GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Gilda’s LaughFest is celebrating its 10th year and today the first round of talent and shows for the March 5–15, 2020 festival were announced.
Headliners announced include Maria Bamford, Adam Cayton-Holland – “Happy Place,” Ralph Harris, Russell Peters, JP Sears, Miranda Sings and Justin Willman.
They will join previously announced Jim Gaffigan, who will open LaughFest on March 5. LaughFest officials also announced artists performing during the Best of the Midwest All-Stars Showcase and the Clean Comedy All-Stars Showcase.
Other shows announced include Hen Sap & Friends, The Dirty Show hosted by Adam Degi, LaughFest’s Best, Pop Scholars, River City Improv, Rockin’ Homegrown Jam featuring the Legal Immigrants and Grand Rapids Roast Battle hosted by Mike Logan -- all some of Michigan's best comedians.
This year’s signature event will be held on March 14 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Signature event talent will be announced in December.
LaughFest Lineup
Maria Bamford will perform on Friday, March 13, at Wealthy Theatre. Known for her deeply personal and experimental comedy about mental illness, Bamford is the first female comedian to have two half-hour Comedy Central Presents specials.
Adam Cayton-Holland will perform “Happy Place” at The Listening Room at Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids on Friday, March 6. Cayton-Holland will perform his new one-man show, loosely adapted for stage from his critically acclaimed memoir, “Tragedy Plus Time.”
Ralph Harris will perform at Gun Lake Casino on Thursday, March 12, and at Larkin’s Other Place in Lowell, Michigan on Friday, March 13. His first feature film acting role was in “Dreamgirls” after years of successful television work. Harris is best known for his starring role in the ABC-TV sitcom “On Our Own."
Russell Peters, comedian, actor, Peabody and Emmy award-winning producer, will perform at DeVos Performance Hall on Sunday, March 8. Peters has recently been named one of Rolling Stone's “50 Best Comics of All Time.”
JP Sears will perform at the Pyramid Scheme on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7. The work of this YouTuber, comedian, emotional healing coach, author, speaker and world traveler, empowers individuals to live more meaningful lives.
Miranda Sings, featuring special guest Colleen Ballinger, will perform at the Fountain Street Church on Friday, March 6. The actor, comedian, trained vocalist, writer and executive producer is best known for portraying her character, ‘Miranda Sings,’ a personality that is the polar opposite of Ballinger. Ballinger can currently be seen as ‘Miranda’ on the Netflix Original series, HATERS BACK OFF, which she created and executive-produced. This is Sings’ third LaughFest appearance.
Justin Willman will perform at Fountain Street Church on Saturday, March 7. The magician/comedian premiered his six-episode magic series on Netflix entitled “Magic For Humans with Justin Willman.” This is Willman’s third LaughFest performance.
The 10-day festival will feature the Clean Comedy All-Stars Showcase March 5–7. The six artists announced for the showcase include Kermet Apio, Gina Brillon, Erin Jackson, John Novosad, Louis Ramey and Joe Zimmerman.
During the 10-day festival, LaughFest 2020 will include more than 150 free and ticketed events featuring over 100 artists at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell and Wayland’s Gun Lake Casino.
LaughFest Packages will go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m., Nov. 19 at laughfestgr.org or by calling 616-735-HAHA (4242).
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