After 13 years as a full-time international touring stand-up and 3 years of national recognition as the host of Canada’s hottest national radio comedy program; CBC Radio One’s “The Debaters”, there is not much that can get Montreal-based stand-up Steve Patterson as giddy as a school girl at a Justin Bieber concert.

But appearing on the Steve Martin-hosted Just For Laughs Gala at Theatre St. Denis on Saturday July 17 is one of the very few exceptions.

“It is an honour and I am preparing for that show harder than I have ever prepared before” Patterson promises from his hotel room where he is gearing up to participate in the Toronto Just For Laughs festival.

Though he knows that the majority of tickets sold for the Steve Martin gala are fans eager to catch a glimpse of the veteran “wild and crazy guy” himself, Patterson is eager to perform well for his hometown crowd.

“I moved to Montreal from Toronto about 5 years ago and since then my comedy career has flourished. An extra effort on this show is like a thank you for all that the city has done for me.”

But it doesn’t hurt to be sharing the stage with one of the world’s most beloved comedians as well does it?

“Are you kidding me? I hope I don’t meet him right before I go on because I’ll be so star struck I won’t be able to speak on stage. My set could end up being a 7-minute staring contest with the crowd. Not the kind of lasting impression I want to leave”.

Close followers of the Canadian comedy scene know Patterson as a seasoned headliner and the lone comic who said “no thanks” to appearing on NBC’s Last Comic Standing in 2007 to honour a local show commitment. CBC listeners know him as the lightning quick wit that holds “The Debaters” together. But the truth is that due to Patterson’s hectic touring schedule, he is unknown by many of his fellow Montrealers on the street. The irony is not lost on Patterson himself:

“Yes, it’s unfortunate I can’t get out to more local Montreal shows, but I have to take solace in working regularly around the world. Still, I hope to sort of re-introduce myself to Montreal at this year’s festival”.

And re-introduce himself he will. In addition to appearing on the Steve Martin Gala, Patterson will host the “Go West” series at Bourbon West July 14,15, appear at Club Soda’s “Bubbling with Laughter” July 16 and host a taping of “The Debaters” at the Just For Laughs Cabaret theatre on the afternoon of the 17th and then hit the “Comedy Night In Canada” series at Ernie Butler’s Comedy Nest AFTER his gala. In addition, Patterson will host comedy conference events during the afternoons of the 15th and 16th including an awards show on the Friday in front of comedy industry leaders.

It is an ambitious schedule to say the least, as Patterson may well be the busiest comedian at this year’s festival. But Patterson won’t complain because as he puts it “this is what I do best and what makes me happiest. So why would I complain about being too happy?”

For more information on Steve Patterson contact: Kim Vaincourt

Kim Vaincourt Talent Management
cell: (514) 582-8222

For more information on all Just For Laughs shows visit hahaha.com

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