Following the sold-out success of their inaugural show last year, and taking it on tour in the Maritimes and Ontario, the duo of local comics-cum-young dads Walter Lyng and Reese Turner return with a sequel called Rad Dads II: Rad Dad Redemption. It is coming back in a blaze of glory on July 18, 9 p.m., at the Cafe Cleopatra on St. Laurent Boulevard, as part of OFF-JFL’s Canadian Spotlight Series.
One thing that was quite noticeable was the cowboy-themed look to the show’s poster art, which is kind of reminiscent of what someone would have seen over 50 years ago to publicize one of Sergio Leone’s famed spaghetti westerns.
There was a very popular cowboy-themed video game that came out this year called ‘Red Dead Redemption 2’. The word play was too much to resist and, in our own way, Reese and I are like the cowboys of parenting and comedy, said Lyng in a recent interview. We’re renegade outlaws who live only for the fortunes of fatherhood … and maybe actual fortune at some point. Also, our kids love spaghetti, so Sergio Leone seemed like the obvious choice.
Other comics in Rad Dad II
Joining Walter and Reese for Rad Dads II are headliner Mike Paterson, Rachelle Elie from Ottawa (who is the show’s Rad Mom) and Joshua Clark, was awarded the key to the city by the City of Montreal for his accomplishments in Hip Hop music. This line-up is all killer, no filler, added Lyng. As well, Reese and I are coming in with all new material. Fresh new tales of cuddles and stomach viruses.
As an interesting side note, I conducted the interview with Lyng one sunny Saturday afternoon at Trenholme Park in NDG, as he was continuously grilling Jamaican jerk chicken and Italian sausages on a portable propane BBQ for a gathering of his and Reese’s fellow Montreal comics and their families that he calls Spotfest.
Spotfest is/was the first ever fest dedicated to spots and other assorted merriment, he said. It’s a day that featured an unsanctioned BBQ, a sold out comedy show and a sick after party, all courtesy of Perfect Bite Productions, which produces both comedy and multi-media events. Looking for a spot? Come to Spotfest! By the way, there are no spots left available until 2025!
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