McSweeney’s List (20 August 2025)
My vacation is over, and I am exhausted.
While I'm pretty spoiled with PTO, two weeks off is a rare treat. It felt so much bigger and badder because it was summer break, of course, and for a brief moment I was able to channel some of the summer vacation vibes of childhood. Sure, it was two weeks and not two months, but I was overheated in the blazing sun, mosquito bitten, and barefoot in the grass. I wore all the sundresses, went to the MMFA twice, hung out with fine folks, and snuggled other people's pets. I wanted it to last forever. Admittedly, the days started to melt together, and I wasn't always sure when I was. Additional admission, I packed my days so full that I taxed myself, and while I regret nothing, I'm not the well rested, yoga filled, nouveau Martha Stewart I was hoping to magically turn into over the break.
The first week flew by. I don't know where it went. It seems to have been eaten up by tasks I'd been putting off: errands, chores, little things. I managed to relax, work on some online courses, and hang with my fave peeps, but the rest is already a blur. On one hand, I knew the second week would be busy, so I tried to keep it low-key. On the other hand, I did briefly believe (as I often do) that I would be a whole different person on vacation; one who gets everything checked off my list, and then goes above and beyond by learning new recipes, decorating my house, and meditating as small birds land on my shoulders. I was only slightly disappointed to realize yet again that I'm not that person (but can be in short spurts).
The second week brought The World's Smallest Comedy Festival: 8 days, 15+ shows, all the people I dig hanging with, and all the laughs I crave. (The final count was 17 shows in 8 days.) While I wasn't actually booked till the last couple of days, my mission was clear: be there for everything like white on rice (or something). The first couple of nights were exactly what the doctor ordered: old friends, new friends, laughter, and the oh so delicious feeling of being in my third place. (The importance of third places is enough for a whole other essay, but suffice to say that Starbucks was never gonna cut it for me.) By night three, I was restless. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I was getting itchy, and my social battery was dangerously low. I realized I needed a break from my own fun, so I could have more fun, ya dig?
Right away, I felt guilt rolled in the ever tempting spice of FOMO. Or, maybe it was perfectly baked FOMO with a creamy guilt filling, either or. Had I really just opted out of an evening with my boyfriend doing the thing we love? There was stage time to be had, support to be given, laughs to be laughed. Plus, Montreal summers are blissful partially because they're so fleeting; was I really going to waste a muggy, neon evening and trade it for couch, cat, cartoons, and phone games? Yes. And even as I played said games, snuggled the aforementioned cat (Hazelnut, by the by), and watched drawings dance, I thought about how just about everyone who was at the festival had a day job to get to. That they were losing sleep on a work day to live the lives they wanted, and even on vacation, I couldn't muster it. Even as I berated myself and lamented, I could feel my muscles relaxing.
By Sunday afternoon, I was grateful to be booked on a festival show that evening, and another that Monday. I’d managed to get on the Saturday late mic, too, so yay. Between that and this essay, and thinking of all my plans coming up this week, my internal dialogue sounded a lot like a beehive. Still, I was very conscious that these are my favorite problems. Too many ideas, writing deadlines, a calendar full of things I truly enjoy. All that can be true while my brain buzzes like a Magic Wand ™️.
On my way out Sunday night, I was breathing through crankiness, shaking my fist at the sky about how work is a scam, how I probably should've locked myself in a room and created a 48 hour spa retreat or something. But by the time I got to the venue, saw faces I like, took in the late afternoon sun as it kissed the city skyline, there was nowhere I wanted to be more. Should I have stayed at home with the Sunday Scaries and Capitalist Clamor fighting for attention in my brain? Hell no.
Monday morning (back at work, and thus briefly being a paid writer as I scribble this), I was still unimpressed with the whole money making system. Plus, fall is in the air suddenly. Time is precious, and always slipping (into the future). That often makes my negative moods worse: in a temporary and generally beautiful life, why should I be wasting time being pouty?! Which, of course, makes me crankier. It's important to remember that while protecting our energy is vital, trading our energy for things that give us energy in return is the goal of the game. Had I locked myself in my nest, “resting” and ignoring the world and the regularly agreed upon daytime schedules, I would've felt awful. Being tired is a much better trade.
By Monday night, closing it all out, the wear and tear was visible in everyone, but so was the excitement; they'd done it. This was their curtain call. They could rest now.
So this is your reminder, Dear Reader, to spend your energy where it pays you dividends. Pace yourself; we all need to respect our limitations, but stagnation won't fulfill you. Pausing is not stopping, and taking it slow will still get you where you're going. You can't put your energy in the bank and hope for interest to accrue; you actually have to use it or lose it.
A special shout-out to the World's Smallest Comedy Night crew, Walter Lyng, Troy Stark, Vance Michel, and Zak Kik, for putting on another great festival, arguably their best yet. They make a truly complicated operation look easy and fun. The time and energy they put into the organizing, the herding of the comedian-cats, the daunting amount of administrative tasks, is an extraordinary feat. If they got the credit they truly deserved, they'd be too famous to talk to any of us, and yet they do it anyway, with grace. They give their all to the things that fill their energy bars in the long run, and that's the vibe we all need to embrace. Kudos, Gents; much gratitude for the space you hold, and community you hold up.
THEY HAVE CANNOLIS
It's time for another Laugh Knights Comedy night! Dan Kestler hosts an awesome lineup with headliner Saanya Nanda. Claudio Capri will crack up the crowd, and the rest of the lineup is a surprise! Café Eevee is a fabulous family owned spot with killer baked goods, sandwiches, and coffee brewed with love, so bring your dolla dolla bills and treat yourself.
WHAT: Dan Kestler & Claudio Capri present Laugh Knights August Edition
WHERE: Café Eevee, 1251 St. Zotique E., Montreal, H2S 1N8
WHEN: Saturday, August 23, Doors @ 7 PM, Show @ 8 PM
METRO: Beaubien (Orange)
TICKETS: Eventbrite
BIG STORY
Little Women follows the adventures of sisters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested. Her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better, and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America.
Starcatcher Productions is a community theatre group based in the Kahnawá:ke and Chateauguay areas.
WHAT: Starcatcher Productions presents Little Women: The Broadway Musical
WHERE: Centaur Theatre, 453 Saint-Francois-Xavier, Montreal, H2Y 2T1
WHEN: Saturday, August 23 - Saturday, August 30, multiple showtimes
METRO: Place d’Armes (Orange)
TICKETS: CentaurTheatre
GLOW STICK MUSIC
EMOM MTL, NDG Electronik, and Rendezvous NDG are bringing the vibes to the Deeg! Live Ambient, Chill-Out, Lo-Fi, & Synth-Wave performances by: miss_141, Raff Latenite, Frank Edvs, Jean-François Héroux, Dr0d, H4m0ny, LazerFalcon, Soleil Verte, and FSK 1138.
Come and enjoy the perfect soundtrack to summer!
WHAT: NDG Electronik - Synths in the Park 2025
WHERE: Girouard Park, 3500 Girouard Ave., Montreal, H4A 1R2
WHEN: Sunday, August 24, from 2 PM to 8 PM
METRO: Vendôme
DETAILS: Facebook
NO CROOKED SHOTS
The Straight Shooters Stand-Up Comedy features, and is produced by, graduates of the Joke Club comedy course. Come early, enjoy an amazing meal, and then watch the city's best up-and-coming stand-up comedians for a hilarious night of comedy.
Free shot with every ticket!
Featuring the best up-and-coming and coming comedians in Montreal!
WHAT: The Straight Shooters Stand-Up Comedy Show
WHERE: Le Tequila Bar, 4401 Notre-Dame St. W., Montreal, H4C 1S2
WHEN: Tuesday, August 26 @ 8 PM
METRO: Place Saint Henri
TICKETS: Eventbrite
World’s Smallest Week
World’s Smallest Comedy Night has so many cool things happening, so here are their events this week in order!
What Do You Know? Like, Seriously…
Tonight! Come to Hurley's for Trivia Night, and get bonus laughter! Enjoy delicious pub fare, and get ready to show off your trivia skills. Grab your team, and enjoy this night of comedy, friendly competition, and great company! Hosted by Vance Michel.
WHAT: Trivia Night at Hurley's
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Every Wednesday @ 8 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
RSVP: Eventbrite
Classic Coke
Beat the Monday Blues with WSC’s OG offering, The World's Smallest Comedy Night!
Enjoy a showcase of the best comedians in the city, hot up-and-comers, national and international touring comics, and surprises!
Hosted by Vance Michel.
WHAT: The World's Smallest Comedy Night
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Every Monday, Doors @ 7 PM, Show @ 8 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
TICKETS: Eventbrite
Dirty Monday
The Monday Night Dirty Mic is the place to be! Hosted by Vance Michel, every show is an unpredictable and unique experience as a hilarious collection of comedians from newbs to pros take the stage. See the best before anyone else, and catch seasoned locals doing their freshest funnies!
Comics: show-up, sign-up. The show is now capped at 15 sign-ups, so be there early!
WHAT: Monday Night Dirty Mic
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Every Monday, Sign-up @ 1020 PM, Show @ 1030 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
DETAILS: Facebook
McSweeney’s List drops every Wednesday with the best events, workshops, and more, each week in Montreal!
