Tag Archives: Laughfest

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

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Going Local, Kent County, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , ,

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.

Gonzo’s Top 5: LaughFest, butterflies, and doing the Irish Jig 5K

Entertainment, Gonzo's Top 5, Non-Profits, Recreation, Restaurants, , , , , , ,

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

From butterflies to an Irish jig, we’re ready for the weekend!

My Top 5, which you can find exclusively on WKTV Journal, also includes comedy, one of Christian music’s most successful acts and a show primarily for women.

What are you going to do?

Gonzo’s Top 5

Casting Crowns first performed at Van Andel Arena in 2005 and last graced the stage locally in 2019. The band returns on The Healer Tour on Saturday, March 19th along with special guests We Are Messengers and Jonathan Traylor. (Photo by Jim Hill)

5. Casting Crowns

As part of their “The Healer Tour,” award-winning Contemporary Christian Music act Casting Crowns makes a stop this weekend at Van Andel Arena. The show is at 7 p.m. Saturday (March 19) with special guests We Are Messengers and Jonathan Traylor. Known for multiple hit songs and albums, the group has been a staple on the charts since 2003 when its self-titled album became an instant hit and sold nearly 2 million copies. The band also has been honored with four American Music Awards, a GRAMMY Award for their 2005 album “Lifesong,” and eight additional GRAMMY Award nominations. In addition, the group has garnered 18 GMA Dove Awards. Ticket information at vanandelarena.com. Learn more about the band at castingcrowns.com.

The West Michigan Women’s Expo takes place this weekend. (Facebook)

4. West Michigan Women’s Expo

The Women’s Expo is a great opportunity to get out of the house with friends and explore a variety of exhibits, seminars and shopping, all tailored to women and their families. Attendees will enjoy interactive activities, pampering, food tastings and even a Great Lakes Writers book and author area. Also, see my friend Jackie Blankenship, who recently was named Mrs. America 2022, as she shares her story about “Confidence and a Belief of Purpose.” She speaks at 1 p.m. Saturday. Show hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at DeVos Place. Learn more at kohlerexpo.com/wm-womens-exp.

3. 38th Annual Spectrum Health Irish Jig

One of the biggest events in the running community is the Spectrum Health Irish Jig, which kicks off the summer season. Even if you have not trained much this winter, you can still get out for an easy run or walk. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at East Grand Rapids High School. Learn more at spectrumhealth.org/irish-jig.

Butterflies and flowers will be on display at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. (Supplied/Meijer Gardens)

2. Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies are Blooming

One of my favorite events in Grand Rapids opened a couple weeks ago – the annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition at Meijer Gardens. It is the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the nation. The kids will love watching tropical butterflies from around the world fly freely in the balmy Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. Throughout the exhibition, guests can experience special educational programming and butterfly-themed activities. It is open through April 30. It’s never too early to start planning a trip or Spring Break outing. More info at meijergardens.org/calendar/butterflies-are-blooming/.

MORE: Spring is around the corner as the butterflies bloom at Frederik Meijer Gardens

Pop Scholars get their LaughFest on along with everyone else. (Facebook)

1.Laughfest GR

This awesome, six-day community event built on the love of laughter, continues this weekend with a jam-packed lineup throughout venues in Grand Rapids. The annual benefit for Gilda’s House Grand Rapids, the non-profit to support the free cancer and grief emotional health programs founded by Gilda Radner, features some of the top local, regional and national acts. I’ll be at tonight’s sold out trivia show at Golden Age inside Creston Brewery. But tickets remain for Tone Bell, Maria Bamford, improv shows, the All Y’all Comedy Showcase and more. Shows continue through Sunday. More details at www.laughfestgr.org.

That’s it for now.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations for events to include in my Top 5 list. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Have a great, safe weekend.



John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

Gaffigan tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 25

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , , ,

By Hilarie Carpenter, SMG


Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever, community-wide festival of laughter, and Outback Presents announced that Jim Gaffigan will bring his The Pale Tourist tour to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. Gaffigan will open the 10th year of Gilda’s LaughFest on Thursday, March 5, 2020, at 8pm.


Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Oct. 25 at 10am. Tickets will be available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices and online at Ticketmaster.com. A purchase limit of eight (8) tickets will apply to every order. See Ticketmaster.com for all current pricing and availability.


Gaffigan is the first headliner to be announced for the 2020 festival. Tickets for The Pale Tourist will be included in LaughFest ticket packages, which go on sale after LaughFest releases its full lineup on Tuesday, Nov. 19.


The Pale Tourist marks the third appearance for Gaffigan at LaughFest. Both of his previous performances sold out.


One of the nation’s top touring comedians, Gaffigan has proven himself as a major talent beloved to a wide range of audiences while achieving accolades and awards for his stand-up comedy, acting, and writing. He has had an unprecedented number of appearances on late night television and has earned nominations for both a Broadband Emmy and a Webby Award for his writing and voice work on the animated series Pale Force for Conan.


In recent years, Gaffigan has also become a mainstay on the big screen with roles in Going the Distance, Away We Go, and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. He appeared alongside Jennifer Connolly, Ed Harris, Pierce Bronson and Greg Kinnear in Salvation Boulevard, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011. Further broadening his career, Gaffigan starred in the Broadway production, That Championship Season.


More information about Gilda’s LaughFest and ticket packages is available at laughfestgr.org, or by calling 616-735-HAHA (4242).

About Gilda’s Club

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is a free emotional health support community of children, adults, families and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving a death due to any cause. Its comprehensive program, delivered by professionals, includes education, structured sharing times, networking, lectures, workshops and social activities. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is one of the largest and busiest of the 42 affiliates in North America. The organization runs entirely on charitable donations and currently serves more than 10,000 individuals each year at its clubhouses in Grand Rapids and Lowell, Mich., in various schools and community centers. For more information, visit gildasclubgr.org.

About Gilda’s LaughFest

Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, has quickly earned a reputation for being one of the nation’s marquee events for both participants and artists. This major 10- day Midwest festival is based in Grand Rapids and includes events throughout West Michigan. Created by Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and launched in March 2011 to celebrate laughter for the health of it, the festival features stand-up, improv, showcases, and a variety of seriously funny stuff.


Second City joins Grand Rapids Symphony evening of comedy in ‘symphonic’ portions

Entertainment, , , , ,

 

https://youtu.be/3XDJxlNnMIE

By Jeffrey Karczmarczyk

Grand Rapids Symphony

 

In the early days of comedy, classical music, like a newly wound music box, played in the background, providing a musical laugh track for gags and slapstick. Thanks to characters including the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons only cemented the connection with hi-speed tonics and jet-propelled pogo stick, all made by Acme.

 

But it’s not often that the music itself is the subject of comedic mirth. As part of Gilda’s LaughFest, the Grand Rapids Symphony welcomes The Second City comedy troupe to DeVos Performance Hall for plenty of laughs about the worlds of symphony orchestras and classical music.

 

Grand Rapids Pops presents Second City: Guide to the Symphony, a blend of original sketch comedy with orchestral works by the great masters, on March 16-18 in DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, March 16-17 and at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 18, part of the Fox Motors Pops series. Fair warning: The show may not be suitable for children and teens under age 15.

 

A humorous celebration of the symphony orchestra, the show with new music and songs by Mathew Reid lovingly satirizes all things orchestral – the hard-working musicians, the all-powerful maestro, the vast orchestral repertoire, and even the quirks of the audience.

 

Associate Conductor John Varineau will be on the podium with The Second City performers for the final weekend of LaughFest, which runs March 8 through March 18. The annual 10-day festival of laughter welcomes Trevor Noah on March 10 for LaughFest’s Signature Event.

 

The Second City – the world’s premiere comedy theater and school of improvisation – offers a cadre of comedic talent from Toronto’s Second City, where the Guide to the Symphony first was performed along with Toronto Symphony Orchestra under Peter Oundjian in 2014.

 

The sketches riff on and feature pieces from classical masterworks including Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmila.

 

Second City Tornato joins the Grand Rapids Symphony for LaughFest

Hailed by the Toronto Star as “the funniest two hours I spent in a theatre this year,” the show has reached symphony newcomers unfamiliar with Glinka and Mahler, as well as regular symphony-goers.

 

Most recently, Second City: Guide to the Symphony was at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with the National Symphony Orchestra last season. The Washington Post labeled the performances as “self-aware and funny…a fun departure from what unconverted members of the audience assumed a symphony was.”

 

With theatrical wit, charm, and lampooning, Second City: Guide to the Symphony, according to DC Metro Arts, left “…the audience laughing even as they headed for the door. And in many cases, with a sudden desire to go to the symphony.”

 

Tickets start at $18 and are available at the GRS ticket office, weekdays 9 am-5 pm at 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100, (located across from the Calder Plaza), or by calling 616-454-9451, ext. 4. (Phone orders will be charged a $2 per ticket service fee, with a $12 maximum.)

 

Tickets are available at the DeVos Place box office, weekdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. or on the day of the concert beginning two hours prior to the performance. Tickets also may be purchased online at GRSymphony.org.

 

Full-time students of any age are able to purchase tickets for only $5 on the night of the concert by enrolling in the GRS Student Tickets program, sponsored by Comerica and Calvin College. This is a MySymphony360 eligible concert.

2016 was a record year for Grand Rapids Area Convention and Tourism Business

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, , , , ,

The reopening of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum with new interactive exhibits is one reason tourism is up in 2016.

Experience Grand Rapids (EXGR), the area’s official destination marketing organization, has announced that 2016 was another record-breaking year for area hotel room revenue. From 2015 to 2016 hotel business increased 8.7 percent exceeding growth for both Michigan’s and the United States’ hotel room revenue gains of 4.8 percent and 6.8 percent respectively.
“For the seventh consecutive year Kent County hotel room revenue has grown over the prior year,” said Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “Hotel room revenue is a key metric for measuring tourism activity because it is affected by leisure tourism, strong convention attendance, the area’s growing business economy, and the increasing number of sports related events.”

 

 

Thanks to the efforts of EXGR’s partners at the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Grand Rapids area has grown as a sport destination. Among more than 80 events on the calendar; 2017 brings USA Cycling’s Fat Bike Nationals in January (a first for Michigan), the 2017 International Softball Congress Men’s World Tournament and PDGA Masters World Championships in August (both new to Grand Rapids), and the USA Weightlifting American Open Series in September.

 

 

Grand Rapids’ overall growth as a leisure destination is effected by the rise of the music scene, the continuously expanding craft beer scene, and updates to popular attractions. In 2016, Van Andel Arena had one of its strongest lineups to date with Garth Brooks’ record for most tickets sold for a single engagement and Paul McCartney’s record for gross ticket sales for a single event. The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum also re-opened in 2016 with a new interactive exhibit and expansion for education.

 

“Grand Rapids continues to gain in popularity as a travel destination,” said Janet Korn, Senior Vice President, Experience Grand Rapids. “Allocates like the ‘New York Times: 52 Places to go in 2016’ combined with effective destination marketing led by Experience Grand Rapids focused on the brand assets of art and culture, food and craft beer, family friendly and more recently music and outdoor recreation work in tandem to inspire travel to the area.”

 

The seven-month exhibit of Ai Weiwei’s at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is giving 2017 a good start in tourism numbers. (Supplied)

Further growth can be attributed to outstanding arts and culture exhibits like the Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion exhibit at Grand Rapids Art Museum which welcomed over 23,000 attendees and ranks it as the sixth most visited exhibit based on average visitors per day, record numbers by the West Michigan Sports Commission, and Gerald R. Ford International Airport set a four-year passenger record in 2016 with a passenger number total of 2,653,630.

 

Furthermore, the visitor experience remains a focus. The Grand Rapids Certified Tourism Ambassador  (CTA) program, which educates people about the importance of tourism in the community, has trained more than 2,890 individuals and touched more than 540 businesses since it started in August 2013. New marketing programs are also being implemented, such as shuttles to ArtPrize for suburban hotel visitors. Following the first-year success, EXGR will again offer this as a hotel guest service during the weekends throughout ArtPrize.

 

Looking ahead, Small said that Experience Grand Rapids will be considering the suggestions made in the Destination Asset Study commissioned by Grand Action.
“The forecast for 2017 is “sunny” because of exciting cultural exhibits coming to Kent County including a seven-month exhibition of Ai Weiwei at Frederik Meijer Gardens, sporting events like the National Congress of State Games, and significant conventions such as Grand Aerie Fraternal Order of Eagles, Church of the Brethren and National Environmental Health Association. Combining with our increasing popularity as a cool city due to events such as ArtPrize, GRandJazzFest, and LaughFest and culinary, craft beer, and outdoor activities.”

Poems from the dark side: actress Amber Tamblyn presents at Schuler Books

Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Upcoming Events, , ,

Amber Tamblyn reads from her new book "Dark Sparkler."
Amber Tamblyn reads from her new book “Dark Sparkler.”

It seems wherever comedian David Cross shall be, actress Amber Tamblyn is sure to follow.

 

Tamblyn, who has starred in “Joan of Arcadia,” “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” and “Two and a Half Men,” has been touring with her husband Cross, whose “Making America Great Again!” tour is part of this year’s LaughFest lineup.

 

And the arrangement works out well for area residents as Tamblyn, who is a writer and acclaimed poet, will be at Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St. SE, discussing her latest book “Dark Sparkler.”

 

Dark Sparkler
Dark Sparkler

“[What drew me to poetry] I think, like anybody, is being able to have a feeling that’s expressed and reciprocated — to be able to make others feel and emote,” Tamblyn said in a recent article with Boulder Weekly. “It’s also what’s powerful about acting — that you get to affect people. Writing to me, when I was younger, had the same power that acting did.”

 

“Dark Sparkler” started with Tamblyn digging into the life and death of child star Brittany Murphy. Murphy died in 2009 from pneumonia and anemia. Tamblyn, also a child star who got her start on “General Hospital,” did not know Murphy but was moved by Murphy’s death as she was the first female contemporary of Tamblyn’s to die.

 

Tamely wrote a poem about Murphy that appeared in [Pank] magazine. The overwhelming interest in that poem encouraged Tamblyn to delve deeper into the topic of the female actresses who were gone before their time.

 

In total, more than 30 actresses, both famous and obscure, are featured in the book such as Murphy, Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield. The poems are paired with original artwork, commissioned for the book, by David Lynch, Adrian Tomine, Marilyn Manson, and Marcel Dzama.

 

Tamblyn’s talk and book signing is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, at Schuler Books & Music, 2660 28th St. SE. Also that evening, her husband, David Cross, will be at Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE. His LaughFest show is at 8 p.m. with tickets running from $39.50 – $32.50. Tamblyn’s talk is free.

LaughFest announces ‘High Five’ Corporate Challenge Day on March 4

Community Health, Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, , , , , ,

Sheriffs high five
Members of the Kent County Sheriff’s Department participating in the “High Five” Challenge

 

By Tyler Lecceadone

 

Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s only community-wide festival of laughter, has announced their upcoming “High Five” Corporate Challenge Day open to all West Michigan businesses, offices and organizations to participate.

 

The “High Five” campaign celebrates the importance of emotional health and the role laughter plays in our lives. It creates visibility for the cancer and grief support programs offerfed through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and Gilda’s Club Lowell. This year they’re illuminating their children’s programs – cancer, grief and in-school emotional health programs.

 

Organizations may collect donations by inviting employees to wear jeans to work, or a hat, or a tee shirt, or the color yellow (for LaughFest!) or any other seriously fun and funny thing they can offer their team as “special” that fits with their culture and work environment.  This year’s Grand Prize for the organization that raises the most money in High Fives on March 4 includes LaughFest tickets, merchandise, and goodies, along with restaurant gift certificates and more.

 

How the “High Five” campaign works is simple. Each participating business or organization is asked to give Gilda’s LaughFest a “High Five” ($5 donation or greater per person that wishes to participate). Their goal is to generate $50,000 for children living with cancer or grief, and for their in-school emotional health programs. All proceeds raised go directly to Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

 

“We’re very grateful for all the past companies who participated and helped us raise funds for our children’s programs,” said Wendy Wigger, president of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids and LaughFest. “We’re hoping to get many more local businesses and organizations to participate this year.”

 

Gilda’s LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids in 2011. Designed to celebrate laughter for the health of it, LaughFestfeatures free and ticketed events including stand-up, improv, film, authors, community showcases and a variety of seriously funny stuff. PastLaughFest headliners have included George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Billy Gardell, Iliza Schlessinger, Jay Leno, Lily Tomlin, Chris Tucker, Mike Birbiglia, Margaret Cho, Betty White, Whoopi Goldberg, Mike Epps, Rodney Carrington, Martin Short, Kevin Nealon, Wayne Brady, Jim Breuer, Joel McHale, Lewis Black and Brian Regan. Proceeds from the festival will go to support the free cancer, grief and emotional health programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Visit the website, or call 616.735.HAHA (4242) to learn more about Gilda’s LaughFest.

To sign up to participate in the “High Five” Corporate Challenge Day on March 4, please contact Shawn Ruetz, Director of Development at sruetz@gildasclubgr.org or 616.453.8300 ext. 137 for details and materials.

 

Laugh, give blood, get a T-shirt!

Community Health, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, Volunteers, , , , ,

laughfest 2016

By LaughFest

 

It’s often said laughter is the best medicine. Unfortunately for many, laughter simply isn’t enough. So for the fourth year in a row, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids (GCGR) and LaughFest are partnering with Michigan Blood and Blue Care Network to host blood drives during LaughFest. The drives will be held February 29-March 3, 2016.

 

“We are thankful for this partnership with Michigan Blood and Blue Care Network,” said Wendy Wigger, president, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. “Many cancer patients rely on blood product transfusions. Donating blood is a great way for loved ones, and even complete strangers, to make a real difference in the health of patients in need.”

 

For every person that donates blood, Blue Care Network (BCN) will donate $5 towards LaughFest’s High Five campaign, which supports the free emotional healthcare, cancer, and grief support programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Individuals interested in donating directly to the “High Five” campaign may do so by clicking here.

 

“Hundreds of Michigan patients are in need of blood every single day,” said Jessica Iloff, manager of community responsibility at Blue Care Network. “Whether they suffered an accident or are receiving treatment for cancer, these patients depend on lifesaving transfusions. Blue Care Network is happy to partner with Gilda’s Club and Michigan Blood each year to make it convenient for LaughFest attendees to provide blood to those who need it most.”

 

Donors will also receive a t-shirt, along with a chance to win tickets to see Michael Palascak, Roy Wood Jr., and other hilarious LaughFest shows.

 

Please visit one of the following locations for your chance to save a life, support Gilda’s Club and share some laughter.

 

Grand Rapids Donor Center
1036 Fuller NE, Grand Rapids
Monday, February 29, 9 am – 7 pm

 

Grandville Donor Center
Grandville United Methodist Church
3140 Wilson Avenue SE
Thursday, March 3, 12:00 – 7:00pm

 

Michigan Blood wants to remind the public that they are the sole provider of blood and blood products for the majority of hospitals in Michigan, including Spectrum Health, Metro Health, and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. Donations that are given outside of Michigan Blood do not stay local nor have a direct impact in your local community. Donate blood at Michigan Blood and help save the lives of patients in Michigan hospitals. Any healthy person 17 or older (or 16 with parental consent) who weighs at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate. Blood donors should bring photo ID. For additional information on donating blood, and to make an appointment, click this link.  

 

About Michigan Blood
Founded in 1955, Michigan Blood is a fast growing, independent, non-profit blood bank headquartered in Grand Rapids. It provides blood products and services for more than 50 hospitals throughout Michigan and is an established leader in quality and service. Michigan Blood collects more than 125,000 units of blood each year at nine permanent donation sites and more than 3,600 mobile blood drives in 40 counties statewide. Michigan Blood has a nationally recognized stem cell (marrow) program and created Michigan’s first public cord blood bank. In addition, Michigan Blood provides therapeutic apheresis, cellular therapies for the treatment of cancer and transfusion medicine consultations. For more information, click this link.

 

About Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids
Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is a free cancer and grief support community of children, adults, families and friends. Its comprehensive program includes education, structured sharing times, networking, lectures, workshops and social activities. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is the largest and busiest of the 52 affiliates in North America. The organization runs entirely on charitable donations and currently serves more than 10,000 individuals each year at its clubhouses in Grand Rapids and Lowell, Mich., in various schools and in five community centers. For more information, visit their website.

 

About Blue Care Network
Blue Care Network of Michigan features award-winning disease management programs and the largest HMO network of physicians and hospitals in the state, with more than 5,000 primary care physicians, 16,000 specialists and most of the state’s leading hospitals. Blue Care Network is the affiliated HMO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more company information, go here and here.

LaughFest Adds Community Showcases to Seriously Funny 10-day Festival

Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, , , , , , , , , ,

default-archiveLaughFest, the annual 10-day comedy festival, is bringing back some popular community showcases and events. But that’s not all. They’re adding some new experiences, too. All told, there will be more than 200 free and ticketed shows featuring over 100 artists at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids and Lowell. Headliners include Seth Meyers, Kathy Griffin, Ron Funches, Anjelah Johnson, Roy Wood, Jr., Chris D’Elia, Bert Kreischer and Heather McDonald.

 

There’s an awful lot to do, but do take the time to explore these fun opportunities:

 

“What Makes You Laugh?“ The Youth Art and Writing Competition entry deadline has been extended to February 26. Students K-12 are invited to write a short story or poem about what makes them laugh. All entries will be displayed in Grand Rapids during LaughFest. The top three winners in each grade division will be awarded prizes. No entry fee.

Celebrity-Lip-Sync-19-of-85-9901-360x240
Celebrity Lip Sync

 

“What Makes You Smile Exhibit“ is a LaughFest campaign illuminating what makes GRPS students smile. Check out the smiles at the Gerald R. Ford Airport all 10 days of the festival.

 

The LaughFest Celebrity Lip Sync showcases local medial personalities vying for the title of best celebrity lip sync in this singing competition. It’s a free, Fast Pass ticket event on March 13 at 1 pm at The B.O.B. on the third floor.

teresa thome
Teresa L. Thome

 

She’s baaaack! Two-time Emmy award-winning producer, writer and storyteller, Teresa L. Thome, is back with her three-hour “Unleash Your Creativity“ writing workshop on March 14 at Campau Square Plaza, 99 Monroe Ave. NW, above Panera Bread. Take this opportunity to learn fun, creative writing and improvisational exercises to inspire your best creative self. Registration is $25.

 

Named 2013’s Funniest Person in Grand Rapids, Nardos Osterhart brings her one-woman show, Halfrican sharing her life story about moving from Africa to America when she was five years old and how she juggles the two different worlds. March 16 at 8 pm at the Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St. SE. Tickets are $10.

halfrican1-360x240
Nardos Osterhart

Where’s festival headquarters?

Gilda’s LaughFest Central will open its doors on February 22 inside the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), located at 101 Monroe Center. Here you’ll find festival headquarters for all LaughFest information, as well as a site to purchase merchandise and pick up “Fast Passes.”

 

What the heck is a Fast Pass? Well, it guarantees you a seat for most free LaughFest shows as long as you’re seated 15 minutes prior to the event start time. After that, walk-up seating begins and Fast Passes expire, leaving you to scramble for a seat, assuming there is one to be found. A bit of an incentive here.

 

All LaughFest members will have a chance to get the passes before the public can get their hands on them.

LaughFest Announces Headlining Artists; Tickets go on Sale Dec. 4

Community Health, Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Our Cities, ,

LAUGHFEST_final_2Oh, boy. Now they’ve done it. The cat’s out of the bag, and what a wild one it is.

Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, has announced its selection of artists performing at the 2016 10-day festival, which runs March 10-20.

The formal announcement for the sixth annual festival is happening this evening at 7:30 pm at the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s Cook Auditorium and is free and open to the public. So, read about it here, and then hie thee down to GRAM and schmooze to your heart’s content.

So, what’s the big deal, you may ask? Well, for starters, last year, 45,000 people attended LaughFest. So, yeah, it’s a huge deal.

This time around, Seth Meyers, an Emmy Award-winning writer and former Saturday Night Live cast member, who currently hosts NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers headlines the Signature Event on MarcKathy Griffinh 12 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids.

Two-time Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian, writer, producer and television personality, Kathy Griffin is also headlining the event. And then there’s Marlon Wayans, an actor, producer, comedian, writer, and film director–who will be starring in the upcoming comedy spoof Fifty Shades of Black.

Could these people be any more multi-talented? OK, stupid question.

Returning LaughFest veterans include Anjelah Johnson, who has guest starred on shows such as The Shield, Ugly Betty and Curb Your Enthusiasm; aMarlon Wayansnd Roy Wood Jr. from the hit show Sullivan & Son.

We could just list them all here, but where’s the fun in that when you can go directly to the website and see photos of the funny people. While they are all worth mentioning here, cash is king and anytime we see a cash prize listed, we write about it.

The Best of the Midwest Competition, underwritten by Wolverine Worldwide, will feature eight Midwestern comics battling for a $2,500 cash prize. Competitors are Sydney Adeniyi, Chris Bowers, Kate Brindle, Jim Flannigan, Rob Jenkins, Chris Knutson, Paul Strickland, and Russ Williamson.

New this year, LaughFest is collaborating with DisArt to bring in recent runner up on America’s Got Talent, Drew Lynch. DisArt, a nonprofit arts and culture organization based in Grand Rapids, works to promote community growth by leveraging the best examples of contemporary, Global Disability Arts. Their 2015 DisArt Festival was one of the largest festivals of its kind, bringing in talented visual artists and performers from several different countries.People and Pets

Additionally, ticket packages will include the LaughFest’s Best shows, which will feature comedians from across the festival, and shows from local comedy troupes Pop Scholars and River City Improv.

LaughFest 2016 will include more than 200 free and ticketed shows featuring over 100 artists at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids and Lowell, Michigan during the 10 days of the festival. Ticket packages start at $32 and will be available to the public beginning at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4 online or by phone at (616) 735-HAHA (4242).

Tickets for Meyers’ performance during the Signature Event are currently available for purchase.

Hey! Want a table sponsorship? Several are available for $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 for tables of 10. Individual tickets are available for $250 (and $100 of the individual ticket cost is tax deductible).

During LaughFest, Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids will again raise funds to support its children’s programs through the “High Five” campaign. Money raised through this campaign will go towards children living with cancer or grief, and for in-school emotional health programs. Want to donate to the “High Five” campaign? Just purchase a button for a $5 donation at participatingLaughfest crown yucking it up restaurants and business in West Michigan, or through the LaughFest website.

Individual tickets are priced from $7 to $57.50, excluding the Signature Event. These will be available beginning Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 at the Van Andel Arena Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, LaughFest Central, when it opens in mid-February, through the closing day of LaughFest, and at ticketmaster.com.

Gilda’s LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids in 2011 to celebrate laughter for the health of it. Past LaughFest headliners have included George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Billy Gardell, Jay Leno, Lily Tomlin, Mike Birbiglia, Margaret Cho, Betty White, Whoopi Goldberg, Rodney Carrington, Martin Short, Kevin NealonDont we boys, Wayne Brady, Joel McHale, Lewis Black and Brian Regan.

Proceeds from the festival will go to support the free cancer, grief and emotional health programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Visit laughfestgr.org, or call 616-735-HAHA (4242) to learn more about Gilda’s LaughFest.

About Gilda’s Club
Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is a free emotional health support community of children, adults, families and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving the death due to any cause. The organization runs entirely on charitable donations and currently serves more than 10,000 individuals each year at its clubhouses in Grand Rapids and Lowell, Mich., in various schools and community centers. For more information, visit their website.

LaughFest to Announce Headlining Artists on December 3

Local Entertainment, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events, ,

LAUGHFEST_final_2On Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 a.m. Gilda’s LaughFest, the nation’s first ever community-wide festival of laughter, will announce a selection of artists performing at the 2016 10-day festival, which runs March 10 – 20. The announcement for the sixth annual festival will be held in the Cook Auditorium at the Grand Rapids Art Museum and is free and open to the public.

Ticket packages for LaughFest 2016 will go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Individual ticket sales will be available beginning Jan. 15.  Individuals who purchase a $100 LaughFest Friends membership before Dec. 3 can purchase ticket packages and individual tickets before the general public. All ticket packages and LaughFest Friends memberships can be purchased at laughfestgr.org, or by calling 616-735-HAHA (4242).

WHAT:       LaughFest 2016 Lineup Announcement
WHEN:       Thursday, Dec. 3, 7:30 a.m.
WHERE:     Grand Rapids Art Museum – Cook Auditorium, 101 Monroe Center NW, Grand Rapids, Mich.
COST:          Free and open to the public