Ali Hassan Brings Comedy and Storytelling Workshop to Yellowknife
Award-winning Canadian comedian and actor Ali Hassan is heading to Yellowknife to host a comedy and storytelling workshop and a live recording of CBC’s Laugh Out Loud. The events, scheduled for February 23rd and 24th, 2026, aim to foster creativity and celebrate comedic talent from across the Northwest Territories and Canada.
Comedy and Storytelling Workshop
On Monday, February 23rd, from 6:00 p.m. To 8:30 p.m., the Yellowknife Public Library will host a free workshop led by Hassan. CBC News reports the workshop will begin with a roundtable discussion featuring established comedians and storytellers from both the Northwest Territories and other parts of Canada. The discussion will cover topics such as getting started in comedy, the connection between comedy and storytelling, and the role of laughter in navigating difficult times.
Following the roundtable, Hassan will lead a joke-writing workshop, focusing on joke structure, setup and punchlines, and building a comedy routine. The event will conclude with a networking opportunity for attendees to connect with Hassan and fellow creators over pizza.
Live Recording of Laugh Out Loud
The following night, Tuesday, February 24th, at 7:00 p.m., CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud with Ali Hassan will be recorded live at the Chateau Nova Hotel. Cabin Radio and Jump Comedy confirm the show will feature a diverse lineup of comedians, including Yellowknife locals Quincy Thomas, Skye Plowman, Mason Mantla, and Dez Loreen. The lineup also includes Winnipeg-based comedians Emmanuel Lomuro and Ryan Williams, and headliner Brittany Lyseng, the recent winner of the Seattle International Comedy Competition.
Featured Comedians
- Quincy Thomas: A comedian originally from Yellowknife, now based in Vancouver, and a veteran of CBC’s The Debaters.
- Mason Mantla: A writer, comedian, and filmmaker from Behchokǫ̀, known for his documentary work and short film Fireweed.
- Dez Loreen: A reporter, comedian, filmmaker, and actor from Inuvik, described as the “media mogul of the Arctic.”
- Skye Plowman: A Yellowknife-based comedian who has performed at the Arctic Comedy Festival and recorded with Just For Laughs Originals.
Tickets for the Laugh Out Loud live recording at the Chateau Nova Hotel are available for purchase online.