The Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College will transform into a stage for both uproarious entertainment and impactful giving as the highly anticipated Johnny Live Comedy Bar Special returns on October 19. 

Among the featured acts are three of Jamaica’s most celebrated comedic voices, namely Dahlia Harris, Leighton Smith, and Fancy Cat, bringing their trademark wit, social commentary, and storytelling to the stage.

Headlining the night is African-Canadian star Frankie ‘TRIXX’ Agyemang, whose no-holds-barred comedic style and cross-cultural punchlines have earned him international acclaim. TRIXX has cemented his place as a comedic force, with career highlights including winning the prestigious Boston Comedy Festival and the World Series of Comedy, headlining sold-out theatre shows, and being featured on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network. Blending fearless commentary on pop culture, relationships, and race with his signature charisma, TRIXX delivers a no-holds-barred set that leaves audiences both laughing and thinking.

This year’s staging comes at a time when many Jamaicans are in need of emotional reprieve. According to the 2022 Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey, more than 25 per cent of the population is grappling with depression. In this context, the Johnny Live Comedy Bar Special offers more than entertainment—it will create a space for release, community, and healing.

For creator and host Christopher ‘Johnny’ Daley, the show is a personal mission as much as it is a professional one.

Fresh off his recent appearance at CARIFESTA in Barbados, where he represented Jamaica and quickly became a crowd favourite, Daley sees the October event as an extension of his advocacy for comedy’s power to uplift.

“Comedy is more than just jokes and punchlines,” he said. “It’s a lifeline for people who need to breathe, connect, and feel joy again. We laugh to survive, but we also laugh to heal,” says Daley.

This year’s event will benefit Children First Agency, a leading youth development organisation based in Spanish Town, St Catherine, which is dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk young people through education, training and mentorship.

“At Children First, we see every day how a little hope can change a young person’s path,” said Claudette Richardson-Pious, executive director of Children First. “We are honoured to be part of this special evening, where laughter becomes a force for good. Every ticket sold will help keep a dream alive,” she said.