Eh Material: The Second City Toronto reveals 92nd Mainstage revue

The Second City Toronto will open its 92nd Mainstage revue 100% Real Human on October 6, 2026. Directed by Rob Baker, with music direction by Steve Cruickshank, 100% Real Human features writer-performers Gillian Bartolucci, Tim Blair, Monica Garrido Huerta, Antony Hall, Chelsea Larkin, and Gavin Pounds. Matt Keevins serves as stage manager and lighting designer. Assistant direction by Hannah Spear. 100% Real Human asks: What does it mean to be human? With a fresh collection of sketches, original songs, new characters, and improv scenes, this show explores the human experience in a world increasingly run by machines.

On Thursday, October 29 the Grand Ole Opry will present “Grand Ole Opry: Celebrating 50 Years of the CCMA.” The special Opry celebration will bring together generations of Canadian Country Music artists, honouring the longtime connection between the Opry and the Canadian country music community including the Canadian Country Music Association. Canadian artists scheduled to perform include Opry member Terri Clark, as well as Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Gord Bamford, Paul Brandt, Tami Neilson, Brett Kissel, and Tenille Arts. The evening will also feature special guest announcers Jackie Rae Greening, longtime radio personality and programmer and Shannon Ella, four-time CCMA Award winner and iHeart Radio personality.

Canadian entertainment executive Pat Murphy has announced the launch of Post Script, a new independent entertainment company built around artist management, recorded music, media and intellectual property. PS Mgmt launches with Choir! Choir! Choir! and Sully Burrows as its initial management roster. On September 8 Post Script announced the launch of North Star Records, the country music imprint of PS Records, with 19-year-old Ontario artist Sully Burrows as its first signing. The label launched with Burrows’ new single “Leave You Lonely,” and the announcement of his first ever headline tour.

Vancouver's Little Mountain Gallery will celebrate it's 10th anniversary with a special event on October 2. Since becoming a not-for-profit in 2016, Little Mountain Gallery has been home to some of the best comedy in Vancouver. "We started in a moldy old garage comedy tree-fort in Mount Pleasant, then the tree-fort got torn down for condos and we built a new one in Gastown. If you really want to celebrate, it's 20 years since Ehren Salazar created Little Mountain Gallery in 2006!" If the show poster is to be believed, the lineup will include Ronald Dario, Graham Clark, Randee Neumeyer, Sunday Service Improv, Weird Owl Karaoke, Jake Spencer, Ehren Salazar, Jacob Samuel, Niki Mohrdar, Sarah Masri, Hell Night, Aaron Read, Christine Bortolin, Kevin Vidal, and James LeBuke.

Canadian country stars George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett are bringing A Coast-To-Coast Cowboy Christmas back for a second season. Presented by Children Believe, the 30+ date tour will travel from Summerside, PEI to Sidney, BC between November 12 and December 22, pairing holiday favourites with the chart-topping songs and live energy that have defined Canyon and Pritchett’s careers.

SiriusXM Canada announced Blue Ridge Band as the winner of the 2026 SiriusXM Top of the Country competition. The competition celebrates eight years in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association, delivering a $25,000 grand prize to Blue Ridge Band, and $10,000 awarded to the runners-up Shawnee Kish and Morgan Griffiths.

The Heritage Toronto Awards announced the nominees for their 2026 Book Award which included John Candy: A Life in Comedy by Paul Myers. The award ceremony, highlighting the breadth and depth of Toronto’s heritage, will take place October 21 at The Carlu.

Spotlight at The Second City, hosted and produced by Taylor Hreljac and Gabe Meacher, normally features two buzzing sketch comedy acts for a two night run each month. But the October Spotlight will feature four solo sketch comedy acts - Ada Nicolle, Ryan Sheedy, Kara Austria, and Taelor Joseph - each performing 15 minute sets on October 2 and 3, 2026 at The Second City’s Theatre ‘73 in Toronto.

TVO announced Stress Test, a six part comedic documentary series starring Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, will premieres Tuesday, October 6. In the series Rodrigo, the self-proclaimed “most stressed out person in the world,” seeks out different remedies, from the conventional to the fringes of science, on his quest to tackle life’s many stresses.

One Liners

Canadian country artist Shawn Austin released “This Again,” on August 28, his first radio single since announcing his official signing with 604 Records earlier this year.

Dean Brody released "Death of Me" the latest single from Brody's The Tenth Album, a 20+ track double project, of which he shared Side A earlier this summer.

Vancouver country rockers Pistol Whip The Devil released their new single “Hillbilly White Wine” on September 1.

Vancouver's Shiloh Lindsey released the alt-country single “Failing Hail,” ahead of the new llbum The Western Veil due November 6, 2026.

Jade Eagleson and Midland released the new song "Coming Soon To A Honky Tonk Near You".

The Ratskin Family Band released their debut EP Back to the Cuntry on September 16.

Woodbridge Ontario's Dave Luca released his comedy album and special Cruise Kid on September 18 with Comedy Records.

Québec country artist Matt Lang released “Wiggle Pow,” the latest release from the 10-track project Ain't That Bad arriving October 23, 2026

Ann Pornel has released the official concept trailer for her new series Sizing Up with HiLo Entertainment.

London, ON-based folk artist Willem James Cowan unveiled his new album, What Should Happen Next?, on September 24.

On September 24, Comedy Records announced Hershawn Arora, Bita Joudaki, and Faris Hytiaa have joined their roster.

Saturday Night Live joined CTV's late-night lineup this fall as season 52 premiered September 26.

Two-time 2026 CCMA Award-winning artist Nate Haller's sophomore album, Can't Stay Here, is out now alongside his new single, "Called It."

The Toronto Palestine Film Festival will present "Palestine Comedy Club" directed by Alaa AliAbdallah and Charlotte Knowles on October 4 at TIFF Lightbox.

Clare Belford will record her sophomore comedy album on October 8 at the Baby G in Toronto.

21-time CCMA-nominated artist Dan Davidson will release his new album, Dirt Rich, on October 14 via Skysong Records / The Orchard.

Nashville-based Canadian artist Shantaia released her new single, “Find Out,” ahead of her forthcoming eight-track album, One Trick Pony, arriving October 16.

Prince Edward Island singer-songwriter Shane Pendergast shares the single “Jack Pine,” the title track from his upcoming fifth album set for release on October 23rd, 2026.

After being awarded Sketchiest Sketch Troupe at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival 2026, Summer Dad has put together a brand new sketch revue Summer Dad in 4D on November 9 at The Rivoli in Toronto.

Saddle Up Toronto has announced they will retire after their 20th anniversary show in March 2027.

Tebey announced a southern Ontario tour "That's Going to Leave a Memory" taking place February 2027 from Waterloo to Ottawa.

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