By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
BRIDGEWATER, Vt. — The Vermont Comedy Festival, hosted by the Woolen Mill Comedy Club, has recently made some big announcements. On Friday, festival coordinators announced that comedian Joe List would be headlining at Pentangle Arts on the final day of the festival.
The Woolen Mill Comedy Club, started by Bridgewater native Collen Doyle in 2015, has recently been hosting weekly comedy shows featuring comedians from all over the country. Originally focusing on primarily local talent, the club has grown along with its Board to “bridge the gap between New York City and Vermont.” Producer and Board Member Matt Vita says he has been working with Doyle for a long time, putting on comedy shows and that doing a festival seemed like the logical next step.
“The idea came from wanting to showcase not only great comedy, but also the beauty of Vermont. We were honestly surprised to see that not only was a Vermont Comedy Festival not a thing, but it never had also been. In the past, comedy in Vermont has really focused on local talent, and we wanted to really try and create something that could be a national event and bring some bigger names to Vermont’s doorstep,” said Doyle about the festival’s inception.
The festival will run from December 1st through the 4th, starting with a kickoff party at Bridgewater, Vermont’s Ramuntos, just below the Woolen Mill Comedy Club, and they intend to do some comedy programming that night as well. Friday and Saturday nights will essentially mirror themselves with comedy programming throughout the day at different locations. Throughout the weekend, they also intend to host a variety of events including industry panels, a musical comedy segment, and a sketch video show. The weekend will also see dozens of comedians traveling from many different parts of the country.
All leading up to the headlining event which will be List at Pentangle Arts in Woodstock, Vermont. Fans may recognize List from his appearances on “The Late Show With David Letterman” and “The Standups” on Netflix. He also co-hosts the successful “Tuesdays With Stories” podcast with fellow comedian Mark Normand.
While comedy is the focus for this festival, the hosts also intend for the events to showcase the beauty of Vermont and will be inviting comedians and guests alike to come ski and snowboard at Killington and enjoy the nearby towns and amenities that Vermont has to offer.
We recognize that we may not be in the largest metropolis in Vermont. We really feel like that puts us in the unique position of being able to offer and show parts of Vermont that we really love. The point is for everyone to come in and feel like they’ve had an authentic Vermont experience,” said Doyle
Local businesses have been instrumental in helping the comedy club provide comedians and guests with a pleasant experience. Possibly none more than nearby hotel 506 On the River, which has put up many of the comedians that perform at the comedy club. Other businesses, like The Rivershed and Ramuntos, have offered up their space to help the festival.
Anyone interested in attending the festival is invited and encouraged to buy tickets as soon as possible, tickets to see Joe List at Pentagle went up on Friday and according to Vita its “only a matter of when they sell out”. More information on the show can be found at www.vermontcomedyfestival.com.
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