Began:
Just for Laughs Chicago Background:
Just for Laughs began life in 1983 as a comedy festival held annually in Montreal. After 25 successful years as the second-largest comedy festival in the world, Just for Laughs launched a second festival in Toronto, Canada in 2007.
In 2009, Just for Laughs partnered with cable network TBS (also a co-sponsor of The Comedy Festival in Las Vegas) to create a third spin-off, called TBS Presents A Very Funny Festival: Just for Laughs Chicago.
A Festival Celebrating Chicago:
In addition to traditional stand-up comedy performances, the Just for Laughs Chicago Festival celebrates the long tradition of comedy in Chicago (birthplace of Second City and home to some of the best improv and sketch comedy in the world). National stand-up acts (such as Ellen DeGeneres, George Lopez and Jimmy Fallon), local comedy showcases for Chicago comedians and Chicago-based improv and sketch comedy are all a part of the festival's first year.
Just for Laughs Chicago was held at venues across the city, including the Lakeshore Theater, Zanies Comedy Club, the Chicago Theater, ImprovOlympic, Annoyance Theater and more. Over 100 comics performed in over 70 shows in the five days of the festival.
