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The Jersey City Comedy Festival Returns June 7-10

Published by New Jersey Stage

originally published: 05/15/2023

(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions and presenting sponsor Tito’s Handmade Vodka, are proud to announce the return of the Jersey City Comedy Festival (JCCF) taking place June 7-10, 2023 in Jersey City, NJ. JCCF will be held at two different locations, Art House Productions and The Laugh Tour Comedy Club at Dorrian’s Red Hand. Tickets range from $20 - $45 and are available on the JCCF website.

48 comedians from 12 States and Canada were selected from over 300 submissions. Selected comics will compete in five competition showcases June 7-9. Audiences will be able to vote for their favorite comedian at each showcase in order to advance them to the finale, headlined by Marina Franklin on June 10. All 10 finalists will receive spots at The Laugh Tour Comedy Club. Two comics (Audience pick + Industry pick) will win “Best of the Fest,” and receive $500 each. The audience pick will also receive a spot at West Side Comedy Club's new talent show. The industry winner will receive spots at West Side Comedy Club, The Laugh Tour Comedy Club, and Catch A Rising Star.

“We’re so excited to bring back the Jersey City Comedy Festival after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic. This year’s fest is bigger than ever before, and will be the first time we present comedy at Art House’s new performing and visual arts center,” says executive artistic director, Meredith Burns.

Headliners for the 2023 Jersey City Comedy Festival include Rex Navarrete (Lopez Tonight, MTV Philippines, The Nutshack) Wednesday, June 7, 7:30pm at Art House Productions; Chris Gethard (Comedy Central, The Office, Broad City, Parks And Recreation, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) Wednesday, June 7, 9:00pm at Art House Productions; and Marina Franklin ( Hulu's "Life And Beth"; HBO's "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver";“Trainwreck”; Stephen Colbert’s Late Show; Showtime’s “Women Who Kill”; Comedy Central’s “Chappelle’s Show”) June 10 with “JCCF Best of Fest,” 8:00pm at Barrow Mansion.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to the JCCF website: jerseycitycomedyfestival.com. All venues are fully accessible. To request ASL interpreters, please email [email protected] at least 2 weeks before the event.




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Producing sponsors of the event include Dorrian's Red Hand, The Laugh Tour Comedy Club @ Dorrian's, Catch A Rising Star, and West Side Comedy Club. 

The full lineup of performances and selected comics for the 2023 Jersey City Comedy Festival includes:

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 at ART HOUSE PRODUCTIONS (345 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07302):

7:30 PM EST | REX NAVARRETE

9:00 PM EST | CHRIS GETHARD



WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 at THE LAUGH TOUR COMEDY CLUB AT DORRIAN'S (555 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310):

6:30PM EST | STAND UP COMPETITION #1 - Aditya Shankar, Aidan Kelly, Alexis Gay, Barak Ziv, Brendan Smith, Jilberto Soto, Josh Ri'Esgo, Kendall Allison, Mike O’Sullivan

8:30PM EST | STAND UP COMPETITION #2 - Ely Kreimendahl, James Mac, Jon Bander, Joshua Stokes, Laura Merli, Learnmore Jonasi, Lee Paul, Mike Atcherson, Shivani Dave, Tony Sykowski



THURSDAY, JUNE 8 at ART HOUSE PRODUCTIONS (345 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07302):

7:30PM EST | NORTH COAST HIP HOP IMPROV/UNCLE FUNCTION SKETCH COMEDY

9:00PM EST | CHARACTERS SHOWCASE 



THURSDAY, JUNE 8 at THE LAUGH TOUR COMEDY CLUB AT DORRIAN'S (555 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310):

6:30PM EST | STAND UP COMPETITION #3 - Aaron Rosen, Abby Washuta, Boris Khaykin, Darryl Charles, Jaren George, Joe Mahoney, Marcy Smiles, Rayne McGowan, Steve Cohen

8:30PM EST | STAND UP COMPETITION #4 - Alex Kim, Ariel Evans, Art Cai, Dan Hurwitz, David Grebenik, Joseph Ferraro, Monique Latise, Natan Badalov, Nate Lander, Parth Shorey



FRIDAY, JUNE 9 at ART HOUSE PRODUCTIONS (345 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07302):

7:30PM EST | STAND UP COMPETITION #5 - Ajay G, Calvin Reid, Cassidy O'Malley, Cathy Boyd, CH Lee, Jordan J, Karl Xie, Laura Patton, Madelein Murphy-Smith, Meka Mo



SATURDAY, JUNE 10 at ART HOUSE PRODUCTIONS (345 Marin Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07302):

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST | BEST OF FEST + HEADLINER MARINA FRANKLIN



Art House Productions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to the development and presentation of the performing and visual arts in Jersey City, NJ. Art House Productions presents theater, festivals, events, visual art exhibitions, and adult and youth art classes. To stay up to date on all Art House events, sign up for the mailing list here here.

Art House Productions is generously supported by The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Public Funds from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, The Princeton Area Community Foundation, SILVERMAN, The Albanese Group, Liberty Harbor, KRE, The New Jersey Theatre Alliance, and The Hudson County Office of Cultural Affairs. A full list of funders can be found on their website.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Eric D'Alessandro, the viral comedy sensation, will return to New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 8:00pm. This promises to be an evening filled with laughter, energy, and irresistible charm, as D’Alessandro brings his distinct comedic perspective to one of New Jersey’s premier venues.
Debonair Music Hall presents Kevin Farley on June 19th

Debonair Music Hall presents Kevin Farley on June 19th

(TEANECK, NJ) -- Debonair Music Hall presents comedian Kevin Farley on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 7:00pm. Known for his bold delivery, sharp timing, and fearless physical comedy, Farley delivers a fast-paced show packed with relatable observations, larger-than-life storytelling, and crowd-driven moments that keep audiences laughing from start to finish.

bergenPAC presents Tracy Morgan on June 19th

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents comedian Tracy Morgan on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tracy is one of the most well-respected comedians and actors in his field. He currently stars in the tv show CRUTCH.
bergenPAC presents comedian Tim Dillon on June 20th

bergenPAC presents comedian Tim Dillon on June 20th

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) presents comedian Tim Dillon on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 8:00pm. Tim is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor known for his no-holds-barred humor and incisive social commentary.

Punkie Johnson (SNL) to Headline LGBTQ Comedy Show at Newark Culture Club

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Comedian, writer, and actor Punkie Johnson is known for her hilarious work as a former cast member on Saturday Night Live. When Johnson joined SNL in its 45th season, she made history as the first out Black lesbian cast member and became a featured player the following season. She will be headlining a lineup of LGBTQ comedians at Newark Culture Club on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 9:00pm.
Paris Sashay to Headline LGBTQ Comedy Show and Afterparty at Newark Culture Club

Paris Sashay to Headline LGBTQ Comedy Show and Afterparty at Newark Culture Club

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Comedian, writer, and actor Paris Sashay, known from her appearances on Comedy Central, Pause on HBO Max, and BET 50 Central, and her comedy special 'Unprotected Sets on EPIX,' will headline a lineup of LGBTQ comedians at Newark Culture Club on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 9:00pm.
NJPAC presents Earthquake

NJPAC presents Earthquake's Father's Day Comedy Show with Sheryl Underwood, Mr. Bishop, D'Lai, Junior, TK Kirkland, and Donnell Rawlings

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to laugh out loud as Earthquake, the iconic comedian known for his electrifying stage presence, brings his annual Father's Day Comedy Show to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. This special event promises a night of nonstop humor with Earthquake at the helm, joined by a stellar lineup of comedic talent and hosted by the incomparable Sheryl Underwood.

Newark Culture Club presents Ha! or Nah!: A Joke Lab! on June 25th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Lauren LoGiudice brings her innovative comedy showcase to Newark! On Thursday, June 25, 2026, Newark Culture Club presents Ha! or Nah!: A Joke Lab! Showtime is 7:00pm.

UCPAC presents comedian Eddie B. "If These Classroom Walls Could Talk"

(RAHWAY,NJ) -- By popular demand, America's favorite teacher comedian Eddie B. returns to the main stage at Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) with his "If These Classroom Walls Could Talk" tour on Friday, June 26, 2026. Showtime is 8:00pm.
The Hotspurs

The Hotspurs' Improv Troupe to Perform in Haddonfield

(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- The Hotspurs bring their improv comedy troupe to Haddonfield Plays and Players for a performance on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 8:00pm. They are a South Jersey improv comedy troupe known for their sharp wit and the kind of unscripted chaos that only gets better with a live audience. No two shows are ever the same.

 

FEATURED EVENTS


Punkie Johnson (SNL) to Headline LGBTQ Comedy Show

Saturday, June 20, 2026 @ 9:00pm
Newark Culture Club
Newark, NJ


LGBTQ Comedy Show with Paris Sashay & After Party

Saturday, June 20, 2026 @ 9:00pm
Newark Culture Club
Newark, NJ


Magic Entertainment presents Gaurav Gupta LIVE

Monday, June 22, 2026 @ 8:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ


Magic Entertainment presents Gaurav Gupta LIVE

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 @ 8:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ


Eddie B – If These Classroom Walls Could Talk Tour

Friday, June 26, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ



 

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