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Bergamot Comedy Festival Fosters Inclusive Environment for Comedians' Growth

festival-fair · 2026-03-25

The Bergamot Comedy Festival, held at The Crow in Santa Monica, is a four-day event running from Tuesday to Saturday, now in its third year. Founded by Nicole Blaine, it aims to provide a supportive space for comedians, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, to develop professionally through free public panels and networking opportunities. The festival features industry professionals from entities like Mic Drop Comedy, 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,' and Sundance, offering guidance on topics such as self-producing and refining performances. Comedians like Brigham Mosley and Bernice Ye have benefited from its inclusive approach, with Ye performing this year after previous rejections, highlighting the event's role in community building and career advancement.

Key facts

  • The Bergamot Comedy Festival is in its third annual edition, taking place over four days in Santa Monica.
  • Nicole Blaine founded the festival to create a welcoming environment for comedians, emphasizing safety and professional growth.
  • Free public panels feature industry experts from Netflix, HBO, Comedy Central, and other major studios.
  • The event is held at The Crow, a comedy club known for its supportive atmosphere and writing development programs.
  • Comedian Bernice Ye will perform this year after attending panels in prior years, showcasing the festival's networking benefits.

Entities

Artists

  • Brigham Mosley
  • Nicole Blaine
  • Bernice Ye

Institutions

  • The Crow
  • Netflix
  • HBO
  • Comedy Central
  • Mic Drop Comedy
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
  • Sundance

Locations

  • Santa Monica

Sources