BIGGER & BOLDER — Hoboken Comedy Festival Draws Top-Notch Talent

Posted on September 25, 2015 in Events, hNOW

What began as a vision to bring talented comedians to the Mile Square has grown to an anticipated annual event. Now in its sixth season, with over 80 comedians—including well-known stars such as Hoboken’s own Artie Lange—the Hoboken Comedy Festival promises big laughs. This year’s event will run from September 28 through October 4 and includes an all-day beer garden from noon until 10 p.m. on the last day.

Festival creator and organizer Dan Frigolette has taken this event to bigger heights each year he has run the festival. Other big comics performing include Robert Kelly (HBO), Andrew Schulz and Charlamagne Tha God (Guy Code, MTV), and others. This year, proceeds from sales will help support two local charities: the Liberty Humane Society and the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corp. In 2014, over $3,500 was raised for the Liberty Humane Society, a local Jersey City-based organization that looks to place animals in good homes and provide low-cost medical care for pets.

This year’s festival has 800 more seats overall, which Frigolette looks forward filling.

“Last year, there was a really good turn out and a really good reception,” said Frigolette. “We got almost to the max where there were too many people.” Working with Bow Tie Cinemas will allow comedy fans better access to the shows, which kick off early in the week with up-and-coming comedians vying for a spot to open for big name headliners. “Being able to work with the theater has been a help. The festival has been growing every year,” he said. “A lot of comedians have a following. We are now at the place where people are coming to see specific comedians.”

This year, the overall winner of the competition will open for Artie Lange on Sunday, Oct. 4. Last year’s winner Gibran Saleem went on to open for Jerry Seinfeld. This is Artie’s second official show with the festival. Fans of Lange (Howard Stern, Beer League) can spend most of the day with him on Sunday when he does his podcast from the theater and then closes out the festival. The festivities on Sunday go all day, from noon til 10 p.m. and include an outdoor dog friendly event at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online or day of, but Frigolette suggests buying tickets ahead of time as the big name comics are sure to sell-out fast. The 2015 Hoboken Comedy Festival will be held at Bow Tie Cinemas, 409-415 14th Street, Hoboken.

For more information, visit:

www.HobokenComedyFestival.org