LAUGHFEST
March 6-16
More than 40 venues in Grand Rapids, Holland and Lowell
TICKETS AND INFORMATION
laughfestgr.org, (616) 735-HAHA
Crawlspace Eviction
Dog Story Theatre, Grand Rapids
March 7, 7 and 9 p.m.
Crawlspace Eviction returns to LaughFest with its comedic improv. This group has been entertaining audiences in the Kalamazoo area with eclectic improv for three years.
Jim Gaffigan
GRCC Ford Fieldhouse, Grand Rapids
March 7, 8 p.m.
$47.50-$57.50
Gaffigan's humor takes his audiences by surprise with his quiet, almost polite demeanor. His clever insights and witty humor have made him a huge success with audiences. Two words have made him universally loved by audiences all over: Hot Pockets.
Pop Scholars
Wealthy Theatre, Grand Rapids
March 7, 8 p.m.
$7
Support local talent and check out Pop Scholars on March 7. This four-man, Grand Rapids-based improv group stays true to its name and put on a show full of intelligent, comedic wit.
PJ Walsh
Lowell High School Performing Arts Center, Lowell
March 8, 7 p.m.
$22.50
PJ Walsh's high-energy persona adds to his already established reputation as one of the hardest working comedians behind the microphone. His comedy has carried him globally, ranging from the Olympics to overseas tours for troops and back home with a show on Sirius Satellite Radio. The hilarity of his stories mixed with his heartfelt emotions about friends he's lost to war, leaves his audiences inspired to follow PJ's footsteps in living life to the fullest.
The Blackout Diaries Hosted by Sean Flannery
Perrin Brewing Company, Comstock Park
March 9, 8 p.m.
$30
Sean Flannery is not afraid to spill his guts when it comes to telling tales of regretful drunken decisions -- he even makes an entire show about it. His barroom humor is made up of humble jabs at himself and loved ones; a level of hilarity that earned him a spot in 2004's regional finals of the HBO
Comedy Fest. His interactive comedy shows allow the audience to share their favorite drinking story, conveniently, all the while enjoying a cold one.
Lily Tomlin
DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids
March 10, 7:30 p.m.
$45-$60
From Detroit-native to Grand Rapids newbie, Lily Tomlin will make her first appearance at LaughFest with a show titled "An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin." She's cemented herself as an icon with award-winning roles in Nashville, "The Lily Tomlin Special," "The Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe" and her numerous comedy albums.
Best of the Midwest
Dr. Grins, Grand Rapids
March 12, 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Up-and-coming comedians from throughout the Midwest will compete for cash prizes, titles and your affection.
Jay Leno
DeVos Place, Grand Rapids
March 12, 5:30 p.m.
$250
Jay Leno has remained at the top of the list of most wanted entertainers by LaughFest fans, and Grand Rapids has the opportunity to have Leno perform in Laughfest's signature event. He's undoubtedly one of the country's most famed comedians of all time and recognized for his bone tickling wit. Although he's now the veteran host of NBC's "Tonight Show," this comedian is not retiring just yet.
Carly Aquilino, Chris Distefano and Andrew Schulz as seen on MTV's Guy Code
GVSU Kirkhof Center, Allendale
March 13, 9 p.m.
Free
They're the ones responsible for filling your teenage boy's head with advice on how to adhere to the social standards within the laws of manhood, as seen with their hilarious comedic input on MTV's "Guy Code." Aquilino, Distefano and Schulz plan to expose their uncensored personalities with some unapologetic comedy focusing on different social standards that exist between guys and girls in a burst-out-laughing fashion.
Chris Tucker
GRCC Ford Fieldhouse, Grand Rapids
March 14, 8 p.m.
$47.50-$57.50
Chris Tucker, best known for playing Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour movies and his recent role in the award-winning Silver Linings Playbook, comes to Grand Rapids on March 14. In 2011, he made his stand-up comeback and has not slowed down since.
Sinbad
Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids
March 16, 4:30 p.m.
$32.50-$39.50
Sinbad is unapologetic, turning the audience's woes into jokes and throwing it back at them. His in-your-face style won him a spot on Comedy Central's list of top 100 stand-up comedians of all time.
Our Diversity Show
Wealthy Theatre, Grand Rapids
March 15, 8 p.m.
$7
Comedians of all different backgrounds take to the stage and poke fun at racial stereotypes. This show is not only full of hilarity, but has thoughtful insight as well, as the comedians make fun of and tear apart the very idea of race.
