Grand Rapids Art Museum to Hold LaughFest Central Comedy Evening, 2/16

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 11, 2015 - LaughFest Central will open its doors Monday, Feb. 16, at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) GOSite space, located at 101 Monroe Center. The festival headquarters will serve as a focal point for LaughFest information, as well as a location where tickets and merchandise can be purchased. Prior to the festival, LaughFest Central will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. During the festival, from March 5 to 15, hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

"LaughFest fans will be able to pick up 'Fast Passes', which guarantee a seat for free LaughFest shows" said Joanne Roehm, festival director. "These passes are a great way to take part in LaughFest while saving money. In addition to 'Fast Passes,' LaughFest Central will provide access to many of the great things happening during the festival."

"Fast Passes" will be available for pickup at LaughFest Central, Hope College Ticket Office in Holland (for Holland events) and Springrove Variety Store in Lowell (for Lowell events). LaughFest Friend members will have a chance to get "Fast Passes" from LaughFest Central before they are available to the public. Members of the program can pick up "Fast Passes" at the GRAM from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 14 or Sunday, February 15. Signups for LaughFest Friends are available at LaughFest Central and www.laughfestgr.org.

Some of this year's free events include:

• Drum! Dance! Laugh! African Drum Circle and Dance - Move, sweat, learn and laugh as members of Badenya Drum & Dance add high-energy live drumming

o Saturdays, March 7 & 14, 1:30pm @ Wealthy Theatre Annex

o Family Friendly - For All Ages

• LOL Film Festival - The Laugh Out Loud Short Film Fest is a unique experience for film fans, with audience voting to determine which filmmaker wins a cash prize and the coveted "Audience Choice Award"

o Friday, March 13, 9pm @ Compass College

o Rated R...Really!

• Humor from the Bench - Join Judge Sara Smolenski as she shares the funny side of law and how humor helps her find balance in life.

o Tuesday, March 10, 7pm @ Catholic Information Center

o LaughteRx - Ages 13+

• Rapid Delivery Improv - The resident improv comedy troupe of the Grand Rapids Civic Theater delivering a fast paced show featuring short-form, musical, and game show parody improvs that take suggestions from the audience to build the funny

o Friday, March 13, 7pm & 9pm @ Dog Story Theater

o Clean Adult Laughs

• Contents Under Pressure - A classic Whose Line is it Anyway type of comedy and fun for the entire family, using audience suggestions the team spontaneously produces scenes to make you laugh

o Friday, March 13 & Saturday, March 14, 7:30pm @ Master Arts Theatre

o Clean Adult Laughs

LaughFest 2015 runs from March 5 to 15, 2015, and will include more than 200 free and ticketed shows that feature over 60 artists at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell, and Holland during the 10 days of the festival. Individual tickets are priced from $7 to $60, excluding the Signature Event. Tickets are available beginning February 16 at LaughFest Central, and are also are available at the Van Andel Arena Box Office or at Ticketmaster outlets through the Festival's closing day.

Entertainers previously announced for LaughFest 2015 include: George Lopez, Wanda Sykes, Billy Gardell, Patton Oswalt, Bo Burnham, Cristela Alonzo, Pete Holmes, Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, Lavell Crawford, Jerrod Carmichael, Brian Posehn, Costaki Economopoulos, Big Jay Oakerson with Ben Roy, Jim Jefferies, Ryan Hamilton, and Nick Thune and Brody Stevens. The Signature Event will be hosted by Michael Kosta, the winner of LaughFest's 2011 stand-up competition, and will feature headlining acts from LaughFest's past years including Jim Breuer, Kathleen Madigan, Sinbad and Justin Willman.

Gilda's LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda's Club Grand Rapids in 2011. Since inception, LaughFest has averaged over 50,000 attendees per year. Proceeds from the festival 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.

Gilda's Club Grand Rapids provides free emotional healthcare to children adults, families and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving the death of someone in their life due to any cause. The comprehensive program, delivered by licensed healthcare 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 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, visitwww.gildasclubgr.org.

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!