‘Everyone needs a good laugh’: Kelowna comedian highlights importance of humour

For Mackenzie Edwards, humour is a respite everyone can enjoy, taking their mind away from daily struggles even if just for a fleeting moment.

A career can be made of the medium, and for the local comedian, it all started with a small talent night at his apartment.

“The building manager wanted to run a talent evening, and so she got up to start it off and did stand up comedy,” Edwards told Kelowna10. “And being a 19-year-old guy, I was like, ‘Oh if she can do that, I can do that too.’”

After that night the manager suggested he try going to Dakoda’s for their open mic night.

That was seven years ago, and he’s been coming back ever since, in part because he finds it rewarding.

“You’re getting a bunch of random people that you don’t know to laugh and have a good time. It makes you feel like everyone’s in on the joke, which I think is a great feeling for anybody,” he said. “The best part is when you write a new joke and you tell it for the first time and it lands and everyone in the room is having a great time.”

Edwards, who is originally from New Zealand, said his brand of comedy is very silly and fun, rarely ever taking himself that seriously.

His comedic stylings used to be focused on his perspective of what Canada is like as someone who did not grow up here.

But over time the focus changed.

“As I’ve done it more, it’s become a bit more on the fly,” he explained. “[It’s] based around a few main points while trying to interact with the crowd and get everyone involved as well.”

He thinks that everyone should have a good laugh, crowd and comedians alike, especially with what we’ve gone through in recent years.

Edwards will be headlining an upcoming comedy show at Dakoda’s comedy lounge on Jan. 7, at 8:30 p.m.

He will be performing alongside popular Kelowna comedian Andrew Crone, as well as other openers.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite.