious life stories. She's old af and loves playing the old lady card.
Comedian
Nads is an employment lawyer by day and a stand-up comedian by night. Her comedy journey started in the most unexpected place: a public washroom line. When a stranger asked her what her hobbies were, Nads panicked — not only because a stranger was talking to her, but also because she realised she didn’t have any! Since then, she’s been making up for lost time on Toronto’s open mic scene, competing in comedy contests, and producing fundraising shows under the banner Laugh It Forward.
Comedian
Madhu is a Toronto-based Indo-Canadian writer, comic, poet, mom and cosmic wanderer. Guided by her forever mantra - "Why not try it once?" - she dove headfirst into stand-up comedy earlier this year, and since then she and her audiences have had a blast. Madhu tells laugh-out-loud stories about parenting, politics, and the female experience.
Comedian
Jaime is on a mission to be everyone’s best friend. She’s an up and coming comic that wants to brighten your day. She’s determined to be the most important person in your life moving forward.
Host/Comedian/Storyteller
Michael is a nerdy Italian comedian and storyteller who performs stand up comedy and storytelling around Ontario including shows at Comedy Bar, Replay Storytelling and the Rivoli. He's excited to bridge the gap between storytelling and stand-up comedy with the Comedy X Storytelling series.
A unique storytelling comedy show in downtown Toronto featuring some of the city's most talented storytellers and comedians all telling true stories about their most embarrassing moments.
Friday, November 21st, 2025. 7PM.
Free Times Cafe
320 College St, Toronto (MAP)
Comedian
Chelsey Grewar is a Toronto-based comedian known for her storytelling and observational comedy. She hosts and produces “Yee-Ha! Comedy” a popular monthly stand-up show at Comedy Bar featuring a rotating lineup of the city’s top comedic talent. She recently headlined at The Basement Winnipeg and enjoyed a hit run at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival with her stand-up show, “Chelsey Grewar: Adult Twin”.
Comedian
Diana has been doing comedy for most of her adult life. From tiny cable sketch shows watched by tens of people (hi Mom!) to improv, short films and stand-up, she’s run the gamut as they say.
As an actor, you might’ve spotted her on TV in Orphan Black or Dan for Mayor. Her first one-woman show traveled all the way to San Francisco, where it won Volunteers’ Pick for Best Show.
When she’s not making people laugh, Diana works behind the camera as a script supervisor for film and TV, specializing in comedy Her credits include Children Ruin Everything, Workin’ Moms, Odd Squad, Slip, Small Achievable Goals, and Baroness von Sketch Show.
She’s also a proud dog lover and has cast several dogs in her short films—partly for artistic reasons, but mostly because she enjoys chaos and drool in equal measure.
Comedian
Jarek Tan is a Toronto-based stand-up comedian whose style combines storytelling with observational humour. As a Chinese-Canadian with a Polish name, Jarek brings a fresh perspective to cultural quirks, everyday absurdities, and stories that connect us all. He has performed on stages across Toronto as well as internationally in cities such as Johannesburg and San Francisco
Comedian/Storyteller
Justin Shaw is a comedian and storyteller originally from Prince Edward Island (and if you’re also from Prince Edward Island, his dad probably knows your dad.) He has been featured on CBC Laugh Out Loud, SiriusXM, Hubcap Comedy Festival, Yuk Yuks Official Roster, JFL42, Departure Festival, and has opened for Harland Williams and Fortune Feimster. Fusing comedy and storytelling, Shaw has created solo theatre shows that have toured across Canada, having presented works with Theatre Aquarius, Blyth Festival, Charlottetown Festival, Here For Now, and Live @ The Centre. Shaw’s latest comedy album Mostly Clean showcases his down-home yet outrageous sense of humour, and can be heard on Sirius XM Comedy Club.
Storyteller
Ronit Rubinstein has been performing as a storyteller for over a decade, and can be regularly seen on shows like Tales Told Live at the Tranzac and Replay Storytelling. Things My Dad Kept, her first full-length solo show, had a sold-out run at the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival, where it also won Best of Fringe. If you'd like to catch the show before it hits the road, she's performing it Sunday, November 30th and will happily give you the details.
Comedian
Sarah London brings an adorably dark energy to stand-up comedy stages across Canada. She’s been featured on the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Craft Island Comedy Festival, and recorded a compilation album with Comedy Records.
Storyteller
Ronit Rubinstein has been performing as a storyteller for over a decade, and can be regularly seen on shows like Tales Told Live at the Tranzac and Replay Storytelling. Things My Dad Kept, her first full-length solo show, had a sold-out run at the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival, where it also won Best of Fringe. If you'd like to catch the show before it hits the road, she's performing it Sunday, November 30th and will happily give you the details.
Host/Comedian/Storyteller
Michael is a nerdy Italian comedian and storyteller who performs stand up comedy and storytelling around Ontario including shows at Comedy Bar, Replay Storytelling and the Rivoli. He's excited to bridge the gap between storytelling and stand-up comedy with the Comedy X Storytelling series.
October's theme is "Break a Leg". A unique body-horror show for Halloween. 9 hilarious stories about personal injury not for the squeamish!
Thursday, October 30th, 2025. Doors at 8PM.
Comedian
Dre Pavez is a stand up comedian and producer born and raised in London, Ontario (and not ashamed to say it!!) who now lives in Toronto. Her dry sensibility is in stark contrast to the vivid storytelling and often personal nature of her comedy. Her monthly stand up show, Let’s Go Comedy, takes place on the 1st Thursday of every month at Wenona Craft Beer Lodge.
Improvisor
Emily Butcher is an HR professional who moonlights as an improvisor at The Second City Training Centre Toronto. A proud chronic over-sharer and lover of all things funny, she believes life’s toughest—and most embarrassing—moments make for the best material. Whether she’s in a boardroom or on a stage, Emily’s favourite thing is connecting with people by making them laugh (and occasionally making herself the punchline).
Comedian
Husein Panju is a “clean” comedian with a very messy life. An emerging voice in Toronto’s comedy scene, he mines his overthinking, millennial brain (and his day job as a lawyer) for material that swings from sharply highbrow to hilariously petty.
When he’s not on stage, he’s behind the drawing board — writing and illustrating his long-running webcomic series, “High Comedic Value”, which he’s showcased at comicons across Canada since 2013.
Comedian
Kalpesh Phodkar is an IT engineer by day and a stand-up comic by night — proving that debugging jokes can be as tricky as debugging code. He’s performed at Second City and brings a mix of Indian and Canadian flavors, tech humor, and proudly broken English to his storytelling.
Comedian
Mezna is a Winnipeg-raised comedian new to Toronto with an energetic, imaginative storytelling act. Making his debut at Wee Johnny’s, Mezna’s style is a blend of his biggest comedic influences — his family, city, and SpongeBob.
Comedian/Writer
Pooja Joshi is a writer, producer, and stand-up comic based in Toronto with an eclectic résumé and a suspiciously high tolerance for chaos. She’s performed for an audience of 500 at the Naked Comedy Festival and almost naked for theatre — emotionally. (The things she does for free therapy.)
A graduate of York University’s Film Program, she also studied acting in Toronto and Mumbai — proving she’s committed to making her family nervous in multiple time zones. She’s lived in wine-soaked Europe, politically spicy Africa, overstimulated India, and now calls overly polite Canada home. She’s been everywhere — only to be still asked where she’s really from.
Her work has been featured at film festivals in New York and Toronto — and her life could easily be a dark comedy called Still, Accidentally Hopeful.
Storyteller/Writer
Randall has studied improv and storytelling across Toronto, and has performed at But That’s Another Story, Tales Told Live at the Tranzac, and Replay Storytelling. He is also an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, as well as a screenwriting instructor at George Brown College. And through his company So, What’s Your Story?, he helps writers of all media explore their ideas and find their voices. Currently, Randall is an advisor to the Toronto Chinese Canadian Film Festival, where he runs the short film competition.
Storyteller
Zebulon Pike has been telling stories for over a decade. One of the producers of Replay Storytelling, he’s performed at many shows in Toronto, Montreal, Singapore and has been featured on CBC radio. In his regular life he works in children's television making kids believe that dogs, trains and furniture can talk.
Host/Comedian/Storyteller
Michael is a nerdy Italian comedian and storyteller who performs stand up comedy and storytelling around Ontario including shows at Comedy Bar, Replay Storytelling and the Rivoli. He's excited to bridge the gap between storytelling and stand-up comedy with the Comedy X Storytelling series.
The theme for our next show is "Back to School". 9 hilarious school stories about being a student or teaching from every level of education!
Thursday, September 25th, 2025, 8:30PM, Doors @ 8
Comedian/Storyteller
Dena Jackson (Comedian/Storyteller) is a comedian, writer and TEDx speaker. Her writing has been featured on the CBC and the Beaverton and she has performed at clubs and festivals throughout North America including Just for Laughs, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and the New York Comedy Festival. She’s also had the privilege of performing in Alaska for the U.S. Military. Her comedy albums reached number one on the iTunes Comedy Charts and can be regularly heard on SiriusXM Radio.
Storyteller
Paul Aflalo (Storyteller) is a documentary storyteller who helps and encourages others to share their own stories through film, radio, podcasts, and on stage. His work has been featured on CBC, BBC, and The Financial Times, and his films have been presented at festivals around the world. Paul is the artistic director of @replaystorytelling — an all-true storytelling series based in #Toronto — which also produces Replay Story Fest, an annual storytelling festival. Paul has shared his stories on stages across Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Storyteller
Briane Nasimok turned his focus to storytelling for the last decade, after a careers in stand-up, acting, improv, journalism, and television writing and producing. He is an experienced dog walker and luncheon guest.
Comedian/Storyteller
Equal parts whip-smart and wildly relatable, Karine is the female Saul Goodman you didn’t know you needed. A lawyer-turned-comedian, (Think ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), she skewers everything from societal norms to immigrant-parent expectations with sharp wit and charm. Karine is a rising star in Toronto’s stand-up scene, consistently delivering performances that demand attention and leave audiences wanting more.
Comedian/Storyteller
Orly Zebak (Comedian/Storyteller) lives in Toronto where she performs stand-up comedy for fans and enemies alike.
Storyteller/Improviser
Aditya Tawde balances two passions: telling stories with data by day and bringing stories to life on stage by night. He believes in the power of stories to connect and move people—which is why he loves sharing them. Off stage, you’ll likely find him on a pickleball court, or eating more biryani than he’ll ever admit.
Comedian/Storyteller
Narges is an energetic storyteller and stand-up comedian whose awkward and wacky daily life events serve as fodder for her stories. Some think she lives in her own reality, but she, and her unicorn-riding fairy, vehemently disagree.
Comedian
Dale B is a Toronto-based comedian with some of the darkest humour around. He's been on a spree over the last few years across Toronto/GTA, Ottawa, Montreal, and has started venturing into the U.S. A producer of shows for FYM Comedy, he's sure to rewire thoughts and split sides with his zero-chill jokes psycholinguistically designed to bring uncontrollable laughter.
Host/Comedian/Storyteller
Michael is a nerdy Italian comedian and storyteller who performs stand up comedy and storytelling around Ontario including shows at Comedy Bar, Replay Storytelling and the Rivoli. He's excited to bridge the gap between storytelling and stand-up comedy with the Comedy X Storytelling series.
Hilarious stories about summertime experiences and antics from 9 talented comedians and storytellers!
Thursday, August 21st, 2025, 7PM
Free Times Cafe
320 College St, Toronto (MAP)
Comedian
Tamara Shevon is a Toronto-based comic who started her comedic story-telling through wine-coloured glasses in Beijing, China. Since then, she has been blazing through the Toronto scene with her characteristic wit and her lovable ability to flirt with the boundaries of socially acceptable. Tamara has performed stand-up all over China, Canada and the United States and was second runner-up in the Beijing Comedy Festival.
Tamara has performed on Just For Laughs Montreal, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, The New Wave of Standup (CBC Gem), CBC’s The Debaters, Sled Island Music & Comedy Festival, OFF JFL/Zoofest, Just for Laughs Toronto, CBC Laugh Out Loud, Stratford Festival, Comedy is Art Festival, and was recently featured on Out for Laughs on OutTV. Tamara is the co-creator and co-host of the Pretty B*tchy Podcast and currently has her debut album ‘Purse Wine’, sophomore album ‘Table Wine’ and latest album ‘Wild and Diagnosed’ available on bandcamp.com and all other streaming platforms.
Storyteller
Briane Nasimok turned his focus to storytelling for the last decade, after a careers in stand-up, acting, improv, journalism, and television writing and producing. He is an experienced dog walker and luncheon guest.
Comedian
Kendelle is a chronically online millennial who has performed in Vancouver, Seattle, Calgary, and Toronto, and is addicted to making people laugh; she works in community services & healthcare by day, and cracks jokes all over the city by night.
Comedian
Marissa Gregoris is a standup comedian, sketch and drag artist who has performance in their veins. Often with a guitar in tow, Marissa’s boisterous yet nihilistic energy has been charming audiences from London (ON) to Paris (also ON) since her not so recent graduation from the Second City’s Conservatory Program 😊 They are looking forward to this new challenge of comedic storytelling!
Comedian
Oussama Tabbara is a vibrant Lebanese comedian who is rapidly making waves in the comedy scene both in Canada and internationally. Recently returning from his tour across the Middle East, he not only resonates with Arab audiences but also with expatriates and visitors who appreciated his ability to find humor in the shared human experience. As a first-generation Canadian, his monthly show Kulture Shock is a platform to explore the thrilling yet often overwhelming experience of moving abroad.
Storyteller
Panagiota was born in Greece and moved to Toronto, Canada, in 2015. When she was a kid, she wanted to be a ballet dancer, but then she became a Greek teacher. Now she’s a flight attendant, but her true passion lies in acting—and, of course, storytelling. In 2020, amidst Covid, she discovered storytelling and the whole world got a new meaning for her. Since then, she hasn’t stopped sharing her stories at Replay storytelling, The Story Collider, Tales Told Live and But That’s Another Story show in Toronto, and Confabulation show in Montreal.
Comedian
Samantha Ling is a Toronto-based comedian and actor with a background in theatre, film and improv. She regularly performs at venues like Comedy Lab and Comedy Bar. Outside of performing, Samantha enjoys long-distance running, volleyball, martial arts, and reading cultural criticism.
Storyteller
Yvy Ringler is a multidisciplinary artist who believes every art form tells a story. Whether she is improvising, singing, creating art or storytelling, she crafts experiences that resonate at the heart level. Whether page or stage, the power of story connects, inspires and transforms.
Host/Comedian/Storyteller
Michael is a nerdy Italian comedian and storyteller who performs stand up comedy and storytelling around Ontario including shows at Comedy Bar, Replay Storytelling and the Rivoli. He's excited to bridge the gap between storytelling and stand-up comedy with the Comedy X Storytelling series.
"First Times". 9 hilarious stories about different First Times from the talented comedians and storytellers on our lineup!
Thursday, July 17, 2025, 7PM
Comedian
Michi is the founder of ‘Maracas Media’ and an internationally hilarious comedian who has opened for comedy heavyweights like Rosebud Baker, rocked Toronto’s biggest clubs, and performs in English & Spanish.
Storyteller
Chantal is a person who went to business school, fell in love with performing through starting online improv classes in 2020, and hasn’t looked back since. In the past three years, she has performed in comedy festivals across four continents and created and performed Ancient Dying Chinese Dialect, an award-winning solo show directed by Ken Hall. With varied training in acting, physical theatre, and storytelling, Chantal is most drawn to projects that explore and celebrate the connections that form between artists and audiences in live theatre. You can find her every month producing Replay Storytelling events, where artists and non-artists alike tell true personal stories at Burdock Brewery.
Comedian
Carlos is a comedian who brings his unique energy, hilarious observations, touching stories and respect for his hometown to the stage.
Storyteller
An engineer, anime nerd, and professional idiot, Andrew is a true storyteller who has performed at various shows across the city, including True Stories Toronto and Replay Storytelling. He is a co-producer of “Tales Told Live” at the Tranzac, and hopes to continue to share his love of storytelling and performing with veterans and newcomers alike.
Comedian
A fresh, up-and-coming comic from Vaughan, Ontario. When he isn't telling jokes at places like Absolute Comedy and Comedy Bar, you'll find him sobbing at the gym, scrolling TikTok in bed for way too long, or forcing his 2 dogs to listen to his new jokes.
Comedian/Storyteller
Leslie is an expressive comedian, storyteller and misfit who passionately collides with the quirky side of life. After semi-retiring from a PR career, she dove into comedy last year. In addition to doing stand-up around Toronto, she’s shared stories at Replay Storytelling, the Comedy Bar, and way back, at the Hard Rock Café. And a lifetime ago, Leslie honed her stage legs at Canada’s Wonderland, where she told tales with eight macaws, frequently ad-libbing as the plot shifted with the birds’ moods.
Comedian
Logan Chatterton started doing comedy last September, performs around Toronto and has been featured on No Filter Comedy.
Comedian/Storyteller
Robin brings a unique and incredible energy to her storytelling with her fun and personal stories recently performed at Comedy Bar.
Host/Comedian/Storyteller
Michael is a nerdy Italian comedian and storyteller who performs stand up comedy and storytelling around Ontario including shows at Comedy Bar, Replay Storytelling and the Rivoli. He's excited to bridge the gap between storytelling and stand-up comedy with the Comedy X Storytelling series.