Have you ever wanted to run through downtown Grand Rapids in your tightie whities? Well, this Sunday is your chance to do just that AND help raise money for an excellent cause! Beginning at 10 a.m., the FUNderwear Run, part of the LaughFest activities this weekend, encourages participants to wear their underwear outside of their running clothing. If showing off your innerwear as outerwear isn't your style, there are plenty of other opportunities to enjoy LaughFest, beginning with the kickoff even at Fountain Street Church at 5:30 p.m. tonight.
One of the more unique and exciting events held annually in Grand Rapids, Gilda's LaughFest is a comedy event like no other. This year's event runs for ten days, beginning today, and will be hosted at forty different venues across Grand Rapids, Holland, and Lowell. Those venues range from massive, professional stages like the DeVos Place to smaller, more intimate settings at local bars, restaurants, and clubs. All fundraising goes to benefit the locally owned and operated non-profit organization Gilda's Club.
Gilda's Club is one of the many unique, charitable organizations that calls the greater Grand Rapids area their home. Their focus is on children ages 3-18 who are dealing with the grief associated with losing a loved one. Gilda's Club hosts age-appropriate weekly group sessions for children, during which they can interact with others their age that are struggling with loss as well. There are also groups that fosus on those affected by cancer, and the group offers adults who bring children to the meetings an opportunity to speak about their grief and experience in a structured environment. Gilda's Club was founded by Saturday Night comedian Gilda Radner, who died in 1989 due to ovarian cancer. The Club the LaughFest are devoted to her memory.
Every year, professional comedians from all parts of the country and all entertainment backgrounds descend on the city of Grand Rapids to help heal those struggling with loss via laughter. This year, there are definitely some big-name headliners coming in: Kathleen Madigan, Cristela Alonzo, Sinbad, Bo Burnham, George Lopez, Patton Oswalt, Wanda Sykes, Pete Holmes, and Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood from the famous improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway?.
For those who prefer their humor without a side of cursing or sexual innuendo, there are more family-oriented events, such as The Clean Comedy Showcase. There is also pet expo at Grand Rapids Community College's Ford Fieldhouse on Sunday, March 8th. 2015 is the fifth year that Gilda's Club is bringing the humor to the Greater Grand Rapids area, and this year promises to be the funniest and most successful yet! No matter what your background or personal tastes, there is something for everyone at this event. Tickets for some shows may still be available; check the TicketMaster site for LaughFest to see what events still have spaces!