28 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

https://tickets.uvic...d4a7ab01e59cd69

 

Live Nation and Emporium presents Brad Williams Friday August 30th 2024, 7pm

 

Tier One, Main Floor Rows A-E $60.80

Tier Two $50.80

NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES Live Nation and Emporiumi are excited to announce that one of the most in-demand comedians working today, Brad Williams is coming to Victoria following two sold out shows in Toronto! About Brad Williams Pound for pound, Brad Williams is the funniest comedian in the country right now and has become one of the most in-demand comedians working today. Williams started doing stand-up comedy as a teenager and has been touring successfully ever since, routinely selling out prestigious venues all over the country and world. His first one-hour special, Fun Size, was the highest rated special on Showtime, and a year later, he followed that up with his second one, Daddy Issues, which was even more successful than the first. His third special in three years was an uproarious one, hosting some of the edgiest comedians in the country from the prestigious Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. His last groundbreaking special on Netflix, The Degenerates, garnered more huge ratings and rave reviews. Recently, Brad became the first stand-up comedian to headline a Cirque de Soleil show in their 30 year history, when he agreed tolaunch—and do a three month run of—their newest show Mad Apple in Las Vegas. The show became an immediate smash hit to rave revues, singling out Williams for his incredible ability to captivate his audiences with his extraordinary performances. In addition to stand-up and acting, Williams co-created and co-hosted one of the most successful podcasts in the world, with friendand fellow comic Adam Ray, entitled About Last Night, which was always a mainstay on the iTunes charts during their five year run. Williams’ humorous and inspiring observations on disability, relationships, sex, and race consistently win over audiences; proving anyone can overcome their shortcomings. His high energy live performances frequently produce standing ovations from audience members which prompted the late Robin Williams to call him “Prozac with a head.” As of March 11, 2022, face coverings are optional. We ask all to remain kind and respectful of the personal choices that each individual may make regarding mask use.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 August 2024 - 05:24 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Popular podcaster Theo Von will land in Victoria on March 16 as part of his Return of the Rat tour.

 

 

Von, 44, will make his long-awaited Victoria debut at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. The Nashville-based Von is the host of a popular podcast, This Past Weekend, and has spent two decades as a stand-up comedian. He rose to fame through his association with controversial comics Brendan Schaub, Chris D’elia, and Joe Rogan but saw his stock rise considerably this summer when U.S. president-elect Donald Trump was his guest on This Past Weekend.

 

 

He also interviewed U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and U.S. Vice President-elect JD Vance in the weeks leading up the recent U.S. election.

 

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...n-march-9776924

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 November 2024 - 05:54 PM.

[Mike K.]

Polish Nicaraguan American!

[max.bravo]

I like his shtick. Theo von is a funny dude, and seems like he has a good heart too.

[Victoria Watcher]

Dan Duvall: Cheat Day (Full Comedy Special)

 

YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/5hF...un1x_b-_GgtNmtR

 

 

Not bad, a full 50 minutes.

[Victoria Watcher]

Some Nanaimo residents are taking exception to a comedian booked at the Port Theatre and are calling on Nanaimo city council to cancel the booking.

Ben Bankas is a right-wing comedian who jokes about First Nations, the neurodiverse, and the LGBTQ community, among others. The Canadian-born comedian lives in Texas, and his upcoming tour has one stop on Vancouver Island and that Nanaimo show is sold out.

His show is happening at the Port Theatre, which is owned by the city. Ben Bollich lives in Nanaimo and is appearing before Nanaimo city council next week, calling for the show to be cancelled.

 

https://cheknews.ca/...-venue-1306366/

[lanforod]

How about those residents don't buy a ticket, and let freedom of expression, especially for the arts, well enough alone.

[Victoria Watcher]

As for whether this is just giving Bankas free publicity, Bollich says he’s heard that.

“My question is, what do we do? Where do we start? Do we just ignore this? It has to start somewhere. Something has to be said.”

 

 

 

There is the irony.  He wants it so this guy can't say anything.

[Mike K.]

Well, that doesn’t sound very nice.

[Victoria Watcher]

Nanaimo stops short of cancelling comedian, asks theatre to review policies

 

City councillors want the Port Theatre to review its booking procedures, but will not stop an upcoming show by Ben Bankas.

 

 

https://www.timescol...licies-11922433

 

 

 

Coun. Ian Thorpe voted against the motion because he felt it was akin to censorship. He said that while he neither condones nor supports Bankas’s type of humour, it’s a viewpoint.

 

“So how can we say that we want the theatre to be inclusive and welcoming to everybody, but say, ‘Well, wait a minute, there’s limits on that — if I personally don’t agree with that person’s position, I don’t think he should be allowed to attend,’ ” he said. “I do not support censorship in any form, no matter how well-intentioned it is.”

 

Bankas’s show at the Port Theatre is sold out. The theatre does offer a short warning on its web page that the show is for people 19 and older, and may contain adult-themed or offensive material, strong language or controversial topics.

 

Representatives from the Port Theatre did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

 

Bankas, a Toronto-born comedian who now lives in Texas, has had several shows on his current tour moved or cancelled after public pressure forced city-funded venues to cancel the bookings in both Canada and the U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robot:

 

 

Comedian Ben Bankas (also referred to in reports as a controversial or conservative-leaning stand-up comic) had shows canceled in the United States specifically at the Laugh Camp Comedy Club (or Camp Bar-associated venue) in St. Paul, Minnesota.

• This involved six sold-out shows scheduled for late January to early February 2026 (January 30–February 1, across Friday through Sunday dates).
• The venue cited reasons including heightened threats, increasing media attention, civil disorder risks, safety concerns for audiences/staff, and potential protests/backlash.
• The cancellations followed viral videos/clips of Bankas making jokes/mockery about the death of Renee Good (a Minneapolis woman fatally shot by an ICE agent in early January 2026), which sparked outrage and complaints.

Reports from sources like NBC News, People, Fox News, New York Post, and others consistently point to this Minnesota incident as the primary (and repeatedly referenced) U.S. cancellation tied to his recent tour. No other distinct U.S. venues or locations (e.g., in other states) appear in current reports as having canceled his shows for similar reasons—though he has faced cancellations in Canada (e.g., Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Calgary) over different controversies.Bankas has publicly responded defiantly (e.g., "F–k 'em" in videos), gained followers/publicity from the backlash, and reportedly added more shows elsewhere as a result. If you're looking for updates on his current tour schedule or any newer developments, his social media (

@BenBankas

) or ticketing sites would be the best direct sources.

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 February 2026 - 11:37 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The Port Theatre in Nanaimo has cancelled a performance by controversial comedian Ben Bankas, which was set for later this month.

 

Bankas was set to take the stage in the Harbour City on March 21, despite some concerns from residents and Nanaimo council.

 

On Thursday, the Port Theatre Society issued a statement saying that it had cancelled Bankas’ show, following a “comprehensive review of its contractual and legal obligations, including its responsibilities under the British Columbia Human Rights Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...s-show-1309763/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 06 March 2026 - 08:24 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

[Victoria Watcher]

Campbell River is sold out now.

[dasmo]

Great marketing!!!!

[Matt R.]

Campbell River: tastes great, less stabbing

[LJ]

They didn't like his jokes. 

[Mike K.]

The cancellation post on VV’s Meta posts is coming up on 250k views.

Every time governments step into this arena, they inadvertently grow the brand and market reach of that which they seek to silence. I swear it’s one of the best marketing tactics for a performer, and to get it is a gift money can’t buy.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

 

 

Nanaimo theatre cancels comedian Ben Bankas' show, says hosting violates 'obligations' under BC human rights code

 

"The Society remains committed to upholding freedom of expression within the bounds of the law."

 

https://www.westerns...ghts-code/71705

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 March 2026 - 11:24 AM.

[Matt R.]

Never heard of the guy, so watched maybe 45 mins of his work. Truly awful, he doesn’t even tell many jokes. He just says stupid stuff and waits for a laugh. No punchlines. Now, I like stupid stuff as much as the next guy but this was not engaging.

Does the theatre need to justify anything? Can’t they refuse service for any reason they like?

[Victoria Watcher]

Never heard of the guy, so watched maybe 45 mins of his work. Truly awful, he doesn’t even tell many jokes. He just says stupid stuff and waits for a laugh. No punchlines. Now, I like stupid stuff as much as the next guy but this was not engaging.

 

Same.