When Dino Archie won the Seattle Comedy Competition last November, he became, after Damonde Tschritter, only the second Canadian to take home top prize in the contest’s 34-year history. At least, that’s what the organizers said when announcing him at the conclusion of the monthlong event. Only he wasn’t—and isn’t—Canadian. It just seems like the affable standup is one of us.

The Fresno, California, native has been entertaining Vancouver audiences big and small for five years, in little holes-in-the-wall, professional comedy clubs, and big-stage theatres. When he won Seattle, comedy fans north of the border felt proud.

“That feels good, man,” Archie said at an East Van bar prior to stopping in for a set at the weekly Jokes Please! at Little Mountain Gallery on a recent Thursday. “That’s why I make Vancouver a part of my life. I care about the city. Someone said, ‘You go where you’re celebrated.’ I know that’s not the mentality for standup—you don’t just go to the easy crowd. And Vancouver isn’t an easy crowd. But in life? Why live in a place that is shitty for you? Why do that? We get one life that we know of; why not make it what you want? Why not be at a place where you could express yourself creatively? You’re bringing something to that community and they’re giving something back to you. That’s a good relationship and that’s what Vancouver has been for me.”

Spending so much time here certainly hasn’t hindered his career. Archie was flown to Hawaii recently for an episode of Adam Devine’s House Party on Comedy Central. And earlier this month he recorded a set on the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!. It’s a feather in his cap, but he didn’t expect it. His manager sent in tapes while Archie was busy working on his new album, Settling Old Scores, recorded at his home club, the Comedy MIX on Burrard Street.

“I didn’t think my style was really good for late night because I do long-form,” he said. “Not a lot of punch lines.”

He likens his live appearances to off-Broadway. He’s able to explore and stretch his legs. “I don’t have an editor. That’s the beauty of it. I can do exactly what I want. But not a million people are going to come to your play. You’re off-off-off-Broadway. You’re in Vancouver. You’re hella off-Broadway.”

Network television, though, wanted a tight four minutes. Aye, there’s the rub. “It’s like a trailer to what you do, almost,” he said. He was up to the challenge.

“You might want to get nervous but at the same time, they called you,” he said. “They asked you to do it and a guy vouched for you—a guy whose only job is to find comics he thinks are funny. I knew the experience was going to come and go, so I didn’t want to rush it; I wanted to enjoy it and not stress it. It was like the shit was house money.”

Speaking of gambling, Archie is getting together some of his friends at the River Rock Show Theatre on Saturday (April 30). The Vancity Comedy Extravaganza is his way of giving back to the community that’s embraced him. It started with him, Toronto and L.A.’s Dave Merheje (“He takes it to the extreme. I’ve never seen him do the same set the same way twice,” Archie said), Vancouver’s Graham Clark (“He’s so many types of funny, from his delivery to the content. He’s an artist. He’s layered”), and New York’s Michael Blaustein (“He’s goofy. He’s hella funny. He’s like a white Will Smith but pure standup”). That’s extravaganza enough, especially for under 20 bucks. But then Archie added guest sets from Ivan Decker, Kathleen McGee, and Darcy Michael. “This show is getting crazy, man,” he said. “I’m doing it like I’m slashing prices on the next juicer.”

After that, Archie will be off touring. He’ll be in Calgary and Portland, and then forays into Europe when he plays London with the Pajama Men. But don’t worry, he’ll be back.

“I’m here in British Columbia and able to be myself,” he said. “And as long as I’m able to do that, man, that’s what life’s about for me right now. Being that and getting on-stage and trying to make people laugh.”

The Vancity Comedy Extravaganza plays the River Rock Show Theatre on Saturday (April 30).