Burning down the house with hot jokes

368 Ponce hosts eight uniquely-themed comedy shows for a long weekend of fun.

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Whether celebrating music, film, or mac and cheese, every festival is a labor of love that takes weeks to organize — unless you’re Joe Pettis. Ever ambitious, the local comic and producer decided he wasn’t busy enough running four shows in Atlanta. He wanted to throw together a festival in under a month. Pettis followed through and thus the Hotlanta Comedy Fest was born.

For three days, Pettis and his Atlanta comedy brethren perform eight shows over three nights at Midtown’s creative commune, 368 Ponce (formerly Big House on Ponce). Like any good party, it needs a theme. Every show revolves around a special theme like Fine Wine, which highlights local comics who’ve been making waves for years, or the ‘90s show that pays tribute everything from Starter Jackets to Trapper Keepers.

One of the more notable shows includes the debut of Queer History Live hosted by Ian Aber. Atlanta’s LGBT comics are bringing their unique perspective to the forefront. Each comic will shine a spotlight on a subject in queer history, followed by an audience Q&A.


?? Pettis revives his old Holy Sh!t show out of the ashes for the special occasion. Originally a monthly show at EAV’s 529, the delightfully sacrilegious show leads the audience on the path to salvation. It’s the only show comedy show in town that’s B.Y.O.B. (bring your own Bible, that is).

No two shows will be the same. There’s something for everybody, whether you’re a Mr. Pibb kinda bloke or a Dr. Pepper freak. Unless you like La Croix, get out of here with that mess. Hotlanta Fest is your go-to one-stop shop for piping hot jokes and good Atlanta folks. Take that, Midtown QuikTrip.

$5-20. Fri., July 29-Sun., July 31. 368 Ponce, 368 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E. hotlantacomedy.com.