British Columbians are recovering from a devastating year of turbulent weather, with raging fires immediately following devastating floods.
To lighten the mood, Ontario funny-man Derek Edwards is ready to make his rounds with his Alls I鈥檓 Saying tour, with an Oct. 28 stop at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been worried about B.C.,鈥� said Edwards, a Timmins, Ont. product. 鈥淟et鈥檚 see if I can bring some levity to the group.鈥�
Edwards, in Vernon for the third time, said he avoids hot political satire in his routine, opting for a more light-hearted approach.
鈥淚 have a variety of fluff in my big kit bag on the road that changes every night,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just escapism, have-fun comedy.鈥�
That doesn鈥檛 mean he avoids important topics, though.
鈥淪ometimes you can catch on to something that鈥檚 a big issue that works,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淏ut that kind of (American politics) stuff I just leave to the Yanks.鈥�
Despite his often light-hearted approach, the Just For Laughs veteran said his brand of comedy isn鈥檛 for everyone.
鈥淧lease, for God鈥檚 sake, leave your kids at home,鈥� he laughed. 鈥淐anada is so courteous. If there鈥檚 even one kid in the crowd that feels uncomfortable, everyone is uncomfortable.鈥�
And it鈥檚 a technique that has worked for Edwards, who boasts a comedy career that spans three decades.
But, if he ever hangs up the microphone, he isn鈥檛 without a backup plan.
鈥淚鈥檇 like to be a player in a big Canadian fishing movie, or a carpenter,鈥� Edwards laughed, adding he hasn鈥檛 put much thought into it.
For now, however, comedy will have to do, Edwards said. Though he isn鈥檛 sad about the prospects of continuing to get on stages of all sizes to share his musings.
鈥淚 love the immediacy of the reaction. You鈥檙e kind of learning at this exponential rate 鈥� I learn faster, I count faster,鈥� he laughed. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e treading water, and if you stop for a minute鈥︹��
And for Edwards, that audience connection is what it鈥檚 all about.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 better than getting a good chuckle out of somebody?鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淲hen they鈥檙e all ready and have a grin on their face, it鈥檚 magic.鈥�
Edwards is bringing his 90-minute stand-up routine to the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre stage Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $47.50 through the Ticket Seller, 250-549-7469, .
