Sugar Sammy's All-Star Gala returns Sunday with five up-and-coming comedians

Sugar Sammy's All-Star Gala returns this Sunday with five up-and-coming comedians sharing the stage at Salle Pierre-Mercure. The second-annual high-energy showcase, presented by MTL Comedy Club and co-produced with Straight Outta Montreal, kicks off at 7 p.m. on September 6.

The lineup features Akeem Hoyte Charles, Gino Durante, Quinn Lague, Seby Jacob, and Ben Cardilli, hosted by Sugar Sammy.

Akeem Hoyte Charles, raised in Châteauguay and now living in Vancouver, started his stand-up career nine years ago. He described a rocky beginning: "It was a dark stormy day. I got into comedy trying to convince somebody I wouldn't be good at it. And then I went up on stage at a local comedy show and I bombed, nobody listened." But persistence paid off: "And then I went to the local comedy club a week later. I got signed up for it and I did really, really well." He called this slot "a huge pinnacle in my career out of all the things I've done."

Ben Cardilli jumped into comedy seven years ago after pursuing a music career. He was part of La Voix season six. "I kind of got really comfortable talking to the audience between songs. To the point where my band would look at me and be like, can you do that on your own time?" he said. After a couple of auditions, his set was selected for the big stage. "I was very excited about that," Cardilli said. He's taking the opportunity seriously: "I'm actually going to go shopping now for my outfit for Sunday. I've been wearing the same six shirts for the last two years. It's about time I get something new. It's a big opportunity."

Tickets are available for purchase. The source does not specify ticket price.