Manitou Comedy Festival 2025

Manny Valdez is back in town for the Manitou Comedy Festival!

Come see comedian AJ Finney perform at The Armadillo Ranch during the 3rd annual Manitou Comedy Festival! Stylistically manic, artistically brilliant, AJ Finney is an eclectic midwesterner with a passion for the psychedelic scene of the Sixties. Comedy, jam bands and Volkswagens — that’s him. He’s an eco-friendly, improvisational, sometimes philosophical, patchouli-soaked quipster. AJ’s organic approach is refreshing and his poetic stream of consciousness style makes for a colorful and unforgettable comedic experience. His audience (much like the Deadheads) are finding him through alternative venues such as music festivals, head shops, and record stores. In 2014 AJ was crowned “Best of the Midwest” winner at Gilda’s LaughFest in Grand Rapids, was featured on the FOX television show Laughs, and was one of the 100 performers chosen for Season 8 of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. In 2013 he was a semifinalist in the Comedy Central talent search Up Next, as well as a finalist in the 2011 San Francisco International Comedy Competition. He was voted “Best in Fest” at the 2011 Detroit LaughFest and was a finalist in HBO’s Lucky 21 comedy competition. AJ is an effective and engaging storyteller with a rhythm that quickly pulls you into his world. You'll laugh until you leave and then later you'll laugh again.

Come see comedian Jake Snell perform at Mona's Cellar during the 3rd annual Manitou Comedy Festival! Jake Snell is a wonderfully cheeky and hilarious comedian based in Chicago who is respected among his peers and many bodega employees. Jake has toured nationally and internationally, has headlined clubs like Comedy on State and Zanies, featured for legendary comedians like Neal Brennan and Kyle Kinane, and has performed at historic venues like Comedy Cellar and Chicago Theater. Jake is well on his way to making some level of impact at some point. Check out his special, "Special Boy" on Youtube.

A standup comedy showcase featuring: Drew McElhany Joe Bruno Will Franken Maria Fetterhoff Tony Maldonado Vivian Burgett Jared Chandler Jula Loera-Wiggins Stick around for the Into the Night Open Mic hosted by Manitou's favorite, Logan Hojdila with special guests: Emily Clark Dylan Kantor Tyler Petz Everyone is welcome to sign up for the open mic.

Come see comedian Jackie Kashian perform at The Iron Springs Chateau during the 3rd annual Manitou Comedy Festival! Jackie Kashian is a stand-up comedian who has been seen on After Midnight, Conan, The Late Late Show with James Corden, HBO, and Netflix. Her current tiny comedy special Looking Back was shot from a Mazda 6 in reverse. She’s the star of five comedy specials and albums including Jackie Kashian: Stay-Kashian, one of Decider’s 10 best stand-up specials of the year. Jackie hosts two iconic podcasts: The Dork Forest, where she interviews guests about their obsessions, and The Jackie and Laurie Show, which she co-hosts with Laurie Kilmartin about women working in comedy. You can read her writing in The Comedy Film Nerds Guide to Movies. She's currently sharing 966 square feet with her husband, mom-in-law, two chihuahua mix doggos, and a cat. She’s working on a new genre of standup comedy: Positive Mother-In-Law Jokes and will record and film a new special in the new year.

Come see comedian Geoffrey Asmus perform at Memorial Hall during the 3rd annual Manitou Comedy Festival! Geoffrey Asmus began performing stand-up in 2013 immediately after wasting $143,548 on seven college degrees. Geoffrey regularly performs at the famous Comedy Cellar in New York City and was featured at Just For Laughs in Montreal and the Netflix festival in Los Angeles. Geoffrey has opened for Dave Attell, Mark Normand, Dan Soder, Fortune Feimster, Sam Morrill, and Daniel Sloss among others. He headlines comedy clubs worldwide and sleeps on Greyhounds nationwide. In 2021 his debut album “Prodigal Little Bitch” went to #1 on iTunes. His new YouTube special “The Only Funny White Man” is out now and his mother says, “It is hellish to behold.” But no matter where he performs Geoffrey never makes eye contact, which is a blessing for all.