Jackie Hoffart is a comedian, filmmaker and the host of New Moon, which recently took part in the Just For Laughs Vancouver Festival 2023. We caught up with them to find out more about their influences and style.
How would you describe your comedy style?
Earnest stream-of-consciousness storyteller with childlike energy in a mom/dad package.
Who are some of your influences?
Margaret Cho, Maria Bamford, Chelsea Peretti
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
I remember watching and liking it any time a woman appeared on “An Evening at the Improv”, but didn’t really gravitate towards stand-up comicedy until university.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
I like what Cameron Esposito is out there doing right now, same goes for Beth Stelling, Michelle Buteau, and a whole host of Canadian comics coming up right now.
What is your pre-show ritual?
Trying to stay as chill as possible so I’m not out of breath when I take the stage.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
My favourite venue is the one we host our show in, The Projection Room, above the Fox Cabaret. But my favourite all-time performance was actually one of my first times ever on stage, which was at the Rickshaw for a storytelling show called Rain City Chronicles. Performing to several hundreds of people was exhilarating.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
This question pre-supposes I am proud of anything I have written and I would argue I am not!
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
I enjoy when a fresh crop of students graduates from a stand-up class and then makes their way into the scene, it’s always nice to be able to hear new jokes and new perspectives.
Tell us a joke about your city.
The Vancouver minor league baseball team has sushi mascots because lululemon-clad landlords of overpriced illegal basement suites, our actual calling card, didn’t give off the right vibe.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
Season 1 of my comedy docu-series called “YVR Funny” which features 8 local Vancouver comedians doing stand-up and giving intimate interviews is live and available on Telus Optik TV and YouTube. I’m in post-production on Season 2 right now!
Where can we follow you?
New Moon & Full Moon Comedy | YVR Funny
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
Everyone featured in “YVR Funny”!
