Cream City Comedy Festival announces venues and lineups for third annual event

Participating venues and lineups have been announced for the third annual Cream City Comedy Festival. This year's beneficiaries are the Wisconsin Humane Society and the COA Youth and Family Centers. 

Local, regional and national stand-up comedians will perform in a variety of show formats, showcasing Milwaukee as a desirable stop for touring acts. The festival is a celebration of the Midwest’s comedy scene, and all shows are made as geographically accessible and affordable as possible.

“We are so excited to show our performers from around the country all the great things the Cream City has to offer, and to show local audiences how strong the Milwaukee comedy scene is,” stated Sammy Arechar, a founder of Cream City Comedy Festival, in a press release. “This festival means so much to us and we are thankful for the opportunity to support local charities doing great things for our community.”

The Cream City Comedy Festival was founded in 2016 by Arechar, Phil Davidson and Liz Ziner —all local comedians. The festival is admission-free and participating acts perform without compensation, but suggested donations are taken in order to support causes important to the festival’s organizers and community. The festival is hosted through a variety of Milwaukee neighborhoods to encourage diverse attendance. 

This year’s festival features Los Angeles-based headliner Adam Cayton-Holland, New York-based headliner Casey James Salengo, as well as Chicago favorites Kristen Toomey and Jeanie Doogan performing a special Mother’s Day show. Cream City Comedy Festival will feature more than 65 showcase comedians from Milwaukee, Chicago and all around the country.

Suggested donations will benefit the Wisconsin Humane Society and the COA Youth and Family Centers.

See below for a list of performances and venues. Visit facebook.com/CreamCityComedy for more information, or email .

May 10:

Opening Ceremony with headliner Casey James Salengo, 8 p.m. @ Club Garibaldi, 2501 S. Superior St.

May 11:

Comedy at Angelo’s, 6 p.m. @ Angelo’s Piano Lounge, 1686 N. Van Buren St.

Strip Joker: A Body Positive Showcase @ Frank’s Power Plant, 2800 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

Lakefront Presents headliner Adam Cayton-Holland, 8:30 p.m. @ Puddler’s Hall, 2461 S. St. Clair St.

Vino Comedy Showcase, 9 p.m. @ Vino Third Ward, 219 Erie St.

Hear Here Presents: The Comedy & Music Show @ The Cooperage, 822 S. Water St.

May 12:

Sunshine Comedy Hour, 3 p.m. @ Riverwest Public House, 815 E. Locust St.

Suppertime Comedy Showcase, 4 p.m. @ Bremen Café, 901 E. Clarke St.

Book Club, 5 p.m. @ Var Art Gallery, 643 S. 2^nd St.

Sugar Maple Comedy Showcase, 6 p.m. @ Sugar Maple, 441 E. Lincoln Ave.

Comedy at Angelo’s, 6:30 p.m. @ Angelo’s Piano Lounge, 1686 N. Van Buren St.

Jazz Gallery Comedy Showcase, 8 p.m. @ Jazz Gallery, 926 E. Center St.

The 5^th Annual Zucchini Party, 10 p.m. @ Company Brewing, 735 E. Center St.

May 13:

Hair of the Dog Showcase, 4 p.m. @ Landmark Lanes, 2220 N. Farwell Ave.

Work of Art Comedy Showcase, 5 p.m. @ Var Art Gallery, 643 S. 2^nd St.

Laughing Lotus Comedy Showcase, 6 p.m. @ Invivo, 2060 N. Humboldt Ave.

Mom Day Comedy Show: A Closing Ceremony with Kristen Toomey and Jeanie Doogan, 7 p.m. @ Lakefront Brewery, 1872 N. Commerce St.