Laugh Your Asheville Off Turns Ten This Summer
By Anna Jorstad
Seventy stand-up comedians from around the world will give us their best acts at the tenth annual Laugh Your Asheville Off, the largest noncompetitive comedy festival in the Southeast, which runs Tuesday through Saturday, August 9–13. Showcases featuring a dozen comics from near and far take place on Tuesday and Wednesday at Highland Brewing Company, beginning at 8 p.m. The event moves to Diana Wortham Theatre for four similar events with different comedians Thursday through Saturday (two showcases are on Friday). Comedian legend Carl LaBove headlines the final show at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
“The festival has nurtured its reputation for being very comic and comedy industry friendly by staying true to what we believe a comedy festival should be,” says Charlie Gerencer, festival executive producer/director. “Funny, classy, informative for the performers, and comfortable for everyone—from our comics all the way to our audience, with the million moving parts in between including crew, sponsors, volunteers, local talent, and local businesses.”
Many of the participating performers experience continued success after the festival is over. In years past, comedians landed gigs on Fox’s Mulaney, and Mall Cop 2, among others.
Everything kicks off with two launch parties at Highland Brewing on Tuesday, August 9 and Wednesday, August 10. The first party will feature Flip Schultz, of Los Angeles, who has performed in comedy festivals around the country and toured Europe extensively.
Tickets are $25 for individual shows and the launch party. Cosmo Festival Passes, which offer access to every event, are $125. For more information and a full schedule, visit laughyourashevilleoff.com.
