by Joey Phoenix
Image courtesy of Comedian Mark Scalia
Salem, MA is getting ready for the 2020 Salem Comedy and Spirits Festival on Thursday, January 16 through Saturday, January 18th. Now in its fifth year, the festival will host 16 comedians at two spirited venues on three separate nights. Thursday night will be at East Coast Regiment Beer Co. and Friday and Saturday will be at Deacon Giles Distillery.
Some of the prominent names for the event include New Jersey-based Joanna Filan and LA/New Jersey comedian John Poveromo.
Comedian Mark Scalia, a Boston-based standup comic who’s been in the business for 30 years, started the Salem Comedy and Spirits Festival in 2016 as a way for comics to network with each other, be supportive, entertain Salem residents, and enjoy amazing locally made products and spirits.
“I started [the festival] with the intention of it being a fun festival that would bring great comedy to Salem on a once a year basis. It’s to celebrate comedians not just locally, but also nationally and internationally, and give something back to the community,” Mark said. “Salem’s got a lot going on but not so much in January.”
New England Comedy is its own special brand of comedy and festivals like these work to showcase some of the best sarcasm-inspired humor the area has to offer.
“Sarcasm runs really strong [New England], and we find a lot of humor in it. By our nature, New Englanders are rough and tumble, we like to have fun but we do everything at one hundred percent,” Mark said.
Salem residents and visitors can get a healthy dose of snark and humor next week with the fifth annual Salem Comedy and Spirits Festival. Click here to grab your tickets!
“Netflix and Amazon and many others have comedy,” Mark added, “But there’s nothing out there that replaces live comedy. There’s nothing like it.”
Where to Catch Live Comedy North of Boston
Did you know that you don’t have to wait until January of each year to explore the best of the area’s comedy North of Boston. There are multiple venues that host comedy regularly, giving you the chance to get in your funny fix each week.
Here are the places you can hear live comedy North of Boston. Even if they don’t currently have events planned, follow them anyways because things get added all the time.
If you know of a comedy club or event that isn’t listed here, feel free to send our editor at message at joeyphoenix@creativecollectivema.com
The Studio of Madness – 9 Wallis St, Beverly:
When: Monday nights @ 7:30 pm
Cost: Free
Accidentally on Purpose Improv Comedy Troupe – Multiple Times and Locations
This almost decade-old troupe pops up at locations all over the North Shore and in Boston, but often you can find them doing their Kegs n’ Comedy stops at Marblehead Little Theatre.
Follow them on Facebook for up to date event listings.
Bent Water Brewing Co. – 180 Commercial St, Unit 18, Lynn:
Next Event: NYC Comedy Invades Bent Water Brewing Co
When: Sunday, January 12 @ 7:00 pm
Get Tickets
Cabot Comedy Club Open Mic – 286 Cabot St, Beverly:
Comedy Open Mic on the second Wednesday of the Month @ 7:00 pm
Next up: Wednesday, 1/8
The Castle: A Board Game Café – 240 Rantoul St, Beverly:
Hosts occasional comedy nights in the café
Follow them on Facebook to see when new events are added
Chianti – 285 Cabot St, Beverly:
Comedy takeover with Kelly Mastin featuring live standup comedy with featured artists on the first Tuesday of every month.
Next up: Tuesday, 1/7
CinemaSalem – 1 E India Square Mall, Salem:
Hosts special comedy events in the theatre
Follow them on Facebook to see when new events are added
Deacon Giles Distillery – 75 Canal St, Salem:
Hosts special comedy events and is a participant in the Salem Comedy and Spirits Festival.
Next Event: 2020 Salem Comedy and Spirits Festival
When: Friday, January 17th @ 9:00 pm and Saturday, January 18 @ 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Get Tickets
Don’t Tell Comedy – Secret Locations:
Traveling comedy tour
Next up – Friday, 4/24 in Beverly, MA
East Regiment Beer Co. – 30 Church St #B1, Salem:
Hosts special comedy events and is a participant in the Salem Comedy and Spirits Festival.
Next Event: 2020 Salem Comedy and Spirits Festival
When: Thursday, January 16th @ 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Firehouse Center for the Arts – 1 Market Square, Newburyport:
Hosts periodic Comedy nights showcasing local and national acts
Next Event: Comedy Night!
When: Friday, February 20 @ 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Giggles Comedy Club at Prince’s Pizzeria – 517 Broadway, Saugus:
Regular events most nights of the week. Check out the event page on their website for more information.
Gulu Gulu Café – 247 Essex St, Salem:
Hosts a weekly (interdisciplinary) open mic night on Thursdays @ 8:00 pm
Comedians of all experiences are welcome to attend!
Kowloon – 948 Broadway, Saugus:
Kowloon Komedy Series features live comedy on Fridays and Saturday nights. Follow their Facebook Page for up to date event listings.
Lots of Laughs Comedy Lounge – 946 Osgood St, North Andover:
Designated comedy lounge featuring showcase comedians on Fridays and Saturday Nights. Check out their event page for regular listings.
Lynn Auditorium – 3 City Hall Square, Lynn:
Hosts special comedy events at points throughout the year.
Next up: Comedian Aries Spears
When: Saturday, January 11 @ 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Peabody Black Box – 22 Foster St, Peabody:
Hosts frequent comedy events
Next up: Dave Russo & Friends
When: Saturday, January, 18th @ 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Oscar’s Pinatas – 346 Main St, Tewksbury:
Hosts periodic live comedy nights
Follow their Facebook Page for up to date event listings
Wiggin Auditorium at Peabody City Hall – 24 Lowell Street, Peabody:
Hosts special comedy events throughout the year
Next up: An Evening of Love and Laughter with Tony V & Kelly MacFarland
When: Friday, February 14 @ 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
The Winner’s Circle – 211 Elm St, Salisbury:
Tuesday Free Comedy every Tuesday night at 8:00 pm
Joey Phoenix is a performance artist and the Managing Editor of Creative North Shore. If you have an idea for a story, feature, or pictures of adorable deep-sea creatures, feel free to send them a message at joeyphoenix@creativecollectivema.com or follow them @jphoenixmedia on twitter.
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