LaughFest
at the GRPM
Join us at the GRPM on March 6 + 8 for two seriously funny evenings, hosted in partnership with the 14th Annual Gilda’s LaughFest.
On March 6, the GRPM opens the festival with LaughFest: Night at the Museum featuring comedians David Dyer & Nardos Osterhart. Then, on March 8, the GRPM presents LaughFest: Silent Film & Organ Concert featuring Silent Movie By Mel Brooks, accompanied by organist Andrew Rogers on the GRPM’s Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ.
About Gilda's LaughFest
The nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, Gilda’s LaughFest, will return to Grand Rapids, March 6-10, 2024. In its 14th year, LaughFest celebrates laughter for the health of it and raises awareness for the cancer and grief emotional health support program offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Proceeds from the festival benefit Gilda’s Club, which helps ensure no one has to face cancer or grief alone.
LaughFest: Night at the Museum
In partnership with LaughFest, join the GRPM for LaughFest: Night at the Museum on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. Participants will enjoy two seriously funny acts including comedians David Dyer and Nardos Osterhart.
Comedians: David Dyer & Nardos Osterhart
Date: March 6, 2024
Time: 6 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. showtime
Cost: $25 general admission, $20 for Museum members
*Cash bar available
Meet the Performers
David Dyer
David Dyer Van Slooten, with over 25 years in stand-up comedy, has worked alongside Mike Birbiglia, Jim Breuer, and Lewis Black, He boasts a DryBar Comedy Special with over a million views. At 49, he became a firefighter, and at 53, a full-time firefighter in Grand Rapids Township. He presented at TEDx Detroit in 2021, discussing his dual careers in comedy and firefighting.
Nardos Osterhart
Nardos Osterhart has been doing standup since 2012 and won the Funniest Person in Grand Rapids contest in 2013. She's produced two successful one woman shows, and an album called 'Nice Try' in 2019 that hit number one on Itunes. It can be heard on Sirius XM and Spotify. Her humor highlights the absurdities of everyday life, memories from the past, and parenting fails. Nardos' comedic influences are Dave Chappelle, Nate Bargatze, and John Mulaney.
LaughFest: Silent Film & Organ Concert
In partnership with LaughFest, join the GRPM for the LaughFest Silent Film Comedy Night & Organ Concert on Friday, March 8, 2024. Participants will enjoy Mel Brooks’ Silent Movie, accompanied by organist Andrew Rogers on the GRPM’s Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ.
Silent Movie is a 1976 American satirical comedy film co-written, directed by and starring Mel Brooks and an ensemble cast including Dom DeLuise, Marty Feldman, Sid Caesar along with cameos by Burt Reynolds and Paul Newman. This film was produced in the style and manner of a classic 20th century silent film. The film satirizes the film industry, presenting the story of a film producer trying to obtain studio support to make a silent film in the then-present 1970s.
Silent Film: “Silent Movie”
Organist: Andrew Rogers
Date: March 8
Time: 6 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. showtime
Cost: $25 general admission, $20 for Museum members
*Cash bar available
About the Film
Silent Movie
Starring Mel Brooks and an ensemble cast including Dom DeLuise, Marty Feldman, Sid Caesar along with cameos by Burt Reyonalds and Paul Newman.
Meet the Organist
Andrew Rogers
Andrew, Head Organist at Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, has spent over a decade performing and lecturing widely on silent film scoring and concert tours. Formerly an Orthodox priest and travel agency accountant, he now focuses on music, with accolades in accordion and degrees in psychology. His meditation music CDs support Southeast Asian children's charities, reflecting his global impact through tours in the U.S., Japan, and Myanmar.