Day one of the Belly Laughs Festival found the funny bone.
The comedy festival made its highly anticipated debut this Saturday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The event – which ended Sunday – blended Asian cuisine with Asian American stand-up comedy, offering a stacked lineup of comics and food vendors. Yet, the festivities, although upheld by the excitement of the event’s kickoff, were hindered by steep prices, shielding some patrons from a fluid experience.
Upon entering Belly Laughs, guests were greeted with the palpable buzz of an evening promising entertainment and good eats. Nestled in a compact outdoor venue, the space was intimate but perhaps to a fault, as the minimal outdoor seating and cramped layout quickly shifted the night into a balancing act between standing and snacking. Nonetheless, the laughter that permeated the grounds served as a reminder of the festival’s main highlight: the comedy.
Headlining acts delivered the promise of high-energy sets from a well-curated lineup of comics who, indeed, had audiences holding onto their bellies. Comedians including Kumail Nanjiani, Nimesh Patel and Jonnie Park brought a brilliance that only highlighted the true talent of the Asian comedy scene. As for visuals, the main stage was simply set and gave performers the space to command attention without any distracting elements found in other venues. Acts were tightly run and varied in tone, and for most attendees, the strength of the performances alone made their tickets feel worth it.
The festival succeeded in its primary goal: It was funny, it was smart and it had soul.
Curated by Mama’s Night Market, the accompanying food bazaar offered a lively counterpoint to the performance spaces. Vendors lined the walkways with sizzling offerings that reflected LA’s global palette with delicacies like freshly-brewed Thai tea and flavor-packed biryani. The culinary spread was eclectic and ambitious. Yet, this ambition came with the price of steeper food costs, with many dishes tipping past $17 for modest portions. While the curation brought quality and flavor to the lineup, the price tags paired with the lack of seating made it difficult to fully enjoy.
The festival’s outdoor layout was its most visible flaw. If unable to afford VIP, attendees often found themselves with little room to roam and even fewer places to sit, juggling plates and drinks while hunting for open spots on the ground. What could have been a laid-back evening of lounging with friends felt instead like a game of musical chairs – minus the chairs. In a city brimming with outdoor events, comfort falls from being a luxury to becoming a necessity.
Perhaps the most baffling moment of the night came with the highly promoted “surprise guest.” As whispers rippled through the crowd, anticipation built. The eventual reveal – former presidential candidate Andrew Yang – was met with more confusion than applause. While Yang has carved out a name in political and tech spheres, his comedic chops didn’t quite land. Many audience members visibly disengaged during his set, and the mismatch of tone and expectations left a noticeable lull in an otherwise lively evening.
Despite the hiccups, Belly Laughs boasted potential. The organizers clearly know how to book talent, and the partnership with Mama’s Night Market added a cultural layer that many comedy fests lack. But with high vendor prices, a tight venue and a misfire of a surprise guest, the night didn’t quite stick the landing.
For comedy lovers who don’t mind standing and shelling out, Belly Laughs offered an evening of sharp humor and vibrant fare. For others, the experience might have felt more like an expensive taste test than a full-course evening of laughs.