The Workshop Panellists

Les Kiesman: Best known to nightlife enthusiasts as DJ DoV, is a versatile entertainer who knows how to captivate a crowd in a multitude of ways. While he's renowned for his electrifying sets at local club happenings by bringing the dance floor to life with his high-energy mixes and intuitive crowd-reading, his talents extend far beyond the turntables. When he's not behind the decks, Les can be found on the standup stage cracking jokes and keeping audiences roaring with laughter, proving he can effortlessly command a room with either a heavy beat or a hilarious punchline.

Shane Thevenot: A Winnipeg-based comedian who has opened for Kristin Key and produces Queer Comedy Night. Their debut special Late-in-Life Lesbian received an honourable mention at the Montreal Fringe Festival.

Carole Cunningham: Carole is a Winnipeg-based comedian, originally from NWT. Carole made her debut on CBC's The Debaters in 2018 and has performed in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, Toronto Festival of Clowns, and Edmonton Fringe Festival. She completed her first European comedy tour in 2025. Carole hosted the award-winning Winnipeg Fringe Festival production Neurohilarity and brings awareness of ADHD, demisexuality and silly animal facts to audiences that love to laugh while they learn.

Our June Lineup

Because one round wasn't enough to handle this much fabulousness. Welcome back to Rainbow Riot Pride and Punchlines Edition, featuring tonight’s maestros of the weird and the hilarious:

Les Kiesman: Best known to nightlife enthusiasts as DJ DoV, is a versatile entertainer who knows how to captivate a crowd in a multitude of ways. While he's renowned for his electrifying sets at local club happenings by bringing the dance floor to life with his high-energy mixes and intuitive crowd-reading, his talents extend far beyond the turntables. When he's not behind the decks, Les can be found on the standup stage cracking jokes and keeping audiences roaring with laughter, proving he can effortlessly command a room with either a heavy beat or a hilarious punchline.

Aahan Rajput: Aahan is one of Winnipeg’s newest comedians. He loves talking about being trans, his brown dysfunctional family and therapy. he has performed previous at shows like Gender Euphoria and the Asian Heritage Month Festival.

Danielle Kayahara: Producer and host of Wisecracks for Weirdos and one half of the musical comedy duo The Lady Lumps. She can be heard on CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud and shares a unique blend of storytelling and silliness.

Shane Thevenot: A Winnipeg-based comedian who has opened for Kristin Key and produces Queer Comedy Night. Their debut special Late-in-Life Lesbian received an honourable mention at the Montreal Fringe Festival.

Issa Kixen: Issa is an Anishinaabe Two Spirit comedian/journalist/Producer who is a band member of Couchiching First Nation, Ontario. They have travelled across Canada and the USA as a Comedian and improviser. They use comedy as a tool in dealing with racism, transphobia and ableism. They are the Co-founder/producer of WOKE Comedy Hour, performed at Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Winnipeg Comedy Showcase and was a contributor on APTN’s The Laughing Drum

Vōng Shō: As the "Official Spokesperson for Gay, Super Cute Asians," Vōng Shō is dedicated to spreading enlightenment through laughter. He is the founder of Comedy Cares, an initiative that partners comedians with charities to raise funds for worthy causes, and the creator of the hugely popular RICE: Asian Comedy Showcase. Vōng has previously served as Chair of the JUNO Comedy Album of the Year category and has made appearances on SiriusXM, MTV Logo Network, OutTV, CBC, and CTV.

Carole Cunningham: Carole is a Winnipeg-based comedian, originally from NWT. Carole made her debut on CBC's The Debaters in 2018 and has performed in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival, Toronto Festival of Clowns, and Edmonton Fringe Festival. She completed her first European comedy tour in 2025. Carole hosted the award-winning Winnipeg Fringe Festival production Neurohilarity and brings awareness of ADHD, demisexuality and silly animal facts to audiences that love to laugh while they learn.