BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:1.0 TZ:-07 BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Merridale Showdown URL:http://www.harbourliving.ca/event/the-merridale-showdown-2015/ LOCATION:Victoria Event Centre :: 1415 Broad Street Victoria, DESCRIPTION;ENCODING=QUOTED-PRINTABLE:

The Merridale Showdown begins its 5th exciting year in Victoria on January 18 with a brand new host – the vivacious Kirsten Van Ritzen.

The concept? Seven solo performers get up to seven minutes to take the stage – while keeping an eye on the giant Countdown Clock. Anyone who goes over gets eliminated! Then the audience votes for a winner – who takes home the coveted Merridale Crown and $100 cash.

Each month features a different themed competition. Sunday, January 18th is an ALL STAR INVITATIONAL with a slate of winners from the past five years. Stand-up, spoken word and musical acts go head- to- head in a variety show guaranteed to entertain. Starring Jeremy Loveday (newly elected city councillor), Aleris Medea, Justin Carter, Drew Farrance, Derek Mohninger, Pam Stewart and 2014 Finale winner Paul Oppers.

Future monthly themes promise Puppetry, Character Acts, Musical Theatre and Circus. Circus?

Host Kirsten Van Ritzen is a busy actor recently seen in THE SECRET GARDEN (Kaleidoscope) and SO YOU SAID YES (Hallmark Channel), and an ‘M’ Award nominated comedienne who has performed hundreds of shows including the SIN CITY LIVE IMPROVISED SERIAL (opening Season 5 on January 20).  www.kirstenvanritzen.com

She is taking the reins with the assistance of Erikk Isfeld, a comedy promoter / producer who is a whiz at social media and creator of www.comedyinvictoria.com

Past SHOWDOWN hosts/producers are Paul McKinnon, Rod Peter Jr., Wes Lord and Dave Morris all partnering with Victoria Event Centre General Manager Amanda Smith.

DTSTART:19691231 DTEND:19700101 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR