This article needs additional citations for verification .(August 2010) |
A comedy festival is a celebration of comedy with many shows, venues, comedy performers (such as stand up comics, sketch troupes, variety performers, etc.) and is held over a specific block of time. Normally, each festival has a diverse range of comedy themes and genres. [1]
A partial list of well-known comedy festivals includes:
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world's largest performance arts festival, which in 2019 spanned 25 days and featured more than 59,600 performances of 3,841 different shows in 322 venues. Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, it takes place in Edinburgh every August. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has become a world-leading celebration of arts and culture, surpassed only by the Olympics and the World Cup in terms of global ticketed events. As an event it "has done more to place Edinburgh in the forefront of world cities than anything else" according to historian and former chairman of the board, Michael Dale.
Just for Laughs is a comedy festival held each July in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1983, it is the largest international comedy festival in the world.
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) is the largest stand-alone comedy festival and the second-largest international comedy festival in the world. Established in 1987, it takes place annually in Melbourne over four weeks, typically starting in March and running through to April. The Melbourne Town Hall has served as the festival hub, but performances are held in many venues throughout the city.
Glenn Wool is a Canadian stand-up comedian now living in England. He has released six albums, including 2020's Viva Forever, produced by Dan Schlissel for Stand Up! Records.
The Canadian Comedy Awards (CCA) is an annual ceremony that awards the Beaver for achievements in Canadian comedy in live performance, radio, film, television, and Internet media. The awards were founded and produced by Tim Progosh in 2000.
The Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a programme of free entry events that takes place at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, each August. It is organised by the comedy promoter Laughing Horse, although it includes shows of different genres, and is one of several "free" festivals taking place in the city at that time, most of which incorporate the words free, fringe and/or festival in their title, often leading to confusion.
Matt Roper is a British comedian, writer and musician.
FunnyFest Calgary Comedy Festival is an annual summer comedy festival held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was founded by Stu Hughes in 2001 and has since grown to become Western Canada's largest comedy festival. It showcases over 70 performers both local and international. FunnyFest was also the first comedy festival to be held in Calgary, Alberta. It is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers. FunnyFest produces approximately 125 comedy events, seminars, talent development opportunities and workshops per annum. FunnyFest has inspired others to copy its success.
Stuart Goldsmith is an English actor, stand-up comedian and former street performer. He has presented the Comedian's Comedian podcast since 2012.
Imran Yusuf is a Kenyan-born British stand-up comedian of Indian Konkani Muslim descent, who has appeared on various British radio and TV comedy shows.
John Kearns is an English comedian. He was awarded the Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2014, following on from winning the Best Newcomer Award in 2013. He is the first and only comedian to have done this in the history of the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Kearns' wins were also notable as both shows appeared on PBH's Free Fringe, making his 2013 win the first ever for a free show. In 2014 he was nominated for three Chortle Awards and was nominated in 2014 and 2015 for the Melbourne Barry Award.
Nazeem Hussain is an Australian comedian, actor, television and radio presenter.
Bob Slayer is an Edinburgh Comedy Award winning comedian, musician and promoter. He has been part of a new economic model for venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which has made the event fairer and more affordable for performers and audiences. Acts that have performed at his venues have won and been nominated for a number of prestigious awards.
Ivo Charles Graham is an English stand-up comedian and comedy writer.
Bris Funny Fest is a fringe comedy festival held for the first time in September 2016 in Brisbane, Australia.
John-Luke Roberts is a British stand-up comedian, writer, actor and performer.
Ingrid Elise Dahle is a UK-based Norwegian comedian and actress.
The Delightful Sausage are a comedy double act, created by Amy Gledhill and Christopher Cantrill. In 2019 and 2022 they were nominated for 'Best Show' at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Henry Paker is a British comedian, writer and illustrator.
McCarthy, Sean L. (27 February 2017). "The Definitive Guide to Comedy Festivals for 2017". The Comic’s Comic. Retrieved 25 March 2020.