CANMORE – "I don't think there's a better feeling than having that audience in the palm of your hand ... it's a drug I'll never get over."
Pete Zedlacher has been a comedian in Canada for over 20 years holding audiences in the palm of his hand, and he will be bringing his act to Canmore's artsPlace for the first time.
With awards from Canadian Comedy, a crown for Sirius XM's Top Comic and many, many nominations, Zedlacher is one of the best in the country.
And the standup comedian, actor and writer said even after 23 years, he still loves the gig.
"What I love about comedy is the immediacy, it's the purest art form," said Zedlacher.
"It's a relationship between the audience and the performers – it's honest and true. They'll let you know right away if what you're doing is working."
In his many years of experience, Zedlacher has had a few different reactions to his comedy, but he said even if he bombs, it's not something he views as necessarily bad.
“I always think bombing is never a terrible thing,” he said. “I think doing mediocre is way worse than going up there and trying something so outlandish or brave or different …I think that’s more admirable than playing it safe.”
While he's never performed in Canmore, Zedlacher is excited for the new venue. Brought in by friend and local comedian, Scott Dumas, performing in the Bow Valley was a no brainer.
Grizzly Paw Comedy Night host Scott Dumas tells a joke about buying a blanket in Peru at the sold our show at artsPlace in Canmore. RMO FILE PHOTO
"I always look forward to a new challenge," he said. "Scott Dumas is a friend of mine ... he asked me on my comedy tour if I'd want to come down. I said I've love to do that and from there we set it up."
For Dumas, getting Zedlacher to headline a Friday Night Comedy show at artsPlace was an opportunity not to be missed.
"To say that we are lucky to have such a great talent come to artsPlace is an understatement," said Dumas.
"Pete has been on the top of the food chain of standup comics in Canada for some time now and he is a killer act. Five times he has been nominated for Best Male Comic in Canada. He has won once. Why he hasn't been nominated more is a mystery and a why he hasn't won more than one is equally baffling."
Zedlacher's most recent comedy tour, The Snowed In Comedy Show, hit 60 shows in 54 cities across Canada becoming the country's biggest comedy tour. Though he has had a lot of success, during the phone interview with the Outlook, he came off as humble and relaxed, something Dumas said is part of his charm.
"Not only is Pete a great comic, he is also humble and gracious and he has no problems popping in to open mics in Calgary to work out material during the week at small venues," said Dumas.
"He always has positive things to say and advice to give to up-and-coming comedians."
Zedlacher will perfrom on Friday (Aug. 16) at artsPlace for Friday Night Comedy with budding Canadian comic, Charles Haycock, opening up the stage for him. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.artsplacecanmore.com.
