Meet Your “In the Black 2.0” lineup

Apr 20

Here’s your In the Black 2.0 lineup. Catch them at the Shenkman Arts Centre’s Harold Shenkman Hall on May 8, 2026.

Introducing your fantastic lineup featuring emerging local talent and performers who have performed all over Canada, North America, and on screen:

Host:
Rose-Ingrid Benjamin is an Ottawa-raised comedian ofHaitian descent who has performed across Canada, the U.S., and Europe, appeared in festivals such as Laugh Riot Grrrl Fest, and is debuting her solo show White As Snow at the New York Fringe Festival.
Performers:
- Samson Imanirambonas is a comedian from Prince Edward Island who began performing after moving to Ottawa at 19, bringing a unique perspective shaped by growing up in a large French-speaking family.
- Xavior Kayvon Gough is an African Nova Scotian multidisciplinary artist from East Preston, now based in Ottawa. Xavior’s whose work across poetry, music, and visual art explores freedom, reflection, and growth while building community through performances and his Say It Loud! open mic series.
- The Velvet Duke is a musical comedian and Canada’s premier spontaneous balladeer, known for creating witty parody songs on the spot and performing at festivals across North America and the UK, with regular appearances on shows across Southern Ontario.
- Janelle Niles is a Two-Spirit Black Mi’kmaq comedian from Sipekne'katik, Nova Scotia, who has performed at major festivals like Just for Laughs and appeared on shows including Match Game (ABC), Family Feud Canada, and APTN’s Michif Country.
- Daphney Joseph is a bilingual comedian, actor, and writer from Montréal who has performed at major comedy festivals across North America and appeared on shows like Ginny & Georgia (Netflix), Baroness Von Sketch Show (CBC), and Private Eyes (CityTV).