LaughFest organizers announced the addition of several shows to this year’s lineup. Additional ticketed shows announced today include:

· Out of the Box Comedy Show: Join an unforgettable evening hosted by Grand Rapids native and comedian Hen Sapp with special guests sure to entertain.

· Don’t We Boys & Charles: The Don’t We Boys and Charles are critically acclaimed, nationally touring sketch comedy groups who will take you on a hilarious sketch improv adventure.

· Forever Plaid: This comedic musical revue is about a quartet of high-school chums and their dream of recording an album.

· Giggle Groove: In this fun, off the hook walking tour, participants will eat, dance and create serious fun at some of the best bars and restaurants Grand Rapids has to offer.

· MP Talent Showcase: A fun-filled evening of comedy, music, burlesque, puppetry and so much more!

· Francesca Amari: “A Love Song to Gilda Radner” A cabaret performance chronicling the life of Gilda Radner. It will feature her loves, life stories and her brave battle with cancer – all told through song and Gilda’s own words.

· Seriously Funny Adventure Challenge: This fun-filled challenge will involve teams* (of two or four) racing through downtown Grand Rapids engaging in fun and exciting timed challenges requiring fast thinking.

Ticket prices range from $7 for family-friendly events, such as the Super Saturday Kids Zone, to $55.50 for premium seating to headliner Lewis Black. In addition, individual tickets are available for $250 to attend Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids’ annual fundraising dinner event featuring headliner Wayne Brady. Full tables for 10 guests can be purchased for the annual fundraiser for $2,500 by calling Gilda’s LaughFest headquarters.

Other entertainers who have already been announced for this year’s LaughFest include: Jim Breuer, Bill Burr, Joel McHale, Brian Regan, Gary Valentine, Justin Willman, Eric Andre, Neal Brennan, Loni Love, Pete Holmes, Fortune Feimster with Myq Kaplan and Michael Yo, W. Kamau Bell, the Shaquille O’Neal Presents... All-Star Comedy Jam, and others.

“When ticket-package sales closed, on Friday, Jan. 4, there was a 9.4 percent increase in sales over last year with over 2000 packages being sold,” said Wendy Wigger, vice president of communications. “There are still plenty of opportunities for the public to see the top artists participating in this year’s LaughFest, including top sellers Lewis Black, Brian Regan and Joel McHale.”

Due to the number of ticket packages sold, premium level seating options are limited for Lewis Black’s performance, but mid-tier and upper level seats are still available. There are no tickets available for Garfunkel and Oates’ March 8 performance at 8:00 pm. The Clean Comedy showcase has no tickets available for the 7 p.m. shows on March 8 and 9, but there are plenty of seats for the six other performances. One of the eight performances during the Stand-Up Competition with a cash prize of $10,000 has no tickets left.

Gilda’s LaughFest was created by a team at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids in 2011. In its inaugural year, more than 55,000 people attended the festival. Attendance for the second year of LaughFest was 56,294. More than 40,500 tickets were sold to the various events and visitors came from 25 states and Canada. The two-year income stream from the festival and the signature dinner events have totaled more than $540,000. All dollars raised support the free cancer, grief and emotional health programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Visit www.laughfestgr.org or call 616-735-HAHA (4242) to learn more about Gilda’s LaughFest.