Comedy Festivals

Comedy festivals have become schmooze fests where comics and comedy writers network with other funny people, trade information and rub elbows with industry types.

The US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen (also known as the Aspen Comedy Festival)
Usually held in March and hosted by HBO, this festival is mostly for high level comics and the VIPs who Learjet in to see, ski and schmooze. Besides presenting new talent to the industry, they also honor the stars of comedy. They've done a Monty Python reunion, a tribute to Robin Williams and a "Smother’s Brothers Show" reunion where they brought back all the original writers. If you can afford it and can find a hotel room, this high-end festival is a must-see.

The Just For Laughs Montreal International Comedy Festival
This is the biggest comedy festival in the world. It presents 800 artists, 1,500 shows, 20 countries and usually takes place the last 2 weeks of July. This bilingual event presents everything from up-and-coming new faces to established stars of the business from North America as well as the UK, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad and Holland.