In this edition, we feature a number of comedians who have managed to break away from the stand-up comedy archetypes...

SUN JULY 7 / SOWUNMI & FRIENDS / RIVOLI / 334 QUEEN W / 8PM / $15 ADV $20 DOOR

When you watch as much comedy as I do, you start seeing archetypes rather than individual performers. There's the sexual mad lib comic who strings together swears, the edgy, opinionated comic who rehashes social commentary sans punchlines, etc. Your headliner, Paul Thompson, is one stand-up that has been able to set himself apart. How? He looks like he's genuinely having fun up there, which is surprisingly rare to see on the comedy scene. Oh, and just like the first time, Jordan Sowunmi will sell this Bad Boy out, so come early to avoid disappointment!

TUES JULY 9 / CLASSY DRUNK / THE EMMET RAY / 924 COLLEGE / 8PM / FREE

David Dineen-Porter, your headliner, is yet another unique comedian about to make his presence known throughout North America. His stand-up is strong, his improv stronger, and his sketch-writing stronger still. He's...ugh, just watch the video and you'll see what I'm talking about. While you're there, pay special attention to Chris Robinson. He has some awesome material, and it's given him the confidence to go completely silent for stretches at a time, a feat that few comedians can pull off without seeming awkward.

SUN JULY 13 / WEST END GIRLS / COMEDY BAR / 945 BLOOR W / 8PM / $15

This edition of WEG aims to raise money for Jo-Anna Downey, a Toronto comedian and producer who was recently stricken with ALS, a disease that has affected her ability to speak. Along with the reliable Laurie Elliott and Cal Post, pay special attention to Sarah Donaldson. She's another fresh face that's not afraid to go off-script in front of a big crowd. Oh, and her Kendrick Lamar joke is one of the funniest things that I've heard all year!

About the Author: This is Michael Jagdeo, and I refuse to write about myself in the third-person. My blog, Diary of a Stand-up Comedian, walks you through the up's and down's (they're mostly down's, really) in my quest to become a killer comic in Toronto.