FESTIVALS, A NEW CLUB, A BENEFIT SHOW: Local Comedy News

The third annual Laughtastic Sketch-o-palooza benefiting the Mike Young fund at Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience will be held on Sunday, August 24th at World Cafe Live. ComedySportz Philadelphia, Rowan & Hastings, Doogie Horner, Steve Gerben and Bad Hair are set to perform.

Shecky Magazine recently reported that the National Lampoon name is opening eight new clubs with one of them being in the Dave & Buster's on Delaware Ave. in Philadelphia. UPDATE: An Open Letter To The Comedy Community

The Del Close Marathon will be held in New York City August 8th-10th and Philadelphia groups The Ninjas, Rare Bird Show, MakeOut Clinic, The Cabal, Men About Town, Illegal Refill, and Industrial.

The next Deep Sleep Comedy Show (54 N. 3rd St.) will be next Monday the 14th. Hosted by Jared Moskowitz, it's free and will include Joe Dougherty, Pat House, Doogie Horner and more.

Performer submissions are now open for the Philly Improv Festival until August 22nd. The fest will take place November 13-15 at the Plays & Players Theatre downtown.

Seen a Philadelphia comedian slip on a banana peel lately? E-mail comicvsaudience AT gmail DOT com with your tips.