2018 Festival Special Events
The Milwaukee Comedy Festival, Wisconsin’s largest comedy event Aug. 1-5, 2018 will feature 40 national and regional comedy acts including stand up, improvisation and sketch comedy live on stage. The annual MCF is celebrating Thirteen Cluckin’ Years and will present thirteen different shows plus special events and at multiple venues in Milwaukee, WI including Lakefront Brewery, The Underground Collaborative, Turner Hall and more.
2018 Full Line Up | Special Events
Wed. Aug 1 | Thur. Aug 2 | Fri. Aug 3 | Sat. Aug 4 | Sun. Aug 5
Several special events are featured at this years festival including the unique Keg Stand Up Kick Off event at Lakefront Brewery. The Lady Parts Justice League will feature a stellar line up including The Daily Show Co-Creator Lizz Winstead and special guests Jackie Kashian, Michelle Buteau, and Gina Yashere.
Monday, July 30
7pm at Club Garibaldi’s
Unofficial Pre-Kick-Off Event
Comedy Roast of Milwaukee
Presented by Milwaukee Record
The Roast of Milwaukee has been dubbed the “Unofficial Pre-Kick Off” to the comedy festival will start the week of celebration at Club Garibaldi’s with some light – and heavy hits at the city we call home. The Milwaukee Record has been helping us informally kick off the fest since 2015. Join us at Club Garibaldi on Monday, July 30 for the first of 5 special events: the 4th annual Roast Of Milwaukee! The comedian-heavy lineup will also include a few local movers and shakers from other mediums. This event is 21+
Tuesday, July 31
7pm at Franks Power Plant
Pre-Kick off Event
This official “Pre-Kick Off” show features Milwaukee comics Raegan Niemela (Host), Rich D’Amore, Chris Schmidt, Ton Johnson and headliner John Egan from Green Bay.
The official pre-start to the states largest comedy event will feature give-a-ways and lots of fun! More details are coming soon.
More Info | Free Event!
Wednesday, August 1
7pm at Lakefront Brewery
Keg Stand Up Official Kick Off Event
* Special Event *
This show has quickly become a staple in officially starting off the festivities in the annual MCF, so much that it’s now a monthly show at Lakefront Brewery for more than 2 years! Join us for some laughs and delicious Lakefront beer at this stand up showcase featuring comics from across the country! Host Jake Snell (Madison), John McCombs, Chicago, Amanda Averell, Pittsburgh and headliner Pranav Behari, New York City.
Keg Stand Up started as the MCF Kick Off event at Lakefront Brewery in 2015 to a standing room capacity crowd of more than 250 people. In a short time, Keg Stand Up has quickly become the #1 comedy showcase event in Milwaukee with top regional comics performing to sold out crowds every month! The official Kick Off event at Lakefront Brewery will feature some of the best stand up comics around.
Thursday, August 2
7:30pm At The UC (likely move to larger venue!)
Lady Parts Justice League
* Special Event *
The Milwaukee Comedy Festival is proud to present Lady Parts Justice League’s Vagical Mystery Tour 2018! This Special Event is one not to be missed! It’s featuring The Daily Show Co-Creator Liz Winstead with comedy/activism show Lady Parts Justice League’s Vagical Mystery Tour. The show will feature comics Aida Rodriguez (2 specials streaming on HBO and Showtime), Gina Yashere (Netflix, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah) and Wisconsin native but now LA comic Jackie Kashian (2 Dope Queens).
Join Lady Parts Justice League for a hilarious night of comedy and activism! LPJL’s second annual #VagicalMysteryTour will make you laugh, dance, and learn how to fight for reproductive rights! This show will not only present some of the most hilarious and sought after comedians in the business, but will include an informal post-show talkback with abortion providers and activists, who will break down what’s at stake for abortion rights in your state, and offer tangible ways for you to roll up your sleeves and fight back.
Festival Headliner!
Friday, August 3
8pm at Turner Hall Ballroom
Headliner Colin Quinn
* Special Event *
Milwaukee Comedy Festival is proud to present legendary comedian Colin Quinn as our 2018 Festival Headliner. From the old MTV days to SNL to Comedy Central to Broadway, CQ is apparently refusing to leave the business. So if you enjoyed his other one man shows, or you just are at a place in your life where you are lost and you need intelligent laughs, come see his new show. One In Every Crowd.
Sunday, August 5
7:30pm at The Underground Collaborative
Best of the Fest
* Special Event *
The closing-night show and ceremony Best of the Fest will celebrate comedy audience favorites from the week of laughs along with special guests and a secret special guest.