Winnipeg to welcome new Oddblock comedy festival this summer
'It sort of encapsulates the block party sort of idea of it,' the event's organizer says
Winnipeg's South Osborne neighbourhood will be home to a new comedy festival this summer called Oddblock, which will be running from Aug. 27 to 30.
"I think we plan on filling in a little bit of a gap. I think the city needs a very localized, high-density, neighbourhood comedy festival," said Kevin Mozdzen, the event's organizer.
While the Winnipeg Comedy Festival has a wealth of Canadian talent, Mozdzen said he hopes Oddblock brings American talent to the city and creates a more accessible atmosphere.
Mozdzen said one of the most difficult choices was picking a name for the festival.
"It sort of encapsulates the block party sort of idea of it. And then oddball, because we're trying to get those stranger, more weird, wacky types of comedians," he told CBC Tuesday.
The festival will be four days in five venues with more than 50 comedians, including Eddie Pepitone, James Adomian, Ron Lynch, Pat Thornton and Karen Kilgariff.
Tickets go on sale June 29 at oddblock.ca and at Park Theatre.