Elspeth Wright News Today

Days after a bar in Gatineau, Que., made waves for its comedy night lineups featuring one woman — who turned out to not even exist — female and non-binary comedians in Montreal take centre stage at Ladyfest and explain why it's so important to keep taking up space in the industry.

A bar in Gatineau, Que., is making waves for its comedy night lineup. One of the comedians — the only woman on the bill — is AI-generated. The bar says it created the fake comic to clap back at critics who say the club rarely books female comedians.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to afford to do this festival again next year,” says comic Walter Lyng, who organized the debut event.

Montreal Gazette arts writers spotlight local talent that will brighten up the year.

Dave Kaufman, my favorite pinch hitting host at CJAD and now broadcasting some national shows for the Bell Media Network, is also the host of a fabulous podcast for McGills