Colorado Queer Comedy Festival Highlights Diversity and Activism in Colorado
Colorado Queer Comedy Festival returns for its third year to spread laughs across the state, beginning on October 2 in Boulder at the Junkyard Social Club during the first night of the festival. The second night is set in Fort Collins on October 3 at The Lyric, the third night in Boulder on October 4 at The Dairy Arts Center, with the final night concluding in Denver on October 5 at The Creepatorium. All the performances are from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The festival brings together the state’s most talented LGBTQ+ comedians, welcoming performers from across the country. It invites all audiences to join in four unforgettable nights of performances that showcase the diversity, brilliance, and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.
Founder of the festival, comedian and organizer Ren Q. Dawe, who is a trans activist, is the first queer person to perform in all 50 states in history says the festival allows performers to express their opinions and bring people together.
“Too often, LGBTQ+ comedians are limited to token roles or niche expectations,” says Dawe in a press release. “But our community deserves the freedom to tell our full stories. Comedy is activism. Humor disarms hate, bridges divides, and shows us that it’s easier to laugh together than fight one another.”
Cara Leoni, an educator, comedy writer, producer, and entertainer, has produced several shows, including The Matriarchy at Rise Comedy Club, The Assembly at New Belgium Brewery, and the game show Shrimp Tank. Leoni joins Dawe in producing the festival and feels it’s vital to create a space for comedians to have the freedom to showcase their art in front of a supportive audience.
“This festival is about giving queer comedians the freedom to just do their thing without being put in a box,” says Leoni. “Every year it’s gotten bigger, and the audiences are so supportive. You can feel how much people want and need this kind of space.”
