**UPDATE: EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED** The revered standups tape a comedy special at The Mothlight on Aug. 17.
Four-day Asheville Comedy Festival returns
The 51 comedians who made the cut for the 2019 Asheville Comedy Festival, previously known as Laugh Your Asheville Off, will perform at three venues (Diana Wortham Theatre, Highland Brewing and LaZoom Room) Wednesday-Saturday, Aug. 7-10.
Open for Business
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Smart Bets: Casey Balsham
The New York City-based stand-up performs at LaZoom Room on July 19 and 20.
The wellRED Comedy Tour stops at The Orange Peel
Trae Crowder, aka the Liberal Redneck, Crowder will perform in Asheville with fellow standup artists Drew Morgan and Corey Ryan Forrester on Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14.
Smart Bets: More Crimes and Missed Demeanings
The comedy stage show runs July 12-14 at The Magnetic Theatre.
Diego Attanasio performs two nights at the LaZoom Room
“I tell myself, ‘If I’m going to do comedy the rest of my life, what’s the rush?’” Attanasio says.
How-to comedy series returns with a show about rules
‘Rules and How to Break Them’ opens Thursday, June 20, and will run for six performances at The Bebe Theater.
Comedian Elvira Kurt takes the stage for Helpmate
On Thursday, June 6, internationally acclimated comedienne Elvira Kurt will take the stage at the Diana Wortham Theatre, where she will participate in Sisters Doin’ It For Ourselves, a benefit for Helpmate Women’s Shelter.
Smart Bets: Red, White & Boobs
Four of Washington, DC’s top female comics perform May 25 at LaZoom Room.
Out on a limb
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Variety show spotlights local artists and benefits Our VOICE
The second iteration is slated for Monday, April 22, at The Mothlight with Chris Rodrigues and Abby the Spoon Lady, Laura Blackley and Tina & Her Pony; Forty Fingers & a Missing Tooth; Hilliary Begley; Tom Peters; Josh McClure of Jus Twerk; Kathleen Hahn of Danceclub Asheville; Kevin Evans and Lauren Napoli of Aerial Space.
Smart Bets: Helltrap Nightmare
The Chicago horror-comedy ensemble brings its brand of horror-comedy to The Mothlight on April 23.
The Magnetic Theatre hosts a comedy showcase
Four accomplished comics — two from Western North Carolina and two based in Colorado — bravely bring their humorous stand-up to The Magnetic Theatre.
Smart Bets: Damon Sumner
The comedian headlines an all-Atlanta show on March 23 at LaZoom Room.
Smart Bets: The Real Comedians of Social Media
Kevin “KevOnStage” Fredericks, Tony Baker and Tahir Moore perform at River of Life Full Gospel Church on March 9.
Comedian Hari Kondabolu on race, politics and educated audiences
“It feels like a home game,” Kondabolu says of performing in Asheville. “I have a bunch of folks who I don’t have to explain as much to and who are excited that I’m there.”
Renaissance Comedy Weekend brings nationally touring acts to Asheville
There will be three comics each night, plus an emcee. The Saturday closer, Michael Palascak, a finalist on “Last Comic Standing,” has performed on every late-night show.
Smart Bets: Ben Wallis
The Atlanta-based artist’s illustrations and standup skills will be on display Feb. 3 at Fleetwood’s.
Smart Bets: Erin Foley and Jason Dudey
The veteran standups bring their Come Out Laughing Comedy Tour to The Grey Eagle on Jan. 19.
Best of Asheville Comedy
Asheville’s thriving comedy scene remains active with local artists while also attracting major touring acts.