***Postponed – New date coming soon***

Shirley Gnome

Saturday Jan 17 Doors 8:00 Show 9:15
Tickets $ 20 available at Bozzini’s or call 604 792 0744 to reserve
Presented by Manofest Music
(No refunds – exchanges for a future show allowed up to 48 hrs prior to showtime)
Although Bozzini’s Upstairs is always an all ages venue This show will contain adult Humour

Shirley will be backed up by her fully stacked band featuring Noah Walker(guitar) & Jodi Ponto(drums) of Kitty & the Rooster as well as Hank Pine on bass

Shirley Gnome is a Juno-nominated comedian, songwriter, and vocalist known for her bold fusion of musical talent and razor-sharp wit. Splitting her time between Vancouver, BC, and Montreal, QC, Gnome has carved out a unique niche in the world of musical comedy, delivering biting social commentary through genre-spanning original songs that are as thought-provoking as they are hilarious.

With a voice that’s equal parts soulful and commanding, Gnome blends folk, rock, pop, and country into meticulously crafted songs that challenge taboos and celebrate vulnerability. Her lyrics – unapologetically honest and delightfully spicy – tackle everything from sexual politics and social norms to the absurdities of everyday life. The result is a cathartic experience that leaves audiences laughing, thinking, and humming her catchy tunes long after the show ends.

Gnome began her career in 2009 in Vancouver’s burlesque scene, performing as a variety act and emcee. In 2012, she gained widespread recognition after winning Patrick Maliha’s The People’s Champ of Comedy competition, earning a $20,000 CAD prize and launching her into the national and international spotlight. Since then, she has toured extensively across Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, earning five-star reviews and selling out shows along the way.

She has performed at major festivals including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs (Vancouver), the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and many others. Her work has been featured on CBC Radio’s The Debaters, and SiriusXM.

In 2021, her album Decoxification was nominated for a Juno Award for Comedy Album of the Year, cementing her status as one of Canada’s leading voices in musical comedy. In 2024, she made her national television debut on CBC Gem as part of the Winnipeg Comedy Festival gala broadcasts.

To date, Gnome has released five studio albums and one EP. Her most recent release, Live, Bare and Natural (March 2025), is a live album accompanied by a filmed comedy special set to premiere on YouTube later this year. The project captures the raw power of her live performance—vulnerable, hilarious, and utterly unforgettable. Featuring two different backing bands alongside solo sets, it showcases the full range of her multigenre oeuvre, offering a compelling portrait of the originality and versatility that define her as a truly singular talent.

Beyond the stage, Gnome continues to expand her creative reach. She collaborated with physical comedy duo The Merkin Sisters to co-write their first digital album and has composed original music for theatrical productions by The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret (Vancouver) and Larrikin Entertainment (Whitehorse). She is also committed to mentoring emerging artists, including notable collaborations with Ashley Whitehead and the award-winning theatre duo Scantily Glad (S.E. Grummet and Sam Kruger).

Whether she’s performing in an intimate cabaret or a major international festival, Shirley Gnome delivers a fearless and unforgettable experience – singing truth to power, one laugh at a time.

SELECT PRESS:

 

★★★★★

“Think Sarah McLachlan meets Ryan Reynolds, a true Canadian double threat.”  –Edmonton Journal

 

“a joyful rebellion against rigid femininity, constrictive sexuality and what it means to be a “lady.”” – She Does The City, Toronto

 

“hilarious… Gnome is a disarmingly likeable performer” –Chortle (UK)

 

“magnificent” –Dan Savage (US)

 

★★★★

“Her songs are like nothing else you will hear…It is a glorious experience and, absolutely not to be missed’” –The Scotsman, Edinburgh

 

★★★★★

“simply brilliant… equipped with the voice of a goddess.”  -Three Weeks, Edinburgh

 

★★★★★

“… one of the best musical comedians I’ve seen.’” – The Australia Times (Melbourne)

 

★★★★

“with, well-crafted and honed to a comedic point. –GlamAdelaide

 

★★★★½

“Clever, honest and downright mischievous” –The Clothesline, Adelaide

 

★★★★

“The Queen troubadour of intelligent black-comic sex balladry” –The Edmonton Sun (Canada)

 

★★★★★

“a profound sense of hilarity… a standing ovation was just not enough.” –Onstage Ottawa

 

★★★★

“Gnome is frank, completely uninhibited, and a smart comedian.” –CBC (Canada)

 

★★★★

“a warm, chatty manner and razor-sharp wit” –Broadway Baby, Edinburgh Fringe

 

MORE PRESS HERE

 

ACCOLADES/AWARDS:

 

2024 – SOHO THEATRE NYC FRINGE ENCORE – Nominee 2024

2024 – HOLDOVER SERIES – Edmonton Fringe 2024

2024 – BEST ENGLISH COMEDY Nominee – Montreal Fringe

2024 – BEST CLOWN SHOW Nominee – Montreal Fringe

2021 – JUNO AWARDS – COMEDY ALBUM OF THE YEAR Nominee

2019 – 4X BEST VARIETY ACT Nominee – Canadian Comedy Awards (2014-2015, 2017-2019)

2019 – WINNER – Philadelphia Folk Festival – Favourite Artist Discovery

2018 – BEST COMEDY ALBUM Nominee – Canadian Comedy Awards

2017 – SHORTLISTED – Best Cabaret – Fringe World Festival (Perth, Australia) (Sell Out Show)

2017 – OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION – Toronto Fringe Festival – Now Toronto Magazine

2017 – OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE – Toronto Fringe Festival – Now Toronto Magazine

2016 – WINNER – Funniest Show – London Fringe Festival (Sell Out Show)

2016 – WINNER – Patrons’ Pick – Orlando Fringe Festival (Sell Out Show)

2016 & 2017 – BEST COMEDY Nominee – Fringe World Festival (Perth, Australia)

2015 – WINNER – Funniest Show – Frigid New York Theatre Festival

2012 – WINNER – Patrick Maliha’s The People Champ of Comedy Competition

 

SELECT PERFORMANCE HISTORY:

 

Winnipeg Comedy Festival 2024

Montreal Fringe Festival 2014, 2015, 2024

Kispiox Valley Music Festival 2024

Lielow in Milo Music Festival 2024

Edmonton Fringe Festival 2015-2016, 2024

Robson Valley Music Festival 2017, 2023

Tiny Lights Music Festival 2017, 2019, 2023

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013, 2022

Woodford Folk Festival (2019)

Philadelphia Folk Festival 2019

Adelaide Fringe Festival (Australia) 2016 – 2018

Fringe World Festival (Perth, Australia) 2016 – 2017

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2016-2017

NZ Fringe Festival (Wellington, NZ) 2017

Vancouver Fringe Festival – Pick Plus 2017

Orlando Fringe Festival 2016 – 2017

Toronto Fringe Festival 2017

London Fringe Festival 2016

Edmonton Fringe Festival 2015-2016

Frigid New York Theatre Festival 2015

Winnipeg Fringe Festival 2015