5 Can't-miss Shows at The Vancouver Comedy & Arts Fest

You're guaranteed to bust a gut at this year's Vancouver Comedy & Arts Fest

If you love to laugh, The Vancouver Comedy & Arts Fest, February 7-17, promises a star-studded list of A-list comedians and up-and-coming joke tellers that are masters of making you chuckle.

Comedy Fest takes place at multiple venues around the city, with stand-up shows, live podcasts, music, DJs, parties, and great hotel packages if you decide you want to be a tourist in your own town. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster locations and Comedyfest.com, so find them now before they're sold out. Keep an eye out for these five funny people.

Martin Short Headlines the Opening Gala — Friday, Feb. 8 at The Centre

Does this comedy legend really need an intro? If you caught Short hosting SNL’s Christmas special a couple months ago, you know he’s as brilliantly funny as ever. Martin helps kick off the festival with an evening of sketch, stand-up, and music with eight of the best-of-the-fest comedians.

Scott Aukerman — Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre

Scott Aukerman hosts Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast,  a mash-up of interviews and silliness with famous comedians like Zach Galifianakis, David Cross and Andy Richter. Hint: when Aukerman was here last summer, he brought in surprise guests Sarah Silverman and Patton Oswalt . . . who knows what he has up his sleeve this time?

Kristen Schaal — Saturday, Feb. 9 at The Comedy Mix

Lovers of cult shows like Flight of The Conchords and 30 Rock know Schaal is wickedly funny. Her stand-up act won her the Andy Kaufman Award at the New York Comedy Festival, so expect plenty of oddball humour and big-time laughs.

Bob Saget — Friday, Feb. 15 at The Centre

We know Bob Saget from Full House and America's Funniest Home Videos, but his stand-up act, especially the HBO special That Ain't Right, brushes off his squeaky-clean TV past and shows off his dark comedy chops. He sells out all over the US when on tour – so make sure to catch him here if you can.

Margaret Cho — Saturday, Feb. 16 at The Centre

Brace yourself, because Ms. Cho is as rough-around-the-edges as ever, which is why we love her.  Her new MOTHER show is all about how we look at strong moms in queer and straight culture – plus Cho lays out her thoughts on race, drugs, sexuality, celebrity, culture, and politics with deeply funny results.