Talking Comedy with Danielle Kayahara

The Women’s Comedy Night Fundraiser brings you eight hilarious comedians with eight diverse comedic styles. Danielle Kayahara did her first ever open mic this past May. Her unique blend of honest observation and storytelling made her an instant favourite among crowds and comedians alike. Since then, Danielle has been lighting up stages all over Winnipeg, including being featured in the Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s Comedy All Year: Winnipeg Women.  This week, we talked comedy with the undeniably funny Danielle Kayahara.

What drives you to talk about the things you talk about on stage?

DK: I think too much and I worry too much, I’m not sure I could keep that off of the stage if I tried. I like finding silliness in everyday experiences because it takes some of the seriousness out of the world. Sometimes it means over analyzing etiquette, other times it’s pointing out flaws in technology, sometimes it means anthropomorphizing my cat, and other times it’s confessing that I had to Google “anthropomorphizing” to make sure I knew what it meant and could spell it properly. I’m drawn toward the idea that we’re all more alike than we realize, and as strange or exaggerated as a joke might be, I like to think there’s still something relatable at its core.

Why stand up comedy?

DK: That’s a question I ask myself all the time! It’s terrifying and anxiety-inducing but for some reason, I keep coming back. There’s something magical about bringing people together in a moment of laughter and shared understanding. As a fan of comedy, I’ve always loved those moments and now I do what I can to try and create them.

Danielle Kayahara on stage at Winnipeg Comedy Festival’s Comedy All Year: Winnipeg Women

What are you looking forward to about the Women’s Comedy Night Fundraiser?

DK: I’m looking forward to having a chance to perform alongside some amazingly talented comedians and all for a great cause. I’ve been lucky enough to find my voice through comedy, Sarasvàti Productions helps give a voice to meaningful stories which might otherwise go unheard.

What would you say to someone who has NEVER been to a Winnipeg comedy show?

DK: To those who have never been to a Winnipeg comedy show, I was like you once. I didn’t even know that Winnipeg had comedy shows. I didn’t know that I could spend an evening watching a show and giggling uncontrollably in a fantastic pub environment. Now, I regret that I was kept in the dark for so long! To those who are fans of comedy, I feel as though there isn’t much to say. I know that as a fan, if I didn’t have the honor of performing at this show, I’d already have my ticket. Either way, come check out this show, support an awesome cause, bring your friends, enjoy some drinks and laugh all of the laughs.

The Women’s Comedy Night Fundraiser sold out last year. Get your tickets in advance!

Meeting deadlines over the most important meal of the day

Do you feel intimidated by the thought of applying for a grant? Are you unsure of how to get started? You are not alone.

Sarasvati Productions and Creative Manitoba are teaming up with grant-writing coach Bev Pike to present an all-day grant-writing cereal buffet! The purpose of this FREE event is to help artists work on their grant proposals while enjoying breakfast and coffee. Professional grant writer Bev Pike will be on hand to answer questions and provide feedback for artists on their applications.

Grant-writing coach Bev Pike

Find out more about grants for artist through Winnipeg Arts Council and Manitoba Arts Council.

Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop and work on their grant applications and get advice from our instructor Bev as well as their peers. However, participants are also welcome to just come and speak with Bev and pick up some of the take-home resources she’ll have available!

The workshop will take place Sunday, November 5th from 10 AM to 4 PM at Creative Manitoba (4th Floor, 245 McDermot Ave). No registration necessary. For information e-mail Angie at associate@sarasvati.ca or call 204-586-2236 with any questions.

Come and meet your deadlines over the most important meal of the day!

Making Space for Women’s Experience of Homelessness

Homelessness means… “I am not worthy or worth enough to be or feel safe. I don’t deserve anything. I must have done something wrong.”

Too often defining homelessness is done by those without lived experience. This response from a participant who has spent years on the streets is an important part of a unique collaboration. Sarasvàti Productions’ artists have been working with women at West Central Women’s Resource Centre (WCWRC) on a new story-sharing project, the focus is women’s experiences with homelessness.

Women come to WCWRC for a variety of services – for support groups, job training, recreation or for a shower and a meal. The West End-based non-profit has a mandate to “empower women to help themselves, their families and their community to safer, healthier lifestyles”, so it’s no surprise that they are perfect pair with Sarasvàti Productions. Far from the first time these two organizations have worked together, WCWRC and Sarasvàti collaborated on an inter-generational project two years ago, artists have led workshops as part of programming and the International Women’s Week Cabaret of Monologues have been performed at the Centre on several occasions. This time, a core group of women at WCWRC will be working with our facilitators so that their stories can be told on stage at the National Conference on Ending Homelessness.

“These women are the epitome of strength, courage, and resilience”, says Nan Fewchuk, one of  Sarasvàti Productions’ facilitators. “They share their harrowing stories with complete honesty, and are somehow able to still laugh at themselves, and at the absurdity of the situations in their lives. Pliny the Elder once said, ‘Home is where the heart is’. I am so grateful to each of these ladies for inviting me into their beautiful ‘homes’.”

Facilitator Nan Fewchuk at WCWRC

Working with the women at WCWRC is an important part of meeting our goals as a company. If we want to promote social change and human understanding we need to start by listening to folks who are often neglected in our community.  We are driven to create platforms for voices rarely heard on Canadian stages.

WCWRC is an amazing organization. They are packed to the rafters and busier than ever with newly increased hours and programming.  It’s a sign that the services they provide are in high-demand and that they are really working to serve the needs of the community. Sarasvàti is proud to be working with WCWRC and honoured to have the opportunity to share the stories of the women involved.  The public is invited to “Can You See Me Now”, a presentation of readings at 7:30pm on October 24^th at the University of Winnipeg Asper Centre for Theatre and Film – admission by donation. The presentation will also be part of the National Conference on Ending Homelessness and open to conference attendees on October 25^th.

 

 

Women’s Comedy Night: The Sequel!

Our Women’s Comedy Night Fundraiser was so popular in 2016 that we decided to bring it back for another year! Some of Winnipeg’s funniest women take to the stage November 15th at the King’s Head Pub (120 King St).  Returning as host is fabulous comedian Dana Smith.

The night will feature a diverse line-up of local comedians at different levels of experience, from seasoned pros to emerging newcomers. Check them out!

Dana Smith runs the very successful Women’s Open Mic Comedy show at Wee Johnny’s Irish Pub, which has been regularly featured in CBC’s Top 5 Things to Do in Winnipeg. It has also sparked a vibrant community of women who do stand-up comedy in Winnipeg. She has been featured in JFL Northwest (Vancouver), Oddblock Comedy Festival, and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.

 

Anjali Sandhu is a Winnipeg-based comedian, actor and writer. She performed stand-up at the SheDot Comedy Festival in Toronto as well as Sirius XM’s Next Top Comic and The Park Theatre’s Empow(her)ment. Anjali is currently working on her first solo stand-up show, I’m Not Taylor Swift.

 

 

Carole Cunningham has been performing since 2015 and is a regular at Women’s Open Mic. Carole has performed in the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and has produced several shows, including Token 2016. A regular host at Crickets Comedy Club, Carole’s dry and observational humour addresses marriage, children, and navigating life as a woman over thirty-five.

 

Danielle Kayahara is a benevolent cat owner and relative newcomer to the Winnipeg comedy scene. Fuelled by equal parts anxiety and caffeine, she remains convinced that the former has nothing to do with the latte. Danielle is extremely excited to have the opportunity to bring her unique blend of storytelling and silliness to the stage in support of a worthy cause.

 

Florence Spence is a stand-up comedian from York Factory Cree Nation. Raised in both Winnipeg and the reserve, she has been able to translate the hardships of growing up with seven brothers, being a single parent of three and now a grandmother, into comedy gold. Her witty observations and captivating stage presence set Florence Spence up to be your next favorite comedian.

 

Heather Witherden is also known as “Winnipeg’s Favourite Wisecracking Mom”. From the north end of Main Street, Heather got married, had three kids, and started writing jokes in the baby book to amuse herself. She finally got onstage with her jokes in 2006 and had since appeared at Rumors Comedy Club, The Winnipeg Comedy Festival, CBC Radio’s Definitely Not the Opera, and So You Think You’re Funny.

 

Kate Schellenberg is originally from the East Coast. She got tired of the mild winters, cheap lobster, and being near the ocean, so she packed her bags and headed to Manitoba. So far this year, she has appeared at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Oddblock Comedy Festival, and Rumors Comedy club where her honest and self-deprecating style made her a favorite with local crowds.

 

Lara Rae is a thirty-year veteran of stand-up. She is the A.D of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival and was the first trans woman to host the CBC national program, The Current. She lives in West Broadway with her two rats, Frida and Nina, named after two awesome role models.

 

 

2016 showed us that one show simply wasn’t enough, so we decided to double your chances of seeing some hilarious comedy! This year we’ll have an early show (doors at 5:30, show at 7PM) and a racier late-night performance (doors at 9, show at 9:30PM). Tickets are just $15 and available here. Get them before they’re gone and support a great cause!