Celebrate International Women’s Day with laughter when the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre hosts the 19th Annual I Am Woman, Hear Me Laff! featuring headliner Elvira Kurt on March 9 at 7:30 pm. This SPOTLIGHT Special Presentation is one of the year’s standout stand-up comedy events in Vernon.

A beloved annual tradition, I Am Woman, Hear Me Laff! brings a selection of the brightest professional stand-up comedians together for a night of female empowerment guaranteed to deliver side-splitting, tear-inducing laughter. Get the besties together for this sizzling night!

A Toronto native and veteran of Second City, Kurt is an accomplished trail-blazing comedian. From hosting her own TV program in Canada, Pop-cultured with Elvira Kurt, to her numerous televised comedy specials, Kurt has done it all, at home and abroad. She’s earned multiple nominations for U.S. College Comedian of The Year, performed solo shows from Iqaluit to Australia and New Zealand, and is considered a queer icon for being one of the first openly gay stand-up comics.

Kurt’s work in television includes writing and performing on Baroness Von Sketch Show, appearing in Carolyn Taylor’s I Have Nothing and even being a judge on The Second City’s Next Comedy Legend. Kurt has also hosted a Mark Burnett-produced game show, Spin-Off, and she continues to showcase her creative talents in writing, producing, and directing for projects like The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown, produced by Seth Rogen, Drink Masters, Canada’s Drag Race, and The Great Canadian Baking Show.

Kurt has received many prestigious accolades, including recognition at the Canadian Screen Awards, Canadian Comedy Awards, Toronto Fringe Festival and the Jury Choice Award at the Cannes Short Film Showcase.

Kurt’s comedic style is rooted in observations about celebrity culture, aging and her appearance. With her unapologetic humour and fearless commentary, Kurt stands as a beacon of laughter, love and unity in the realm of comedy.

“Our comedy love affair continues! Let’s rendezvous for big laughs and good times… We deserve it,” said Kurt.

VDPAC Artistic Director Erin Kennedy adds, “Elvira will make you laugh so hard your cheeks will hurt!”

Emcee Julie Kim is one of Canada’s top stand-up comedians and an international headliner. She has been a gala performer at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. In 2022, Kim toured across North America doing 40 theatre shows with Ronny Chieng (Crazy Rich Asians, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah). Over the past decade, Kim has performed at all major Canadian comedy festivals with multiple televised. In 2023, she made her debut at the 2023 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and was included on VIBE’s List of Power 60: Inspiring Asian-Canadians of Influence. Among other distinguished honorees were notable figures such as Lilly Singh, Andrew Phung and Russell Peters.

VDPAC’s bartenders will also be mixing up feature mocktails and cocktails with local beverages from Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery.

Caution: The humour can get spicy! This show contains strong language & mature content and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

The Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre presents I Am Woman Hear Me Laff! on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors, and $30 for students. For tickets, please visit or call Ticket Seller at 250-549-SHOW (7469); online at: Ticketseller.ca; or visit our 2023-24 SPOTLIGHT Season at: www.vdpac.ca.