As LaughFest reminds us all that laughter is, in fact, the best medicine, we’ve gone and put together a roundup of comedy events happening all around West Michigan during the months of March and April. Leap up on the stage for an open mic night, take a class at The Comedy Project, see an improv show or reserve tickets to your favorite stand-up comedian — there are near endless ways to tickle your funny bone in West Michigan.
OPEN MIC NIGHTS
If you have always wanted to pick up that microphone and show West Michigan what you have to offer, there are plenty of open mic nights to join. Check out one or make a whole week’s worth of entertainment and schedule all of them on your calendar.
The Drunken Retort
facebook.com/thedrunkenretort
Every Monday night starting at 8:30 p.m., the Drunken Retort hosts an open mic night for all talents — whether you’re a poet, musician, singer or comedian. Held at Stella’s Lounge, this open mic and slam night also features a variety of performing artists from around the country.
Tip Top Tuesday Comedy
facebook.com/tiptoptuesdaycomedy
Hosted by Kian Straub, this free night of local and regional stand-ups is held at the Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill. For ages 21 and older, Tuesday Comedy nights are performed every Tuesday at 9 p.m. with drink specials and no cover charge.
Kava Kasa Open Mic
kavakasagr.com
Held on the first Tuesday of the month at 8 p.m., Kava Kasa’s Open Mic Night is free to attend and open to any aspiring poets, comedians or musicians. Performers are encouraged to arrive at 7:30 p.m. for signs ups.
Hump Day Hilarity
facebook.com/humpdayhilarity
Celebrate hump day by sharing your best jokes at
Fulton Street Pub and Grill. Each comic gets at least eight minutes of stage time and receives two complimentary drinks for performing. Prospective comedians can sign up in advance or arrive early and put their name down to be entered in a drawing to go up.
Shakespeare’s Pub
facebook.com/lowerlevelcomedy
With comedy shows happening every first and third Thursday of the month at 9 p.m., Kalamazoo’s
Shakespeare’s Pub offers a collective performance of open mic opportunities, local showcases and professional comedic acts.
Dr. Grins Comedy Club
thebob.com/drgrinscomedy
Every Thursday night at 8 p.m., Dr. Grins Comedy Club features an open mic night at the B.O.B. Aspiring acts are encouraged to sign up before the show.
LOCAL FUNNIES
Once you get a taste of open mic nights, check out all that local comedy has to offer in West Michigan — from improv shows to comedy classes.
Sunday Night Funnies
On Facebook
In its 11-year history, the Sunday Night Funnies hosts a live stand-up comedy show every Sunday night, starting at 8:30 p.m. Featuring more than 1,000 comics from around the Midwest, Sunday Night Funnies sets its stage at the Spectrum Entertainment Complex in Wyoming.
Pop Scholars
popscholars.com
Featuring Andy Allen, Dave Lyzenga, Mike Ryskamp and Matt Sterenberg, Pop Scholars is a Grand Rapids-based improvisational team performing since 2009 at Wealthy Theatre. In the near future, this four-man comedy troupe has a LaughFest performance on March 6 at 8 p.m., as well as a comedy show on March 27 at 8 p.m.
River City Improv
rivercityimprov.com
Performing since 1993, River City Improv produces shows each month at the Wealthy Theatre and Listening Room at Studio Park. With each show starting at 7:33 p.m., upcoming showtimes include March 7, 14, and 28, and April 18.
Funny Girls
wearefunnygirls.com
Featuring some of West Michigan’s funniest comedians, Funny Girls performs regularly at The Comedy Project with game shows and variety shows. You should also check out Grand Rapids, the Musical!, a free show at Creston Brewery on March 7.
The Comedy Project
thecomedyproject.com
With shows Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, The Comedy Project offers not only improv and sketch performances, but also classes for the community.
LaughFest
laughfestgr.org
Returning for its 10th season, Gilda’s Laughfest takes place March 5 to 15 and features comedy showcases and family-friendly programming, such as Kids Rock Hip Hop Dance Party and the People and Pets Expo.
Back Alley Comedy Club
rockfordlanes.com
shermanbowlingcenter.com/back-alley-comedy-club
If you love bowling and laughter, there is nothing quite like the Back Alley Comedy Club, located in Rockford and Muskegon. Just check out some of the impressive comedians on the lineup:
Kevin Farley
March 19 at 8 p.m. – Rockford Lanes
March 21 at 8 p.m. – Sherman Bowling Center
Brad Williams
April 9 at 6:30 p.m. – Rockford Lanes
April 10 & 11 at 9:30 p.m. – Sherman Bowling Center
Pauly Shore
April 16 at 6:30 p.m. – Rockford Lanes
April 17 & 18 at 9:30 p.m. – Sherman Bowling Center
LaughFest Legends
This year, LaughFest is bringing in an especially impressive lineup of stand-up comedians who’ve practically become household names. For more info and to get tickets for any of these shows, head to laughfestgr.org.
Jim Gaffigan
Marking his third appearance for LaughFest, Jim Gaffigan will be at the Van Andel Arena to perform his act, The Pale Tourist, on March 5 at 8 p.m.
Miranda Sings
With special guest Colleen Ballinger (twist: they’re the same person), Miranda Sings joins the lineup at Fountain Street Church on March 6 at 7 p.m.
Adam Cayton-Holland
Performing at the Listening Room at Studio Park, Adam Cayton-Holland stops by to perform his Happy Place Tour on March 6 at 7 p.m.
JP Sears
Coming to the Pyramid Scheme, JP Sears adds to the lineup with showtimes on March 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Justin Willman
Magician and comedian Justin William from Netflix’s Magic for Humans joins LaughFest to perform at Fountain Street Church on March 7 at 7 p.m.
Russell Peters
The first comedian to ever get a Netflix stand-up special, Russell Peters is hitting the stage at DeVos Performance Hall on March 8 at 7 p.m.
Ralph Harris
Performing at the Gun Lake Casino, Ralph Harris makes a stop in Wayland on March 12 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., as well as Larkin’s The Other Place in Lowell on March 13 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Maria Bamford
Returning to LaughFest, Maria Bamford steps on stage at Wealthy Theatre on March 13 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Fortune Feimster
Performing at Fountain Street Church, Fortune Feimster joins the lineup to perform her stand-up act on March 14 at 7 p.m.
Chonda Pierce
On March 14 at 7 p.m., the “Queen of Clean” comedy marks her mark at the Fair Haven Church in Hudsonville.
Jeff Foxworthy
Benefiting Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, Jeff Foxworthy hosts LaughFest’s signature event at DeVos Place on March 14 at 8 p.m.
STAND-UP STARS
It’s not just LaughFest: West Michigan venues bring in amazing comedy year-round. Here are some stand-up stars to prove us right.
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias
wingseventcenter.com
On March 12 at 8 p.m., Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias stops by the Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo for his Beyond the Fluffy World tour.
Larry the Cable Guy
firekeeperscasino.com
Hosted by the FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek, Larry the Cable Guy presents his Remain Seated tour on March 13 at 9 p.m.
Kathleen Madigan
20monroelive.com
Performing at 20 Monroe Live, Kathleen Madigan arrives in Grand Rapids to present her 8 O’Clock Happy Hour tour at 6 p.m. on March 21.
Chris Tucker
soaringeaglecasino.com
On March 21 at 8 p.m., Chris Tucker performs his latest set at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort.
Michael Carbonaro
civiccenterplace.com
Held at the Holland Civic Center, Michael Carbonaro takes the stage on March 28 at 7 p.m.
Ron White
20monroelive.com
20 Monroe Live hosts Ron White — a charter member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour — on April 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Sinbad
20monroelive.com
On April 10 at 7 p.m., Sinbad returns to Grand Rapids to perform at 20 Monroe Live.
Trey Kennedy
20monroelive.com
Hosted by 20 Monroe Live, Trey Kenney performs his Are You for Real tour on April 20 at 6 p.m.
