Arts & Entertainment
Yuks and the City
Five years of the New
York Comedy Festival
BY HEATHER JOHNSON
No offense to Montreal, Las Vegas or Aspen—
those cities have many fine qualities—but the
fact that they have been home to top comedy
festivals over the years has always been a bit of
a head-scratcher. You couldn’t help but think,
Shouldn’t a comedy festival be held in a place
that’s ... you know ... funny?
Luckily, the comedic higher powers got the
memo, and five years ago they created the New
York Comedy Festival in a city that not only
offers a lot of laughs but also requires a sense
of humor as a basic tool for survival. This year,
the festival celebrates its fifth birthday with five
days of star-studded stand-up shows, some great
chances to check out new comedians, and at
least one opportunity to help a worthy cause.
