The Detroit Women of Comedy Festival, an annual celebration of underrepresented voices and diverse perspectives in comedy, is returning to the stage the weekend of Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21.
Hosted live at Ant Hall and The Independent Comedy Club in Hamtramck, the festival features stand-up, improv, sketch comedy and podcasts from more than 50 performers hailing from Metro Detroit and beyond. It will be the first live and in-person Detroit Women of Comedy Festival since 2019, though in 2021 the local group of organizers orchestrated a digital festival that drew thousands of viewers over three days of virtual performances.
“After waiting so long to be able to the fest in person, we’re so incredibly excited to gather with this amazing lineup,” said Kate Holmes, producer of the festival. “So many talented people submitted this year, and we’re grateful to be able to shine a light on so many hilarious women and their allies.”
Special headliner and standup comedian Marcella Arguello will be performing a double header at the Independent Comedy Club May 20 & 21 at 8pm. Her comedy album, The Woke Bully debuted at #3 on the Billboard Comedy Charts, and was named one of the Best Comedy Albums of 2019 by NPR’s Bullseye. At Ant Hall, May 20 headliners will be local standup legend Simply Shanell and Detroit improv duo Dubalicious, where May 21 will be headlned by Detroit comic T.Barb and the Parent Trap: Lord of the Twins Trilogy.
Tickets and the full schedule can be found at detroitwomenofcomedy.com.
Detroit Women of Comedy Festival; Fri., May 20, 7-11 p.m. and Sat., May 21, 5-11 p.m.
Ant Hall and the Independent Comedy Club are located at 2320 Caniff Ave, Hamtramck MI