Joey Elias and the Comedy All-Stars: An Evening of Hilarity for the Benefit of On Our Own (O3) returns for its 14th consecutive year, continuing a legacy of laughter and generosity in support of one of Montreal’s most impactful grassroots organizations. Hosted by Media Experts and powered by a coalition of its media vendor partners, the annual event has now raised over $1 million for O3’s life-changing programming.
This year’s show will take place Thursday, September 18 at Club Soda, Montreal’s legendary comedy venue. Long-time host y Elias returns to the stage alongside his CJAD Trivia Show co-host Jay Farrar. The 2025 lineup features a who’s who of local talent: Daniel Carin, Kyra Carlton, Walter Lyng and Rodney Ramsey. Thanks to the support of a private family foundation, covering all of the overhead, 100 percent of the event’s revenue goes directly to O3.
“This show is a cornerstone of our agency’s culture of care,” says Karel Wegert, CEO of Media Experts. “This event proves that a single night of joy can fuel an entire year of change. We’re proud that, 14 years in, it continues to be one of the most impactful things we do.”
On Our Own (O3) is a Montreal-based non-profit that helps single moms, and their infant children transition out of poverty by providing an affordable housing, education, parenting support, and life skills. The revenue from this annual fundraiser represents the largest single gift O3 receives each year — funds that help 29 young families in peril stabilize and grow.
As the cost of living continues to climb, demand for O3’s services is rising. Their programs — delivered with a trauma-informed and culturally responsive lens —do not just provide safety and shelter, but also long-term empowerment. Single moms are guided from crisis to confidence, equipped with tools to re-build brighter futures.
“Every year, this event allows us to say ‘yes’ — to meals, to childcare, to education, to hope,” says Amanda Murphy, Director of O3. “It means we don’t just meet urgent needs — we build lasting impact.”
In 2025, donations will help O3 deliver essential support across three key areas that shape the future of young families. Contributions will help combat food insecurity by supporting collective cooking programs, nutrition workshops, healthy meals served before learning sessions, and an emergency pantry stocked with essentials for families in crisis. They will also enhance parenting support through infant stimulation groups, personalized coaching, and bonding activities like family outings, crafts, and kids’ yoga. Finally, your support will strengthen financial literacy programming — including budgeting and debt management classes, academic and career coaching, and job readiness training — empowering single moms to build a more secure and independent future for their families.
“Watching this event grow beyond the million-dollar milestone has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my philanthropic undertakings” says Mark Sherman, Founder of Media Experts. “This show is a reflection of what’s possible when a business collective creates community with its vendor partners. It personifies the power of teamwork, not just for economic activity, but also for doing good.
Building on the success of past events that have collectively raised over $1 million, the organizing committee is optimistic about setting a new annual fundraising record this year. Each event continues to make a significant impact on the lives of single moms and their infants in the community, and there is great excitement to see how much more can be achieved.
Tickets are $50, with $25 tax deductible. Doors open at 6 PM, with the show starting at 7 PM. Info: mediaexperts.com/comedy-show-2025
Wassim El-Mounzer
NEW WAVE OF STANDUP: Fourteen rising comedy stars are featured in The New Wave of Standup Season 6, now streaming on CBC Gem. Episodes will also be broadcast on CBC starting Tuesday, Sept. 16. Filmed on location at the Guilt & Co in Gastown earlier this year as part of the Just for Laughs Vancouver Festival, The New Wave of Standup Season also shines a spotlight on two Laval residents, Wassim El-Mounzer and Raajiee Chelliah. Nominated for Best Comedy Special at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, The New Wave of Standup has debuted its sixth season (14×10) of all-new episodes on CBC GEM.
Raajiee Chelliah
“Fans of The New Wave of Standup appreciate great comedy, and this is what we aim to deliver each year. Since its inception, we’ve remained steadfast in our efforts to curate the best lineup possible, and if our sixth season is any indication, the incredible calibre of Canadian comedy talent shows no signs of slowing down,” shares Heather Wallace, Partner and Festival Director, Just For Laughs Vancouver, and Executive Producer, The New Wave of Standup.
Watch my interview with them for The Suburban On Air:
“The New Wave of Standup is a true celebration of Canadian comedy, made possible by the incredible partnership between CBC, Vancouver, Quebec, and every province across the country,” says Sylvain Parent-Bédard, President and CEO, Just For Laughs, and Executive Producer, The New Wave of Standup. “This collaboration allows us to shine a spotlight on the diversity, creativity, and talent that make Canada’s comedy scene so special, and to share it with audiences nationwide.”
FOOD BANKS AND BURGERS: Get your taste buds ready! Le Burger Week is back for its 14th edition from September 1 to 7 and once again promises to bring together foodies from coast to coast around a shared passion: burgers in all their forms. For seven days, restaurants across Canada will go above and beyond to offer unique, daring, and deliciously original creations designed especially for the event. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover surprising flavours, support your local restaurants, and share a gourmet moment with friends, colleagues, or family. You can get the full list of local Montreal restaurants participating at https://leburgerweek.com/en/montreal-et-environs/results Through a partnership with Food Banks Canada, participating restaurants voluntarily commit to donating $1 for every burger sold. Each dollar donated provides two meals for people in need. To kick off this culinary week, an event was held last Friday at Le Central downtown. Event Co-Founder Na’eem Adam proudly shared with me that 375 restaurant locations across Canada are serving up unique and creative burgers this year.
“Le Burger Week has grown from a fun idea between friends into a national tradition,” Adam said. “Over the years, we’ve focused less on just numbers and more on quality, engagement, and community impact. This year we’ve refreshed our entire look and are building towards a bigger vision under our new umbrella brand Parkour, which is all about food discovery powered by new tech. What hasn’t changed is our mission: supporting local restaurants in every community.”
And why not two weeks ? Folks like me feel one week isn’t enough. “We hear you,” he agreed. “Burger Week flies by quickly, but the one-week format is part of the magic. It creates urgency, makes every bite feel special, and helps restaurants manage the extra staff, creative recipes, and lower prices they bring to the table. Some partners enjoy stretching to two weeks, but for most, one epic week delivers the right balance of buzz and sustainability.”
CARS AND COFFEE: The first annual Cars & Coffee, hosted by Champion Autosport in collaboration with the Starlight Foundation, will take place on Sun. Sept. 14 (11 am to 2 pm) 450 Wright Street in Saint-Laurent. Highlights include: a showcase of classic and exotic carsl Wild Willy’s Ice Cream & Piri Piri food truck on site; and funds raised for the Starlight Foundation. Entry is free. This will be a relaxed, family-friendly morning bringing together automotive enthusiasts and the local community for a great cause. All proceeds from donations will go directly to the Starlight Foundation to support ill children and their families. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re bringing a car to showcase or simply want to stroll through the displays, enjoy the atmosphere, and grab a bite to eat.
Champion Autosport, based in Saint-Laurent, has been in operation since 2006. The owners are Danny Fazio, George Landau, and Joseph Bohbot. It is Danny’s daughter Carmela who has been organizing the event along with the people from Starlight since its inception. “Our main business is snowbird transport between Montreal and Florida, but we also have a division where Danny buys and sells classic cars,” Carmela explained. “Over the years, he has built strong connections with car collectors, many of whom he has reached out to for this event.”
Log on to www.championautosport.com
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