5 Comedy Icons Coming to Vancouver’s JFL Northwest Fest this February

This February, some of the biggest names in comedy are coming to Vancouver.

The inaugural JFL Northwest Festival rolls into town Feb. 18-Feb. 27. The 10-day blowout, at venues throughout the city, highlights some of the planet’s best-known standup comedians, as well as emerging talent from Canada and beyond. Plus there’s plenty of improv and sketch comedy, not to mention family-friendly events.

Here are five huge standup icons who will be gracing Vancouver stages as part of the festival and in its lead-up this month:

Trevor Noah: The new host of The Daily Show is possibly the hottest act coming to JFL Northwest. Noah, who hails from South Africa, is known for his razor sharp analysis of American culture and world affairs. He manages to bring out the absurd on subjects as diverse and seemingly unfunny as racial tensions in America, terrorism and even the Ebola crisis. Feb. 19 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre; starting at $39.50

David Cross: Beloved for his role as Dr. Tobias Funke in the hit sitcom Arrested Development, Cross is known for his brainy, eccentric and more than a bit volatile brand of humour. A comedy veteran, he was acclaimed early in his career for the envelope-pushing HBO sketch program Mr. Show, reprised on Netflix in 2015 with Bob Odenkirk (of Breaking Bad fame). Feb. 2 at the Vogue Theatre; $45

Margaret Cho: Never afraid to push a few buttons, Margaret Cho has been dubbed the Queen of all Media for her success in film, TV and theatre. Her provocative brand of comedy leaves no taboo unturned, often verges into the raunchy and risque and is also uniquely socially aware. Feb 19 at the Vogue Theatre; $44

Lewis Black: Ready for a rant? Black has built his fame on getting very, very worked up about all the injustices – major and minor – of modern life. His trademark yelling and finger-pointing have won over audiences around the world frustrated with the absurdities of politics, relationships, technology and more. Feb 28 at the Hard Rock Casino; currently sold out (but there’s always Stubhub)

Tim Meadows: The Saturday Night Live favourite from the ’90s continues to draw big crowds with his subdued and slightly off-kilter standup routines. One of the longest-running cast members in the show’s history, Meadows crafted unforgettably funny characters like Leon Phelps, aka “The Ladies Man.” Feb. 18-Feb. 20 at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club; $25

See the full lineup on the JFL Northwest website.