A Flock of Seagulls rose to fame in the early '80s with their synth-driven hit "I Ran (So Far Away)" and iconic teased hairstyles, becoming one of the most recognizable one-hit wonders of the new wave era. Formed in Liverpool in 1980 by hairdresser Mike Score, his brother Ali, bassist Frank Maudsley, and later guitarist Paul Reynolds, the band gained traction in clubs before MTV propelled them to stardom with the "I Ran" video in 1982.

Men Without Hats broke out of Montreal's new wave scene in the early 1980s with the global hit “The Safety Dance,” blending catchy synth hooks with punk roots. Formed by vocalist Ivan Doroschuk, the band found success with their 1982 debut Rhythm of Youth, followed by hits like “Pop Goes the World.” After a hiatus in the 1990s, Ivan revived the band in the 2010s with a new lineup, featuring Sahara Doroschuk–Sloan, Sho Murray and Adrian White. Recent years have seen a creative resurgence, including two new albums (Again, Part 1 and Part 2) and high-energy tours.

Beloved comedian Jessica Holmes has brought the house down opening for giants such as Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Peters, Jerry Seinfeld, and Oprah Winfrey. She has performed at Just For Laughs and The Second City, and starred in the comedy series, The Holmes Show and Royal Canadian Air Farce. Her hilarious take on life’s challenges as well as her unique knack for impersonating celebrities have audiences in stitches.
Holmes, like millions of North Americans, has struggled both with post-partum depression and, as she puts it, “regular, run-of-the-mill, garden-variety depression”. Striving to help end the stigma around mental health issues, she openly shares her personal stories with the humour she’s known for, bringing light to what can often be a dark topic. Holmes’ funny and inspiring book, Depression The Comedy: A Tale of Perseverance, takes readers deeper into her mental health journey with validation and warmth. She is also grateful to help further reduce the stigma around mental illness as a Bell Let’s Talk celebrity ambassador.
Holmes’s greatest joy is helping people take simple, sustainable steps towards fulfillment and well-being, one laugh at a time. In 2025, she will receive her Master’s of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of East London. Follow Holmes on Instagram at @HappyFunHolmes.