“High Mud is destined to be one of the most hysterical late-winter comedy festivals in the history of western Massachusetts. Unless there’s a blizzard.”

–  television comedy writer Jay Tarses

From the mind of television comedy writer and executive producer of The Bob Newhart Show (and MASS MoCA Trustee) Jay Tarses comes the High Mud Comedy Festival, a two-day laugh-fest featuring a pile of performers thick with national comedic treasures and local stand-up heroes. Provocative deadpan comedian Tig Notaro headlines the inaugural festival, hosted by NPR’s Ophira Eisenberg and featuring Brooklyn- and Hollywood-based live wire Sean Patton. More national and regional talent fills stages, including the MASS MoCA return of absurdist Dave Hill and a Berkshire-based comedy slate organized by and including the hilarious Thomas Attila Lewis, North Adams-based humorist Seth Brown, and Adams-based Mark Jagiello.

The High Mud Festival slings two nights of stand-up in MASS MoCA’s Hunter Center and an afternoon of comedy films and shorts—but the laughs don’t stop there. Post-mainstage, late-night gigs at local venues including The Mohawk Tavern, Desperados, and the Freight Yard Pub will feature more local talent.

What to Expect

It’s a festival!

Take your time exploring North Adams and MASS MoCA; you never know where comedy might pop up throughout the weekend. On Friday and Saturday, admission to MASS MoCA’s galleries is included with your festival pass. A $5 gallery admission discount is offered to ticket-holders on Sunday, March 13.

Food from our museum café is available throughout the day, and, as promised, we’ll have plenty of good beer on tap, and our full bar is always well-stocked.

The venue, MASS MoCA’s Hunter Center for the Performing Arts, is general admission, seated. Preferred ticket seats are located in the first rows of the venue—first come, first serve in the preferred section.

All tickets are non-refundable. Late-night revues with local talent take place throughout our home city of North Adams. Word to the wise: High Mud might get dirty; this festival is best suited for audiences 16 and up. Watch this space for festival updates.