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Comedian coming home for PGX shows |
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Written by CHRISTINE SKOREPA
Citizen staff
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Thursday, 17 July 2008 |
Matt Billon, along with Mike MacDonald, are comedians who will be appearing during the Prince George Exhibition Aug. 7 to 10. These shows are included in the price of the gate admission. (Submitted photo)
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Billon, who was born in Prince George and spent many summers here with his dad, even after he moved away with his mom, will bring his good friend and well-known comedian, Mike MacDonald, with him and take to the Kin 1 stage during the fair August 7 to 10.
The idea for him to perform here came when PGX general manager Terri McConnachie read a Citizen story last fall on Billon's success and she was touched that he said it would be a dream come true to play the PGX.
She also thought there was an easy way to please both Billon and the people of Prince George and promptly invited him to perform during the fair.
Billon said he thinks it's excellent that he's coming to the PGX.
"It's been exciting the last little while going, OK there's seven more months, six and now down to one -- three weeks," Billon said. His family, including sisters, brothers, and step siblings will all gather in Prince George for a family reunion. It's going to be a great time for a jog down memory lane, he said.
Billon said his first-ever job was cutting french fries at a concession at the fair.
His dad, Earl Billon, was an active member of the Prince George Exhibition board, including taking on the duties of president for a time in the '80s, as well as creating the Home of the Silver Stetson concept that still identifies the fair today. Unfortunately, Earl passed away several years ago, just as Matt was breaking into the business.
Matt spent his summers watching the entertainers at the PGX, both on stage and off and said it sparked his interest in performing.
Matt's dad encouraged him to go into showbiz before going to college, which is a bit of a switch from what other parents want for their kids. It worked out, though. Based out of Toronto now, he travels all over Canada, the U.S. and the U.K., enjoying his success as a comedian.
Matt said a big part of his career success is to comedians giving him breaks, like Tom Slade, who got Matt to perform in the middle of his set during a sold-out show. Sean Collins and Mike MacDonald also helped him out and now it's his turn to give back.
"I'm usually quite close to the amateur community," said Matt. "A lot of kids come up to me in the clubs -- the new comedians, and ask me for advice."
He's not just talk, either. During his tours that take him outside of Toronto, he brings along comedians that wouldn't get the out-of-town gigs themselves, ever-conscious of the help he got when he needed it.
"It's always fun to give back and remember where I was," Matt said. "I see myself in them. Wow! Now they're looking up to me like I did with Tom (Slade)."
Matt said when he looks back on his career, he's surprised at some of the stuff he's done. He's appeared in Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, has written for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and had his own hour-long special in the Comedy Network to name a few of his accomplishments.
"Because you're always focussing on what's ahead, you kinda forget about what you've done in the past and then when I sit down and go, you've done this or that, now the list kind of keeps going as far as TV appearances and whatnot."
Matt said when his hour-long show on the Comedy Network aired, it really hit home for his family that he was a success. They gave up asking him to go back to college after the show aired.
The evolution of the work of a comedian is in constant motion.
"The material is always growing, I guess you slowly become more yourself on stage," said Matt. "It was always my goal to become not so much a character than myself and that's changed quite a bit and it's become very close to who I am. It's embellished and it's still just for fun and a joke. I guess that's something people always want to know - is that true? I don't know if that helps me if I say yes."
Why don't we go with "it's a joke," he laughed.
The PGX offers Billon, MacDonald and other performers' shows at no extra charge. All performances are included in the price of admission to the fair.
Billon and MacDonald will perform their 90-minute show Aug. 7 at 1 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., Aug. 8 at 3 and 7 p.m., Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Other acts also performing in Kin 1 include tribute bands, Abba Arrival and Fleetwood Mac Dreams, as well as outdoor entertainers who will be strolling on the grounds, including Gassy Jack, the Granville Boys, James Johnson and Mike Battie.
The community stage has entertainers lined up for a full 12 hours each day of the fair and features community entertainers, including dance troupes, bands, and solo artists, as well as hosting the PGX Idol contest, with a grand prize of $1,000. The midway is by West Coast Amusements this year, so there will be all kinds of new thrill rides at the fair.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
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