Tag Archives: Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids

FREE shows highlight Gilda’s 15th annual LaughFest, March 5-9

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The 15th annual LaughFest Festival will offer 45 free and ticketed shows with venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell and Gun Lake Casino and Resort in Wayland (Courtesy, Gilda’s Club GR)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


With Gilda’s LaughFest less than a month away, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids announced the 15th annual event will offer 45 free and ticketed shows with venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell and Gun Lake Casino and Resort in Wayland.

Included in the free events are a new LaughFest kickoff event, several LaughFest favorites, and a variety of family-friendly shows.

There is something funny for everyone at LaughFest (Courtesy, Gilda’s Club GR)

“LaughFest is very much a festival where there really is something funny for everyone,” said Wendy Wigger, President and CEO of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. “Now in our 15th year, we’re excited to bring some great free shows, as well as events that families can enjoy and join in the laughter together.”

What is LaughFest?

Laughter is celebrated at LaughFest (Courtesy, Gilda’s Club GR)

Launched in March 2011, Gilda’s LaughFest is the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter. The festival has quickly earned a reputation for being one of the nation’s marquee events for both participants and artists.

Based in Grand Rapids and including events throughout West Michigan, LaughFest celebrates and honors laughter as an essential part of emotional health and wellbeing.

Featuring stand-up, improv, showcases and more, LaughFest brings together a diverse audience of children and adults every March.

NEW LaughFest kickoff event:

Kicking off LaughFest is a new free event, Celebrity Clue Scavenger, on Feb. 26. The scavenger hunt will feature six teams comprised of 4-6 clever sleuths, embarking on a quest to decipher cryptic clues.

Handed out by local media celebrities, comedians Matt Lauria and Allen Trieu, and local celebrity chef Tommy FitzGerald, the clues will lead teams to six unique locations within a one-mile radius throughout downtown Grand Rapids.

Register your team of sleuths online.

Family Improv brings lots of laughs (Courtesy, Gilda’s Club GR)

Free LaughFest shows:

March 5 @ Midtown – The Cancer Survivor Showcase: Local comedians who have all experienced cancer share their stories – with a twist.

March 6 @ Midtown – We Are SO Lucky: Allen Trieu’s hybrid stand-up and stage show features his personal journey of heartbreak, love, healing and self-discovery during an unexpected divorce. 

A VR Showcase participant engages on stage while audience members watch the simulcast (Courtesy, Gilda’s Club GR)

March 8 @ The B.O.B. – The Virtual Reality Showcase: See comedians live on stage through VR simulcasted to TV screens in Dr. Grins. VR headsets are not required to view the live performance and will not be provided.

March 9 @ Spectrum Entertainment Complex – Sunday Night Funnies: Features up-and-coming talent and a 50/50 raffle with all proceeds going to Gilda’s Club of GR.

Free family-friendly LaughFest shows:

Youth enjoy sharing their jokes on stage (Courtesy, Gilda’s Club GR)

NEW! March 6 @ Resurrection Fellowship Church – Gospel Fest: Hosted by the Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids Sister-to-Sister Breast Cancer Support Group for Women of Color, the event consists of laughter, praise, and shared song with clean comedian Lena Green.

March 8 @ Gilda’s Club GR – Kids Joke Time: Young comedians from West Michigan have submitted their favorite jokes and will take the mic. Comedian Allen Trieu will host.

March 8 @ Gilda’s Club GR – Family Improv: Families get silly playing improvised games while finding new ways to use their imaginations on a rainy day. Led by local improv instructors at The Comedy Project. No improv experience required.

March 5 @ LowellArts! and March 8 @ Gilda’s Club GR – Drums for All with Josh Dunigan: This event is the product of conversations and collaborations Dunigan had with those living with various disabilities. Dunigan provides the drums, participants bring hands and smiles.

All ages enjoy Josh Dunigan’s Drums for All program (Courtesy, Gilda’s Club GR)

Event info / Ticket purchases

The full lineup of free events, as well as ticket information, can be found at laughfestgr.org.

Dinner and show tickets for the Red Door Gala featuring Preacher Lawson are available at gildasclubgr.org/red-door-gala.

LaughFest is accepting volunteers for March festival – register by Feb. 16!

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By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Gilda’s LaughFest is in need of volunteers to support the 2024 festival set for March 6-10.

Volunteer Registration

Volunteers can help in numerous ways leading up to and during the festival. There is no minimum requirement regarding amount of time or number of events needed to volunteer.

General volunteers can help with ushering, ticket-taking collecting donations, and wayfinding. Specialized volunteers are needed to photograph events (Photo Team); run audio, video and lights (Production Team); move supplies and people (Transportation Team); and more.

Those interested in volunteering can register at laughfestgr.org/volunteer/. New and returning volunteers can register through Feb. 16. Orientation will be provided for all volunteers on Feb. 17.

LaughFest 2024 Details

Shows and entertainers announced for the 14th annual LaughFest include: Tammy Pescatelli, Josh Johnson, Piff the Magic Dragon, Demetri Martin, and returning festival favorite – the Clean Comedy Showcase.


LaughFest 2024 includes over 40 free and ticketed shows in Grand Rapids, Holland, Lowell and Wayland’s Gun Lake Casino.

LaughFest individual tickets are available for purchase at laughfestgr.org, and at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids pop-up LaughFest stores from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Feb. 17 and March 2.

Proceeds from LaughFest and LaughFest’s High Five campaign support the free cancer and grief emotional health program offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

Women receiving cancer treatment to experience pampering, renewal at upcoming Self-Care Day Oct. 13

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Self-Care Day, offered by The Healing Nest of Western Michigan, is intended to help cancer patients find rejuvenation of both mind and body (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Self-Care Day will offer alternative therapies by trained and certified volunteers (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

A day of renewal and pampering for women receiving cancer treatment will take place at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids on Friday, Oct.13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Offered by The Healing Nest of Western Michigan and with collaboration with Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, the free Self-Care Day event will include a variety of self-care opportunities. Massages, Healing Touch, Reiki, yoga, and meditation will be available options.

Attendees are welcome to join one or all of the relaxing offerings.

Benefits of self-care

Founded by Reiki Master Laurel Williamson, The Healing Nest is a group of volunteers with specialized training and certification in the above listed alternative therapies.

“People just need a lot of love when [they are] struggling with [cancer],” said Williamson. “You’re vulnerable, you’re scared, you don’t feel good, and you’re worried about the next test or the test results. It’s a constant strain mentally and emotionally. The things we are offering just help take you out of that space and into a place of relaxation, peace, and less anxiety.”

A partnership that was meant to be

Laurel Williamson hopes to continue offering self-care events in West Michigan (Courtesy, Laurel Williamson)

Williamson had grown up watching actress and comedian Gilda Radner with her mother and sisters and knew she had died from cancer.

“I’d heard of the organization that Gene Wilder put together in her honor and memory, and my son-in-law mentioned that I give them a call,” said Williamson.

Needing a place that would allow her to host The Healing Nest event, Williamson visited the renovated farmhouse accommodating Gilda’s Clubhouse (1806 Bridge St. NW, Grand Rapids).

“It’s an incredible place,” said Williamson. “It was taken down to the studs and [they] invited the community in and asked them if they would write their prayers and intentions on the studs before they put the drywall over. It’s just full of prayers and intentions for healing.

“You can feel the love in the building, you can feel the love on the grounds, and you know their doors are open for anyone affected by cancer in any possible way,” Williamson continued. “Their doors are open to anyone experiencing grief. I’m honored that they would like to work with us.”

Gilda’s Club provides a variety of free opportunities for local cancer patients (Courtesy Photo)

Director of Program Operations of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, Lindsay Jousma, said the Club’s desire is to provide a multitude of free service opportunities for local cancer patients.

“Cancer can take a toll on one’s emotional and physical wellbeing,” said Jousma. “By partnering with Laurel and the volunteers at The Healing Nest of Western Michigan for Self-Care Day, we hope to give women living with cancer a special day to care for themselves and their emotional wellbeing.”

How to help someone who is struggling

Williamson said that simply giving a cancer patient a ride to the event is helpful.

“If they were feeling sick from the effects of the chemotherapy…it [takes] a lot for them just to get up and put lipstick on that day,” said Williamson.

She continued to say that help and encouragement can become a matter of “just holding space for them with this pure intention of nothing more than love and helping them.”

Slowing down mental chatter, unwinding the nervous system

Self Care Day is intended to provide relaxing, peaceful effects of slowing down mental chatter, breathing deeply, and allowing the nervous system to unwind.

Reiki, one of the event offerings, is intended to help slow mental chatter (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“Yoga and meditation and Reiki and healing touch all kind of go about it in the same way,” said Williamson of the event’s offerings. “And that is to bring all of the mental chatter to a place of stillness. It’s slowing everything down so that person can be inside their body for a moment, feel their heart beat, and concentrate.

“As a volunteer at The Healing Nest of Mid-Michigan, I saw how its healing resources can rejuvenate a person’s mental outlook,” Williamson continued. “That’s the idea of The Healing Nest, to bring people in and allow them to take that deep breath, sigh, and just be. Now, local women living with cancer have a peaceful place where they can visit and receive free services that target their mind, body and spirit.”

Looking ahead

The Healing Nest is looking for local volunteers (Courtesy Photo)

It is Williamson’s intention to host self-care events regularly. Many of her volunteers, however, travel from the east side of the state to help put on the events.

Because of this, Williamson said they will begin by offering self-care days quarterly.

“I would love to offer it much more often, so I am open to local volunteers,” said Williamson, explaining that volunteers would need to be licensed or certified in their field.

Register for Self-Care Day services

Slots for services are still available for Self-Care Day. Interested participants can register by contacting The Healing Nest by phone: 248-762-2883, or email: laurel@healingnestwest.com.

More information can be found online at www.healingnestwest.com.

For more information about Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and their services, visit gildasclubgr.org.

The Healing Nest and Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids would like to thank Meijer for sponsoring the food and water for Self-Care Day.

Gilda’s ‘LaughFest’ Preparing for 2016 Festival

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LAUGHFEST_final_2Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, announced that they are now accepting sign ups for its Community Showcases, 5k FUNderwear Run, and LaughFest Friends memberships.

Individuals of all ages, and groups of all sizes, are encouraged to apply for the Community Showcases. During LaughFest 2015, officials hosted more than 100 community showcases and other free events at various locations in downtown Grand Rapids, Lowell, and Holland. The categories for these showcases included stand-up comedy, music, short-film, sketch/improv, dance, and kids’ jokes. Applicants chosen for the 2016 festival will be notified in January.

Runners, joggers and walkers interested in participating in the third annual 5k FUNderwear Run can sign up for the FUNderwear Run now! This walk/run will be held on Sunday, March 13 in downtown Grand Rapids and racers are encouraged to wear their finest (and funniest!) underwear over their running clothes to create a hilarious and one-of-a-kind moment in support of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Registration is $30 prior to February 19, and $35  until the run on March 13. Registered participants will receive an official race t-shirt and finisher medal.

LaughFest FUNderwear runIn addition to these events, LaughFest organizers also announced that LaughFest Friends memberships are now available. LaughFest Friends memberships give fans of LaughFest opportunities to connect with the festival year round, and are available for purchase online, at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids (1806 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504) or at LaughFest Central when it opens mid-February.

There are three levels of memberships available, starting at $25. Level one includes an exclusive tee shirt designed by The Mitten State, High Five button and donation, exclusive content and experiences, and early access to Fast Passes for free events. Fast Passes guarantee holders a seat for free showings as long as they are seated 15 minutes prior to the event start time.

The second level costs $50 and includes everything in the $25 level, plus a Mitten State Smile Decal, a 20 percent discount for merchandise at LaughFest Central and online, and a $5 off coupon for LaughFest Central for anyone who signs up before Thanksgiving.

The third membership level is $100 and includes all the items at the $25 and $50 levels, plus pre-sale opportunities to purchase ticket packages in December 2015 and individual tickets in January 2016 before the general public, and two VIP passes to Headliner’s Club at the BOB during the festival.

Designed to celebrate laughter for the health of it, LaughFest features free and ticketed events including stand-up, improv, film, authors, community showcases and a variety of seriously funny stuff. Past LaughFest headliners include Jay Leno, Lily Tomlin, Chris Tucker, Bill Cosby, Mike Birbiglia, Margaret Cho, Betty White, Whoopi Goldberg, Mike Epps, Rodney Carrington, Martin Short, Kevin Nealon, Wayne Brady, Jim Breuer, Joel McHale, Lewis Black, Brian Regan and Anjelah Johnson. An announcement regarding the 2016 festival headliners is expected later this year.

The sixth year of the festival is scheduled for March 10 through March 20, 2016.

Gilda’s Club to Host Night of Gratitude to Honor Supporters

Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities,

Gilda's ClubOn Nov. 12, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids will host its Night of Gratitude event to recognize the many supporters who help carry out the organization’s mission of providing emotional healthcare for those on a cancer or grief journey.

The 2015 honorees include:

•    Meijer – Corporate Engagement Award
This award is given to a corporate partner that demonstrates philanthropic support and encourages its employees, vendors, and community to engage with Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids through volunteerism, fundraising, leadership roles, and creating awareness of our mission and program.
•    GE Aviation – Service Award
This award is given to a group of any size that takes the word “service” to the next level through ongoing support of the Gilda’s Club mission, program, events, and most of all, our members.
•    Pink Arrow Project – Community Partner
This award is given to an organization or group that exemplifies what it means to support Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and the West Michigan community through innovative fundraising concepts, promoting the mission of Gilda’s Club in creative ways, and being genuine ambassadors of our organization.
•    Sister Sue Tracy, OP – Spirit of Gilda Award
This award is presented to an individual who has supported Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids through openly sharing our mission of cancer and grief support with his or her friends and colleagues, advocating for our organization with other leaders in the community, and doing so with the light-heartedness and laughter that embodied our namesake Gilda Radner.

“Gilda’s Club has so many wonderful supporters who help advance our cause. We hope that through the Night of Gratitude, we can show these organizations and individuals how thankful we are for their passion, innovation and vision,” said Wendy Wigger, president of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

Gilda’s Night of Gratitude will be held at New Vintage Place (889 Broadway Ave. NW, Grand Rapids) and will begin at 5:30 p.m. An awards ceremony for honorees will take place at 6:30 p.m. and a performance by the Pop Scholars, a four man Grand Rapids-based improv team, will follow.

Tickets to the Night of Gratitude can be purchased for $50 by contacting Ashley Owen at aowen@gildasclubgr.org or 616-453-8300 or by going to www.gildasclubgr.org/gildasnightofgratitude.

Fifth Year of LaughFest Attracts Visitors Across the Globe

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LaughFest 2015 was, as always, a fun family event.
LaughFest 2015 was, as always, a fun family event.

by Tyler Lecceadone

Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s only 10-day community-wide festival of laughter, attracted attendees from across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom during its fifth annual event. LaughFest officially kicked off on March 5 with an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people wearing paper crowns.

Preliminary numbers indicate that more than 45,000 individuals attended LaughFest’s more than 270 ticketed and free events at 49 venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell and Holland. During the 10 Day event the festival featured over 750 artists and attracted visitors from 644 U.S. zip codes. In total, LaughFest tracked attendees from 34 states, Canada and the United Kingdom.

LaughFest 2015 didn't break the Guinness Book of World Records for wearing paper crowns but it was fun trying.
LaughFest 2015 didn’t breakany records for the number of people wearing paper crowns but it was fun trying.

“We are so grateful for the support that our community provides by coming out and enjoying the festival and learning about the important role laughter plays in emotional health,” said Wendy Wigger, president, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

At Kickoff LaughFest 2015 Wendy Wigger hands out freebies to the crowd.
At Kickoff LaughFest 2015 Wendy Wigger hands out freebies to the crowd.

“Our community, our partners and our sponsors have been vital in helping us raise awareness of our mission and contribute donations necessary for continuing the work
done by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. This would not be possible without that type of support and I want to say thank you on behalf of the entire Gilda’s Club organization.”

While LaughFest officials are still determining the overall economic impact on the community for 2015, they have announced the funds raised through the “High Five” community match campaign. During LaughFest, and through the month of March, the campaign raised $40,610. For each five dollars donated to the campaign by individual donors, Amway Corporation matched each donation, up to $25,000. This allowed LaughFest to surpass its $50,000 “High Five” campaign goal by $15,610.

"If you ain't laughin', you ain't livin'!" - anonymous
“If you ain’t laughin’, you ain’t livin’!” – anonymous

“Amway is honored to be able to donate the full amount offered during the ‘High Five’ community match campaign,” said Todd Woodward, vice president of
communications at Amway.

“It is important that the community understand that there are resources available for individuals who are struggling with emotional health needs. We are delighted that the funds will be used for children’s programming offered through Gilda’s Club.”

Proceeds and donations from LaughFest support free emotional healthcare programs for children and adults living with cancer, grief and loss through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Proceeds from the event account for 10 -15 percent of the Club’s annual operating budget.