To celebrate Valentines Day my partner got us comedy tickets to René Vaca, one of the many comedians visiting Vancouver for the Just for Laughs Vancouver featival. This is Western Canada’s Biggest Comedy Festival, running from February 13th to the 23rd, 2025. The festival includes notable acts like Jerry Seinfeld, Marget Cho, and Sugar Sammy. Various comedians, improv artists, and entertainers performing at various venues around the city.
Today we were at the Commodore to see René Vaca with two sold out shows back to back. We were at the first showing and was sure to arrive early to get the best seats for our general admission tickets.
We weren’t enthused by the floor seats. Fold out chairs set up shoulder to shoulder with no table. So found ourselves on the second floor with a clear view of the stage and an easy walk to the washroom. We started at a high top table by the bar. But when two of the reserved counter seats opened up, were quick to swoop in and claim them for ourselves.
They gave us an elevated and unobstructed view of the stage and the dedicated server made sure we were never without a drink. There were regular check-ins and attentive empty glass removable.
We started with a glass of Red Rooster Cabernet Merlot each. At $14 a glass, we found single high balls more economical. We ran the gambit with whiskey and gingerale, tequila and orange juice, and vodka cranberry, only to end the night with a double whiskey gingerale. Not strong enough to do any harm, but enough to have us relaxed throughout the show.
Not including the host with introductions, there were two opening acts before our headliner.
Niki Mohrdar warmed up the crowd regaling us with her experience of dating as an ethnic bisexual and what’s it like now with a white man.
Arturo Vaca opened, this René’s younger brother following in his footsteps. His set was about growing up with ADHD and feeling less than with his special needs not being recognized in the Latino culture.
Next on stage was Nitish Sakhuja, celebrated as on of Just for Laugh’s “New Faces”. He too spoke about his life as a Latino, now living in LA. He had moved from Canada to the states and is dealing with Trump.
René Vaca ended the show with his set
that included plenty of audience engagement, as per his signature style. He did this I ntermingled with storytelling, taking the time to ask for names and get background information from those seated in the front row. He was quick to give gabs and roast to get laughs. Asking who is having sex and how, and following that up with who has and is getting good dick.
He took the time to address the fact that he looks East Indian, and that that is why so many brown people are in the crowd tonight. He offered relationship stories with racist undertones, due to dating a Chinese girl. And ended the night with a story on his childhood that tied together a few impressions he gave of his mother, father, and brother. The latter of which he also teased during the set, asking the audience if we enjoyed the “ADHD guy” and if not he will beat him up.
There was a tease of extending the set, however he told the audience that he couldn’t as there was a second show right after and security began clearing the venue.
This was a nice casual and comfortable way to enjoy a comedy show.
Commodore Ballroom
868 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1K3
(604) 739-4550
commodoreballroom.com
