BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Gilda's LaughFest - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.laughfestgr.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Gilda's LaughFest REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Detroit BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260311T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260311T190000 DTSTAMP:20260116T180221Z CREATED:20260120T100000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260116T180221Z UID:10000142-1773255600-1773255600@www.laughfestgr.org SUMMARY:Cancer Survivors Showcase DESCRIPTION:Venue:\n\n\n\nMidtown \n\n\n\nDoors at 6 p.m. \n\n\n\n\n\nPrice:\n\n\n\nGeneral Admission: FREE \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nContent Guidance Rating:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nATG – Anything Goes\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Cancer Survivor Showcase is put together of local comedians that all have one thing in common. They have had cancer. Some of these comedians are cancer free and some still continue to navigate their cancer journey. These comedians share their stories but with a twist. \n\n\n\nBrian B.   \n\n\n\nBrian is the creator & MC of the weekly stand-up comedy show The Sunday Night Funnies performing weekly at its new home the Chicago Beef Joint. Now in its seventeenth year\, through the years over 1\,300 different comedians have performed at the Funnies. The Sunday Night Funnies have been a part of LaughFest from the start and have raised over $30\,000 for Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids. At one time Brian had stage four squamous cell carcinoma and has been cancer free since May of 2012. \n\n\n\nBen Bradshaw  \n\n\n\nBen is a young comic who has “shared custody” between the Grand Rapids and Traverse City areas of the Michigan comedy scene. Aside from poking fun at being a valet attendant in his late twenties\, Ben also sheds an original\, funny light on his experience beating Stage 3 Testicular Cancer.  \n\n\n\nTim Finkle  \n\n\n\nTim found his comedic voice after expectedly losing his older brother. Channeling his grief into standup\, he has become a master at shining a light on the dark side of things. A two-time TEDx presenter\, he brings warmth & humor to even the toughest of topics including cancer proving that laughter can be a powerful remedy. Tim is making his first appearance in the LaughFest Cancer Survivor Showcase.    \n\n\n\nRob Bagley   \n\n\n\nRob is a four-time cancer survivor and has been doing comedy for seven years. He has performed all over Michigan and has auditioned for America’s Got Talent. His comedy is clean with a little sarcasm. Rob finds humor in his cancer journey and everyday life. \n\n\n\nKim Cook   \n\n\n\nKim is a sharp-witted Southerner now based in Grand Rapids\, Michigan. She’s a Second City alum and blends storytelling with observational humor\, tackling everything from surviving breast cancer and navigating an international marriage to the quirks of middle age. Kim has an authentic style\, finding humor in life’s highs\, lows\, and everything in between.   \n\n\n\nAdam Degi   \n\n\n\nAdam is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after three-time cancer-surviving\, bald\, white comedians with a Hungarian last name in the world. You can add fatherhood\, well-crafted jokes\, and improvisation to his repertoire. Adam has recorded two comedy albums —” His Name is My Name Too” and “Limp Nodes” — both which can be heard on your favorite streaming services. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresenting Sponsor\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUnderwriting Sponsor\n\n\n\nStudio C URL:https://www.laughfestgr.org/event/cancer-survivors-showcase-2/ LOCATION:Midtown\, 123 Ionia Ave.\, SW\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49503\, United States CATEGORIES:Laughter Rx,Local Laughter,Showcase,Stand Up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.laughfestgr.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Cancer-Survivor-Showcase.png GEO:42.960501203672;-85.670501489631 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Midtown 123 Ionia Ave. SW Grand Rapids MI 49503 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=123 Ionia Ave.\, SW:geo:-85.670501489631,42.960501203672 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250307T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250307T083000 DTSTAMP:20250305T174046Z CREATED:20250122T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250305T174046Z UID:10000128-1741336200-1741336200@www.laughfestgr.org SUMMARY:Laughter Rx Symposium DESCRIPTION:Venue:\n\n\n\nGilda’s Club Grand Rapids \n\n\n\n\n\nPrice:\n\n\n\nNursing CE: $35 Social Work-CE: $35 Non-CE: $25 Members: Free \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGet Tickets\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration for the Laughter Rx Symposium closes Thursday\, March 6 at 5 p.m! \n\n\n\n\nIn person registration will not be available. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nContent Guidance Rating:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClean Adult Laughs\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSymposium Agenda: \n\n\n\n8:15 a.m. – In Person registration opens\, coffee and networking time. \n\n\n\n8:50 a.m. – Welcome and in-person Introduction (Program Begins) \n\n\n\n9 a.m. – Jayson Dibble presents: Breaking Bad News Without Breaking Bad Yourself \n\n\n\n10:00: Break 10 mins \n\n\n\n10:10 a.m. – Keith McGill presents: IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK: Trading Preconception for New Perception PART I \n\n\n\n11 a.m. – Break 10 mins \n\n\n\n11:10 a.m. – Keith McGill presents: IT’S NOT WHAT YOU THINK: Trading Preconception for New Perception PART II \n\n\n\n12 p.m. Conclusion & Questions \n\n\n\nAll registrations are final.  No refunds will be available.  \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKeith McGill\n\n\n\nKeith McGill has been a workshop leader for over two decades.  He led workshops for Jefferson County Public Schools\, Gilda’s Club\, The YMCA\, and the National Science Foundation. Keith is also an actor\, director\, playwright\, director\, and stand-up comedian. For over a decade he has been a facilitator for Shakespeare Behind Bars.  Keith also has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Louisville.    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Jayson Dibble\n\n\n\nJayson L. Dibble\, Ph.D.\, is professor and chair in the Department of Communication at Hope College\, Holland\, Mich. His teaching and research focus on topics such as the delivery of bad news\, the role of humor in communication\, and romantic relationships. He has been featured in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal\, NBC News\, The Atlantic Monthly\, TIME\, Yahoo News\, Fox News\, Women’s Health\, CNN\, and The Washington Post. Dr. Dibble lives in Holland\, Mich.\, and loves learning from smart people\, laughing\, traveling\, and curating his extensive collection of vintage air guitars. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGet Tickets\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresenting Sponsor\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUnderwriting Sponsor\n\n\n\nCancer Network of West Michigan\, a joint venture between Trinity Health Michigan and University of Michigan Health – West \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n \n \n\n \n \n Upcoming Events \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n\n Notice\n \n There are no upcoming events. URL:https://www.laughfestgr.org/event/laughter-rx-symposium/ LOCATION:Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids\, 1806 Bridge St NW\, Grand Rapids\, Michigan\, 49504\, United States CATEGORIES:Laughter Rx ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laughfestgr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/LRX-photo-scaled-e1706555084924.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20250305T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20250305T190000 DTSTAMP:20250226T142932Z CREATED:20250122T050000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250226T142932Z UID:10000111-1741201200-1741201200@www.laughfestgr.org SUMMARY:Cancer Survivors Showcase DESCRIPTION:Venue:\n\n\n\nMidtown \n\n\n\n\n\nPrice:\n\n\n\nGeneral Admission: FREE \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nContent Guidance Rating:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nATG – Anything Goes\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Cancer Survivor Showcase is put together of local comedians that all have one thing in common. They have had cancer. Some of these comedians are cancer free and some still continue to navigate their cancer journey. These comedians share their stories but with a twist. \n\n\n\nBrian B.   \n\n\n\nBrian is the creator & MC of the weekly stand-up comedy show The Sunday Night Funnies. Now in its sixteenth year\, close to 1\,300 different comedians have performed at it over the years. The Funnies have been a part of LaughFest from the start and have raised over $28\,500 for Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids. Brian had stage four squamous cell carcinoma and has been cancer free since May of 2012.   \n\n\n\nBen Bradshaw  \n\n\n\nBen Bradshaw is a young comic who has “shared custody” between the Grand Rapids and Traverse City pockets of the greater Michigan comedy scene. Aside from poking fun at being a valet attendant in his late twenties\, Ben also sheds an original\, funny light on his experience beating Stage 3 Testicular Cancer. Ben has been featured on the Traverse City Comedy Festival and LaughFest. He has performed at the Traverse City Comedy Club\, Dr. Grins\, and has hosted for Harry Settel. Ben also co-hosts USS Comedy\, the weekly open mic in Traverse City. Come see Ben live! And if you don’t\, he’ll pull the cancer card on you.  \n\n\n\nCdub  \n\n\n\nCdub “C” is on the older side. There is no time that is not past his bed time. He’s a cancer survivor who enjoys candlelight dinners\, walks on the beach\, and most of all\, spending his days above ground.  He has hosted at Second City in Chicago and performed at The Laugh Factory\, One Night Stan’s and Mark Ridleys Comedy Castle.    \n\n\n\nRob Bagley   \n\n\n\nRob has been doing Stand-Up for over 6 years. He is a 3-time Cancer Survivor. If he gets cancer for a 4th time we all get free Subway\, Fingers Crossed. Rob finds humor in his cancer treatments and his everyday life. His Make-A- Wish was to meet Sandra Bullock but changed his mind and his wish is to see you at the show. He loves meeting people at the show especially if your blood type is O\, just in case. Rob’s dream is to make it on TV\, obviously to be in an infomercial about how chemotherapy makes you look more handsome.    \n\n\n\nKim Cook   \n\n\n\nMaking her first appearance in the Cancer Survivor Showcase\, Kim is a quick-witted Southerner and a Second City alum. A recent breast cancer survivor\, Kim brings humor and resilience to the stage\, sharing her journey with warmth and a lighthearted perspective. She has an honest\, down-to-earth style\, finding laughter in the everyday and the extraordinary.   \n\n\n\nAdam Degi   \n\n\n\nAdam is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after two-time cancer-surviving\, bald\, white comedians with a Hungarian last name in the world. You can add fatherhood\, well-crafted jokes\, and improvisation to his repertoire. He’s been a guest on most of the comedy-based podcasts you’ve never heard of\, and he has a real knack for making your dad laugh. By the time you read this\, he’ll have a few more followers on TikTok and a few less on Instagram. The only thing that can stop him is getting cancer a third time. What if I told you it happened…AGAIN. He’s on his way to another victory\, the only way he knows how: saying things he shouldn’t in front of strangers  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresenting Sponsor\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUnderwriting Sponsor\n\n\n\nStudio C URL:https://www.laughfestgr.org/event/cancer-survivors-showcase/ LOCATION:Midtown\, 123 Ionia Ave.\, SW\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49503\, United States CATEGORIES:Laughter Rx,Local Laughter,Showcase,Stand Up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.laughfestgr.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LF-HEADERS-7.png GEO:42.960501203672;-85.670501489631 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Midtown 123 Ionia Ave. SW Grand Rapids MI 49503 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=123 Ionia Ave.\, SW:geo:-85.670501489631,42.960501203672 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240308T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240308T083000 DTSTAMP:20241212T201242Z CREATED:20240124T110000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241212T201242Z UID:10000046-1709886600-1709886600@www.laughfestgr.org SUMMARY:Laughter Rx Symposium DESCRIPTION:Venue:\n\n\n\nGilda’s Club Grand Rapids \n\n\n\nVirtual & In-Person Attendance Options Available! \n\n\n\nHaving trouble registering? See this step by step guide. \n\n\n\n\n\nPrice:\n\n\n\nNon- CE: – $25 \n\n\n\nSocial Work CE: $35 \n\n\n\nEMS CE: $35 \n\n\n\nNursing CE: $35 \n\n\n\nMembers: Free \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\nGet Tickets\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRegistration for the Laughter Rx Symposium closes Wednesday\, March 6 at 8:30 p.m! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nContent Guidance Rating:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClean Adult Laughs\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSIMIN BEG\, M.D. “MANAGING PAIN THROUGH LIFESTYLE INTERVENTIONS” \n\n\n\nDr. Simin Beg will illuminate the complex aspects of pain and the multiple ways that pain can impact a person and their quality of life. Dr. Beg will share lifestyle interventions that can address and alleviate pain. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNANCY NORTON “THE POWER OF HUMOR FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS“ \n\n\n\nLearn how therapeutic humor helps manage pain\, stress & trauma responses. Humor helps us heal in an uplifting way that not only brings a sense of relief and empowerment\, it brings us joy. Charlie Chaplain said\, “Take your pain and play with it!” \n\n\n\nNANCY NORTON “THE POWER OF HUMOR FOR TRAUMA SURVIVORS” \n\n\n\nWe will apply therapeutic humor to experience the relief of painful traumas. Most of us have experienced some trauma. Healthcare workers experience a lot of vicarious trauma at work\, which can be as impactful as some direct traumas. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSymposium Agenda: \n\n\n\n8 a.m. – In-Person Registration Opens \n\n\n\n8:30 a.m. – In-Person Coffee & Networking Time \n\n\n\n8:50 a.m. – Welcome and in-person Introduction (Program Begins) \n\n\n\n9 a.m. -Simin Beg\, M.D “Managing pain through lifestyle interventions” \n\n\n\n10:10 a.m. – Nancy Norton: “The power of humor for healthcare workers” \n\n\n\n11 a.m. – Break 10 mins \n\n\n\n11:10 a.m. – Nancy Norton: “The power of humor for trauma survivors” . \n\n\n\n12 p.m. Conclusion & Questions \n\n\n\nAll registrations are final.  No refunds will be available.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGet Tickets\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresenting Sponsor\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBelly Laughers Sponsors URL:https://www.laughfestgr.org/event/lrxsymposium/ LOCATION:Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids\, 1806 Bridge St NW\, Grand Rapids\, Michigan\, 49504\, United States CATEGORIES:Laughter Rx ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laughfestgr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/LRX-photo-scaled-e1706555084924.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20240306T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20240306T190000 DTSTAMP:20241212T202356Z CREATED:20240124T110000Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241212T202356Z UID:10000075-1709751600-1709751600@www.laughfestgr.org SUMMARY:Cancer Survivors Showcase DESCRIPTION:Venue:\n\n\n\nMidtown \n\n\n\n\n\nPrice:\n\n\n\nGeneral Admission: FREE \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nContent Guidance Rating:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nATG – Anything Goes\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrian B. \n\n\n\nBrian is the creator & MC of the weekly stand-up comedy show The Sunday Night Funnies. Now in its fifteenth year\, over 1\,200 different comedians have performed at it. The Funnies have been a part of LaughFest from the start and have raised over $27\,000 for Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids.Brian had stage four squamous cell carcinoma and has been cancer free since May of 2012. \n\n\n\nCdub \n\n\n\nHas been doing stand-up comedy for two years & is often funny. His Stage 3B prostate cancer is in remission. \n\n\n\nBob Johnson \n\n\n\nBob has been doing stand-up for a little over a year and 22 months into his colon and liver cancer journey. Three months ago\, he was declared cancer free! His liver is shot so he’s looking for a good used one with low miles. \n\n\n\nRob Bagley \n\n\n\nRob has been doing stand-up for six years and is a three-time cancer survivor who finds humor in his treatments and everyday life. His comedy is clean with a little fun innuendo. \n\n\n\nDany Redwine \n\n\n\nDany performed comedy for the first time in 2014- one year after being diagnosed with ductal carcinoma. Her comedy is edgy and honest about her experience with cancer and living life on her own. \n\n\n\nAdam Degi \n\n\n\nAdam is quickly becoming one of the most sought after twice cancer surviving\, bald white comedians in the world. The only thing that can stop him is getting cancer again- which has happened for the third time! He’s on his way to another victory the only way he knows how- by saying things he shouldn’t in front of strangers. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresenting Sponsor\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nUnderwriting Sponsors\n\n\n\nMichigan Arts and Culture Council\, Sharpe Cars URL:https://www.laughfestgr.org/event/cancer-survivor-showcase/ LOCATION:Midtown\, 123 Ionia Ave.\, SW\, Grand Rapids\, MI\, 49503\, United States CATEGORIES:Laughter Rx,Local Laughter,Showcase,Stand Up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.laughfestgr.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Cancer-Survivor-Showcase-Cover-New.jpg GEO:42.960501203672;-85.670501489631 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Midtown 123 Ionia Ave. SW Grand Rapids MI 49503 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=123 Ionia Ave.\, SW:geo:-85.670501489631,42.960501203672 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR