Jess Bauldry;
Credit: Festrogen
The women-centric comedy festival Festrogen will return to Luxembourg with its second edition next month, proposing a four-day lineup of shows and workshops; the festival will take place from Thursday 15 to Sunday 18 June 2023.
Through a partnership with the City of Luxembourg (Ville de Luxembourg - VdL), this year the team has invited new instructors and artists to the Grand Duchy. These include three-time NYC Moth storytelling competition winner Melanie Hamlett and acclaimed comedian Caroline Clifford, who will teach three new workshops: funny storytelling, authentic standup comedy and comedy improv.
This year's gala shows will feature touring comedians Mikaela Birch and Luize Beca, local drag queen Medusa Venom as well as the Festrogen founders Erin Crouch (US), Anshita Koul (India), Mari Volar (Estonia), Jess Bauldry (UK/Luxembourg) and Sharon VS (UK/Germany). On the last day of the festival, audiences can see Melanie Hamlett in action with her solo storytelling show.
Looking back at the roots of Festrogen, which first took place in May 2022, the five founders noted that the comedy world lacked diversity and set out to "create the scene they dreamed existed when they started out" as comedians.
Festrogen aims to "level the playing field for marginalised voices" in standup comedy and promote equality. The festival supports people identifying as women, non-binary, and/or queer in comedy, offering a dedicated platform to perform, access to professional skills development and the advantages of being part of a supportive network.
The first edition in 2022 attracted over 25 participants, ten of whom are still performing in Luxembourg, according to the founders.
Festrogen is a production of Laughs in Translation asbl, a non-profit organisation registered in Luxembourg.
Programme
Thursday 15 June 2023 @ 20:30 (Qosqo Chill Lounge, Place d'Armes): opening standup comedy show with local comedians
Friday 16 June 2023 @ 20:30 (Le Croque Bedaine, Luxembourg-Limpertsberg): mixed bill standup comedy show featuring members of the Festrogen team and touring comedians
Saturday 17 June 2023
(Workshops)
@ 10:00 (Qosqo Chill Lounge, Place d'Armes): joke-writing for beginners with Erin Crouch and Anshita Koul
@ 10:00 (Cid Fraen an Gender Women's Library, Luxembourg-Ville): authentic joke-writing (advanced level) with Caroline Clifford
@ 14:00 (Qosqo Chill Lounge, Place d'Armes): storytelling with Melanie Hamlett
@ 14:00 (Cid Fraen an Gender Women's Library, Luxembourg-Ville): improvised standup comedy with Caroline Clifford (all experience levels)
Saturday 17 June 2023
(Live shows)
@ 18:00 (Le Croque Bedaine, Luxembourg-Limpertsberg): open mic for workshop participants
@ 20:30 (Le Croque Bedaine, Luxembourg-Limpertsberg): mixed bill standup comedy show featuring members of Festrogen team and touring comedians
Sunday 18 June 2023 @ 19:00 (Qosqo Chill Lounge, Place d'Armes): solo storytelling show by Melanie Hamlett
The organisers have also launched a Go Fund Me campaign to finance the festival.
Further details and tickets are available on the website festrogenfestival.com.
