Visit VEMU with Doors Open Toronto – *FREE* Live Comedy Featuring Olga Loitsenko and Alex Kotsyk
Experience laughter with meaning at FREE Live Comedy, part of Doors Open Toronto.
On May 23, Tartu College (3 Madison Ave.) will serve as the locale for a powerful cultural program celebrating the theme “The World in the City.” Estonian comedian Olga Loitsenko joins Ukrainian-Canadian Alex Kotsyk for two 30-minute sets and a panel discussion (11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM), exploring the Estonian language and how humour helps process the trauma of war.
Presented by VEMU Estonian Museum Canada and the City of Toronto, the day also features an exhibition “Unissued Diplomas,” honouring Ukrainian students lost in the ongoing conflict, highlighting resilience, memory, and friendship.
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Olga Loitsenko is a genre-blending comedian and creator known for combining stand-up, storytelling, and interactive performance. She debuted her solo show Olgavision at the 2022 Melbourne Fringe Festival, where she tackled mental health through song, dance, and Eurovision.
Since then, Olga has focused on bringing together diverse styles of comedy into original, format-driven shows. In 2023, she co-created Comedy Roulette, a line-up show in which comedians spin a wheel onstage and improvise new material based on unexpected prompts. This concept inspired her next project, Dating Roulette, an interactive dating game show where Olga navigates modern romance with the help of guest performers. The show was presented at the Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2024 and the Tallinn Fringe Festival in 2025, earning a four-star review from The Age.
Now based in Toronto, Olga produces Second Language Comedy, a unique showcase where comedians are challenged to incorporate an unfamiliar Estonian word into their set—or build an entirely new bit around it without knowing its meaning.
Alex Kotsyk is a Toronto-based comedian, producer, and entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of UCrazy Stand Up Comedy. Known for his sharp wit and high-energy presence, Alex has carved out a niche in the live entertainment scene by building a brand that combines comedy, culture, and community.
Starting with small grassroots shows, Alex quickly scaled UCrazy into a recognized name in Toronto’s event space, producing everything from intimate comedy nights to large-scale shows hosting over 200 guests. His events are known for their vibrant атмосphère, diverse lineups, and ability to connect audiences from different backgrounds.
Originally from Ukraine, Alex often draws on his immigrant experience, cultural contrasts, and unconventional life journey in his comedy. His perspective resonates with a wide audience, blending humor with authenticity and edge.
In addition to performing, Alex is focused on expanding UCrazy as a global entertainment brand, exploring opportunities in touring, digital content, and large-scale productions. His goal is to create not just shows, but memorable experiences that people talk about long after the night ends.