The Leake in Review

Mike & Donovan Bring the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival to The Leake in Review
In this lively installment of The Leake in Review, host Leake (@TheLeake) steps away from the music spotlight to dive into the world of live comedy with two key players behind one of Canada's most unique festivals: Mike and Donovan from the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival.
Donovan — better known to fans as the hilariously strict "Park Ranger Donovan" (complete with uniform, questionable park rules, and a knack for improvised chaos) — joins alongside Mike to unpack what makes this outdoor comedy extravaganza stand out. The festival blends cabaret-style shows under the stars with big-name headliners  and rising local talent, all while turning parks and green spaces into roaring comedy clubs.
The conversation kicks off with Donovan's origin story: how his over-the-top park ranger persona evolved from improv roots into the festival's official (and unofficial) mascot/spokesman. Mike provides the behind-the-scenes perspective, discussing the challenges and thrills of producing large-scale outdoor events — from scouting perfect natural venues to building community vibes, partnering with cities, and creating memorable experiences that feel more like a wild adventure than a standard comedy show.
Sign up on the official site for updates: https://greatoutdoorscomedyfestival.com/
Here's the full list of 2026 locations, all dates, and confirmed main headliners/top billed acts (as of mid-February 2026 announcements):
Edmonton, AB (Kinsmen Park) – July 17–19, 2026Friday, July 17 (Evening): TBA
Saturday, July 18 (Afternoon & Evening): Matt Rife & Friends (main headliner)
Sunday, July 19 (Afternoon & Evening): TBA

Winnipeg, MB (Assiniboine Park) – July 17–19, 2026Friday, July 17 (Evening): TBA
Saturday, July 18 (Afternoon & Evening): TBA
Sunday, July 19 (Afternoon & Evening): Matt Rife & Friends (main headliner)

Halifax, NS (Garrison Grounds) – August 6–9, 2026Thursday, August 6 (Evening): Matt Rife & Friends
Friday, August 7 (Evening): Matt Rife & Friends
Saturday, August 8 (Afternoon & Evening): Andrew Schulz (Saturday Evening in some listings; others TBA)
Sunday, August 9 (Afternoon & Evening): Nikki Glaser (closing headliner, with Fortune Feimster & Steph Tolev) + Adam Ray as Dr. Phil LIVE (Sunday Afternoon)

Calgary, AB (Prince’s Island Park) – August 28–30, 2026Friday, August 28 (Evening): Matt Rife & Friends
Saturday, August 29 (Afternoon & Evening): TBA
Sunday, August 30 (Afternoon & Evening): TBA

Vancouver, BC (Stanley Park) – August 28–30, 2026Friday, August 28 (Evening): TBA
Saturday, August 29 (Afternoon & Evening): Adam Ray as Dr. Phil LIVE (Saturday Afternoon); others TBA
Sunday, August 30 (Afternoon & Evening): Matt Rife (Sunday Evening headline); Jeff Arcuri (Sunday Afternoon)

Spokane, WA (ONE Spokane Stadium) – August 29–30, 2026Saturday, August 29 (Evening): Matt Rife & Friends
Sunday, August 30 (Evening): Bill Burr (confirmed headliner)

Mississauga, ON (Erindale Park) – September 11–13, 2026Friday, September 11 (Evening): John Mulaney (with Nick Kroll, Mike Birbiglia, Fred Armisen)
Saturday, September 12 (Afternoon & Evening): Adam Ray as Dr. Phil LIVE (Saturday Afternoon); others TBA
Sunday, September 13 (Afternoon & Evening): Matt Mathews & Jordan Jensen (Sunday Afternoon); TBA for Evening

In this must-listen episode, host Jeff Leake sits down with legendary Canadian music historian and broadcaster Alan Cross to dive deep into the brand-new documentary CFNY: The Spirit of Radio.
From its humble beginnings in a little yellow house in Brampton, CFNY (the station that inspired Rush's iconic hit "The Spirit of Radio") became a global force in punk, new wave, and alternative music during its groundbreaking years. Alan shares insider stories from the station's golden era, reflects on its massive influence on artists, and more, and discusses what makes this fresh documentary the definitive tribute to a true radio revolution.
Whether you're a longtime Edge listener, a Rush fan, or just love the history of modern rock radio, this conversation is packed with nostalgia, behind-the-scenes gems, and pure musical passion.
Tune in now! 🎙️📻

In this episode, John-Angus MacDonald joins host Leake to discuss touring, recording sessions with friends Gord Sinclair (of The Tragically Hip) and Brett and Jay Emmons (of The Glorious Sons), the new album The Bloody Light, busking, and more.
Catch The Trews on Tour
DateVenueCity January 15, 2026OLG Stage at Fallsview CasinoNiagara Falls, ONhttps://www.thetrewsmusic.com/February 13, 2026Commodore BallroomVancouver, BChttps://www.thetrewsmusic.com/February 15, 2026Midway Music HallEdmonton, ABhttps://www.thetrewsmusic.com/February 16, 2026The Palace TheatreCalgary, ABhttps://www.thetrewsmusic.com/February 18, 2026Coors Event CentreSaskatoon, SKhttps://www.thetrewsmusic.com/February 21, 2026Burton Cummings TheatreWinnipeg, MBhttps://www.thetrewsmusic.com/February 23, 2026Thunder Bay Community AuditoriumThunder Bay, ONhttps://www.thetrewsmusic.com/February 28, 2026The Colosseum at Caesars WindsorWindsor, ONhttps://www.thetrewsmusic.com/Tickets are available via Ticketmaster, Bandsintown, Songkick, and the band's website.
Official Social Media Pages
Official Website: www.thetrewsmusic.com
Facebook: facebook.com/thetrewsmusic
Instagram: @thetrewsmusic (via their Linktree)
X (Twitter): @thetrews
YouTube: youtube.com/thetrews
All Links (including Spotify, TikTok, etc.): linktr.ee/thetrews

Steve Bays returns to the program after a power outage at his place. He and Leake talk about tech, and AI in music, new music coming as a solo project and an upcoming performance at the Andy Kim Christmas in Vancouver.
Steve Bays' Social Media Profiles
instagram.com/stevebays
x.com/stevebays](https://x.com/stevebays
www.youtube.com/@stevebays
https://open.spotify.com/artist/SteveBays

In Part 1 of Steve Bays’ appearance on The Leake in Review, the Hot Hot Heat frontman-turned-producer shares the pivotal role his mom played in his musical journey—never once telling him to turn down his basement drums or skip guitar lessons, instead becoming his biggest cheerleader and giving him the freedom to chase music without limits. He then takes listeners inside the exciting (and occasionally chaotic) process of building his brand-new, dream studio, plus Steve talks about how he ended up living on a boat.