Improv Comedy

**.... Do you *dread* speaking in front of others? .... Need to *present* an important meeting? .... Is it time to *enhance* your communication skills?** **Meeting Theme: 'Research Your Topic**' Your speech will be more effective if you can support your main points with statistics, testimony, stories, anecdotes, examples, visual aids and facts. Tell an interesting story to explain a difficult concept. Engage your audience with a narrative that supports your point.” Why Attend: \* Learn how to structure a research-based speech that engages your audience. \* Hear about techniques that make your message clear, credible, and captivating. Gain new insights and benefit from the information provided by Toastmasters Speechcraft program. Join our meeting and experience the hands-on “how-to” instruction in public speaking. If you are an experienced Toastmaster or a guest exploring Toastmasters, you will acquire a new way of communicating your thoughts with increased clarity and impact. Each ‘discovery’ meeting will provide valuable tips to boost your confidence on stage. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from experienced speakers. **What is the Toastmasters Speechcraft Discovery meeting?** You will: * gain insights into principles and strategies from expert speakers, * hear speeches and learn from evaluations given by advanced Toastmasters, * experience what happens at a real Toastmasters meeting, * get familiar with the Toastmasters Speechcraft program and resources, * discover the benefits of Toastmasters Speechcraft for personal and club growth. **Register NOW for any FREE Discovery meeting.** **Discovery Meeting:** Tuesday, Jun 2, 2026 7:00PM to 8:30PM Doors open 6:45PM **Have a question, contact organizer:** Phoenixtmvppr@gmail.com **Sponsor:** Phoenix-Toronto Toastmasters Club Phoenix-Toronto Toastmasters empowers individuals to master the communication skills that drive personal achievement and confidence. Through practice and peer feedback, you will rapidly develop presentation abilities, persuasive influence, and leadership presence. Accelerate your audience impact and transform your trajectory with skills that will help you grow your opportunities. **Speechcraft Discovery Series** **Week 1 – Tuesday, Feb 3, 2026** ‘How to Choose a Topic’ **Week 2 – Tuesday, Mar 3, 2026** ‘How to Organize a Speech’ **Week 3 – Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026** ‘Know Your Speech Purpose’ **Week 4 – Tuesday, Apr 7, 2026** ‘How to Impact with Body Language’ **Week 5 – Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026** ‘How to Use Vocal Variety’ **Week 6 – Tuesday, May 5, 2026** ‘How to Create Images with Powerful Words’ **Week 7 – Tuesday, Jun 2, 2026** ‘Research Your Topic to Elevate Your Credibility’ **Week 8 – Tuesday, Jun 16, 2026** ‘Evaluate to Elevate’

Practice and improve your English through conversation at St. Andrew Centre (73 Simcoe St, downtown Toronto), while making new friends! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- How to Get to the Event: By TTC, exit at St. Andrew Station. Walk west on King St. West to Simcoe St. Do not enter through the church building; the large church front doors will be closed. At the corner of Simcoe St. and King St. West, turn south and walk on Simcoe St. Enter through St. Andrew Centre, which will be behind the church building.

Go Medieval! Learn Medieval arts, sciences, dancing and games! Have somefun with like minded history geeks. Tuesdays, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm St. Andrew’s United Church 117 Bloor St EAST (near Church Street) Ring the buzzer for the gate keeper more info? www.eoforwic.ca

平日の午後にボードゲームをしながらカジュアルに英語を練習しましょう！North York Centre のフードコートでやります。公共のスペースなので、料金はありませんが、周りに配慮をお願いします。 私がボードゲームは用意しますが、もしやりたいゲームがあれば、持ってきて貰って構いません。 会えるのを楽しみにしてます！ Let's have a casual weekday evening playing board games and practicing English. We'll play in the food court of North York Centre. This is a public space so there is no cost, but please be kind to other people in the area. I will bring my own board games, but if you have any you would like to play feel free to bring them as well. I look forward to meeting you!

Women only community center dropin. 1. Please show up on time if you sign up. 2. Please don’t bring your friend to watch if they don’t play. Spectators are not allowed in the gym. 3. If you find out that you can’t make it after sign up, please edit your RSVP so that it can be freed to waitlist participants.

We are following our favourite trivia host, Simon from Are You Smarter than a Scottish Guy, to one of his other weekly locations: One-Eyed Jack's at 287 Richmond Road (between Spadina and Peter Streets). The beer selection is starting to improve, with several KLB selections; their food menu is very good - [https://www.oneeyedjackpub.com/torontomenu](https://www.oneeyedjackpub.com/torontomenu). They have a set of Trivia Night specials, including wings with lots of flavours. The trivia starts at 7:00pm with first question at 7:15 pm. We have a set of pair of tables reserved under Steve. Serious RSVPs only as no-shows prevent us from fielding a complete team. Top prizes is a gift certificate for the next visit. Other prizes are a free round for the table and nachos. There is also a small prize for best team name, so put on your creative hat; the host seems to like puns and prefers short team names. Let's have some fun, eat some wings, and hopefully win!

**Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking with Toastmasters!** Join the Ajax Outspoken Speakers for an empowering session designed to help you build confidence and enhance your public speaking skills. Whether you prefer to attend in-person or online, Toastmasters offers a supportive and friendly environment to tackle your fears and unlock your potential. **What to Expect:** * Practical exercises to improve communication skills. * Opportunities to speak in a no-pressure setting. * Encouragement from like-minded individuals. Meeting details can be found at https://1651924.toastmastersclubs.org/directions.html. Take the first step toward becoming a more confident you—we can't wait to see you there!

Don't be disappointed if you don't see a bunch of people attending. I advertise this on multiple platforms and the class usually sells out. Improv comedy uses several techniques to create laughter. These include, creating an atmosphere free of judgement, saying 'yes', active listening, being positive, putting your focus on others, and the importance of play and laughter. Not coincidentally, these are the same things that happen to us naturally when we are bonding with another person. In this class, we'll explore these techniques not with the goal of being funny, but with the goal of being people that other people want to be around. The organizer, Ralph MacLeod, is a co-founder of two independent improv clubs in Toronto - Bad Dog Theatre and Social Capital Theatre. He's been teaching improv for over 30 years. He also teaches these same techniques to several organizations including UofT, Google, Kraft, Shopify and many, many more. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have! FAQs and Good To Know.... After every event, a group from this class sit down and have a drink together so be prepared to stay if you want! Of course, you don't HAVE to. You also don't have to be single or bring a friend. The vibe of this class is much more 'making new friends' than a 'singles' mixer'. We usually run to 8:15 so pay for extra parking!

Don't be disappointed if you don't see a bunch of people attending. I advertise this on multiple platforms and the class usually sells out. \*\*If you don't use Paypal, email me at ralph@socap.ca and we'll figure it out. You can pay be etransfer or with a credit card/cash at the venue.\*\* Improv comedy uses several techniques to create laughter. These include, creating an atmosphere free of judgement, saying 'yes', active listening, being positive, putting your focus on others, and the importance of play and laughter. Not coincidentally, these are the same things that happen to us naturally when we are bonding with another person. In this class, we'll explore these techniques not with the goal of being funny, but with the goal of being people that other people want to be around. The teacher, Ralph MacLeod, is a co-founder of two independent improv clubs in Toronto - Bad Dog Theatre and Social Capital Theatre. He's been teaching improv for over 30 years. He also teaches these same techniques to several organizations including UofT, Google, Kraft, Shopify and many, many more. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have! FAQs and Good To Know.... After every event, a group from this class sit down and have a drink together so be prepared to stay if you want! Of course, you don't HAVE to. You also don't have to be single or bring a friend. The vibe of this class is much more 'making new friends' than a 'singles' mixer'. We usually run to 8:15 so pay for extra parking!

Eventbrite Link: **[https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/769789610447?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/769789610447?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Saturday night sizzles with top-tier laughs! Join us at 10PM for Toronto's premier stand-up comedy showcase. An unforgettable weekend awaits** Elevate your Saturday nights with Toronto's comedy elite! Join us at 10 PM for a captivating showcase at Backroom Comedy Club. Experience an evening of top-tier stand-up, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Reserve your seat now for the ultimate weekend entertainment!

Eventbrite Link: **[https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/436240616427?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/436240616427?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Savor the laughter at Sizzling Saturdays! Toronto's comedy spectacle starts at 8 PM. A night of uproarious fun awaits!** Join us for a sizzling Saturday night at 8 PM! Backroom Comedy Club presents a comedy extravaganza featuring Toronto's top comedians. Immerse yourself in an evening of wit, humor, and uproarious laughter. Make your Saturday memorable—reserve your seat now for an unforgettable entertainment experience!

Eventbrite Link: **[https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/448735799857?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/448735799857?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Indulge in Wednesday wonders! Toronto's comedy sensation unfolds at 8 PM. Unwind with laughter in the heart of the week.** Step into a world of Wednesday wonders at 8 PM! Backroom Comedy Club invites you to a midweek escape filled with uproarious laughter and top-tier stand-up comedy. Join Toronto's finest comedians for an unforgettable evening of entertainment. Reserve your seat now and make your Wednesday delightful with humor, wit, and the best of the city's comedy scene!

Ticket Link: [https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/comedy-dojo-a-4-week-stand-up-comedy-program-live-feedback-showcase-tickets-1980656124787?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/comedy-dojo-a-4-week-stand-up-comedy-program-live-feedback-showcase-tickets-1980656124787?aff=oddtdtcreator) A 4-week stand-up comedy program with real feedback, guaranteed stage time, and a public showcase inside a working comedy club. **WHAT IS COMEDY DOJO?** Comedy Dojo is a 4-week stand-up comedy program designed for new comedians (0–2 years) and beginners who want real reps, real feedback, and real stage time, not vague motivation. This is not a lecture. This is not therapy. This is work. You’ll write, test, and refine a 3–5 minute stand-up set with live feedback from club owners, producers, and working comedians, then perform it in a public showcase at Backroom Comedy Club. **WHAT YOU GET** ✔ Weekly Sunday Workshops (6:00–7:45 PM) Hands-on sessions focused on: * Joke structure & fundamentals * Writing efficiently * Reading a room * Curation your own audience * Understanding how comedy rooms actually operates ✔ Live Feedback; Not Notes You’ll receive direct, honest feedback from: * Club owners * Producers * Professional, working comedians ✔ Guaranteed Stage Time Participants receive guaranteed access to open mics every Wednesday & Friday during the program (optional but strongly encouraged). ✔ Public Showcase / Initiation Ceremony All participants perform in a public showcase the following month; where everything comes together. ✔ Access to the Backroom Ecosystem Graduates gain pathways into the Backroom ecosystem (stage time, barking, show running, bar support, and more). No promises. Just access—and what you do with it. **WHO THIS IS FOR** * Brand new comedians * Comedians with 0–2 years experience * People who feel “stuck” and want structure * Anyone serious about learning stand-up properly No experience required. **WHO THIS IS NOT FOR** * People looking for a “safe space” * People who want praise instead of feedback * People unwilling to get on stage * People treating comedy casually This program is respectful, professional, and honest. **DATES** 🗓 Choose your cohort at checkout: * February 1 – February 22 * March 1 – March 22 * April 5 – April 26 🕕 Sundays: 6:00–7:45 PM (Wednesday & Friday mics run separately) **PRICING** 🎫 $300 Full Pay 🎟 Payment Plan: $150 deposit + 2 × $100 payments ($350 total) Capacity: 14 participants per cohort No refunds. Transfers to a future cohort may be considered. **LED BY** Brandon Sobel & Ariel Kagan Club owners, producers, and working comedians at Backroom Comedy Club. Comics who’ve come through this room now signed at Yuk Yuk’s, Absolute Comedy, The Corner, and beyond, including a Kill Tony Golden Ticket winner. **FINAL NOTE** Comedy Dojo is not about becoming famous. It’s about learning how stand-up actually works, from the inside of a working club. If you’re ready to put in the reps, welcome.

Eventbrite Link: **[https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/769813120767?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/769813120767?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **Friday Comedy Showcase of Toronto's best comedians** Elevate your Friday nights with the city's comedy elite! Join us at 10 PM for a hilarious showcase at Backroom Comedy Club. Experience top-tier stand-up, guaranteed laughs, and an unforgettable start to the weekend. Reserve your spot now for a night of comedic brilliance and good times!

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

Grab a drink or some food and get to know each other. This is our first event and we can take it slow. I’d love to meet everyone and hear if there’s anything you like to get out of the group. Looking forward to meeting you all!

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

The topic for June is "Roadtrip" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!