Boulder Comedy Festival is back for year 2 with laughs across the county

Jun. 15—The second annual Boulder Comedy Festival — put on by stand-up comedian Zoe Rogers — returns to the Front Range June 23-26.

This year's event promises more laughs, courtesy of over 25 comics and more venues added to the list, with the snickers starting on June 23 at Front Range Brewing in Lafayette.

"I love watching the comics connect with the audience and seeing performers watch one another," Rogers said. "We have so many different voices and perspectives. It's a really awesome energy to be part of."

Built on inclusivity and camaraderie, BCF — although fairly new — has already earned a reputation for an event that comics are eager to be a part of and one that draws audiences locally and outside of Boulder County.

Returning to BCF will be funny man John Novosad, aka Hippieman, a comedian who has been in the game for over 30 years.

"I'm most looking forward to performing again, working with friends and meeting new comics at the festival," Novosad said. "This is the closet to normalcy I've felt in two-and-a-half years, due to the pandemic."

Appearing on "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" in the early 2000s, Novosad recalled the perks of being raised by hippies, recounting, "my mother sent me to school every day with a Jimi Hendrix lunch box, and all the kids made fun of me 'til they tried one of my brownies."

Laughter erupted from the audience.

"Let's just say I could pretty much trade my lunch for anything after that," Novosad said.

As part of BCF, folks can look forward to two sets by Novosad — both on June 26 at The Tiki Hut in Louisville and Dairy Arts Center in Boulder.

Novosad realized his gift for humor while gathered around the family table at meal time.

"I always made my older sister laugh at dinner when we were kids," Novosad said. "It was my goal to make her laugh, and my mother was understanding and tolerant to my silliness. I learned comedic timing making my sister laugh."

Novosad's household's television would also provide a glimpse into the profession he would later embrace.

"My mother always liked Alan King on 'The Ed Sullivan show,'" said Novosad. "I remember watching him and Red Skelton growing up. As I got older, it was Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Rodney Dangerfield."

Self-deprecating and endearing, Novosad continues to build a fanbase in his hometown of Boulder and beyond.

"The process of writing material, performing it, reviewing and refining it is always an inspiration to me," Novosad said. "Lately, I've been focusing on storytelling, using experiences from my life. That's inspirational because I don't usually tell stories in my act and making actual events in my life funny is interesting to me."

Miriam Moreno — a newbie to this year's BCF, but an up-and-comer in the scene — will perform as part of BCF at the June 24 showcase at the Dairy Arts Center and the June 25 offering at The Louisville Underground at Tilt.

"I'm so excited to do Boulder Comedy Fest because I love Zoe (Rogers), and she really works hard to put this together," Moreno said." It's always fun to be introduced to a new audience that may not see a ton of comedy, or know that local comedy exists."

Like Novosad, Moreno's love of comedy was sparked by the entertainment she consumed in her youth.

"I grew up in my aunt's video store, and we mostly watched comedy movies all day," Moreno said. "We would make our own videos, what I now know as sketches. We mostly made up a lot of characters and did a lot of 'hobo' stuff that would absolutely be problematic now. I had also written scripts for mini-films that I thought were serious dramatic pieces and turned out to be absolute garbage and, in turn, comedy."

Moreno's interest in comedy grew, thanks to a chance encounter at the bank where she worked.

"My dream job was always be a writer for 'The Colbert Show' — R.I.P.," Moreno said. "Then I met a comedian, Sam Tallent. He banked where I worked and would come in without shoes or ID and honestly piss me off sometimes. I would roast him, and then I asked where he was getting checks for comedy, and he said he did stand-up. He told me I should try it or go watch a show. I had no idea there were shows or a local scene."

Moreno would eventually feel the call to get on stage herself, but not before taking in a whole lot of shows as an audience member.

"So I watched for about two to three years before I started doing it," Moreno said. "Then another year before I stopped crying after I bombed on stage at open mics."

Now, Moreno hosts a free monthly comedy show every last Saturday at Westfax Brewing Company in Lakewood.

Once described as a "semi-goth depressed Latina in a good way," she delivers dark humor that is relatable.

From poking fun at influencers by making a parody video about planting and growing hot Cheetos to recalling the time of being cat-called while riding her bike in Denver — an incident that ended with the perpetrator actually hitting her with a car — Moreno dips into varied comedic territory.

When not taking the stage, the Denver-raised comedian keeps fans entertained with her Instagram page.

"Catholicguilt IG was made in 2012 when I was coming to terms with sexual liberation and learning what reproductive health and rights really were," Moreno said. "What scientists would call a 'hoe phase.' I could never part with that handle now because it's too good. Growing up Catholic has given me some material, but I definitely get a lot of material just from my family or interactions having to do with my culture and ideals. Right now, I've been writing a lot more about the language barrier between my mom and my partner."

Moreno creates sketches with her partner, fellow comedian Jacob Rupp, and they're working on a miniseries that can be found on the couple's Instagram @sweetnothingstv.

In addition to providing a platform for comics and keeping folks entertained, Rogers sees the festival as an outlet to give back.

"I think it's important to use whatever tools you have available to make a positive change in the world," Rogers said. "I used to run a show in L.A. called Karmic Comedy, and each show benefited a different organization."

The upcoming June 25 show at Tilt is benefiting Out Boulder County.

"Last year we partnered with Out Boulder County," Rogers said. "It was so awesome that we decided to do it again."

She would like to incorporate more benefit shows into future BCFs, and encourages suggestions from the community.

New this year, Rogers, alongside Los Angeles-based comedian Heather Pasternak — who has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, "The Mindy Project" and "New Girl" — have joined forces to offer a seminar to those who want to jump into the world of performing comedy.

"We have the same style, so it's a nice chance for people to experience what learning stand-up is like in a small and supportive environment," Rogers said.

Sunday, June 26, at Tiki on Main in Louisville, aspiring stand-ups can take their practice to another level. The free class, from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., is open to all.

"I love stand-up, and I love teaching people to find their own unique comedic voice," Rogers said. "People will say they think about doing stand-up, but wouldn't know where to start. Well, here it is. So often people get the impression that one kind of voice or person is funny, but I think it's really empowering to help people find the funny in their own life and use it to connect with other people."

For Rogers, so much of the scene is rooted in bonding with peers and encouraging them to step up to the mic and step into their own.

"I really do feel like stand-up comedy changed my life for the better," Rogers said. "I started taking a stand-up comedy class as a new mom of two little kids, feeling overwhelmed and isolated, and stand-up allowed me to really connect with other people and not feel alone. I feel very passionate about giving that ability to connect to other people. I think genuine connection, kindness and laughter make the world a better place."

Rogers has been teaching comedy for about five years, offering intimate classes with a writers' room feel. Her next class starts in July and she will perform at a show in September at BOCO Cider in Boulder.

"I'm not sure who said this but there is a quote 'laughter is the sound of people realizing they aren't alone,' and that's what stand-up is for me," Rogers said.

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Boulder Comedy Festival

June 23: 8 p.m., Front Range Brewing, 400 W. South Boulder Road, Suite 1650, Lafayette, $20.

June 24: 7 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, $20; 9 p.m., License No. 1, 2115 13th St., Boulder, $20.

June 25: 2 p.m., Boozy Brunch Show at Finkel & Garf Brewing Co., 5455 Spine Road, Boulder, $20; and 8 p.m., Boulder Comedy Show benefiting Out Boulder County, Tilt Pinball, 640 Main St., Suite B, Louisville, $20.

June 26: 2 p.m., Boozy Brunch Show at Tiki on Main, 836 1/2 Main St., Louisville, $20; 7 p.m., Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, $20.