May 7, 2010 — While the 9:15PM shows on Friday and Saturday are SOLD OUT, there are still tickets available for the New Faces of Arab comedy show on Friday at 7:30PM... 

Apr 29, 2010 — Meet Dean Obeidallah - the half Palestinian, half Sicilian, ex-lawyer from New Jersey who left the courtroom for comedy. In 2003, Obeidallah and fellow funny lady, Maysoon Zayid, had an idea. "You know, we don't get a month that celebrates our heritage in America like a Black History Month," Obeidallah says in his sketches. "We get orange alert." They wanted to create something truthful to showcase the funny side of the Arab culture. And out of that came the Arab-American Comedy Festival. 

Apr 8, 2010 — To purchase your tickets for the 7th Annual NY Arab-American Comedy Festival, click here 

Mar 23, 2010 — Auditions for the 7th Annual NY Arab-American Comedy Festival's Sketch Night will be held March 28th from 1:00 - 5:00 PM and March 29th from 7:00 - 10:00 PM in NYC. We are seeking Actors (any age/gender) of Arab descent (we don't care what percentage). 

Mar 6, 2010 — The deadline for submissions of comedic sketches, stand up material and short comedic films for the 7th annual NY Arab-American Comedy Festival is March 7, 2010. For details, click here. 

Mar 3, 2010 — The NY Arab-American Comedy Festival is offering a free stand-up comedy workshop on Sunday, March 14th from 6:00-8:00 PM. This is not an audition for the Festival - just a free seminar taught by comedians Maysoon Zayid and Dean Obeidallah.  

Feb 22, 2010 — We are happy to announce that the NY Arab-American comedy festival will be presenting a free sketch writing seminar on Sunday, February 28th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Ripley Grier Studios in NYC. We are very lucky to have Bryan Tucker teaching the workshop... 

Feb 6, 2010 — The NY Arab-American Comedy Festival presents the "Arabs Gone Wild" industry showcase in Los Angeles for one night only on Thursday, February 18th at The Comedy Store. The show features some of the top Arab-American comedians from past festivals including: 

Feb 2, 2010 — The 7th annual New York Arab-American Comedy will be held May 5-9, 2010 in New York City. We are now seeking submissions of comedic sketches, stand up comedians and short comedic films for the Festival. For details regarding submissions, please visit our submission page. 

May 20, 2009 — In the end, what mars the Arab-American Comedy Festival is the danger to your health: The laughs come so thick and fast that there's no chance to breathe for minutes at a time. One shows up wondering, will it be an extended political rant? Will there be too much phoney applause for bad jokes, endless ethnic boosterism or straining for sympathy... 

May 13, 2009 — Most ethnic groups get their own month to celebrate their culture. What do Arab-Americans get? "Orange alert," jokes comedian Dean Obeidallah. An American born in New Jersey to a Palestinian father and Italian-American mother, Obeidallah turned to comedy to fight the suspicion and ignorance he encountered in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks...  

May 11, 2009 — Tickets still available for the "New Faces of Arab Comedy" show Tuesday at 7:00 PM and Arab headliner show Tuesday at 9:00 PM 

Apr 3, 2009 — To purchase your tickets for the 6th Annual NY Arab-American Comedy Festival, click here 

Mar 19, 2009 — Tickets for the 6th Annual Festival to go on sale April 1, 2009! 

Mar 6, 2009 — AUDITIONS will be held in the evenings of Monday March 16 and Tuesday March 17th.

We are seeking actors of ARAB DESCENT for a variety of roles. All candidates will be sent information on their time slot and how to view and print materials for the audition. Please submit by Tuesday March 10th. 

Mar 6, 2009 — We received more submissions than ever and are grateful to the writers who shared their talent with us. After much deliberation, we are delighted to announce the sketches chosen for production in the 6th annual NY Arab American Comedy Festival. They are... 

Dec 11, 2008 — The 6th annual New York Arab-American Comedy will be held May 10-14, 2009 at Comix in New York City. We are now seeking submissions of comedic sketches, stand up comedians and short comedic films for the Festival. For details regarding submissions, please visit our submission page. 

Oct 27, 2008 — The NYAACF is proud to be working closely with the Mayor of Amman's office to assist in producing the first stand up comedy festival in the history of the Middle East.



The Amman Stand Up Comedy Festival will be held in Amman, Jordan from December 2-5, 2008 and will feature over 15 stand up comedians from the US, Canada, Australia, Lebanon and Jordan. The Festival will be headlined by internationally known comedian Russell Peters. This not for profit festival will hopefully become an annual tradition in Jordan showcasing the top comedic talent from around the world. For more details about this Festival, click here. If you have any questions regarding the Festival, please contact co-executive producer Dean Obeidallah.
 

Jan 28, 2008 — We want to sincerely thank everyone who came out to support the recent 5th annual NY Arab-American Comedy Festival. This year turned out to be our biggest and most successful Festival ever!! Over 1,700 people attended the six night Festival (our previous record was 1,300) - it really exceeded all our expectations! It was also great to see such a diverse audience coming together to laugh and have a great time! Click Here to see photos from this year's Festival.

We can't thank enough the over 50 Arab-American performers who donated their time to join in this annual celebration of our heritage which shows others that we can be funny. We had comedians travel from all over the country and even Canada to participate as well as a very talented cast of comedic actors. We are proud that our Festival is able to provide an opportunity for Arab-Americans to tell our story ourselves and to depict Arabs in a positive and accurate light.

Overall, the support of everyone who attended and from our generous sponsors - and especially the Arab-American community - inspires us to continue the Festival as an annual tradition. We are planning to take the Festival to Los Angeles and hopefully the Middle East later this year! We hope to see you at our future shows! 

Feb 8, 2008 — Comedian Dean Obeidallah hosts some of the top up and coming Arab-American comedians from across the country... 

Jan 21, 2008 — Come out for the TV taping of the "New Faces of Arab stand up comedy show" on Tuesday at 7:30 PM hosted by comedian Dean Obeidallah and featuring some of the best up and coming Arab-American comedians from across the country and even Canada as we tape a special to air on Middle East TV.

On Wednesday, we added a new show entitled "Best of the Fest" co-hosted by Dean Obeidallah and Maysoon Zayid which will feature a few of our headliner comedians including Joe Derosa and Ronnie Khalil, a few comics from the New faces show, two sketches from our sketch nights and 30 minutes of comedic film. Its a Middle East Bazaar of comedy! Plus you get free admission (a $20 saving) to our closing party which starts right after the show at the adjoining Zipper Factory. For tickets click here.  

Dec 16, 2007 — FRIDAY, JANUARY 18th & SATURDAY, JANUARY 19th - Featuring some of the top Arab-American comedians from across the country who have appeared on Comedy Central, ABC's "The View," CNN, PBS and in feature films including:Aron Kader (Comedy Central's "Axis of Evil" special), Maysoon Zayid (PBS upcoming documentary "Muslim American Comics come of Age"), Jimmy Goson (LA Improv), Dean Obeidallah (Comedy Central's "Axis of Evil" and "The Watch List"), Nasry Malak (Comedy Central's "The Watch List"), Ronnie Khalil (Comedy Central's "The Watch List"), Amer Zahr (ABC's "Politically Incorrect"), Maria Shehata (Comedy Central's "The Watch List"), Sherif Hedayat (Comedy Central's "Open Mic Fight") and more.  

Dec 16, 2007 — SUNDAY, JANUARY 20th & MONDAY, JANUARY 21st - This edgy comedy show will feature 90 minutes of original sketches written by some of the top Arab-American comedic writers in the country and stars Arab-American actors who appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in feature films and TV shows. 

Dec 16, 2007 — Tickets for the 5th Annual NY Arab-American Comedy Festival which will be held January 18-23, 2008 are now on sale. All events will be $20 each and held at the Zipper Theater located 336 W. 37th St. between 8th & 9th Avenues.

 

Dec 16, 2007 — The lineup of sketches and stand up comedians for the 5th annual Festival has been announced. For more information about our Arab-American headliner stand up show, Sketch Comedy Nights, New Faces of Arab Comedy and our Short Comedic Films and Closing Night Party, CLICK HERE. 

Apr 18, 2010 — SUNDAY, MAY 9TH AT 8:00PM
Join us for a fun ending to our festival with some of the best of the festival hosted by comedians Dean Obeidallah and Maysoon Zayid. The Best of The fest will feature a few of the top comedians... 

Nov 27, 2007 — Join us for our Fifth Annual New York Arab-American Comedy Festival to be held January 18-23, 2008. All of our events will be held at the Zipper Theater in New York City. Check back in December for details about ticket info and event details.

We are seeking directors and actors for our sketch comedy night... 

Nov 15, 2006 — 7:00 PM - New Faces of Arab Comedy, hosted by Aron Kader featuring Amer Zahr, Maysa Abouzeid, Mohamed Masoud, Suzy Salamy (pictured left), Maria Shehata, Amanda Baramki with guest appearances by Dean Obeidallah and Maysoon Zayid.
SOLD OUT! 9:00 PM - Headliner show, hosted by Kerri Louise and featuring Dean Obeidallah, Maysoon Zayid, Aron Kader, Amer Zaher, Maysa Abouzeid, Joe DeRosa, and Helen Maalik. 

Nov 16, 2006 — 5:00 PM and 6:45 PM Six short comedic films made by Arab-American filmmakers including Mush (2005) by Asma May which was produced by Emmy award winning actor Tony Shalhoub, An American's Guide to Kicking Terrorism's Ass! (2006), by Amanda Baramki and Yori Tonbroski, plus Raouf Zaki's award winning film, Just Your Average Arab.
8:00 PM Party presented by the Network of Arab-American Professionals (NAAP-NY) 

Nov 17, 2006 — SOLD OUT! 8:30 PM show featuring short comedic plays written by Bethel Karam, Neil Potter, Dean Obeidallah, Lena Rizkallah, Marie-Thérèse Abou-Daoud, Ronnie Khalil and others. 

Nov 18, 2006 — SOLD OUT! 8:30 PM show featuring short comedic plays written by Bethel Karam, Neil Potter, Dean Obeidallah (pictured left), Lena Rizkallah, Marie-Thérèse Abou-Daoud, Ronnie Khalil and others. 

Nov 19, 2006 — SOLD OUT! 6:00 PM show featuring short comedic plays written by Bethel Karam, Neil Potter, Dean Obeidallah, Lena Rizkallah (pictured left), Marie-Thérèse Abou-Daoud, Ronnie Khalil and others.
8:00 PM show featuring short comedic plays written by Bethel Karam, Neil Potter, Dean Obeidallah, Lena Rizkallah, Marie-Thérèse Abou-Daoud, Ronnie Khalil and others. 

Nov 14, 2006 — SOLD OUT! 9:15 PM - Headliner show, hosted by Pete Dominick and featuring Ahmed Ahmed (pictured left), Dean Obeidallah, Maysoon Zayid, Aron Kader, Maysa Abouzeid, Joe DeRosa, and Helen Maalik. 

Aug 26, 2006 —

Before 9/11, comedian Dean Obeidallah was living the typical white guy life. He hung out with his white friends and did generic white people stuff. Then 9/11 happened. Dean's life would never be the same.

Following its successful debut at the New York International Fringe Festival, Dean Obeidallah’s one-man comedic show “I Come in Peace” has been extended for an Off-Off-Broadway run from September 3 to September 7, 2006 at the 45th Street Theater in NYC! 

Jul 5, 2006 — The New York Arab-American Comedy Festival is seeking submissions from Arab-American artists for its 4th Annual Festival which will take place in New York City from November 14-19, 2006. All submissions must be RECEIVED by August 15, 2006. 

Apr 20, 2006 — The New York Arab-American Comedy Festival will be holding a comedic theater reading night/competition on May 22nd, 2006 at 7:30pm (ie. 7.00PM Arab Standard Time). Your favorite Comedy Festival actors will be reading brand new scripts submitted for this year's Festival and you, the audience, gets to vote for your favorite! 

Mar 23, 2006 — The New York Arab-American Comedy Festival is seeking submissions of original short comedic plays and one acts for a comedic theater reading night and competition which will be held on Monday, May 22, 2006.  

Jan 24, 2006 — SOLD OUT!

$20, SHOWTIME AT 8PM

Lameece Issaq's "A" Date

Dean Obeidallah's And now a word from one of our sponsors...

Sam Younis' Browntown

Maysoon Zayid's Hi Joan!

Jana Zenadeen's Love in Las Vegas

Neil Potter & Bethel Caram's Train 

Jan 25, 2006 — BOTH SHOWS SOLD OUT!

$20, SHOWTIMES AT 8PM & 10PM

Lameece Issaq's "A" Date

Dean Obeidallah's And now a word from one of our sponsors...

Sam Younis' Browntown

Maysoon Zayid's Hi Joan!

Jana Zenadeen's Love in Las Vegas

Neil Potter & Bethel Caram's Train 

Jan 26, 2006 — SOLD OUT!

$20, SHOWTIME AT 7:45PM
Tickets $20 each plus a 2 drink minimum.

Comics
Ahmed Ahmed
Jimmy Goson
Aron Kader
Ronnie Khalil
Nasry Malak
Helen Maalik
Dean Obeidallah
Maysoon Zayid 

Dec 11, 2005 — For the first time ever, the much-acclaimed New York Arab-American Comedy Festival is going on the road as it heads to Los Angeles! The Festival has been featured on national television and radio programs including CNN, NPR, BBC World and in newspapers literally around the world.  

Nov 17, 2006 — We want to thank everyone who attended and sponsored our third annual New York Arab-American Comedy Festival. Your support made this year's Festival are most successful to date. 

Nov 13, 2005 — SOLD OUT

$15, SHOWTIMES AT 6PM & 8PM
We are proud to present the world premier of 6 new comedic theater pieces written and performed by Arab-Americans, including the first musical in our Comedy Festival�s history.

Lameece Issaq's "A" Date

Dean Obeidallah's And now a word from one of our sponsors...

Maysoon Zayid's Hi Joan!

Jana Zenadeen's Love in Las Vegas

Marie-Therese Abou-Daoud's Next Year in Jerusalem

Neil Potter & Bethel Caram's Train 

Nov 16, 2005 — The Festival has been covered by CNN, the BBC, PBS, Reuters International, Democracy Now!, NY1 News, and the Associated Press. Read articles & transcripts, listen to audio, and browse video of the Festival coverage here! 

Nov 14, 2005 — SOLD OUT

$15, SHOWTIMES AT 7PM & 9PM
We are proud to present the world premier of 6 new comedic theater pieces written and performed by Arab-Americans, including the first musical in our Comedy Festival�s history.

Lameece Issaq's "A" Date

Dean Obeidallah's And now a word from one of our sponsors...

Maysoon Zayid's Hi Joan!

Jana Zenadeen's Love in Las Vegas

Marie-Therese Abou-Daoud's Next Year in Jerusalem

Neil Potter & Bethel Caram's Train 

Nov 15, 2005 — $15, SHOWTIME AT 7PM - New Faces of Arab Comedy show
SOLD OUT!

Host: Suheir Hammad
Featuring

Ronnie Khalil

Najla Said

Amer Zahr

Suzy Salamy

Amanda Baramki

Maria Shehata
Plus special guest headliners:

Aron Kader

Dean Obeidallah

Maysoon Zayid

$15, SHOWTIME AT 9PM - Arab Headliners show
SOLD OUT!

Host: Ronnie Khalil
Featuring:

Aron Kader

Kerri Louise

Helen Maalik

Nasry Malak

Dean Obeidallah

Maysoon Zayid 

Nov 16, 2005 — SOLD OUT!

$15, SHOWTIME AT 9PM - Best of the New Faces of Arab Comedy show and Arab Headliners show mix
Host: Ronnie Khalil. Featuring:

Aron Kader

Kerri Louise

Helen Maalik

Nasry Malak

Dean Obeidallah

Maysoon Zayid

plus two of the best comics from the New Faces of Arab Comedy show. 

Nov 13, 2005 — THIS YEAR'S PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE:

Leila Sbitani, the current host of the popular Nickelodeon show, Hi-Jinks.

Actor Ramsey Faragallah who starred Off-Broadway in the highly acclaimed Guantánamo: Honor Bound to Defend Freedom, as well as being featured in the hit movie, The Interpreter.

Actor Piter Marek, who co-starred in the TNT mini-series The Grid

Comedian Aron Kader who has been featured on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and Fox’s The Bernie Mac Show.

Israeli-Palestinian actress Hend Ayoub who is co-starring in the award-winning feature film Private opening in New York City on November 18, 2005.

Festival co-founders Dean Obeidallah, a comedian who recently was awarded The Bill Hicks Spirit Award for "Thought provoking comedy" and has been a frequent guest on the national radio station Air America.

Maysoon Zayid, comedian and actress, who has been featured on NBC's Nightly News, MTV, and As the World Turns.

 

Nov 17, 2005 — $15, PARTY STARTS AT 8PM

Honoring Arab-American actor Jamie Farr (M*A*S*H*, Cannonball Run)

Films: To Be Announced

Light Appetizers

Live DJ - DJ Jungle! 

Oct 31, 2005 — WIN FREE TICKETS TO THE FILM NIGHT AND CLOSING PARTY!

A chance for creative people out there to leave their mark on the Festival website and win free tickets to the Film Night and Closing Party at Sugars in New York City — airline tickets not included (we are boor and have no money). Try your hand out at giving our intrepid Ahmed and Jamila something to think and say, and let the sultans of comedy judge you worthy!  

Oct 17, 2005 — TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

The 3rd Annual New York Arab-American Comedy Festival (NYAACF) will take place from November 13th-17th 2005. The Festival was founded in 2003 by comedian Dean Obeidallah and comedienne and actress Maysoon Zayid to showcase the talents of Arab-American actors, comics, playwrights and filmmakers, and challenge as well as inspire our fellow Arab-Americans to create outstanding works of comedy.  

Apr 24, 2010 — TUESDAY, JANUARY 22nd - Comedian Dean Obeidallah hosts some of the top up and coming Arab-American comedians from across the country. Featuring from Los Angeles: Mike Batayeh ("American East") and Noel Elgrably ("Sultans of Satire"), from Canada: Eman El-Husseini, from NY: Amanda Baramki, Meena Dimian, Mohamed Masoud, from Michigan: George Saba... 

Oct 10, 2005 — Contact coordinates for the New York Arab American Comedy Festival 

Sep 4, 2007 — The New York Arab-American Comedy Festival wants to invite you to be a part of our fifth anniversary Festival which will be held in January 2008. We are currently seeking comedic sketches, comedic films and stand up comedians.