Gilda's LaughFest 2017 Calendar of Events

1. MARCH 9-19, 2017
laughfestgr.org
ON SALE
December 16, 2016 - January 20, 2017
TICKET PACKAGES
& BADGES

2. 2017 LAUGHFEST CONTENT GUIDELINES
These guidelines give you an overall sense of the content and age-
appropriateness of festival events and shows. Beyond family friendly
rated events,the guidelines are not meant to be a guarantee of strict
adherences by the artists,as material is often subjective and open to
interpretation by those in the audience. We hope these guidelines will
enhance your overall festival experience.
F Family Friendly – Suitable for all ages
L LaughteRx – Events with a health and laughter focus;best suited for
ages 13 and above
C CleanAdult Laughs – Adult content without vulgarity and/or profanity;
best suited for ages 18 and above
R Rated R… Really! – Adult content with some vulgarity and/or
profanity;best suited for ages 18 and above
M For MatureAudiences – Adult content that contains strong subject
matter;best suited for mature audiences
I This symbol indicates a venue is 21+ and will require a valid
ID for admission
LAUGHFESTTICKET PACKAGES & BADGES
DECEMBER 16, 2016 - JANUARY 20, 2017
INDIVIDUAL TICKETS GO ON SALE LATE JANUARY 2017
atTicketmaster.com (search for LaughFest),theVanAndelArena
Box Office,or atTicketmaster outlets through closing day of the
Festival.Tickets will also be available at LaughFest Central at the
Grand RapidsArt Museum beginning in mid-February.
Make a $5 donation to support the free
programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand
Rapids. Donate at laughfestgr.org/high-five
or by purchasing a button at participatingWest
Michigan businesses. *Your gift is tax-deductible
and 100% of your gift stays in our community.
Make a $5 donation to support the free
programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand
Rapids. Donate at
or by purchasing a button at participatingWest
Michigan businesses.
and 100% of your gift stays in our community.
BOX OFFICE PHONE HOURS
Monday-Thursday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
ORDER ONLINE 24/7
laughfestgr.org
QUESTIONS?
tickets@laughfestgr.org
or call us at (616) 735-4242

3. If it has to do with laughter, you will find it at Gilda’s LaughFest!
This 10-day festival includes stand-up comedy, improv, music,
dance, speakers, films, showcases (featuring professionals,
amateurs, and everything in between), and much more.
Gilda’s LaughFest has all kinds of seriously funny stuff, so there
is sure to be something for everyone!
And, while we know laughter is good for you, LaughFest is
also for a good cause. 100% of the proceeds benefit the free
cancer, grief, and emotional health support programs offered
through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids for children, adults, families,
and friends. With clubhouses located in Grand Rapids and
Lowell, as well as community outreach and in-school programs,
Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids helps individuals find their smile and
laughter even in the midst of dealing with the tough stuff in life.
So come smile with us this March at
LaughFest…it’s all about celebrating laughter
for the health of it!
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
gildasclubgr.org

4. You can purchase a Festival Badge,build your ownTicket Package or
purchase a gift certificate to be used towards packages or badges.
Create seriously fun memories in the new year!
BUILD YOUR OWN PACKAGE
Create a LaughFest experience that’s just right for you! See laughfestgr.org
for all of the details on how you can mix and match a perfect package by
selecting two or more shows from two different categories.
LAUGH MORE
IN 2017!
Purchase packages online at
laughfestgr.org or call 616-735-HAHA (4242)
-PICK – $25 GIFT CERTIFICATES
Purchase individually or add to any ticket package or badge order.
Sold in $25 increments, Gift Certificates are good towards any any
ticket package or badge and must be redeemed by January 20, 2017.
Cannot be used toward individual tickets.
SERIOUSLY FUNNY FAMILY
ADVENTURE CHALLENGE F
Sunday, March 19, 2017 FREE!
Registration 12:00 pm
Race starts at 1:00 pm
Grand Rapids, MI
You’ve seen the heart-pounding
adventures and glory-stealing moments unfold on shows like
TheAmazing Race,Expedition Impossible and MinuteToWin It.The
Seriously Funny FamilyAdventure Challenge is just like that!
Only different.Well,let’s be honest ...REALLY different.But that’s
what makes this event so SERIOUSLY FUNNY!This FREE family
fun-filled challenge will involve teams (of two to four) racing
across the downtown areas of Grand Rapids to engage in fun and
exciting timed challenges requiring fast thinking,fast acting,and
reckless abandon.
PEOPLE & PETS F
Sunday, March 12, 2017, 11 am FREE!
GRCC Ford Fieldhouse
Bring your furry (or not so furry) friends to celebrate how
funny pets can be!There will be contests (Best Costume,Best
PetTrick,and Best LookA Like),vendor tables,photo booth,
giveaways,entertainment,family activities,and more!ALL pets
are welcome…yup even the family pet pig!
Underwritten by

5. New for 2017 we are excited to
introduce LaughFest Badges! Badges
are priced at four levels that provide
guests a great way to experience the
Festival and get insider perks like access
to exclusive parties,early access to
single ticket sales,early seating at free
shows,merchandise discounts,and an
exclusive shirt for LaughFest Friends.
THE LEVEL 1 $99 Badge offers festival followers a smidge of laughter
with one headliner and one feature show plus the followingVIP Perks:early
access to single ticket sales,early entry to free shows,and a LaughFest Friends
Membership.
THE LEVEL 2 $149 Badge provides festival goers a smattering of
smiles with one headliner and two feature shows,all the Level 1VIP Perks
plus a pass to the Opening Party.
THE LEVEL 3 $249 Badge offers festival groupies a boatload of
laughter with two headliners and three feature shows,all the Level 2VIP
Perks plus one pass to Headliner’s Club.
THE LEVEL 4 $449 Badge provides festival fanatics the whole sha-bang
including,six shows of your choice plus a show-only ticket to the Signature
Event,all the previousVIP Perks,and access to Headliner’s Club every day that
it’s open.This is theVIP way to experience LaughFest!
BADGESNEW THIS
YEAR!
Festival and get insider perks like access
BADGES
*Includes LF Friends t-shirt, High 5 Button, Mitten State LF decal, a $25 value.
**Show only. Does not include dinner.
Visit laughfestgr.org for a full listing of Headliner and Feature shows
BENEFITS LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4
Headliner Show One (1) One (1) Two (2)
6 shows of
your choice
Feature Show One (1) Two (2) Three (3)
Early entrance to all free
shows • • • •
10% Discount on LF
Merchandise • • • •
EarlyAccess to Single
Ticket Sales • • • •
LaughFest Friends
Membership* • • • •
Access to Opening Party • • •
Headliner’s Club Pass One (1)
Every open
night
Signature EventTicket** •

6. ARTIST & EVENT LINEUP
ILIZA R
Friday, March 17, 8pm
Fountain Street Church
Iliza is the only female and youngest comedian to hold the
title of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Her Netflix Original
Comedy Special, Freezing Hot, sealed her title as one of the
hottest touring acts in America, with Esquire Magazine listing
her as one of the top working comedians today. She can now
be seen in Confirmed Kills, her newest stand-up special.
SINBAD C
Saturday, March 11, 8pm
Fountain Street Church
Ranked by Comedy Central as one of the top 100 stand-up
comedians of all time, Sinbad has built a loyal following and is
known for “making it sound profound without being profane.”
He is known for his starring appearances in Jingle All theWay,
Houseguest, and Necessary Roughness.
PETE HOLMES & FRIENDS R
Saturday, March 18, 8pm
Fountain Street Church
You might know Pete from his podcast You Made ItWeird. Or
The Pete Holmes Show! Or his videos with FrontPage Films.
Or on Conan. Or Jimmy Fallon. Whatever the case may be,
you won’t want to miss his return to LaughFest in 2017!
JOEL MCHALE R
Saturday, March 11, 8pm
DeVos Performance Hall
Joel McHale is one of the most sought
after comedians and actors in the industry.
McHale recently wrapped his twelfth and final season of
E!’s The Soup in which he satirized pop culture and current
events. He is also best known for his starring role on the hit
comedy series Community.
Presented by
Smash Productions Presents a Festival Encore
KATT WILLIAMS R
Sunday, March 26, 8pm
Van Andel Arena
Legendary stand-up comedian, world-
renowned actor, rapper and vanguard in
an elite category of professionally-touring
comics, Katt Williams has developed a career seeded with
thousands of stage shows in sold-out arenas, a laundry
list of starring roles on the small screen and memorable
performances in major box office hits.
P R O D U C T I O N S
S M Λ S H

7. LAUGHFEST’S BEST I
Saturdays, March 11 & 18 at 11:59pm
Pyramid Scheme
So many shows, so little time! Check out LaughFest’s Best to
get a little sampling of comedians from across the festival...
you just never know who is going to stop by!
ARTIST & EVENT LINEUP
RIVER CITY IMPROV C
Saturdays, March 11 & 18 at 7:33pm
Ladies Literary Club
River City Improv exists because they enjoy entertaining
audiences using comedic improvisation.They weave skits,
games and songs with audience suggestions to create unique
entertainment experiences for each show.
POP SCHOLARS C
Friday, March 10 at 8pm
Wealthy Theatre
Pop Scholars is a 4-man, Grand Rapids based, fast-paced
improv team. They’ve been doing improvisational comedy
for many years in Grand Rapids and have performed all over
Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.
STEVE LEMME AND
KEVIN HEFFERNAN LIVE
FROM SUPER TROOPERS AND
BEERFEST R
Saturday, March 18, 7:30pm & 10pm
Wealthy Theatre
Kevin Heffernan (“Farva” in SuperTroopers and “Landfill” in
Beerfest) & Steve Lemme (“Mac” in SuperTroopers and “Fink”
in Beerfest) are two members of the Broken Lizard Comedy
Group and creators of films such as SuperTroopers, Beerfest,
Club Dread & The Slammin’ Salmon.
CAN’T GET ENOUGH LAUGHFEST?
Get even closer to the festival by becoming a LaughFest Friend!
Memberships start at just $25. Learn more and join today at
laughfestgr.org/membership.

8. ARTIST & EVENT LINEUP
BEST OF THE MIDWEST COMPETITION
$2,500 CASH PRIZE R
Wednesday, March 15, 7pm
The B.O.B.
These 8 comedians hail from the Midwest and are some of the hottest up-and-
coming comedians around! They will vie for the title “2017 Gilda’s LaughFest Best
of the Midwest Comedian” and a $2,500 cash prize.
Mike Paramore Will
Spottedbear
Ramon Rivas Kristen
Toomey
Shaun LathamAlex KuminMarty DeRosa Zach Martina
Underwritten by
Michael
Harrison
Erin Jackson Brad WenzelVladimir
Camaano
SHOWCASE 1
Michael
Somerville
Gina Brillon Tim NorthernKristin Key
SHOWCASE 1I
BISSELL PRESENTS
CLEAN COMEDY SHOWCASE C
Thursday, March 9, 7pm & 8pm
Friday, March 10 & Saturday, March 11, 6pm, 7pm & 9:30pm
The B.O.B.
These 8 comedians have been pre-selected for their unique ability to bring laughs
without vulgarity.This is a festival favorite that you won’t want to miss!

9. ARTIST & EVENT LINEUP
GUN LAKE CASINO PRESENTS
NATIONAL STAND-UP COMEDY
SHOWCASE R
Matthew
Broussard
Drew Michael Liz Miele Ali Siddiq
SHOWCASE 1
Christian
Finnegan
RickyVelezMegan Gailey Shane Torres
SHOWCASE 1I
Friday, March 17 & Saturday, March 18, 6pm, 7pm & 9:30pm
The B.O.B.
See a showcase of some of the best comedic talent from all across the country!
See Showcase I or Showcase II, or both to see all 8 seriously funny comics.
2017
FUNDERWEAR RUN F
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Registration begins at 8:30 am
Race starts at 10:00 am
Grand Rapids, MI
This unique race invites participants to
wear their finest (and funniest!) underwear
over their running clothes in support of
Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids! So forget black
tie,there is a NEW dress code in town
for fundraising events-underwear! Help us
bring laughter and awareness of emotional
health to the streets of Grand Rapids.Hey,
when else can you run (or walk!) around in
your underwear and NOT have it end with
a ride in the back seat of a fancy car with
flashing lights?
Underwritten by

10. Thank you to our confirmed sponsors to date!
Bissell Inc.
Gilmore Collection
SeyferthPR
Steelcase
TOO FUNNY FOR WORDS
Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Michigan
Comfort Research
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
GR Mobile and Parking
Terryberry
Wolverine Worldwide
BELLY LAUGHERS
American International
Foods, Inc.
Aria Show
Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
Daniel and Pamella DeVos
Foundation
Experience Grand Rapids
Funny Business Agency
Gerald R. Ford
International Airport
KBOgroup
Lowell Area Community
Fund
Pageworks
LAUGH OUT LOUD CROWD
2/90 Sign Systems
Behler-Young
Boxed Water Is Better
Deep End Films
Distel Wolfe
Scavenger Hunts
Eenhoorn LLC
FASTSIGNS of Grand Rapids
Lake Michigan Credit
Union
MassMutual MidMichigan
Real Space
Spectrum Health
The Mitten State
Vander Mill
CHUCKLERS
Addix
Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC
Boar’s Head
Bold Socks
Custer Workplace Interiors
Derek Draft DDS
Dickinson Wright PLLC
Edward Jones
Ferris State University
Gazelle Sports
Godwin Plumbing
Kendall College of Art &
Design of Ferris State
University
King Milling
Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
Metro Health
Old National Bank
Owen-Ames-Kimball Co.
Predisio
River City Improv
Samaritas
Star Truck Rentals
State of Michigan Council
for Arts and Cultural Affairs
(MCACA)
GIGGLERS
PREMIER PARTNERS
March 9-19, 2017
laughfestgr.org