#patrick maliha

[bernardrobichaud]

If you're in the area come see my show!

[vancomedy-blog]

Fall Room Update

[Left: Jared Borland laying it down in his new Monday home, The Sin Bin Grill. Right: Patrick Maliha brings comedy on a regular basis to the Kozmik Zoo.] 

It's well into fall, and we see rooms coming, going, and shifting around once again! Yuk Yuk's: Not much changes here, but they shifted their amateur night from Thursday to Wednesday.  Once a month, they are bringing a presentation on the first Tuesday known as Westcoast Geeks vs. Nerds.   It was sad to see a long time running room in downtown Vancouver come to an end.  Unfortunately, The Corner (on Davie and Seymour) is now closed and 'Corner Comedy' had to halt its regular night which is filled by their regular viewers.  Fortunately, the promoters of Corner Comedy have kept its momentum going and has found a new home at the Sin Bin Sports bar in Olympic Village.  Kozmik Zoo (formerly the Hennessy) is bringing back weekly comedy on Tuesdays!!  Brought to you by Cariboo Brewing and Patrick Maliha (Patrick Maliha's People's Champ of Comedy), a weekly night of entertainment known as 'Cariboo Comedy Tuesday.' http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/430481486988123/

Goldie's Pizza has just finished a major renovation, which looks like an overhaul, but its not!!  With the new changes to the downstairs room, its bound to keep the new Thursdays and Fridays busy.  There are no changes as the Thursday Open Mic still stands, however, with the boost from new hosts, Suzy Rawsome and Brendan Bourque, the outcome has been so outstanding that they had to make the start time for the show from 10pm to 9pm.   http://www.facebook.com/events/410798622319967/ 

The same people that brought you Comedy ReHab at the Forum and Library Square is now bringing you a new Tuesday night show in Yaletown. Hookers Green (1141 Hamilton Street) will be bringing a night of comedy and drink specials in a new night called "Hookers and Show."  http://www.facebook.com/events/410798622319967/#!/events/288098631302433/ 

[dylanrhymersstateoftheweek]

SOTW ON COMEDY: COMPETITIONS ARE POPULARITY CONTESTS, AND THAT’S A GOOD THING

Tonight in Vancouver a long, drawn out popularity/comedy contest called The People’s Champ will draw to its conclusion after weeks of hard work by its own champ, organizer Patrick Maliha. In the wake of tonight’s finals are the crushed hopes of dozens of Vancouver comics.  

The general idea of The People’s Champ is to stimulate interest in stand-up comedy by packing venues around Vancouver with the promise of a large cash prize for the winner. Comics are encouraged to invite their fans and friends to vote for them at the shows by purchasing drinks (up to 5 max). And bingo! Full houses and exciting shows!

It’s this kind of populist feeding frenzy that forces more subtle, artsy stand-ups into the shadows for the duration of the competition to brood and listen to their Stewart Lee albums with a sense of petty superiority. (I’m one of them). But The People’s Champ is what it is, and I feel that the ends justify the means. If hundreds of people check out Vancouver comedy then that can only be a good thing. You know what else is a popularity contest? Comedy and the rest of the entertainment industry. Get used to it.

Do ya think this guy became a household name because of unwavering artistic integrity?

As a long time stand-up comic, I hope an experienced, nuanced comedian wins (ie one of my friends) but if it’s anything like most other comedy competitions, it’s equally likely someone less dedicated to the craft of stand-up who happens to have an army of Twitter followers will take the prize. So be it.

Them’s the rules, and the only thing more annoying than some Johnny-come-lately who only wins by packing a venue with friends is a comic who can’t take it when that guy wins.

In the smoking areas of comedy open-mics and on several Facebook threads, the attitude among comics seems to be that some of the People’s Champ finalists do not deserve to be at tonight’s finals because they made it there because they packed the house with their friends. This is a very insulting and elitist attitude and it really has no place in a comedy competition.

Comics, I hate to break it to you, but you entered a competition fully knowing the rules, and when somebody trumps you it’s more than a little cry-babyish to claim that they are some how not real comedians. Don’t get your ego in a bind, it doesn’t mean they’re funnier or more respected than you, it just means advanced because BY THE RULES OF THE COMPETITION THEY SHOULD HAVE.

The first rule of The People's Champ you talk to as many people about the People's Champ as you possibly can

What is it about the title The People’s Champ that you didn’t understand when you entered? If it was called The Comedian’s Champ or The People Who Watch A Lot Of Comedy And Can Gauge Originality and Talent Champ, and then some newbie with a zillion twitter followers and a handful of downloaded jokes made it to the finals, I’d understand your complaints. The People’s Champ isn’t the Olympics, is more like municipal politics.

If the 2 or 3 so-called “legit comics” could bring 500 friends they would win and nobody would complain. So why is it any different if any other person who has ever told a joke can do the same? 

Comedy competitions are popularity contests and we all know this when we enter them. To enter The People’s Champ and not be as popular as any other person in that competition means you’re probably going to lose. Try to do it with some grace.

If you don’t like it, don’t enter. Or get more popular.  

Good luck to all of the contestants tonight.

Dylan Rhymer’s live stand-up comedy special http://ow.ly/c0kUB

[vancomedy-blog]

Photoset:: The Players of Patrick Maliha's People's Champ of Comedy

[The top stars in each respective week: Shirley Gnome (@shirleygnome), Hollywood Harv (@hollywood_harv), Jane Stanton (@notjanestanton), and Sean Emeny (@seanemeny)]

So since the beginning of July, I decided to be a hidden paparazzi to see what has been going on.  The word is on the street that some comedian in Vancouver is going to be awarded $20,000!!  How outrageous is that?  Well, as outrageous as it sounds, its not as outrageous on what these comics have to do to earn it.  Yes...not win it, EARN it.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/71462019@N06/sets/72157630544715556/ (pics taken courtesy of the Vancomedy Blog, with no affiliation of the People's Champ Competiton) Today commences Finals Week of Patrick Maliha's People's Champ of Comedy.  So  far, the 10 finalists have performed 10 shows: 4 shows during their preliminary week, and 6 shows during the semifinals.  Now they have to perform 6 more shows.  Saturday will be the People's Champ finale.  #PMPC2012

[vancomedy-blog]

The People's Champ of Comedy 2012: Part 2- the Competitors

It's announced!!! And everyone is excited to be part of the $20,000 chase at the People's Champ of Comedy competition.  This will be Vancouver's biggest comedy competition, which will be attracting the likes of other comedians across the country.   Unfortunately, Trevor Boris, a talented comic from the East, will not be able to fullfill the spot that he earned.  However, the one that will be filling his spot will be...ME!!!    Just want Trevor to know, that even though I am not even close to the level of comedy he is, I want him to know that I will do everything I can do to make sure that the spot that he earned will be well taken care of and graciously used.  Anyways...lets get down to the competitors!! With the help of MyComedyBook.com, here are your 2012 People's Champ Top 60!!

Alex Sparling Shirley Gnome Billy Mitchell John Beuhler Sunee Dhaliwal Dan Quinn Eric Andrews Jane Stanton Sean Emeny Charlie Demers Graham Clark Trevor Boris  (had to leave competition due to previous commitments) Kyle Bottom Brett Martin

Tiberious Swanker Chris Allen Kelly Dyer John Cullen Hollywood Harv Scott Patey Neil Robinson Captain Charley Eli Goree Saun Aung Badasskatoon Christie Anderson

Ash Dhawan Aimee Beaudoin Caleb Campbell Chris Thompson Mau Scatolini Jordan Cohen Jon Bomb Colin Sharp Brendan Bourque Yvon Justin Cote Chris Gaskin

Dan Willows Ben McGinnis Ben Mills Ryan Lachance Ross Dauk Steve McGowan Steve Coscarella Andy Canete Darrell Bedford Greg Kettner Lauren McGibbon Riel Hahn

Kyle Jones Mikey Wolfe Dennis Litonjua Brett Nikolic Maggie Tomszeweski Ricky D Destini Willan Suzy Rawsome Ed Witty Ed Hill Chris Garnier Stephanie Clarke Ray Estrella (to replace Trevor Boris)

[vancomedy-blog]

The People's Champ of Comedy 2012: Part 1- Overview

Okay...so here it is.  When I first started gauging interest in the Vancouver comedy scene, comic and friend Art Factora asked me to come out to a comedy competition that he was participating in. From there, he introduced me to local comedy mogul, Patrick Maliha, who was the organizer of this competition.  Little did I know that I was entering a whole new dimension of local comedic talent.  In one night, fifteen comics were competing for a chance to enter the next round of this competition.  But just when you thought a comic had to be stellar this one night to make the next round, they make you perform two more times before the week is over! 

And this was just the first heat of the first round.  Imagine 60 comics trying to compete for this top prize.  Last year, I had the privelage to follow this competition from the first heat of the first round all the way to the semi finals.  Unfortunately, I was away on holidays to watch Sean Emeny be crowned as the 'People's Champ.'  However, I can tell you that it is almost impossible to commit your time to watch every single event during its time span.  On the other hand, can you imagine being a comic taking part in this competition? 

I call this competition, the 'Playoffs of Comedy.' For many reasons, you people will agree with me.  The main reason is, that the best comic will come out on top.  Typically speaking, most competitions in comedy is based on crowd support; how many votes a comic can gain in one night.  However, the flaw in this system is that the person that brings the most friends will be crowned the winner.  A person can get on stage, and yell out, "Go fuck yourselves, bitches!"  then leave the stage, and have his (assumingly its a him) friends vote for him, crowning him as the night's undeserving winner.

Let's see you do this during 'The People's Champ.'  Do you ACTUALLY think you're funny? First of all, lets see what the celebrity judges think even before you get on stage.  Do you have a 5 minute demo video you have?  If not, you better have one soon.  It's only going to be a matter of time that sixty slots are filled.  Once you have submitted your demo video, its up to you to promote yourself on your public profile on MyComedyBook (www.mycomedybook.com).  The more laughs you provide online will give you the chance to pass The People's Champ's screening process.  Whats next?  Well its your time to perform.  You and fourteen other comics will be assigned to a heat where its your time to shine.  And from there, it will be up to the crowd to decide who was the top performers of the night.  Did you have a strong night?  What about a gong show of a set you never want to remember?  Well, that doesn't matter, because you have 3 more performances left this week!  No matter if you killed or you bombed, you have more chances to either redeem yourself, or consistently keep your momentum.  The comics who received the highest amount of points accumulated through four performances will move on to the next round...

...which will not get any easier if you succeed.

Yes, as I said earlier, this is the competition where the top comic will be earning the right to be crowned the winner.  Hey Ray (thats me), didn't you say anything about Good News?? Well, I am glad you asked.  In addition to last year's competition, the 'People's Champ of Comedy' has gained much support from various partnerships which include Shore Radio, 104.3FM, Cariboo Brewing and MyComedyBook.com.  On top of that, the People's Champ have teamed up with the Corner Pub,, the Kingston Taphouse and Grille, the Sin Bin Sports Bar and the Kozmic Zoo to bring you countless hours of hospitality, drink specials, and amazing food.

With that in mind, the People's Champ is giving away $30,000 in cash prizes throughout the competition. 

Twenty thousand dollars will be the top prize as they will be crowned 'The People's Champ.'

So, think you're funny? Resources: Shore 104.3 FM 'The People's Champ' Facebook Page Follow 'The People's Champ' on Twitter Stay tuned for Part 2- the Venues

[vancomedy-blog]

Photoset: The Joe's Apartment 'Winner Take All' Variety Show, March 11,2012

[Patrick Maliha, host of the Winner Take All Variety Show, knows that his picture is being taken at this very moment.  He, in reality, is doing nothing.]

As an added chapter to Patrick Maliha's Fray Variety Show, another venue has been added at Joe's Apartment.  Event Information: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/290171637720202/ Part 1: http://www.flickr.com/photos/66539170@N03/sets/72157629205658830/ Part 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/77867331@N05/

Talent includes: Patrick Maliha, MC  (@PattyFatty) Kelly Dyer Ericka Meyer Steve McGowan (@thestevemcgowan) Katharine Ferns (@KatharineFerns) Jordan Cohen (@MRJORDANCOHEN) Jacob Samuel (@JacobSamuel) Shlomo McPeake Chris Garnier San Aung (@thecomicsan) Bricin Lyons Rob Costigan @RobCostigan) Docktur Wulfgang (@Docktor_Wulfgang) Live Tweet Hashtag: #Joesvariety

[vancomedy-blog]

Things to do on a Tuesday: The Fray's Winner Takes All Variety Show

Suzy Rossome and her comedic musical number at the Fray Winner Take All Variety Show

Sometimes, you just haven't seen crazy yet.  For the last few weeks, host Patrick Maliha has been running a weekly competition on Tuesday at the Fray on Fraser Street, Vancouver.  Whether its stand up comedy, a musical number, poetry, spoken word, or dancing, you've got five minutes to put on a show!  Really, the sky's the limit.  After every show, the audience votes a winner who will walk away with $100 cash and will be automatically entered in the finale which will be held at the Edgewater Casino.

On top of that, the Fray has a very interesting menu including an array of awesome sandwiches.   The night I decided to have dinner there, I tried the cheapest sandwich on the menu, the porchetta sandwich; an excellent combination of roast pork, caramelized onions and horseradish mayo on rustic bread.  Or...if you're brave, try the Star Wars inspired Tauntaun Burger that includes a beef patty, pulled pork, and bacon on a purple yam bun! 

To discover more about this event: http://www.facebook.com/events/334349009927437/ Live Tweet Hashtag: #frayvariety