Comedy and community are on the way to 18th and Vine in anticipation of the first Black Comedy Fest KC

Courtesy of Janell Banks

The first Black Comedy Fest KC, BCFKC, will bring together an array of Black creatives to the historic 18th & Vine District from April 25-28, at three locations: Gem Theater, Black Archives of Mid-America, and Mutual Musicians’ Foundation.

The performers are a mix of sketch artists, stand-up comedians, and improv performers, with many hailing from Kansas City. Headliners include standup-up comedian Vincent Bryant of St. Louis, improv duo Nnamdi & Patrick of LA—members of the award-winning show 3Peat and former writers of The Amber Ruffin Show—and Kansas City’s own Janell Banks.

“It is something that I feel was long overdue, so to be a part of it truly is an honor,” Banks says. “We have a huge comedy community, but sometimes I feel that our Black voices are not heard or seen as much or as often, so I think this is just a huge pivotal piece.”

Banks is known for her quick wit and her ability to tackle nearly any subject, including poking fun at the current political chaos we live in. She says to expect a smorgasbord of topics, from political banter to jokes about self-love and self-care.

“Just being a Black, queer woman and being able to hold space, to be able to do it at home, it’s just magical,” Banks says. “Because I don’t think I’ve ever gotten to just authentically be myself as a comedian here. So I’m just excited to be able to showcase the city what I show the world.”

The festival will also host a live performance of The Kimology Show, a YouTube talk show by Kim Newsome of Kansas City. On her show, Newsome interviews artists from around KC, with a focus on Black artists. She interviewed Banks in 2020.

Though Newsome has previously performed in the comedy space as a singer in The Phantastics, she says she’s excited to bring a live performance of her show to the scene for the first time, and that she sees BCFKC as an important moment in Kansas City’s history.

Courtesy of Kim Newsome

“I feel like we’re opening up a new portal, a new space for more exposure for Black comics,” says Newsome. “So I think it’s just like a seed that’s being planted right now, and it’s going to grow into something beautiful, fingers crossed, over the next few years.”

In addition to the performances, there will be four workshops in the morning on April 27 that are open to all skill levels: A presentation on the benefits of laughter from Banks, a sketch workshop taught by sketch writer Katherene Garry, and two improv workshops taught by Nnamdi & Patrick. There will also be an open mic at the Bird Comedy Theater on the same day from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

BCFKC founder and executive director Hilari Holt—an improviser herself— was initially trying to get improv into local comedy festivals that were predominantly stand-up. Facing several rejections, Holt set out to create her own festival.

Beginning with the idea of an improv-centered festival, it eventually blossomed into an all-encompassing Black comedy festival—the first of its kind in Kansas City. However, true to the original plan, most of the showcases will have at least one improv group.

“My overall goal is for, hopefully, that it can inspire more interest in Black KC for improv performing,” says Holt.

Though Holt was the primary mastermind behind bringing BCFKC to fruition, she gives credit to her team—Katherene Garry, HBfromKC, Terence Berger, Terrob Cook, Cole Fletcher, Tiffany Michelle, J Petty, and Moneisha Williams—for assisting her with putting the festival together.

Courtesy of BCFKC

Holt explains that she chose the Gem Theater as the main location of BCFKC because of its prominence in the 18th and Vine District, but that she spread out to two additional locations to shine a light on other spots in the district that not everyone is aware of. 

“I’m just excited for it to be in a huge area of culture and bring another piece of Kansas City culture to the forefront,” she says.

Along with serving as the first platform of its kind for Black voices in the KC comedy scene, BCFKC has the potential to place Kansas City on the map for a new reason that isn’t sports.

“We always think of comedy being a Chicago thing, an LA and New York-based thing, and the Midwest, I think, is just a great melting pot,” Banks says. “We produce a lot of amazing comedians. And so I think it’s time for Kansas City to be noticed.”

BCFKC is halfway to its GoFundMe goal. Funds will be used towards venue rentals, purchasing shirts for performers, paying headliners and workshop instructors, and other festival-related expenses. You can donate to their GoFundMe here.

More details about performance times can be found here and tickets can be purchased here. You can follow them on Instagram for updates on the event.