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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, March 19, 2010 · 26 Comic represents Oakville at Great Canadian Laugh-Off By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF A Toronto comic will try to get some big laughs from his peers at this year's Yuk Yuk's Great Canadian Laugh-Off ­ and he's representing Oakville doing it. Dylan Gott, originally from Stouffville, was selected to advance to the competition taking place in downtown Toronto through his comedy work in Oakville. Several weeks ago, he competed at the local comedy club and received the nod to move on. Competition in the Toronto club begins Friday, March 19 and Gott gets the chance to show his stand-up work on Saturday, March 20. The winner of the competition will take home $25,000. "You have to have faith in yourself," the 24-year-old said of moving on to the Toronto competition. "I try and stay in the mindset of trying to do a good job. In competition things just kind of happen." Gott, who graduated from Humber College's comedy program two years ago, received the nod from audience members in Oakville. This time, when the competition takes place in Toronto he will have to wow a Dylan Gott judging panel made up of industry people. "I just have to do well," he said. "You just have to do your best stuff and hope that night is your best night, pretty much. You just have to have fun and go up there and not think about it and hope they like you. You can't control people's opinion." Gott tried to compete at least year's Laugh-Off but never got beyond the initial round at area Yuk Yuk's locations. Now he's getting that chance. "I'm trying to not know who's up against me because then I psyche myself out," he said of his strategy. He said influences for him are comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock among others. "I tell self deprecating stories about hanging out with my friends, everyday stuff. Nothing too big, just a lot of stuff about farts and girls and rap music." Gott's set begins at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday. The final round of competition will take place on March 28. Yuk Yuk's is located at 224 Richmond Street W. in Toronto. Visit www.yukyuks.com for more information. Online art gallery looking for children's work An Oakville-based online art gallery is calling for submissions from children aged six to 18 for its new site aimed at young artists. Artistika KIDS, a branch of Oakville-based Artistika, is launching in Canada sometime this spring. Artistika already operates internationally. Submissions could include items such as paintings, sculpture, digital art or photography. Children who participate in the program can showcase their original works of art globally, interact with Artistika's professional artist community and participate in the organization's contests and events. Schools and studios can also submit their students' work. There is no fee to join. To receive an entry form e-mail a request to kids@artistika.ca.