Iowa Comedy Festival
The Iowa Comedy Festival is a four-day comedy festival taking place in downtown Des Moines from October 13 through October 16, 2010. The festival is being organized by producers and Iowa comedians Joel Fry and Jerad Cherniss.
Over 50 different comedians are slated to perform in the event, which will consist of seven shows on several different stages throughout downtown Des Moines.
Wednesday, October 13
The festival will kick off with a "Best of the Midwest" showcase featuring all non-Iowa natives as performers. Fifteen comedians will be allowed seven minutes apiece in front of a large audience that includes comedy bookers, agents, and club owners from around the Midwest. The show will begin at 7pm.
Following the "Best of the Midwest" showcase, a "Kernels" new-talent showcase featuring all-Iowa comedians will begin. This will take place in the same venue as the "Best of the Midwest" showcase.
Thursday, October 14
The second annual Court Center Comedy Competition finals will be the sole event on Day Two of the festival. Ten finalists will perform at People's Court in downtown Des Moines in front of an audience of hundreds, including five judges. On the line is a winner-take-all grand prize of $1000, provided by Court Avenue Restaurant and Brewery. The top three finalists will perform in the Grand Finale Showcase on Saturday, October 16 at 9:30pm. Those three will be opening for star headliner Jake Johannsen that night. The Court Center Comedy Competition will begin at 8:30pm.
Friday, October 15
Shows with all-Iowa stand up comedy talent will be going on at 7pm and 9:30pm. The 9:30pm show will be held at the House of Bricks.
Saturday, October 16
An all-Iowa show will be hosted at 7pm, with the Grand Finale Showcase at 9:30pm under the title "The Iowa Comedy Festival Presents Jake Johannsen." Johannsen, a native Iowan, will be performing at People's Court and will be preceded by the top three finalists from the Court Center Comedy Competition. Johannsen will be doing an hour-long set.
National Attention
The Iowa Comedy Festival has had feature articles on PunchlineMagazine.com and has partnered with comedy websites RooftopComedy.com and Comedy.com. The festival is recognized as one of the 10 largest stand up comedy-only festivals in America.