All-Black comedy tour returns to Halifax

Halifax's Travis Lindsay joins the lineup of the Underground Comedy Railroad in his hometown.

If there’s one thing Travis Lindsay can do, it’s make people laugh.

The Nova-Scotia native, who has been a comedian for 16 years, says he’s excited to be returning to the Underground Comedy Railroad Tour in Halifax.

“Its a kitchen party…that’s what it feels like. Just everyone hanging out, having a good time, sharing their own stories,” says Lindsay.

The two-night comedy show brings Black comedians together to share one stage.

Daniel Woodrow, a comedian and co-producer of the tour, says it started in 2012 after he noticed there were no all-Black comedy tours in the country.

“We saw that there was a need for it and it was something that we could bring across Canada,” says Woodrow. “And people who don’t normally experience all-Black comedy or comedy at all could come and see it.”

Especially during Black History Month, Woodrow says it’s a chance for the community to learn and laugh.

“We usually have a pretty mixed audience. And that’s what we like, we open it up to everyone and I think its great for people to see the different perspectives of Black Canadians,” he says.

For Lindsay, it’s a chance to look at how far they’ve come and the work that’s still left to do.

“There’s not many Black comics out there…its tough to be a Canadian comic. It’s definitely harder to be a Black Canadian comic,” he says. “I would love that if I wasn’t able to do the show, that there’s another African-Nova Scotian comedian, another Black Nova-Scotian comedian that could come in that spot and be the token Nova-Scotian on the show.”

The shows take place at the Halifax Live Comedy Club on Friday and Saturday.

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