Archive for Montreal

179 results.

GPYS 334: Oren Shbiro

by on April 16, 2026 at 5:29 am
Posted In: Go Plug Yourself, Montreal, Podcast, Podcasting

The Montreal arts & entertainment podcast that asks Montreal comedian Oren Shbiro: “What was the last time you got lost?” That question was asked of course by our previous guest Steve Leckman from Programmes Coyote on our last episode.

This week, Chris Venditto and I welcome Oren Shbiro to the show. Oren joined us at the back of Grumpy’s to talk about connecting with audiences in Montreal and online, the rush of comedy and figuring out the tempo of a headlining set of comedy. Speaking of headlining: Oren’s got his first ever headlining set at the Comedy Nest coming up on April 26th presented by On Da Clock so you should probably buy tickets for that here.

Oren is one of Montreal’s best working comedians and honestly if you take away one thing from this podcast it’s that you should probably go out and see more local comedy. Oh hey – did we mention that our own Chris Venditto will be performing a headlining showcase at The Comedy Nest on May 31st as well? Yeah, you should go to that too.

Follow @orenshbiro on Instagram or check out OrenIsFunny.com for more info about Oren’s upcoming shows.

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Credit Where Credit is Due

As always, a big thank you to the providers of our theme song: Leighland Beckman and Aural Turpitude!

Chris Venditto is another funny person in Montreal who you can see all over the place and if you don’t want to miss him take the stage you should follow him on all the socials. He’s @chrisvenditto on Twitter and Instagram so you should follow him on those two things. He also produces shows with the guys at Perfect Bite Productions who you should also follow on Instagram and on Facebook.

Keith does all sorts of things here on 9to5.cc, he works with the other founders on 9to5 (illustrated), co-hosts our two podcasts: The 9to5 Entertainment System and Go Plug Yourself and sometimes blogs here as The Perspicacious Geek.

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Pascal Girard (Pastimes) – GPYS 323

by on October 30, 2025 at 6:57 am
Posted In: Go Plug Yourself, Montreal, Podcast, Podcasting

The Montreal arts & entertainment podcast that asks comic book artist Pascal Girard: “What’s your positive vision for the future?” That question was asked in our last episode by Annie and Scout from CULT PLAY.

Chris Venditto and I were excited to host cartoonist Pascal Girard on this week’s episode of Go Plug Yourself.

Pow Pow is bringing the English translation of Pascal Girard’s latest book “Pastimes” next week.

From Pow Pow:

“From encounters with would-be swingers at the dog park to ferocious felines at the local cat cafe, in these short, snappy comic strips Pascal Girard delivers snippets inspired by his daily life, with a bittersweet humour that’s sometimes mocking, sometimes tender, but always deeply observant. Pastimes is a funny and surprisingly moving portrait of passing time in the modern world, one comic at a time.”

We talk about being obsessed with death, what it’s like to let a translator become your voice, surfing and the Blue Jays making us cry.

If you’re in the area you can check out the official launch party at Librairie D&Q on November 7th and Pascal Girard and other Pow Pow artists will be at the Read Quebec book fair on December 6th and 7th at Casa d’Italia.

Oh hey, there’s never been a better time to tell someone about Go Plug Yourself than right now – we’re proud that Go Plug Yourself was selected to be part of Acast’s Indie Amplifier selections for November – check us out on Amazon Music Canada.

Enjoy the show!

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Credit Where Credit is Due

As always, a big thank you to the providers of our theme song: Leighland Beckman and Aural Turpitude!

Chris Venditto is another funny person in Montreal who you can see all over the place and if you don’t want to miss him take the stage you should follow him on all the socials. He’s @chrisvenditto on Twitter and Instagram so you should follow him on those two things. He also produces shows with the guys at Perfect Bite Productions who you should also follow on Instagram and on Facebook.

Keith does all sorts of things here on 9to5.cc, he works with the other founders on 9to5 (illustrated), co-hosts our two podcasts: The 9to5 Entertainment System and Go Plug Yourself and sometimes blogs here as The Perspicacious Geek.

 

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GPYS 319: World’s Smallest Comedy Festival 3

by on August 7, 2025 at 8:03 am
Posted In: Go Plug Yourself, Montreal, Podcast, Podcasting

The people asked “Where is that comedy festival that takes place at Hurley’s?” Well, our dear friends at the World’s Smallest Comedy Night heard the people.

The World’s Smallest Comedy Festival is back for the third edition! World’s Smallest Comedy Festival 3 starts August 11 and runs all the way through until August 18. There are at least 15 shows that you can check out.

Walter, Chris and Lawrence are on this one and it descends pretty quickly into mayhem as a result. All three of these wonderful comedians will be popping up all over the World’s Smallest Comedy Festival but if you want a special treat you should head over to Hurley’s at 10 pm on August 12 for “Look Who’s Talking” which will feature both Go Plug Yourself’s own Chris Venditto and Lawrence Corber up on stage being some of the best crowd work comedians in the city.

You can get your tickets for any of the upcoming shows right now over on eventbrite.ca

Enjoy the show and see you next week!

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Credit Where Credit is Due

As always, a big thank you to the providers of our theme song: Leighland Beckman and Aural Turpitude!

Chris Venditto is another funny person in Montreal who you can see all over the place and if you don’t want to miss him take the stage you should follow him on all the socials. He’s @chrisvenditto on Twitter and Instagram so you should follow him on those two things. He also produces shows with the guys at Perfect Bite Productions who you should also follow on Instagram and on Facebook.

Keith does all sorts of things here on 9to5.cc, he works with the other founders on 9to5 (illustrated), co-hosts our two podcasts: The 9to5 Entertainment System and Go Plug Yourself and sometimes blogs here as The Perspicacious Geek.

Lawrence Corber also produces some shows you may have heard of (you should probably check out the next Healthy Living show when you get a chance) and if you’re close with him you can call him Lully. The other way to call him “Lully” is to follow him on his socials. @Lully514 on Instagram.

Walter J. Lyng is a stand-up comedian based out of Montreal, you should follow him on Twitter @wallygoodtimes and on Facebook: Walter J. Lyng

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Osheaga 2025 Comedown – 9to5.cc Podcasts

by on August 4, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Posted In: Homepage, Montreal, Osheaga, Osheaga Podcast, Other podcasts

Well folks – just like that another Osheaga has come and gone.

Sarah and I saw 29 bands (I think) collectively over the weekend and went to two afterparties because we are crazy people. But we lived to tell the tale as we always do and now it’s time for the comedown. We talk through all the shows we saw this weekend going and rank our favourites for your listening pleasure.

On a personal note to you (the listener) we did some of our best numbers this year and had the most downloads we’ve ever had for this little show of ours. Thanks so much for the love and support and we’ll see you next year July 31st to August 2nd at Parc Jean Drapeau!

Oh – and our pick for one of the headliners next year? The Foo Fighters (note: we’ve been right zero percent of the time when making these predictions).

Enjoy the show!

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Osheaga returns in 2026 from July 31st to August 2nd at Parc Jean Drapeau. Check out osheaga.com for more info and tickets.

All audio clips are copyright of their respective owners and used solely with the intention of promoting and editorial previewing Osheaga.

Our intro song is Paradise Engineering (instrumental) by YACHT and is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Keith does all sorts of things here on 9to5.cc, he works with the other founders on 9to5 (illustrated), co-hosts our two podcasts: The 9to5 Entertainment System and Go Plug Yourself and blogs here as The Perspicacious Geek.

Sarah is somehow still @femalewalter on Instagram. Follow her for pictures of our dogs and sometimes she remembers to post about all the arts and entertainment we take in all year long.

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9to5.cc Goes to Fantasia 2025: The School Duel, $POSITIONS & All You Need Is Kill

by on August 1, 2025 at 11:51 am
Posted In: Fantasia, Homepage, Montreal, Other podcasts, Podcast, Podcasting

Our Fantasia International Film Festival podcast continues talking about films The School Duel, $POSITIONS and All You Need Is Kill

Grab your coffee and settle in for our latest Fantasia pod, where Sarah and Keith dish on three wild Fantasia flicks over a morning brew. Let’s dive into the chaos.

All You Need Is Kill, a vibrant anime adaptation of the light novel that inspired Edge of Tomorrow, flips the script by focusing on Rita this time around. Its fluid, music video-esque animation dazzles, though the third act drags (a little) with over-explained science. A must-watch for anime fans, it’s a breezy 82 minutes but might not hook non-anime geeks due to some quirky anime tropes.

$POSITIONS is a cringe-inducing, anxiety-fueled ride through middle-America’s underbelly. Following crypto-obsessed Mike, it’s a “torture porn” portrait of bad decisions, addiction, and Midwestern struggles. Michael Kunicki’s performance as the calm-yet-doomed protagonist balances humor and heartbreak, making it a brutal, engaging watch for fans of Silicon Valley or Euphoria’s darker vibes.

The School Duel, set in a dystopian Florida, is a gut-punch dark comedy where kids identified as potential school shooters are pitted in a patriotic “duel” for military ranks and family cash. Shot in stark black-and-white, it tempers its violence while delivering a scathing critique of American extremism. Kue Lawrence’s haunting performance as a misguided teen steals the show, appealing to fans of Battle Royale who can stomach its near-future realism.

For more information about these films:

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The Fantasia International Film Festival runs from July 16th to August 3rd 2025 at Concordia University.

The song during our intro and outro is “Until I Sleep” by Henry Homesweet and is licensed under a Attribution 2.0 UK: England License. 

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9to5.cc Goes to Fantasia 2025: I Live Here Now, Hellcat & I Fell In Love with a Z-Grade Director From Brooklyn

by on July 30, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Posted In: Fantasia, Homepage, Montreal, Other podcasts, Podcast, Podcasting

Our Fantasia International Film Festival podcast continues talking about films I Fell In Love with a Z-Grade Director in Brooklyn, Hellcat and I Live Here Now.

Grab your coffee and settle in for our latest Fantasia pod, where Sarah and Keith dish on three wild Fantasia flicks over a morning brew. Let’s dive into the chaos.

First up, I Fell in Love with a Z-Grade Director from Brooklyn. Shina, a jaded Japanese movie star, rediscovers her passion making a gloriously trashy horror flick with Jack, a neurotic Woody Allen-esque director (played by Estevan Muñoz). It’s a love letter to Troma-style schlock, the “film within a film” is shot on a junky hi-8 camera for $500. Perfect for Fantasia nerds who dig heartwarming, low-budget chaos.

Next, I Live Here Now, Julie Pacino’s debut, shot on vibrant 35mm. Lucy Fry’s Rose grapples with childhood trauma and an unexpected pregnancy in a surreal, David Lynch-ian hotel. Body image metaphors, creepy hotel staff, and a standout glass-eating scene (with killer sound design) make it a haunting thriller. Keith calls it a must-see for Lynch fans—intense, weird, and empowering.

Finally, Hellcat, another world premiere, traps Dakota Gorman’s Lena in a moving camper, injured and maybe kidnapped. The constant rattle of beaded curtains and a mysterious driver crank the tension. The host of a late-night paranormal radio show (voiced by SNL’s James Austin Johnson as the host) keeps you guessing. It’s a tight, twisty 90-minute thriller with not too much gore, just psychological dread. Sarah’s all in for this sleeper hit—fingers crossed it gets a wider release so you can check it out!.

Both Hellcat and I Live Here Now were world premieres so you don’t want to miss our takes on these two films which were definitely standouts so far for us at this year’s Fantasia Festival.

For more information about these films:

The Fantasia International Film Festival runs from July 16th to August 3rd 2025 at Concordia University.

The song during our intro and outro is “Until I Sleep” by Henry Homesweet and is licensed under a Attribution 2.0 UK: England License.

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Patrick Guay (evenko) Returns – Osheaga Podcast (Unofficial) Special

by on July 25, 2025 at 6:08 pm
Posted In: Go Plug Yourself, Homepage, Montreal, Osheaga, Osheaga Podcast, Podcast, Podcasting

Osheaga 2025 is only 6 days away!

Our Unofficial Osheaga Podcast is back for 2025! It’s less a week away and we’ve already looked at the entire lineup. So, what now?

It’s time for a very special guest! Patrick Guay is officially *clears throat* Senior Manager, Booking, Concerts and Events at evenko. What does that mean? Well he’s one of the people responsible for putting together the entire lineup of festivals like Osheaga, IleSoniq and Lasso.

What does that mean for you? That means an extra long episode where Sarah and I sit down with Patrick Guay to talk about concerts, festivals and of course a LOT about music. If you were interested in everything that goes on behind the scenes to put together a festival like Osheaga this is the episode for you.

Enjoy the show and see you next week! Oh – and this is ALSO this week’s Go Plug Yourself!


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See You at Osheaga!

Osheaga runs from August 1st to August 3rd at Parc Jean Drapeau. Check out osheaga.com for more info and tickets.

All audio clips are copyright of their respective owners and used solely with the intention of promoting and editorial previewing Osheaga.

Our intro song is Paradise Engineering (instrumental) by YACHT and is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Keith does all sorts of things here on 9to5.cc, he works with the other founders on 9to5 (illustrated), co-hosts our two podcasts: The 9to5 Entertainment System and Go Plug Yourself and blogs here as The Perspicacious Geek.

Sarah is somehow still @femalewalter on Instagram. Follow her for pictures of our dogs and sometimes she remembers to post about all the arts and entertainment we take in all year long.

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9to5.cc Goes to Fantasia 2025: Redux Redux & Every Heavy Thing

by on July 25, 2025 at 6:03 pm
Posted In: Fantasia, Homepage, Montreal, Other podcasts, Podcast, Podcasting

Our Fantasia International Film Festival podcast continues. We’re sipping our morning brew and diving into Redux Redux and Every Heavy Thing, two films that couldn’t be more different but totally nail that Fantasia vibe.

First up, Redux Redux, the Canadian premiere from the McManus brothers, who we’ve been fans of since their gem Funeral Kings (still a top-tier fave) and the spooky Block Island Sound. This sci-fi thriller stars Michaela McManus as Irene, a woman dimension-hopping to avenge her daughter’s murderer—hundreds, maybe thousands, of times. The multiverse mechanics? They’re there, but don’t expect a science lecture. It’s a plot device, not the point. The focus is Irene’s relentless revenge cycle and her struggle to break free from it. Stella Marcus shines in a role we won’t spoil, but trust us, her performance adds layers the trailer doesn’t hint at. With sharp dialogue, quick gory kills, and subtle world-building, it’s a tight 1-hour-45-minute thrill ride. Not straight horror, but a bloody, character-driven sci-fi thriller that’s beautifully shot. Catch it on Shudder or in theaters if it gets a wider release—you won’t regret it.

Then there’s Every Heavy Thing, a Fantasia Underground pick that screams lo-fi, 70s film grit. Joe, played by Josh Fadem, is an ad salesman who witnesses a murder and gets tangled in sci-fi weirdness and paranoia. The film’s retro look—think film grain, not cheap digital—mixes cell phones with house phones, leaving you wondering, “What year is this?” Dark comedy and absurdist humor shine through, poking at gun nuts and tech billionaires. It’s a shoestring-budget vibe done deliberately, perfect for genre buffs who love a quirky, unsettling B-movie. Not for everyone, but a must for Fantasia diehards.

Both films are Fantasia at its best—bold, weird, and unforgettable. Check ‘em out!

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The Fantasia International Film Festival runs from July 16th to August 3rd 2025 at Concordia University.

The song during our intro and outro is “Until I Sleep” by Henry Homesweet and is is licensed under a Attribution 2.0 UK: England License.

Keith does all sorts of things here on 9to5.cc, he works with the other founders on 9to5 (illustrated), co-hosts our two podcasts: The 9to5 Entertainment System and Go Plug Yourself and blogs here as The Perspicacious Geek.

Sarah is somehow still @femalewalter on Instagram. Follow her for pictures of our dogs and sometimes she remembers to post about all the arts and entertainment we take in all year long.


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Osheaga Podcast 2025 (Unofficial) – Sunday: Part 2

by on July 23, 2025 at 3:15 pm
Posted In: Homepage, Montreal, Osheaga, Osheaga Podcast, Other podcasts, Podcast, Podcasting

Osheaga 2025 is only 9 days away!

Our Unofficial Osheaga Podcast is back for 2025! It’s just over a week away and we’re ready to finish our deep dive into Sunday’s lineup!

(More or less) every two weeks Sarah and I have been digging into the entire lineup of this year’s Osheaga to give you music recommendations all summer long. We pick ten acts from each day, we talk about them, play clips of their tunes to give you a feel for their music and tell you why we think they’re worth checking.

We’re having fun and talking about music all summer long, won’t you join us?

But wait – you don’t need us to tell you why you should probably check out Olivia Rodrigo now do you? So (for the purposes of this show) we ruled out the entire top line of each day of the lineup. So yes, that means you will need to decide for yourself if you’re going to see Jamie xx or not.

Trust us, if you listen to all of these episodes you might find yourself running back and forth between stages all weekend and discovering your new favourite artist.

Here is our first batch of 5 “non-headline” acts we think are worth checking out for Sunday.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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See You at Osheaga!

Osheaga runs from August 1st to August 3rd at Parc Jean Drapeau. Check out osheaga.com for more info and tickets.

All audio clips are copyright of their respective owners and used solely with the intention of promoting and editorial previewing Osheaga.

Our intro song is Paradise Engineering (instrumental) by YACHT and is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Keith does all sorts of things here on 9to5.cc, he works with the other founders on 9to5 (illustrated), co-hosts our two podcasts: The 9to5 Entertainment System and Go Plug Yourself and blogs here as The Perspicacious Geek.

Sarah is somehow still @femalewalter on Instagram. Follow her for pictures of our dogs and sometimes she remembers to post about all the arts and entertainment we take in all year long.

 

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Osheaga Podcast 2025 (Unofficial) – Sunday: Part 1

by on July 9, 2025 at 7:42 pm
Posted In: Homepage, Montreal, Osheaga, Osheaga Podcast, Other podcasts

Osheaga 2025 is 23 days away!

Our Unofficial Osheaga Podcast is back for 2025! We’re almost there and it’s time to dig into Sunday’s lineup!

(More or less) every two weeks Sarah and I will be digging into the entire lineup of this year’s Osheaga to give you music recommendations all summer long. We pick ten acts from each day, we talk about them, play clips of their tunes to give you a feel for their music and tell you why we think they’re worth checking.

We’re having fun and talking about music all summer long, won’t you join us?

But wait – you don’t need us to tell you why you should probably check out Olivia Rodrigo now do you? So (for the purposes of this show) we ruled out the entire top line of each day of the lineup. So yes, that means you will need to decide for yourself if you’re going to see Jamie xx or not.

Trust us, if you listen to all of these episodes you might find yourself running back and forth between stages all weekend and discovering your new favourite artist.

Here is our first batch of 5 “non-headline” acts we think are worth checking out for Sunday.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

See You at Osheaga!

Osheaga runs from August 1st to August 3rd at Parc Jean Drapeau. Check out osheaga.com for more info and tickets.

All audio clips are copyright of their respective owners and used solely with the intention of promoting and editorial previewing Osheaga.

Our intro song is Paradise Engineering (instrumental) by YACHT and is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Keith does all sorts of things here on 9to5.cc, he works with the other founders on 9to5 (illustrated), co-hosts our two podcasts: The 9to5 Entertainment System and Go Plug Yourself and blogs here as The Perspicacious Geek.

Sarah is somehow still @femalewalter on Instagram. Follow her for pictures of our dogs and sometimes she remembers to post about all the arts and entertainment we take in all year long.

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