Lucie Arnaz Signs On As Comedy Showcase Host

Tickets for Lucy Fest 2012 are now on sale at www.LucyComedyFest.com.

The festival will feature performances by Billy Gardell, star of the hit television show Mike and Molly, and Paula Poundstone at the Reg Lenna Civic Center. Tickets are also available by telephone at 484-0800 and at the Lucy Desi Center at 2 W. Third St., Jamestown.

Lucie Arnaz has signed on as host and musical guest of the Stand-Up Showcase on Friday, Aug. 3. Ms. Arnaz is the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz and has seen critically acclaimed success wearing the hats of producer, singer, actor and director. She'll host a showcase of rising comics in the country, co-produced by San Francisco-based Rooftop Comedy. Lucy Fest has featured performances by then-rising stars Ray Romano, Lewis Black and Ellen Degeneres, and aims to catch comics on a similar rise to the top with the 2012 showcase.

Lucy Fest 2012 will also feature Jamestown hosting its very own "Lucy Olympics," a competition at City Hall on Friday, Aug. 3, and Saturday, Aug. 4. Contestants will compete in events including grape stomping from the "Lucy's Italian Movie" episode, conveyer-belt candy wrapping from the famous "Job Switching" episode, the most comprehensive I Love Lucy trivia contest ever believed to be held and a costume contest featuring several categories.

The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, or "Lucy Fest," embodies Ball's vision for her hometown legacy: a celebration of the comedic arts held annually on the weekend closest to her birth date, Aug. 6. Lucy Fest 2011 commemorated Lucille Ball's 100th birthday, set an attendance high at 13,000 attendees, featured more than 10 comedians from New York City, Boston, Atlanta, San Francisco and Los Angeles performing over five days, and made international news with the setting of a Guinness World Record for "Most People Dressed as Lucy Ricardo" with 916 participants.