NYC's comedy scene is more inclusive than ever, with funny women and queer comedians of color performing at the best comedy clubs all over town on any given night. We break down hilarious shows hosted and produced by people of color, from improv to musical variety. Now go out and celebrate!
Count on the always-game Petey DeAbreu to shut it down at this weekly Lower East Side gig, featuring DJ Juanyto spinning hip-hop and R&B and a sharply-dressed crowd ready for a good time.
At this long-running stand-up show, host Calvin S. Cato and guests hailing from BET, Comedy Central, MTV and VH1 serve up free laughs and candy, so you can save your money for more important things, like drinking.
Dating in New York isn't always as darling as it seems in the movies. Fortunately, the ferocious duo of Vanessa Valerio and Anita Flores have arrived to reclaim justice for survivors of grim Grindr encounters, pitiful Tinder dates and merciless ghostings. The September edition packs a killer lineup, with Joyelle Johnson, Elana Lancaster, Tracie Osborne and Gastor Almonte sharing stories.
Juliet Prather, Maddie Fischer, Fareeha Khan, Jesse Roth and Stephanie Pace host this comedy showcase highlighting female, queer and gender non-conforming talents. July's edition is an absolute banger, with a killer lineup including Cole Escola, Bowen Yang, Natasha Vaynblat, Danielle Perez, Dylan Adler, Schuyler Robinson and Michelle Davis.
This unstoppable showcase presents you with a brand new musical comedy spectacular written, produced and performed in one day entirely by performers of color. Count on a stellar show, with bites, brews and music going all night.
Prize gem of New Jersey Michelle Buteau and witty wonder Jordan Carlos invite Nore Davis, Ben Sinclair and Sara Schaefer to give their most questionable advice on being a grown-up at this redoubtable night of comedy.
Chris Daniels and Kofi Thomas get down at a Bushwick arts space at this delightful monthly shindig. Drinks are included with your ticket, but be sure to BYOB to keep the party going long after the sets end. Brendan Eyre and Marie Faustin join in on the good times.
Unleash your rage at the great cultural offenses of our time at this cathartic comedy show. A whopping 50 performers are each given one minute to take on a pressing topic, like Grimes and Elon Musk or Johnny Depp in those Harry Potter spin-offs. Hosts Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers curate the operatic bitchiness, based on the beloved segment from their podcast.
We defy you to not gush over Fareeha Khan. The always-game, razor-sharp stand-up invites an diverse array of performers to join her at Union Hall and share stories and sets of feeling excluded, isolated and on the margins.
What part of Ziwe Fumudoh doesn't read superstar to you? The highly cerebral performance dynamo lives out a full pop fantasy at this monthly bash, at which comedy favorites perform their own twisted bops. This month, she's joined by an untouchable lineup, which includes Cole Escola, Jo Firestone, Natalie Walker, Matt Rogers, David Goldberg, Lorelei Ramirez and Jeb Roberts.
What could be better than the batshit buddy comedy duo of Pete DeAbreu and Christi Chiello? The wild pair host this excellent night of laughs at Union Hall, with their favorite funny friends joining in on the action.
Poet and comedic maverick Arti Gollapudi takes aim at societal norms and body standards at her riotous monthly show.
Sure, you could stay home and watch the best stand-up comedians’ specials, or you could head out to the best comedy clubs in NYC and see some world-class performances in person. Below you’ll find our picks of the absolute best shows happening this month, from improv to open mic nights and everything in-between.
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