Laugh After Dark ComedyFest Returns for its Second Annual standup & comedy film festival in the 18b Las Vegas Arts District
Laugh After Dark Executive Producers Robert E Lee and Kelsey Borlan are thrilled to announce the return of the highly anticipated Laugh After Dark ComedyFest, back for its second annual celebration of laughter in the Las Vegas Arts District. Following the resounding success of last year’s event, which drew hundreds of comedians, filmmakers, industry professionals, and comedy enthusiasts to the 18b Arts District, this year’s festival promises more of everything.
To get started, ComedyFest is expanding from a three-day extravaganza to a five-day comedy bonanza, taking place from October 1st to October 5th, 2023. Laugh After Dark is proud to partner with independent businesses in the Arts District to host their events, creating a truly immersive and community-centered festival. Key venue partners include Art Houz, which will host the entire film festival from October 1-3, as well as Wiseguys Comedy Club, and The Cornish Pasty Co. where standup comedy showcase events will take place. Other partners include Makers & Finders, Tacotarian, SoulBelly BBQ, StarBase, and more. The Downtown 18b Arts District, with its vibrant atmosphere made up of independent businesses provides the perfect backdrop for this celebration of comedy and creativity.
“We love Las Vegas! As locals ourselves, we could not think of a better place to welcome and host our ComedyFest guests than the 18b Las Vegas Arts District. Featuring some of the best foodie hotspots in the city, we have partnered with several of our favorite local gems and restaurants to offer our comedy fans and nominees a sampling of the best Vegas has to offer!” says Kelsey Borlan, Director of Laugh After Dark.
ComedyFest 2023 boasts a lineup that caters to all comedy tastes. With over 55 comedians, over 30 films, and standup shows ranging from comedy for all ages to “After Dark” uncensored performances, there’s something for everyone. The festival officially opens in grand style at the LA Comedy Club at The STRAT, where Laugh After Dark LIVE in Las Vegas host, Charlie Wilson and the official band of Laugh After Dark, The Fremont Funk alongside an all-headliner lineup including Byron Kennedy, Kalea McNeill, Jozalyn Sharp, and Jay Reid kick off the festival and bring the party like only Laugh After Dark can.
On October 3rd, the film festival portion of ComedyFest will conclude at Art Houz Theaters with the red carpet world premiere of Laugh After Dark’s latest comedy special production, Byron Kennedy’s NashVegas. The comedy special is dedicated to the two cities that have forged him into a rising star in standup. Byron Kennedy is the first comedian ever signed to BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville and NashVegas is the first of many comedy projects to come from the label’s burgeoning comedy endeavors. Audience members are invited after the screening to stay for a moderated panel interview with “Mr. NashVegas” himself, Byron Kennedy, Laugh After Dark Director, Kelsey Borlan, Laugh After Dark Executive Producer, Robert E Lee, and BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville General Manager Peter Strickland.
The grand finale of the festival, on October 5th, takes place at Starbase and features the live production of Vegas local, Alex “Koolaid” Ansel’s debut standup special. At the show, Ansel will be brought on stage by none other than the legendary Memphis rapper and emcee, Lil Wyte. All of this will be followed by the official ComedyFest Awards Ceremony during which Jodi Lieberman, co-founder of Comedy Gives Back, will present the first annual Laugh After Dark Comedy Gives Back Award to Bert and LeeAnn Kreischer and the Fully Loaded Comedy Festival for their outstanding contributions to the comedy community this year.
TICKETS
All of Las Vegas and comedy fans from near and far are invited to join us for this unforgettable celebration of comedy, creativity, and community. Festival Passes for the Laugh After Dark ComedyFest 2023 are on sale now. Festival-goers can choose from 5-day passes, single-day passes, and film fest-only tickets all of which are available at laughafterdarkcomedyfest.com
ABOUT LAUGH AFTER DARK
Laugh After Dark is an independent production that got its start in 2018 when the first 6-episode season of the original series trended organically on the Prime Video homepage. Since then the brand has grown to become an internationally recognized comedy industry powerhouse with a commitment to excellence, a drive to discover and genuinely nurture talent, and a passion for fostering community and opportunities within the comedy entertainment industry. Today, the Laugh After Dark brand currently encompasses 3 award-winning seasons of their standup TV show, a viral social media presence with almost 100 million views, standup comedy specials, chart-topping comedy albums, a global podcast that charts in over 50 countries, and epic live events including the annual Laugh After Dark ComedyFest in the Las Vegas Arts District.
