Moontower Comedy and Just For Laughs Launching Joint Comedy Fest

Aida Rodriguez performing at this year's Moontower Comedy Festival. The fest has announced a new joint venture with Montreal's Just For Laughs festival. (Image Courtesy of Gary Miller Photography)

Knock knock. Who's there? Oh, only Austin's Moontower Comedy Festival and the internationally recognized Just For Laughs, announcing that they will be hosting a new joint laugh-a-thon, Moontower Just For Laughs Austin, next year.

Founded in 2012 by the Paramount & Stateside Theatres as the Moontower Comedy and Oddities Festival, Moontower has a long history of great talent and headliners (this week's fest includes Dave Attell and Margaret Cho) but everyone knows that the Montreal-based Just For Laughs, founded in 1983, is the biggest comedy festival in the world. The idea is to fuse the raw star power of Just For Laughs with the intimate feel and growing reputation of Moontower. Planned for next April (so just in time to recover from SXSW), the event will expand the traditional Moontower schedule from four to 10 days, and add venues. Expect more details in the coming months.

Charles Décarie, CEO of Just For Laughs Group, called the plan “an amazing opportunity for two generational comedy organizations, respected by the comedy industry at large, to work together to create an amazing festival for fans and artists."

Moontower cofounder and festival director Lietza Brass added, “In our early years we looked to the Montreal festival for inspiration as we modeled Moontower. We are beyond excited to partner with Just For Laughs because we know that, with our comedic powers combined, we are building something very special and enduring for Austin.”