Making seattle laugh since 2022
At the Upper Left Comedy Festival, we provide joy and laughter to comedy fans and spotlight the funniest and most diverse stand-up comics in the Pacific Northwest!
What is the Upper left Comedy Festival?
Upper Left Fest is Seattle’s first ever bona fide comedy festival. We feature three days of stand up and performance events at multiple venues in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. We shine a spotlight on Pacific Northwest comedy favorites and nationally known acts including Baron Vaughn, Jackie Kashian, David Gborie, Ron Lynch, Josh Gondelman, Derek Sheen, Amy Miller, Kermet Apio, Emmett Montgomery and many more.
The problem:
PEOPLE ARE READY TO GO OUT.
THEY LIKE COMEDY.
HOW TO FIND GOOD LOCAL COMEDY TO GO SEE?
Like you, we’ve spent the last couple of years staying cooped up indoors, watching comedy specials on Netflix. Now it’s time to see stand up as it’s meant to be experienced: Live and in person! Our region is full of exciting local comedians who are ready to get back at it, but with so many clubs closing their doors due to COVID, there was a loss of community and places to perform and see comedy.
The Solution:
we Partner with emerging comedy clubs and established venues in Seattle’s iconic neighborhoods.
We are committed to bringing together the best talent in the region, connecting them with the legions of comedy fans we know live here. We care about making sure our audience as well as our performers have a fun and memorable weekend filled with laughs and entertainment.
our values
We are a grassroots, community-driven festival, bringing a high-quality experience with only the best up-and-coming stand up artists, with help from our sponsors and partners.
Diversity and inclusion
Stand up is an artform about personal expression. Comics connect with audiences through laughter, putting the audience members in the performer’s shoes, and showing the world from their point of view. We’re excited to showcase artists from all walks of life with unique experiences.
Building a creative community
We exist to bring together emerging comedians as well as their fans, to help foster a positive, safe community where creativity thrives. We want to build the region into a healthy, sustainable, and renowned comedy destination.
We believe comedy is for everyone.
We know that in these times, people need laughter more than ever, and we are here to provide this important service to our city and region. We strive to provider an experience that is accessible, positive, and entertaining.
We are the community.
Our diverse crew of producers and organizers is made up of comedians and comedy-lovers, dedicated to the mission of bringing a world-class comedy festival to our town. We work to foster a creative, positive, and safe experience for everyone in our comedy community.
The Deets
we’re going back to belltown!
Upper Left Fest 2024 will take place in Seattle’s walkable Belltown neighborhood, just north of the downtown core. Our headquarters will be the Here-After, located in The Crocodile club, accessible via public transit and close to maritime tourism.
Upper Left Fest will occur over three nights, April 25-27, 2024. Here-After and The Rendezvous will act as host venues with 3 stages running all weekend. There will be opening night and closing night Main Stage shows featuring our bigger named performers, followed by after-parties where comics can interact with fans and pass holders.
We will feature nationally-touring headliners as well as local favorites, offering a variety of different shows, including stand up, podcast recordings, a New Faces showcase, and industry panels. VIP ticket holders have access to performers and industry during after parties and daytime events.
Competition
The Seattle comedy scene is currently experiencing a surge in interest and activity. Upper Left exists to highlight local talent and independently-produced shows. We are the only multi-night, multi-venue comedy event bringing together and highlighting the best comics working in the region.
A few competing factors that we face while trying to expand our fest are the weather, other activities happening in Seattle and that people are still not ready to come back out into night life in the city.
financials
2022 was our first year and was a huge success. While 2023 was an improvement in our operations and the experience of the festival, we were working against the obstacles of being the same weekend as the opening of SIFF, and also the first really nice weather of the year, which never makes Seattleites want to stay indoors. Nevertheless we had a good festival and excellent shows, and learned a lot we can use to be more successful going forward.
Budget
Projections
“Seattle’s Super Bowl of Laughter” - Dave Segal, The Stranger
“A commendable vehicle to boost Seattle's status in the humor trenches nationwide“ - Dave Segal, The Stranger
Our Partners
2022
2023
THE TEAM
The Upper Left Comedy Festival is brought to you by some of Seattle's most exciting creative forces. Our diverse crew of producers and organizers are made up of established comedians and comedy-lovers. We are dedicated to fostering a creative, inclusive, and safe community for everyone in it.
How can the OED help?
1. do you have access to the Belltown neighborhood business association?
2. Are there any neighborhood businesses we could partner with?
3. do you know of Any grants or ideas for funding?
3A. should we consider switching to being a a non profit?
4. how do we get our fest into the OED newsletter?
5. Are there any other support or partnership opportunities we should be aware of?
CONTACT INFORMATION AND ANY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS.
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