The 1st Annual Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival is set for Thursday January 14th – Sunday 17th, 2016. The four-day festival will run over the long weekend and feature over 20 comedians, a laugh-filled improv show, and a comedy-hypnotist at a variety of popular downtown Salem venues. The event will also feature great local tastings. The Festival celebrates the craft of comedy, both for the audience as well as for the seasoned comedians performing each night.
“I was inspired by a festival I attended years back in New Orleans” says festival producer and comedian Mark Scalia. “It was literally one of the greatest memories in my 25+ year professional career. It really felt like a celebration of comedy, a real appreciation of the craft. We want a relaxed, happy environment – everything up close and personal. The result is hilarious shows. We are excited for both the comics and the audience to feel like they are at home, with great moments all the way through.”
Local venues for this year’s Festival include Koto, Far From the Tree, Opus, and Gallows Hill Theatre. Each night will feature different comics and local tastings, and Sunday’s show will include an Improv show as well as a comedy hypnotist. Thursday night will kick-off at Koto and feature 10 comics and a delicious dinner. Friday night at Far From the Tree, Salem’s local cidery, will also feature 10 comics and a special cider flight tasting. Saturday night’s ‘Triple Threat’ show at Opus will feature three headlining comedians and starts with an optional exclusive private VIP three course Dinner with the Comics at Opus Underground. The Festival finale on Sunday night is a double-header, which will include an Improv show and a comedy hypnotist at Gallows Hill Theater.
Individual show tickets as well as all-access passes will be available on that date, as well as a limited number of Saturday VIP Dinner with the Comic tickets. Early booking highly suggested.
Says Scalia, “As a comedian, you have a basic need to make people laugh. This is a unique opportunity to raise everyone’s spirits in winter and create fantastic memories for both the audience and the talented comedians we are honored to have performing.”
An event Facebook page can be found at: www.facebook.com/SalemComedyandSpiritsFestival.