East Van Laugh RIOT: Charlie Demers brings live comedy to the Rio Theatre

Yumi Nagashima, Erica Sigurdson among the stand-up comedians delivering much-needed laughs on Fridays in February

Charlie Demers and Friends present East Van Laugh RIOT at the Rio Theatre on February 11, 18, and 25.

COULD YOU USE a laugh right now? Who couldn’t?

Juno-nominated stand-up comedian Charlie Demers to the rescue, with the new East Van Laugh RIOT launching this weekend at the Rio.

Demers—who happens to live four blocks from the beloved venue—is a regular on CBC Radio’s “The Debaters” and is a co-star of the Emmy-winning Netflix animated series “Beat Bugs” and “The Last Kids on Earth”.

Things kick off on February 11 with Erica Sigurdson and Graham Clark, joined by special guests Maddy Kelly and Matty Vu.

On February 18, Katie-Ellen Humphries and Marito Lopez headline, with special guests Gina Harms and Malik El-Assal.

And on February 25, it’s Yumi Nagashima and Jacob Samuel with Dave Harris and Andrea Jin.

Health-care workers get in free with valid ID.

Tickets are $17 in advance or $20 at the door.

Doors are at 7:15 pm with the shows scheduled for 8 pm (subject to change).

The Rio is currently operating at 50 percent capacity in accordance with provincial public-health orders.

More information is at www.riotheatre.ca.

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