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COMMUNITY FORMER CLASS CLOWN LIVING HIS DREAM GALEA CARVING OUT SUCCESS ON COMEDY CIRCUIT KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com For a couple of decades now, Dan p Galea has been living his dre: “Sometimes, it feels like it's a nightmare, but at the end of the day, t this is all I want to do." and producing comedy is not an easy career path, but it's one he was deter- mnined to follow after much prod- ding from his high school teach- ers. "Most people don't make it. Most people don't stick with it be- cause they aren't making it, and the ones that do stick to it often still don't make it. Someone told me once it takes seven years for people to know you even exist in this industry. I thought that was just some mumbo jumbo, but it's pretty close to the truth if not an understatement in a lot of cases," said the 42-year-old Toronto co- median who grew up in Oakville. His comic roots can be traced back to his days as a high school student at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary where he walked off with Mike Class Clown award at gradua- tion. "Growing up I always wanted to be an actor. But my last year of high school, teachers and guid- ance counsellors kept handing a brochure for The Humber School of Comedy." So Galea applied. “(@ never heard back, went in- to the office and said, "There must be some sort of a mistake. I'm hi- larious.' And no joke it was a mis- e. I was one of like 10 accep- tance letters they never sent for one reason or another. Once I got in I was laser focused on comedy. Ibecame obsessed." His passion, diligence and tal- ent have not gone unnoticed by the industry; he's won two Cana- dian Comedy Awards. Heisalsoa founding member of Sunday Night Live with the Sketcher- sons, The Boom and Primo, all sketch troupes that have had, sold out shows in Toronto for their runs, he said. He also produces multiple stand-up shows, includ- the River (@Showsontheriver on _ Insta- gram) The Garage Show (@it- sthegarageshow) and The Tulip Variety Show (@Tulipvarietysh- ow). “Producing is an acquired taste. I like it because I like con- necting people and highlighting talent I enjoy." Galea is also about to release a project 20 years in the making - his debut musical comedy album, Inter-Dan-Mensional, thro Comedy Records. Executive pro- ducer is Scott Thompson from “Kids in the Hall", who joins Ga- lea on the album, along with Al Val, Morgan Waters, Gavin Whe- Jehan and Kevin Mendes. “Inter-Dan-Mensional is basi- cally a comedic diary of my life. I'm presenting it as if every song is sung by me from a different di- mension. Every song is a differ- ent genre with a different vibe Dan n Galea photo Comedian and producer Dan Galea releases his debut musical comedy album April 1. but all of them are funny. It has everything from Disco to Metal and every song gives you a peek into who I am and what I'm all about. _— songs are just silly buts ‘enathy creation Period came ne down to the financial abi ity to turn the project into a real- ity. “Unlike a stand-up album, which I will do one day, a musical comedy album needs to be pro- duced ina studio, with musicians and mixers and equipment that needs to be paid for. Suny | senzeR omNAyeO | GL He can't thank the "really cool, § generous, kind" Thompson ¢ g enough, someone who Galea said > has been a huge influence and ag 5 supporter of his career. "Right now, you can order the 8 8 physical copy of my wearable al- 8 bum on my website DanGalea.ca. It comes in a little Inter-Dan- Mensional sack and is on an 8GB USB bracelet. It also comes witha sticker and a glow in the dark bouncy because why not?” On April 1, Galea's album will be on music streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify with the album release party and show April 2 at the Supermarket Bar & Variety, 268 Augusta Ave., in Toronto. (Tickets are on sale now at MyComedyTickets.com). At the event, Gale: a Will be per- 8 8 8 thing, he calls "a huge adrenalin Stk feels really good on stage especially when the audience is feelingit. It's fun and I love trying to make a bunch of people from different walks of life and who were all brought up {itferentiy, laugh at the same thing. that's kind of amazing.” At the end of the day, comedy is all he wants to do, said Galea. "The dream is to be happy in my own skin and with who I am while hopefully one day making money doing comedy and help as many people with that money asI can.". Galea thanks anyone who has prceetien him or who ends up supporti "You're rehelping me live out my dream and I couldn't be more ap- preciative." local newspaper. Canada PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HOUSE IS + Support the local businesses that support your ADVERTISE HbA LOCAL Rango) = Store/Pharmacy 7 Home Visits 5 ¥ Con! nsulté . AFib and DNA v Free ¢ Nutrition 1 Counselling / vest aoe C+ BW AWAW Ad ikod o} oX-Sa-tel atte lait-1a meot-| woo-uoyeyepisu!