Comedy spectacular coming to the Arden

Bust-a-gut stand-up comedy is tough to do and only the funniest and hardiest survive.

Western Canadian comics are dishing out an embarrassment of rich material these days, and the 2010 Alberta Comedy Spectacular coming to the Arden Theatre on Friday, May 14 is proof positive of their increasing star power.

The Alberta Comedy Spectacular, a co-production between CBC and Corkscrew Media, is recording two back-to-back comedy shows for future broadcast dates on radio and television.

Opening the evening is Best of the West, a line-up of western-based comics that range from established heavyweights such as Big Daddy Tazz, Carmen Stockton and Brian Stollery to the newer emerging stars like Brad Muise and Erica Sigurdson.

Hosting this 90-minute block of laughs is Calgary-based Jebb Fink, a 28-year veteran who has appeared at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, was co-host of The Big Breakfast on A-Channel and is now seen daily on City TV's Your City. “He's a real workhorse,” says artistic producer Al Rae.

Immediately following is Turtle Island Too, a gathering of aboriginal comedians hosted by Lorne Cardinal, best known for his portrayal of the buzzed out Sgt. Davis Quinton, of the hit TV series Corner Gas.

Leading the pack of aboriginal veteran comics is Don Burnstick, a Cree from Alexander First Nation. About 25 years ago, Burnstick stumbled through Edmonton streets in a haze of alcohol and drugs with thoughts of suicide on his mind.

At the urging of elders, he sobered up and trained at the University of San Diego in holistic urban youth development and graduated from the native trainers development program at the Nechi Institute.

Working with youth, Burnstick discovered a knack for self-deprecating “redskin” humour. “I like to use the soft stroke of a feather when giving a serious message. Youth responded because it was funny. Because it was light-hearted, youth were more receptive.”

Now based out of Winnipeg, Burnstick works about 200 gigs a year from Florida to Alaska. With two decades of improvised native humour under his belt, he sticks to casinos, concert halls, conventions and universities. “Two weeks ago, I was at Yale. Can you believe that?” he laughs.

Burnstick's most impressive gig was performing at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg before a crowd of 40,000. Looking back on a well-worn career, he says, “I had no illusions of grandeur. I just wanted to help my people.”

Also on the showcase menu is Lars Callieou, an emerging comic that was inspired to try comedy after seeing Burnstick perform; Dawn Dumont, a new Edmonton face; Ryan McMahon, creator of a comedy style he calls “Indian Vaudeville,” and Howie Miller of Caution: May Contain Nuts.