After months of announcing comedian lineups and hyping up free family-friendly events, LaughFest 10 is finally in full swing.
LaughFest Recovery Showcase artist Aaron Sorrels, along with Rockin' Homegrown Jam artist and Clean Comedy Showcase host David Dyer, stopped by the studio to talk about their events, as well as some other events festival-goers should check out during the 10-day funny fest.
Each year, Gilda’s LaughFest hosts a series of events surrounding the importance of emotional health, known as Laughter Rx. For those seeking to heal their emotional pain through comedy, they should attend many of the following events.
LaughFest Recovery Showcase
The LaughFest Recovery Showcase will take place on Wednesday March 11, at 7 p.m. at the Monroe Community Church. The free event will feature comedians from around the country coming together and celebrating sobriety. Everyone 18 and up is welcome to attend.
The six artists include Aaron Sorrels, Kara Coraci, Whitney Wasson, Steve Hansen, Angel Garcia, and Dwight McCormick.
LRx Symposium
The first ever Laughter Rx Symposium, “Emotional Health – The glue that holds us together when life’s tough stuff happens” will be held at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids on Friday, March 6.
The event will bring together health care professionals, caregivers, any affected by chronic diseases like cancer and all others interested in the impact of emotional health and laughter for a morning of learning and conversation.
Speakers for the Laughter Rx Symposium are Jayson Dibble, Ph.D, associate professor of communication, Hope College, David Sharp, MD, Faith Hospice of Grand Rapids and Andrew Kline, MD, PharmD, emergency medicine physician and clinical adviser of emergency neurology at Spectrum Health.
Adam Cayton-Holland
Adam Cayton-Holland’s “Happy Place” is a one-man show adapted from his critically acclaimed memoir, “Tragedy Plus Time,” will be held at The Listening Room at Studio Park on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m.
Through the devastating suicide of Cayton-Holland’s younger sister, Lydia, “Happy Place” is a darkly funny exploration of going through the unimaginable and learning to find your sense of humor again.
Individuals who attend the symposium will receive a discount to Cayton-Holland’s performance.
Laughter Yoga
Family friendly free Laughter Yoga activities with instructor Angela Essick Dykes will begin on Tuesday, March 10 with the first class at Gilda’s Club Lowell at 4 p.m., and a second class at Metro Cancer Center at 6:30 p.m.
Six additional Laughter Yoga events will be held at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids:
- March 7, 10 a.m.
- March 8, 3 p.m.
- March12-14 at 10 a.m.
- March 15, 3 p.m.
For those who are looking for a more light-hearted and clean-humor show, consider attending the following events.
Rockin’ Homegrown Jam
The Rockin’ Homegrown Jam will return to LaughFest and their show will take place at the Intersection on Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
The show’s theme will include comedy from local artists and music will be performed by The Legal Immigrants.
The spectacle features five comedians all doing stand-up comedy sets, and at the end of their set, The Legal Immigrants will join each comic on stage to play a cover song.
The intention has been to showcase that there are working comedians who tour the country proudly, displaying the mannerisms Grand Rapids raised them with and still call Beer City, USA home.
Clean Comedy All-Stars Showcase
Clean Comedy All-Stars Showcase will begin on Thursday March, 5 at The B.O.B.
Tickets for late night weekend shows are still available.
The six artists include Kermet Apio, Gina Brillon, Erin Jackson, John Novasad, Louis Ramey and Joe Zimmerman.
LaughFest runs March 5 through 15.
To get more information and more event dates, visit laughfestgr.org.
