Events

[COMEDY] When the National Comedy Center officially opens its doors on Wednesday, August 1 in Jamestown, it will represent the posthumous fulfillment of comedy great Lucille Ball’s desire for a memorial in her hometown: not a street name, not a statue, but an institution dedicated to the art of comedy, its history, its present, and its future. Offering more than 50 interactive exhibits in 37,000 square feet of space, it will be the first nonprofit cultural institution of its kind in the country. But the center comprises more than just exhibits—George Carlin’s sketch notes, Lenny Bruce’s trench coat, memorabilia and recordings from the likes of Phylils Diller, Bob Hope, Jack Paar, Dave Chappelle, Joan Rivers, and virtually any comic legend you can name, past or contemporary. It’s also a performance center that will showcase both A-list and emerging talent. The lineup for the inaugural Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, which runs from Wednesday, August 1 through Sunday, August 5, is heavy on the A-list: Among the 40 events scheduled for the festival will be appearances by Lily Tomlin, Amy Schumer, Dan Ackroyd, Laraine Newman, Lewis Black, and Fran Drescher, among others. It’s a remarkable kickoff to the newest star in Western New York’s glowing constellation of cultural amenities. Visit comedycenter.org for a full lineup of events and exhibits, for tickets, and to read about future programming.