Festival Guide (pdf)

Hey Everyone!

welcome to the Festival

Welcome to the Traverse City Winter Comedy Arts Festival!

Tickets on Sale Friday, JANUARY 31 at 12 noon

Some of you are here, naturally, to celebrate Presidents Day weekend. Ah, Presidents Day weekend! That annual holiday where we dress up like Millard Fillmore and Warren G. Harding and just get wasted.

Order tickets online at wintercomedy.org!

Others, though, are here to spend Valentine’s Day with that special loved one who adores you and who will always be there for you, no matter what. That couple is sitting in Row J, Seats 7 and 8. Wave to them. Whatever your reason for being here — hopefully it’s to see some of the best comedians the country has to offer — we hope that you have a good time in our neck of the northern woods. Like any town up here, we’ve got a Zip Line, a Frozen Ferris Wheel, an Ice Rink in the middle of the street, a Slip and Fall Olympics, Monster Dog Pulls, and so much more to help you experience the singular pleasures of frostbite and black ice that we live with up north nine months of the year.

Tons of FREE family fun! Movies for as little as $3, comedy for as little as $5. Comedy acts and films are rated whenever possible. Viewer discretion is advised. The festival box office in the State Theatre lobby is open 12 noon to 6 pm daily January 31- February 13. You can pick up tickets at the door before shows. Venue box offices open one hour before the day’s first show. Most live events at the State Theatre, City Opera House, and Old Town Playhouse are Reserved Seating. Movies and some live events, including those at InsideOut Gallery, are General Admission. Contact us at 231-944-3040 or [email protected].

Go see comedy! Then see more comedy! Grover Cleveland and Calvin Coolidge have never been funnier.

Michael Moore and Jeff Garlin

Founders, Traverse City Winter Comedy Arts Festival

Pick Two Shows For $30 Friday, Feb. 21 at 8PM

Friday, April 25 at 8PM

WINTERLOCHEN ARTS DAY AND HOT CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO Saturday, February 22, 2014 - 10:30am Daytime activites are FREE Hot Club of San Francisco, Saturday, February 22, 2014 - 7:00 p.m.: $26 adult, $23 senior and $10 student Beat the winter blues with Interlochen Arts Academy and the Interlochen Area Chamber of Commerce! Enjoy a day filled with student performances, hot chocolate, indoor and outdoor kids activities, food vendors and more. Then top it off with a 7:00 p.m. performance featuring the acclaimed Hot Club of San Francisco and the popular French vocalist Isabelle Fontaine as they present “Meet Me In Paris.” Find out more at interlochen.org/winterlochen.

tickets.interlochen.org • 800.681.5920

Friday, April 11 at 8PM

Cyrille Aime´e

City Opera House Shares The Love. Limited Seating available

KEEP ARTS AT THE HEART - DONATE TODAY!

CityOperaHouse.org

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FREE ON FRONT

ICE SKATING RINK Sponsored by Fox Motors

Glide across the ice on a beautiful rink right outside of the State Theatre. Great ice in any weather! Free skate rentals are available in the skate tent next to the rink, or bring your own skates. And on Sunday, kids can participate in skating clinics held by the TC Figure Skating Club and Centre Ice: 3 to 5-year-olds from 11:30 am-12 noon, and 5 to 13-year-olds from 1-1:30 pm.

SLEDDING HILL

Sponsored by Shanty Creek Resort

No need to head for the hills — you can fly down Front Street on the best snow in town thanks to Shanty Creek Resort, shaped with the best equipment thanks to Team Elmer’s. Snow tubes are provided for those who come downtown and climb the snow staircase to fun!

HOURS: FRIDAY 4 PM - 9 PM SATURDAY 10 AM - 9 PM • SUNDAY 10 AM - 5 PM

FERRIS WHEEL

Sponsored by Mary D. Fisher

Peek over the cityscape and take in the frozen winter wonderland below from the best view in town — the top of the Ferris wheel, situated smack dab in the middle of Front Street. You won’t believe your eyes. There’s no charge to ride downtown’s winter Ferris wheel, thanks to our generous sponsor and all of those who buy comedy tickets!

ZIP LINE

Sponsored by Michael Moore and Jeff Garlin

Soar above the 100 Block of Front Street and experience downtown like never before on our new zip line. Enjoy this thrilling adventure racing against friends and family, or on your own. Riders must weigh between 60 and 250 pounds. It’s all Free on Front!

FREE FAMILY FUN FOR EVERYONE RIGHT DOWNTOWN ON FRONT STREET!

Frozen Mini GolF Sponsored by the Jewelers of Downtown Traverse City All Weekend!

New this year — it’s your chance to shine playing nine-hole, jewelry-themed ice miniature golf. Make your way around icy obstacles that will dazzle your eyes and challenge your coordination. Perfect for the whole family! Balls and clubs will be provided. Many thanks to our friends, the generous jewelers of Downtown Traverse City: Miner’s North, Becky Thatcher Designs, James C. Smith Fine Jewelry, and Federico’s Design Jewelers.

rowboat races

Hosted by Fit for You Health Club Saturday, 1:00 - 2:00 pm Push a flat bottom boat across the snowcovered arena and test your muscle, skill, and determination with the pros from Fit for You Health Club. Teams of five can register at the sports arena.

ICE-STRAVAGANZA

FREE ON FRONT

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Monster dog pull

Up and Down Front Street, All Weekend! Live Carvings Friday & Saturday

Sponsored by Northern Michigan Veterinary Hospital w/Dog Dreams Inn & D.O.G. Bakery Saturday, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

The artists at Ice Creations who craft Frankenmuth’s ice sculptures are bringing their show north. Thanks to our business sponsors, Front Street will be an ice art gallery for all to enjoy throughout the festival. Plus, catch the artists live at work Friday in the Chase Bank walkway, and Saturday in the Jay Smith walkway. While you enjoy the ice-stravaganza, pick up an Ice Sculpture Scavenger Hunt card in the main warming tent for the chance to win a $100 downtown Traverse City gift certificate!

Bring your Dachshunds, your St. Bernards, your Goldens, your Brittany Springer Spaniels, your Pugs, your French Bulldogs, your Shiba Inus, your Siberian Huskies, your Basset Hounds, your Corgis, your Terriers, and your Mutts yearning to pull, with a dream in their hearts of dog pull glory — bring them all downtown for the premier winter dog sporting event in our five county region. Join in the fun and compete for valuable prizes! Register online at wintercomedy.org or at the event, $10 registration fee. Registration at 10:00 am.

SLIP AND FALL OLYMPICS Hosted by Fit for You Health Club

SNOWBLOWER RACES Hosted by Home Depot

Saturday, 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Sochi doesn’t get to have all the fun. Traverse City delegates can navigate an icy obstacle course in our own Slip and Fall Olympics. Crash helmets will be provided! The audience gets to participate, too. Register on site.

Sunday, 4:00 - 5:00 pm

People who love snowblowing so much that they don’t stop at the end of their driveway will come down and plow through the snow with machines from Home Depot to compete for our second annual Snowblower King — or Queen — Trophy.

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COMEDY

Traverse City Winter Comedy Arts Festival

ROSIE O’DONNELL

FRED WILLARD

“The Queen of Nice” will be right at home when she brings her bold wit and bravado storytelling to TC. She’s conquered the stage (“Grease”) and the small (“The View”) and big screens (“A League of Their Own”), and she’s won Emmys like they were going out of style with “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.” A true American original, she’s returned to standup following a major heart attack with new perspectives on parenting, marriage, illness, and celebrity.

Four Emmy nominations, over a thousand television appearances (from “Get Smart” to “Modern Family”), and over 70 scene-stealing film roles (“Best in Show,” “Anchorman,” “Wall•E”) — to call Fred Willard anything less than a legend would be laughable. We will present Mr. Willard, one of the most gifted comic actors of his or any generation, with our TC Comedy Fest Legends Award. Past recipients include Roseanne Barr and Dick Gregory.

MICHAEL IAN BLACK

TIG NOTARO

Master of irreverent observations, Michael Ian Black is an ingenious cultural commentator who you probably know from “Ed” or as the guy with all the best jokes on VH1’s “I Love the…” series, but he has truly done it all: sketch comedy (“Stella,” “The State”), movies (“Wet Hot American Summer”), children’s books, podcasts, book reviews for the New York Times, and a new show with D.L. Hughley on TBS, “Trust Me, I’m a Gameshow Host.”

Hailed as one of the best comics working today, Tig Notaro is redefining comedy with her big-hearted and counterintuitive wit. Her “instantly legendary” set addressing her recent cancer treatments made vocal fans of the likes of Louis C.K. and Sarah Silverman. She’s a regular on “Conan” and “This American Life,” has appeared on “Community” and “The Office,” and made her feature film debut this summer with “In a World…”

February 13-16, 2014

COMEDY

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STEPHEN LYNCH

SINBAD

Whether he’s singing an ode to “queer tattoos,” telling a potential paramour all the things he won’t be doing for her (he ain’t fightin’ no Lion), or lamenting his new vegan lifestyle (“Tofurkey? Tof**k yourself — I want some meat”), Michigan-born, Tony-nominated Stephen Lynch’s unique blend of musicallybased comedy has earned him fiercely loyal fans around the world with soldout live shows, best-selling CDs, and top-rated Comedy Central specials.

One of Comedy Central’s top 100 standups, Sinbad’s larger-than-life persona and genuine good humor have made him one of America’s most beloved comics. You know this Michigan native from movies (“Houseguest”) and TV (“The Sinbad Show,” “It’s Always Sunny”). Keeping it PG (he hasn’t sworn on stage in over 30 years), Sinbad tells jokes his dad “taught him back in the day,” combining showmanship with an optimistic enthusiasm for life.

TIM MEADOWS

DAVE FOLEY

One of the longest running cast members in “Saturday Night Live” history, Tim Meadows’ improvisational prowess and flair for impersonating famous personalities didn’t end with “SNL” & “The Ladies Man.” With his courvoisier days behind him, the Michigan native has turned his iconic brand of comedy into a great live show while also appearing in hit films (“Mean Girls,” “Grown Ups”) and on top-rated television (“Suburgatory,” “The Bill Engvall Show”).

He’s the creator of one the most beloved and influential sketch comedy shows of all time, “The Kids in the Hall,” star of the beyond-brilliant sitcom “NewsRadio,” and the voice of Flik in “A Bug’s Life” and Wayne in “Prep & Landing.” And you’ve recently seen him in a scene-stealing arc on “The Middle,” so let’s say we’re confident this Canadian import will receive a very warm welcome in Traverse City.

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COMEDY


MATT BRAUNGER JEFF GARLIN Our co-founder is a standup comedian, director, producer, writer, actor, and author. He’s made and starred in hit films (“WALL•E”) and hit shows (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), and performed on everything from “Conan” to “Arrested Development.” Currently he’s the star of ABC’s top-rated “The Goldbergs,” performs in comedy clubs everywhere, and hosts the podcast “By the Way.”

KIRK FOX

DAN ST. GERMAIN

Starting out in the world of drama (“The Patriot,” “The Postman”), Kirk Fox didn’t quite understand why he was always cast as the killer. So, proving that even bad guys can have a heart of gold, he turned to standup where he has since found his true calling, making people laugh with his very genuine brand of comedy on film (“Forgetting Sarah Marshall”), television (“Parks & Recreation,” “The Tonight Show,” “The Test”), and a Comedy Central special.

Variety calls him one of “10 Comics to Watch,” Paste Magazine says he’s one of the “Top 10 Great Underrated Comedians,” and Time Out New York labeled him the “Comedy Break Out” of 2013, but we just call him the comedian you’d better catch here before he’s too big to come back. Currently developing his own show on Fox, he’s done all the top comedy fests, “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “Conan,” and a Comedy Central special.

Named as one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch,” Matt Braunger will win you over with his affable charm and penchant for the random and absurd. He’s been a series regular on “MADtv;” appeared on “Up All Night,” “Conan,” “The Michael J. Fox Show,” and “Letterman;” had a best-selling comedy album; and hosts his own popular podcast on The Nerdist, “Ding-Donger with Matt Braunger.”

SARAH TIANA A Southern belle who can pack a punch, Sarah Tiana (“Reno 911”) returns to the Traverse City Winter Comedy Arts Festival by popular demand, after opening for Jeffrey Ross in 2011, to share her thoughts on everything from her love of sports to the sport of dating — and she’ll teach us how to decode “texts.” She’s traveled around the world doing over nine tours of comedy for the troops, and when she’s not abroad, she can be seen on “Chelsea Lately,” Reelz TV, and NFL.com.

COMEDY


LATE NIGHT COMBO PLATTER Saturday at 12 midnight, Horizon Book’s basement will turn into a free, standing-roomonly performance space, and Jeff Garlin will host his late night talk show featuring lots of surprise guests. Not ticketed: we let in the first 100 people who line up, for FREE! Get a line number at the door at 11 pm to secure your place.

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SET LIST: STANDUP WITHOUT A NET Paul Provenza and Troy Conrad’s critically-acclaimed show (a smash hit at the 2012 SXSW Film Fest) puts a spin on traditional standup showcases: comics are handed never-before-seen topics (like “Detroit Tourism Slogan Planning Committee”) as they step up to the mic, promising an unpredictable and hilarious show, every time. Get your tix early — “Set List” was the surprise word-of-mouth hit at last year’s ComFest.

TJ & DAVE

MIKE TOOMEY

Whether you’re a student of improvisation or simply interested in the human imagination, TJ & Dave will leave you laughing and guessing. These Second City veterans are returning to the festival by popular demand as the widely acknowledged living legends of long-form improv. TJ Jagodowski (the guy on the Sonic commercials) and David Pasquesi (“Groundhog Day”) walk out on stage without characters, dialog or plot, and the result is pure genius.

The Chicago Tribune says he’s “one of the funniest & most talented performers ever to work in Chicago,” but to us he is a fest favorite we couldn’t be more excited to welcome back. Toomey’s dead-on impersonations and PG-rated style are perfect for anyone and everyone who can use a really good, hearty, deep-rooted laugh. Just like his popular “TV and Me” one-man show at the 2010 festival, his standup is the answer to the question, “Which show won’t make my grandmother blush?”

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COMEDY


LOCAL scene: OPEN MIC

Combine “The Gong Show” and the Grumpy Old Men from The FOX FM, and what do you get? Comedians brave enough to withstand local hecklers will vie to prove they’re the funniest by baring their comedic souls for the world to see. Will they bomb, or will they become the underground hit of the festival? Come see some of northern Michigan’s budding comedians to find out. Word to the wise: don’t be cheesy, cherry jokes are the pits. Hosted by our friends at 94.3 The FOX FM and Folgarelli’s Market.

Good to Know

CHICAGO IMprov: virgin daiquiri

This all-Lady all the time comedy troupe has been delivering improvised hilarity to its faithful Chicago audiences since 2007 and counts current “Saturday Night Live”cast members Aidy Bryant and Cecily Strong among its many talented alumni. Calling Chicago’s renowned iO Theater their home base, they have also performed at theaters and festivals across the country, released an album called “Food Baby,” and launched their own web series and sketch show. Don’t miss their simply sensational comedic chemistry that proves girls have more “funny.”

Local IMPROV: GOOD ON PAPER

FREE LIVE PODCASTS

Traverse City’s ONLY professional improv comedy company has built a loyal following with their fast and furious, quick and witty, never the same performances. The longest running show at the Old Town Playhouse, you can usually catch them at the Schmuckal Theater every other Saturday. We are super excited to bring back to the ComFest this talented group of locals including David Avis, Michael Libby, Heather Strouse, Stephanie Young, Bryan Boettcher, and Michael Gauthier. Check them out!

We’ve got two FREE podcast tapings this year live in TC at InsideOut Gallery. Brandon Wetherbee, host of the nationally-known “You, Me, Them, Everybody” podcast, will sit down with some of our visiting comedians for a good ol’ fashioned talk show. And on the local side, Mike Moran and the crew from “Drink My Brewcast” will sit down with some of the funny people at this year’s ComFest to crack a Michigan brew or two and talk about some serious comedy.

Free Parking

Park for free in the Hardy and Old Town parking decks after 5 pm on Thursday and Friday, and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Decks will be open all night. Or park for free after 6 pm on Thursday and Friday and all weekend in the Farmer’s Market parking lot between Union and Cass just north of Front Street. Parking at InsideOut Gallery is just south of the building in the public lot.

Festival Food AND Apparel

At the State Theatre, we’ll have everything we always have during shows, plus more. At the City Opera House, Old Town Playhouse, and InsideOut Gallery, we’ll have snacks and drinks, and InsideOut’s bar will be open. Check out Winter ComFest sweatshirts, tshirts, mittens, hats, and posters available at the State Theatre and City Opera House. Credit cards accepted.

Shop and Eat Downtown

Downtown TC is a great place to shop and eat! Enjoy the finest TC has to offer on Presidents Day Weekend as you shop great sales and dine in style in one of America’s great up-and-coming foodie towns. Check page 21 for late night restaurant and bar hours.

EAT, DRINK, PARTY


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During the day, our heated Polar Vortex tent is home to Saturday’s Soup’r Bowl and Sunday’s Frozen Cherry Brunch. At night, from 7:00 - 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, the Polar Vortex will be magically transformed into an International Ice Bar where we invite you to drink around the world in honor of the Winter Olympics. Inside the Vortex, partygoers can imbibe the native drinks of Olympic delegations from cash bars, and nosh on free “gourmet” hors d’oeuvres like potentially germ-ridden bowls of broken pretzel shards, pizza rolls, and bagel bites. The Mother Russia ice bar, ice lounge, and ice glasses are not to be missed. Admission to the parties is free for anyone with a ticket or ticket stub from one of the festival’s paid comedy shows, and the admission charge for the general public is $5. Once inside, drinks (wine, beer, mixed drinks, and ice luge shots) are $5.

PARTY IN THE INTERNATIONAL ICE BAR Friday and Saturday, 7:00 - 11:00 pm in the Polar Vortex Tent Sponsored by Wicksall Distributors, Inc.

FROZEN CHERRY BRUNCH

Sunday, February 16, 9:00 am - 12:00 noon Polar Vortex Tent Join us for a delicious brunch that will delight your taste buds and ignite your sense of fun. There will be pancakes so fluffy you could die, fruit so fresh you’ll think you’re in the tropics, and maple syrup so real you’ll swear it was tapped from a tree right on Front Street. Plus cherry topping for National Cherry Month, sausage, juice, milk, “orange drink,” and coffee – what a spread! Flipped by Chris Cakes, the world-record holder for most pancakes flipped in an hour AND the highest pancake tossed, they’re the hibachi chefs of the pancake world. Face painters, balloon twirlers, and royalty will be on hand. There may not be booze, but you just can’t loose. $4 Kids, $7 Adults.

Thanks to our generous sponsor Wicksall Distributors, Inc! Meet you at the Eternal Flame.

SOUP’r BOWL COMPETITION

Saturday, February 15, 12 noon - 3 pm Polar Vortex Tent Like soup? Don’t miss the friendly neighborhood soup throwdown between a dozen TC restaurants who will be serving up steaming hot soup samples. Vote for your fave. $8 for 8 samples. Last year’s competitors: Aerie Restaurant & Lounge at Grand Traverse Resort’s Chicken Chipotle; Blue Tractor’s Smoked Chicken Chowder; Bubba’s Harvest Chicken Chowder; Little Bohemia’s 2 Alarm Chili & Clam Chowder; Reflect Bistro & Lobby Bar inside Cambria Suites’ Roasted Butternut Squash Soup; The Kitchen’s Buffalo Chicken Soup; The Soup Cup, A MicroSouperie’s Hawaiian Pineapple Pumpkin; and Zakey Middle Eastern Cuisine’s Curry Chicken & Rice.

S’MORES, FIRE, AND ICE

Friday, February 14, 6:00 - 8:00 pm Intersection of Front and Cass Streets Light up Friday night with the festival’s breathtakingly dramatic “Fire & Ice” display that will invite you to behold the wonders of the natural world, and enjoy a yummy s’more while you’re at it. Fire & Ice together – something so wrong, yet so very right. You can stay warm at the Team Bob’s fire pits as the magic unfolds right before your eyes. And whether you like your marshmallows perfectly toasted or burnt to a crisp, we can all agree that they are best served carefully sandwiched between two graham crackers with some gooey chocolate. S’mores from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, fire tower burns from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. Sponsored by our friends at WKLT, Northpointe Motors, and Meijer!

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FESTIVAL STATE THEATRE


CITY OPERA HOUSE

OLD TOWN PLAYHOUSE

INSIDEOUT GALLERY

TICKETS?

Thursday, 8:30 pm

Rosie O’Donnell ($40-50)

Friday, 6 pm

Tig Notaro ($30)

Fred Willard in Conversation w/Michael Moore ($30)

Mike Toomey ($25)

Local Scene: Open Mic ($5)

Friday, 8:15 pm

Sinbad ($30)

An Evening with Stephen Lynch ($30)

Matt Braunger, Dan St. Germain, Sarah Tiana ($30)

Chicago Improv: Virgin Daiquiri ($15)

Friday, 10:30 pm

Jeff Garlin with Kirk Fox ($30)

Dave Foley & Tim Meadows ($30)

TJ & Dave ($25)

Local Improv: Good on Paper ($5)

Friday, Midnight

“The World’s End” Friday Night Flicks ($3 or 2 for $5)

Saturday, 10 am

“Cloudy w/Chance of Meatballs 2” GT Pie Co. Bike Giveaway (25¢)

Saturday, 12:30 pm

“Best in Show” ($3)

Story Pirates: Musical Comedy for Kids ($7)

Saturday, 3:30 pm

“Dealin’ with Idiots” with Jeff Garlin ($10)

Kids Joke Contest (Free!)

Saturday, 6 pm

Dave Foley & Tim Meadows ($30)

Michael Ian Black with Dan St. Germain ($30)

Sinbad ($30)

Chicago Improv: Virgin Daiquiri ($15)

Saturday, 8:15 pm

An Evening with Stephen Lynch ($30)

Tig Notaro ($30)

Mike Toomey ($25)

Jeff Garlin with Kirk Fox & Sarah Tiana ($30)

Saturday, 10:30 pm

Set List: Standup Without a Net ($25)

Michael Ian Black with Matt Braunger ($30)

TJ & Dave ($25)

Local Scene: Open Mic ($5)

Saturday, Midnight

Late Night Combo Platter HORIZON BOOKS (Free!)

Sunday, 12:30 pm Sunday, 3:30 pm Sunday, 6 and 8:30 pm

Family Movie: “The Muppets” ($3) Family Movie: “Night at the Museum” ($3) “Dallas Buyers Club” (Not a Comedy)

“You, Me, Them, Everybody” Podcast (Free!)

“Drink My Brewcast” with Mike Moran (Free!)

wintercomedy.org!

Bring the family for a day of comedy and winter fun! Then get a sitter and take in some great standup. Tickets go on sale January 31 and are available online, at the State box office, and at the door. Unless specifically noted, standup shows are for mature audiences. Viewer discretion is advised. While you’re downtown, enjoy the ice sculptures sponsored by festival supporters. For more info, visit wintercomedy. org, call 231-944-3040, or email us at [email protected].

AT A GLANCE

February 13-16, 2014 FRONT STREET

SPORTS ARENA

ICE SKATING RINK

13 AND MORE

Friday, 4 pm Friday, 5 pm Friday, 6 pm Friday, 7 pm Friday, 8 pm

ICE SKATING RINK SLEDDING HILL FERRIS WHEEL ZIP LINE ICE MINI GOLF 4 - 9 pm

CORNHOLE Hosted by Incredible Mo’s 5 - 8 pm

S’MORES, FIRE & ICE 6-8 pm

INTERNATIONAL ICE BAR Polar Vortex Tent 7 - 11 pm

Saturday, 10 am MONSTER DOG PULL 11 am - 1 pm Registration at 10 am

Saturday, 11 am Saturday, Noon Saturday, 1 pm Saturday, 2 pm Saturday, 3 pm Saturday, 4 pm

ICE SKATING RINK SLEDDING HILL FERRIS WHEEL ZIP LINE ICE MINI GOLF 10 am - 9 pm

Saturday, 5 pm

SOUP’R BOWL in the Polar Vortex Tent, 12 noon - 3 pm

FIT FOR YOU ROWBOAT RACES (1-2 pm) & SLIP AND FALL OLYMPICS (2-3 pm)

GT PIE MAKE & BAKE Grand Traverse Pie Community, Downtown 2 - 4 pm Sign Up Begins at 12 noon

TUG OF WAR 3 - 4 pm KIDS COMPETITIONS 4 - 5 pm

Saturday, 6 pm Saturday, 7 pm

INTERNATIONAL ICE BAR Polar Vortex Tent 7 - 11 pm

Saturday, 8 pm Saturday, 9 pm Sunday, 9 am

FROZEN CHERRY BRUNCH Polar Vortex Tent 9 - 12 noon $4 Kids, $7 Adults SKATING CLINIC 11:30-noon

Sunday, 10 am Sunday, 11 am

FREE ON FRONT

Sunday, Noon Sunday, 1 pm Sunday, 2 pm

ICE SKATING RINK SLEDDING HILL FERRIS WHEEL ZIP LINE ICE MINI GOLF 10 am - 5 pm

KIDS COMPETITIONS 12 noon - 1 pm SNOW COLORING 1 - 2:30 pm

Sunday, 3 pm

BED RACE 3 - 4 pm

Sunday, 4 pm

SNOWBLOWER RACES 4 - 5 pm

SKATING CLINIC 1-1:30 pm

HOT CHOCOLATE MADNESS Up and Down Front Street 12 noon - 3 pm


STORY PIRATES

Saturday, February 15, 12:30 pm If you were a fan of our previous ComedySportz kids comedy shows, let’s just say the Story Pirates will blow you out of the water. Described as “Monty Python meets Schoolhouse Rock,” this group adapts and performs a show based entirely on the stories of elementary students, and part of the show is even made up on the spot by kids in the audience. With fun puppets, cool songs, and hilarious sketches, the Story Pirates will delight and surprise, all the while inspiring kids to create their own fantastical adventures.

cornhole

Friday, February 14 5:00 - 8:00 pm Just when you thought it could not get more fun, we put it on ice. Come play Cornhole! Throw a bag in a hole! Sponsored by our friends at Incredible Mo’s.

tug of war

Saturday, February 15 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Friends, strangers, comedians, strongmen: register at the gate for bragging rights. We’ll provide the rope. Hosted by K10 Fitness and Rudy’s Ultimate Bodyshop.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

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KIDS JOKE CONTEST Saturday, February 15, 3:30 pm

Calling all kids age 14 and under! It’s your time to step into the spotlight and see if you can make your friends and neighbors smile. Come ham it up onstage at the City Opera House at this fun and interactive event hosted by the very funny Story Pirates crew. Everyone who participates will receive a prize. So bring your best jokes (knock knocks, turtles crossing the road, or otherwise) and be prepared to giggle, grin, and guffaw at what the next generation of comedians has to say!

HOT CHOCOLATE MADNESS Sunday, February 16 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm

Chance to win a $100 downtown gift certificate! Pick up your ballot in the main warming tent, then visit the competitors: Brew, Poppycock’s, Sorellina, & Kilwin’s.

bed race

Sunday, February 16 3:00 - 4:00 pm People on beds with wheels will navigate our snowy sports arena for the coveted Frozen Bed Race trophy! You provide the stamina, we’ll provide the bed!

February 13-16, 2014

FAMILY FRIENDLY

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Our friends at Mr. Music Disc Jockey Services are donating their services to line up great music at both ends of Front Street so you can skate and zip line to a beat. They’re even bringing some live musicians who are willing to play in the cold! In between the live acts, Mr. Music DJs will spin lively tunes. And they’re providing music for the Soup‘r Bowl and the Frozen Cherry Brunch. Music Tent Performers Include: Blake Elliott Bloodshot Victory G-Snacks Kenny Thompson Missy Zenker Mr. Music DJs Mustache Wax Silverfox Lopez Sonya Shoup

MUSIC ON FRONT

GT PIE MAKE & BAKE Saturday, February 15 2:00 - 4:00 pm

KIDS COMPETITIONS

Sponsored by Grand Traverse Pie Co.

Saturday, February 15 4:00 – 5:00 pm Sunday, February 16 12 noon – 1:00 pm

Kids under 12, come to the Front Street GT Pie store near the sledding hill to make, bake, and take home a cherry pie! Donations are encouraged for the Children’s Advocacy Center. Sign up starts at 12 noon.

Kids ages 3 to 16 are invited to show just how far they can spit a cherry pit, and just how fast they can finish a bowl of Moomers Cherries Moobilee ice cream. No need to register in advance, just come on down.

See the full music tent schedule with dates and show times on our website at wintercomedy.org.

SNOW COLORING PROJECT Sunday, February 16 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Sponsored by KidzArt

Bring out your inner artist and help your neighbors and friends create something beautiful using snow and squeeze bottles. Fun for the whole family — and no need to be wary of the yellow snow!

WARMING TENTS

All Weekend Long Sponsored by The Verellen 5 of TC: Doug, Linda, Forrest, Max and Olivia Hydrate with water from Pure Water Works, pick up info about the fest and Downtown TC, and get Ice Scavenger Hunt and Hot Chocolate ballots, while you warm your fingers and toes in our heated tents!

MOVIES


DEALIN’ WITH IDIOTS Saturday, February 15 3:30 pm

If you’ve ever felt like the only sane person in the room, have we got a movie for you. In addition to directing and writing this sweet and smart comedy, our co-founder Jeff Garlin stars as Max, a suspiciously Jeff Garlin-esque comedian, who thinks the eccentric parents at his son’s baseball games would make great material for a movie. In true improvisational style, what unfolds is a series of side-splitting encounters with some of the most accomplished comedians and character actors in the business — including Bob Odenkirk, Fred Willard, J.B. Smoove, and Timothy Olyphant — that lead Max to realize he may have more in common with these oddballs than he thought. Not Rated, 82 min.

wITH A CHANCE THE WORLD’S END CLOUDY OF MEATBALLS 2 Friday, February 14 12 midnight

If you liked “Hot Fuzz” and loved “Shaun of the Dead,” you won’t want to miss Edgar Wright’s instant midnight classic about an epic pub crawl that develops some serious complications. Rated R, 109 min.

Saturday, February 15 10:00 am

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s... leftovers? Before inventor Flint Lockwood deals with dangerous weather, we’re giving away a FREE children’s bike, courtesy of Grand Traverse Pie Co. and Einstein Cycles! Rated PG, 95 min.

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BEST IN SHOW Saturday, February 15 12:30 pm

We’re saluting the Traverse City Winter Comedy Arts Festival’s 2014 Comedy Legend honoree, Fred Willard, by screening director/actor Christopher Guest’s wickedly funny mockumentary that satirizes the world of championship dog breeding and training. With his brilliant portrayal of the greatest announcer in fake announcer history, Fred Willard created a comic character for the ages: the addled, loose-lipped, sex-obsessed sports TV commentator Buck Laughlin. You’ll laugh so hard, the tears will run down your cheeks. Co-starring Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean, Jennifer Coolidge, Jane Lynch, Larry Miller, and Parker Posey. Rated PG-13, 90 min.

THE MUPPETS Sunday, February 16 12:30 pm

We’re giving the world the third greatest gift (laughter!) with this delightful musical filled with star-studded cameos, fart-shoes, maniacal laughs, chickens, barbershop quartets, and so much more! Rated PG, 103 min.

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM Sunday, February 16 3:30 pm

History comes alive (and wreaks havoc) in this riotous family fantasy that finds Ben Stiller the unlikely guardian of Teddy Roosevelt, a T-Rex, Attila the Hun, and a museum full of treasures, brought to life. Rated PG, 108 min.

After Hours

AFTER HOURS


7 Monks Taproom 128 S. Union Street 231-421-8410 Kitchen Until 10 pm Bar Until 12 midnight Amical 229 E. Front Street 231-941-8888 Until 10 pm Beacon Lounge Top of the Park Place Hotel 300 E. State Street 231-946-5000 Limited Kitchen Until 11 pm Bar Until 12 midnight Blue Tractor Cook Shop 423 S. Union Street 231-922-9515 Kitchen Until 10 pm Bar Until 12 midnight Brady’s Bar 401 S. Union Street 231-946-8153 Kitchen Until 1:30 am Bar Until 2 am Brew 108 E. Front Street 231-946-2739 Until 2 am

Firefly 310 S. Cass Street 231-932-1310 Kitchen & Bar Until 12 midnight

Mode’s Bum Steer 125 E. State Street 231-947-9832 Limited Kitchen and Bar Until 1 am

Right Brain Brewery 225 E. 16th Street 231-944-1239 Until 12 midnight

House of Doggs 120 S. Union Street 231-922-1348 Until 2:30 am

Morsels Espresso & Edibles 321 W. Front 231-421-1353 Until 9 pm

J&S Hamburg 302 W. Front Street 231-947-5500 Open 24 Hours

North Peak Brew Pub 400 W. Front Street 231-941-7325 Limited Kitchen Until 12 midnight

State Street Grille 221 E. State Street 231-947-4263 Kitchen Until 12 midnight Bar Until 2 am

Jimmy John’s 1217 E. Front Street 231-929-2999 Until 10 pm

Om Cafe 205 E. Lake Street 231-941-4422 Until 9 pm

Kilkenny’s Irish Public House 400 W. Front Street 231-941-7527 Limited Kitchen Until 12 midnight Bar Until 2 am

Pangea’s Pizza Pub 135 E. Front Street 231-946-9800 Until 10 pm

Little Bohemia 540 W. Front Street 231-946-6925 Kitchen Until 11 pm Bar Until 12 midnight The Little Fleet 448 E. Front Street 231-943-1166 Bar Until 12 midnight

Bubba’s 428 E. Front Street 231-995-0570 Until 12 midnight

Low Bar 128 S. Union Street Until 12 midnight

Cuppa Joe @ Horizon 243 E. Front Street 231-947-7705 Until 11 pm Dillinger’s Pub 121 S. Union Street 231-941-2276 Kitchen Until 11 pm Bar Until 2 am

Mackinaw Brewing Co. 161 E. Front Street 231-933-1100 Kitchen Until 11 pm Bar Until 12 midnight Minerva’s @ Park Place 300 E. State Street 231-946-5000 Kitchen 12 midnight, Bar 1 am

Enjoy Downtown Traverse City www.downtowntc.com

The Parlor 205 Lake Ave. 248-821-6926 Until 12 midnight Phil’s on Front 236 E. Front Street 231-929-1710 Until 2 am Poppycock’s 128 E. Front Street 231-941-7632 Until 12 midnight Rare Bird BrewPub 229 Lake Ave. 231-943-2053 Until 2 am Red Ginger 237 E. Front Street 231-944-1733 Until 11 pm

Subway Sandwiches 136 E. Front Street 231-929-7972 Until 9 pm 10% Discount w/ Tix Stub The Towne Plaza 202 E. State Street 231-929-0900 Until 9 pm Trattoria Stella 1200 W. 11th Street 231-929-8989 Until 10 pm U & I Lounge 214 E. Front Street 231-946-8932 Until 2 am Union Cantina 127 S. Union Street 231-941-5038 Until 11 pm The Workshop Brewing Co. 221 Garland Street 231-421-8977 Until 12 midnight Xylo Bistro 221 Garland Street 231-421-9200 Until 10 pm

Closing times are correct to the best of our knowledge. Please call to confirm.

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Thank SPONSORS our sponsors!


MARY D. FISHER

MAJOR SPONSORS Mary D. Fisher Ferris Wheel Sponsor TC Tourism Ice Extravaganza Sponsor W. Clark Bunting & Karen C. Bunting Comedy Venues Sponsor Fox Motors Ice Skating Rink Sponsor Grant & Terry Carrithers Volunteer Party Sponsor Jeremy Gabriel Augustine Poster Design & Art Direction

COMEDY CIRCLE eatdrinkTC.com Lars Kelto Technology Services Shanty Creek Resorts Team Elmer’s

EVENT SPONSORS Allen-Kent Photography Cherry Republic Chris Dennos Mike and Melissa Dow The FOX FM Grand Beach & Sugar Beach Hotel Grand Traverse Resort The Homestead JenTees Custom Logo Gear Leelanau Sands Casino Martha’s Leelanau Table Benson Munger David Poinsett Drs. Lou A. & Roy J. Simon Soelch Properties LLC Turtle Creek Casino

The Verellen 5 of TC: Doug, Linda, Forrest, Max, and Olivia B. Ellen Wesley, DO

LODGING PARTNERS Park Place Hotel Baymont Inn & Suites Cambria Suites Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

HOT CHOCOLATE SPONSORS & HOSTS Brew Kilwin’s Poppycock’s Sorellina

ICE SCULPTURE SPONSORS Americana Gallery Backcountry North Bayshore Resort Becky Thatcher Designs Bistro Foufou The Camera Shop of Traverse City

CRITTERS clothing and souvenirs of Traverse City The Dish Cafe Diversions Doug Murdick’s Fudge Downtown Traverse City Assn. Edward Jones Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Federico’s Design Jewelers Fifth Third Bank The Filling Station Microbrewery First Community Bank Golden Shoes Grand Traverse Gourmet Cruises on behalf of Maritime Heritage Alliance Schooner Festival, Sept. 19-21, 2014

James C. Smith Fine Jewelry Jimmy John’s McMillen’s Custom Framing Miner’s North Traverse City Tourism U&I Lounge

MEDIA SPONSORS UpNorthLive.com ABC 29&8 NBC 7&4 Midwestern Broadcasting WTCM 103.5 FM Today’s Country WCCW 107.5 FM Oldies WTCM 580 AM Talk Radio WCCW 1310 AM Sports Z93 Best Hits WKLT 97.5 FM The Rock Station 94.3 The FOX FM The Ticker Traverse City Record-Eagle Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine UpNorth Media Center

IN KIND SPONSORS Airway Oxygen, Inc. Amical baabaazuzu Bay Area Recycling for Charities Blake Elliott Bloodshot Victory (TCWCAF Fav!) Centre Ice Chase Bank City Opera House Copy Central D.O.G. Bakery Dog Dreams Inn Einstein Cycles Ferrellgas Floral Underground Derek Woodruff

Fit For You G-Snacks Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings

Grand Traverse Distillery Grand Traverse Pie Company Great Lakes Golf Cars Herkner Original Fruit Topping Home Depot Horizon Books InsideOut Gallery Jim Beam Spirits & Wine John Robert Williams Photography Incredible Mo’s Jerry Snowden K10 Fitness Kenny Thompson KidzArt Laser Printer Technologies Matthew Mansfield Music Missy Zenker Moomers Mr. Music DJs Northern Michigan Veterinary Hospital Old Town Playhouse Om Cafe Party Giant Phil’s on Front Pure Water Works Rudy’s Ultimate Bodyshop Shanty Creek Resort Silverfox Lopez Snowden Companies Sonya Shoup Team Bob’s Heating & Cooling Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center Traverse City Figure Skating Club Village Press Wicksall Distributors, Inc.