Western Canada's Largest Comedy Festival Celebrates its 10th Anniversary
Apr-21-2010
FunnyFest, Calgary's annual comedy festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a line-up of
comedic talent as diverse as the City that hosts them. From April 29 through May 9, venues
throughout Calgary welcome to the stage comics from across Canada for Western Canada's largest
comedy festival lasting 11 days and nights.
Themed the Olympics of Laughter in lieu of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, this year's festival
features 30 showcases with more than 70 performers of both adult and family comedy. FunnyFest is a
highly anticipated break from the shackles of winter - inviting Calgarians to embrace the light-
heartedness of spring.
"Comedy, like most popular culture, is a reflection of the society that creates it," says Stu
Hughes, Executive Director of FunnyFest. "It uses humour to capture the truths behind all the
craziness in the world and encourages an optimistic perspective."
FunnyFest is a non-profit organization begun in 2000, when Hughes saw an opportunity to use comedy
as a catalyst for mental and physical health and well-being.
"Laughter really is the best medicine," says Hughes.
In addition to offering a break from the everyday hustle and bustle, FunnyFest donates more than
$100,000 of its annual proceeds to charitable causes like The Salvation Army, Youville Women's
Shelter, Haiti Relief and more. A feat, considering tickets are available to Calgarians at a
nominal cost.
"It's a penny a laugh," Hughes Jokes. "Part of the plan is to make the festival accessible to all
Calgarians, which means we have to keep the cost of attending low."
Tickets are $15 per showcase, or $99 for the entire festival. The festival expects more than 50,000
guffawing Calgarians to attend, warning that side effects may include sore cheeks, tears of
laughter and an uncontrollable bladder.
Named one of the top 10 signature events of Calgary by Travel Alberta, FunnyFest 2010 is ready
to "turn this town upside down" giving the number one Canadian Comedy Festival, Montreal-based,
Just for Laughs a run for its money.
For tickets, visit www.funnyfest.com
comedic talent as diverse as the City that hosts them. From April 29 through May 9, venues
throughout Calgary welcome to the stage comics from across Canada for Western Canada's largest
comedy festival lasting 11 days and nights.
Themed the Olympics of Laughter in lieu of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, this year's festival
features 30 showcases with more than 70 performers of both adult and family comedy. FunnyFest is a
highly anticipated break from the shackles of winter - inviting Calgarians to embrace the light-
heartedness of spring.
"Comedy, like most popular culture, is a reflection of the society that creates it," says Stu
Hughes, Executive Director of FunnyFest. "It uses humour to capture the truths behind all the
craziness in the world and encourages an optimistic perspective."
FunnyFest is a non-profit organization begun in 2000, when Hughes saw an opportunity to use comedy
as a catalyst for mental and physical health and well-being.
"Laughter really is the best medicine," says Hughes.
In addition to offering a break from the everyday hustle and bustle, FunnyFest donates more than
$100,000 of its annual proceeds to charitable causes like The Salvation Army, Youville Women's
Shelter, Haiti Relief and more. A feat, considering tickets are available to Calgarians at a
nominal cost.
"It's a penny a laugh," Hughes Jokes. "Part of the plan is to make the festival accessible to all
Calgarians, which means we have to keep the cost of attending low."
Tickets are $15 per showcase, or $99 for the entire festival. The festival expects more than 50,000
guffawing Calgarians to attend, warning that side effects may include sore cheeks, tears of
laughter and an uncontrollable bladder.
Named one of the top 10 signature events of Calgary by Travel Alberta, FunnyFest 2010 is ready
to "turn this town upside down" giving the number one Canadian Comedy Festival, Montreal-based,
Just for Laughs a run for its money.
For tickets, visit www.funnyfest.com