Before she died in 1989, Jamestown, N.Y., officials approached Lucille Ball with the idea for a museum. But she told them: 'Don't just celebrate me – don't just put my stuff in glass cases,' said Journey Gunderson, executive director of The National Comedy Center, 'make my hometown a destination for the celebration of all comedy and its artists.' So that's what they did.
The National Comedy Center, a few blocks away from the Lucy and Desi museum, showcases everything from black-and-white cinema slapstick to the bluest standup comedy. There are dozens of interactive exhibits, like a stand-up lounge where visitors can get on stage, take the mic and see what it's like to try to make an audience laugh.
During the annual festival, which takes place around Ball's August birthday, you can see a number of attendees dressed in her trademark polka dot dress. This year's headliners were Nate Bargatze, who's been called The nicest guy in stand-up and Nicole Byer, the comedian/actor who's currently hosting Netflix's reality baking show Nailed It!
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