Tuesday, October 29, 2024

5:45 PM – 9:00 PM

Our Host, Maggie Cassella is an actor, comedian, producer, activist, and founder of the groundbreaking We’re Funny That Way Festival. 

As the producer and host of the world’s first international queer comedy and music festival, Maggie has become a fixture of Canada’s comedy scene. With a Canadian Screen Award under her belt, she’s sure to bring an evening bursting with energy, enthusiasm, and plenty of laughs.

Ali Hassan is a Stand-up Comic and Actor who has made audiences laugh across Canada and internationally with his sharp wit and engaging storytelling. As the host of CBC’s hit stand-up comedy show Laugh Out Loud and a frequent guest host of CBC Radio’s flagship arts and culture show q, Ali’s voice is well-known and well-loved.

A Canadian Comedy Award nominee, Ali’s solo show Muslim Interrupted has received widespread acclaim on its tour across Canada.

Tiffany is a seasoned performer whose passion for musical theatre has led her to appear in over 25 professional productions for companies such as Mirvish Productions, The Charlottetown Festival and the Stratford Festival. 

Throughout her versatile career in film, television, and stage, she has had the privilege of collaborating with renowned industry figures such as Gladys Knight, Gregory Hines, Jackée Harry, Sean Cheesman, and Benny and Björn of ABBA. Additionally, Tiffany lent her vocal talents as a background vocalist on Rita MacNeil’s final album Saving Grace.  In 2024, Tiffany received a prestigious Dora Award nomination.

Jennifer Hsiung is currently co-anchor for Toronto’s most-watched morning show, CP24 Breakfast.  

In 2015, the mother of three (who has always had a passion for performance arts and acting) started pursuing stand-up comedy in Beijing and has had early success. Since her return, Jennifer has performed stand-up comedy all over Toronto at venues such as The Rivoli, Comedy Bar, Absolute Comedy, Yuk Yuks (downtown), The Corner Comedy Club, and The Social Capital Theatre. Hsiung is also a part of ACTRA. She played Ravager’s mom Mei in season 2 of “Titans” (Netflix).

Monica Garrido Huerta (she/her)  is a Queer Dora-nominated bilingual Artist, a new Canadian from Monterrey, Nuevo León based in Tkaronto. Her short films have premiered at the InsideOut LGBT Film Festival. Her solo show “The Cunning Linguist”, was created at Emerging Creator Unit at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre and won the 2016 Queer Acts Audience Award is currently in development.  Monica has appeared in commercials, music videos and TV in shows such as Baroness Von Sketch Show and The Horror of Dolores Roach. She’s part of the ensemble of the Canadian Comedy Award-winning show Sketch Comedy Extravaganza Eleganza. Monica is the 2018 recipient of the Queer Emerging Artist Award at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.  She is one-third of the Latine Drag King boyband “Boyband the Boyband”. Currently, you can see her every weekend as the newest member of the Second City Touring Company in “The Best of Second City.”  She is also a Taurus and wishes you the best.

Mel and Sarah are both mesmerizing singers in their own rights – so how is it possible that their music can be even more transformational when they sing together? We don’t know, it just is!  Beautiful harmonies combined with unique musical interpretations make Mel and Sarah an act you don’t want to miss. 

Melissa Azore grew up in Peterborough, Ontario where at age 20 recorded and toured with her first album “Shine.” Most recently acclaimed for her work as co-producer for Mused: inspiration for charity, a fundraiser for various local charities. Sara’s a little bit country and a little bit of this and that. Sara loves singing with Melissa because she could make a take-out menu a smash hit.