What A Joke National Comedy Fest Supporting the ACLU Tickets

Comedy has always served as an essential tool to voice out concerns, and What A Joke National Comedy Fest is a reflection of just that. The festival is an annual event held across the country to support the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) through laughter.

The festival began in 2017 and was inspired by the Women's March movements taking place around the world following the Trump inauguration. What started with a "little-simultaneous-stand-up-shows-in-living-rooms-all-over-the-country" concept soon snowballed into a nationwide comedy show supported by over forty comedy clubs from around the United States.

The overarching objective of the festival was to give a platform for not only established comedians but also for aspiring ones who wanted to get their messages out in the open. This meant programming comedy acts that ranged from traditional stand-up to improv nights, storytelling, music and much more.

What's unique about this fest is that all proceeds go to supporting the ACLU - an organization that works tirelessly to defend the civil liberties of Americans. The festival operates on a pay-what-you-want system that enables patrons to make contributions based on what they can afford.

In recent years with the increase in conversations surrounding political correctness, cancel culture, and free speech, comedians have found themselves at odds with audiences, each other, and critics alike. This complex relationship between comedy and public discourse places festivals like What A Joke National Comedy Fest in a pivotal position.

What A Joke embodies the deliberate dance between comedy as entertainment and comedy's higher purpose: to shed light on subjects that aren't always funny. By positioning itself in such a way as to uplift a platform that promotes freedom and justice, it positions itself as an antidote to those looking to shut down frank discussions.

This festival reinforces the role comedy can play as a catalyst for change, whether that be promoting social issues or combating censorship. It also offers some solace to those who might find themselves uninspired by much of the comedy that litters popular culture.

What A Joke National Comedy Fest is a rare and timely reminder of how entertainment can not only entertain but also educate, challenge, and confront audiences. In this way, it's an honest representation of the immense good comedy can do.