BOCA RATON – Minda Long had a relatively simple reason for wanting to bring a comedy-based festival to South Florida.
“Because one doesn’t exist,” Long said.
On Thursday, Long formerly announced the creation of Laughing Spree Fest, a two-day festival scheduled for Dec. 3-4 at Sunset Cove Amphitheater, west of Boca Raton.
The event will offer three different stand-up comedy shows, all headlined by major national touring acts.
Bryan Callen, a stand-up comic who is likely best known for his recurring roles on Schooled and The Goldbergs, will headline Friday’s show. Jim Norton, a national radio host whose special “Mouthful of Shame” is streaming on Netflix, will headline one of the two Saturday shows.
Long, a comic herself, is in the final stages of signing Saturday’s second headliner and hopes to announce his name in the coming week.
Dave Chappelle’s Summer Camp event in Ohio last summer started Long thinking about creating a similar festival in South Florida.
“Seeing what an impact a show, a festival like that, can make on a local community and how it can really uplift the people around them” inspired Long to pursue the creation of Laughing Spree.
While the comedy stage will offer some of the nation’s top headliners, it will also feature a cadre of Florida’s best comics.
Orlando Leyba, 2012 winner of the Florida’s Funniest competition with several appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on his resume is scheduled to perform. Miami’s Sean Grant has also performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and boasts multiple television credits.
Part-time Floridian Bret Ernst, one of the nations hottest touring comics who enjoys a recurring role in the NetFlix series Cobra Kai as Uncle Louie, will take the stage. Tampa’s Cam Bertrand, the reigning Florida’s Funniest winner and recent America’s Got Talent participant, will also perform.
Yamaneika Saunders, Jeff Dye, Esther Ku, and Jackie Sanchez were also announced as performers on Thursday, with more comics still to be added to the show.
“People don’t give the comedy scene here enough credit,” Long said. “We have a lot of guys around the country doing big things.”
The festival will also offer Florida DJs, an Art Village showcasing local artists, a Community Village dedicated to local non-profit organizations and a Food Truck Village.
The Extreme Fun Village will offer alternative performers, celebrity appearances, extreme attractions and “surprises.”
Festival tickets are expected to go on sale later this month. Tickets are expected to start at $65.
