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! 

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 — 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. 

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... 

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.  

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 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 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.

 

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.  

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