SAN FRANCISCO, June 20, 2019 – Comedy Central has partnered with Mental Health First Aid, program of the National Council for Behavioral Health, to highlight and drive forward mental health culture change during Comedy Central Presents Clusterfest, with a special panel, “Comedy and Mental Health: A Hilarious Conversation,” featuring comedians Neal Brennan, Michelle Buteau, Tig Notaro and Jeff Ross. In addition, festivalgoers will have the opportunity to experience a “Festival of Friendship” activation encouraging people to learn more about Mental Health First Aid and how to #BeTheDifference in helping friends during a mental health or substance abuse crisis. Comedy Central Presents Clusterfest, a three-day comedy and music festival, will take place in San Francisco from June 21-23.
Comedy helps people cope with the tough times in life…but what helps comedians cope with a life in comedy? Michelle Buteau will lead Neal Brennan, Tig Notaro and Jeff Ross in a hilarious and honest conversation in which they will ponder this riddle and more as they discuss the intrinsic relationship between comedy and mental health. Included will be a special, pre-recorded message from Rainn Wilson who will introduce a sneak preview of the forthcoming SoulPancake documentary, It’s Not That Funny, about the nexus of comedy and mental health.
In addition to the panel, Comedy Central and Mental Health First Aid will present a “Festival of Friendship” activation during Clusterfest in which festivalgoers will receive #BeTheDifference friendship bracelets along with more information on Mental Health First Aid and be invited to help in the creation of the “Enjoy It!” mural in honor of Brody Stevens a beloved comedian who passed away from suicide earlier this year.
Clusterfest is also proud to partner with and raise funds for MPTF’s Comedians Assistance Fund, which provides a safety net of services to comedians including emergency financial assistance, counseling and referrals, health care and insurance guidance, senior care, and more.
About Comedy Central
Comedy Central gives audiences access to a world of super funny, personally relatable, culturally relevant, and provocative comedy that tells the funny truths of life, every day and everywhere, wherever and whenever they want to laugh. With a global reach of more than 300 million households in over 150 countries, Comedy Central features award-winning late-night, sketch, scripted and animated series, along with stand-up specials and series Connecting with comedy fans through multiple touchpoints, Comedy Central also produces nationwide stand-up events and festivals, boasts a Grammy® Award-winning record label (Comedy Central Records), is a leading provider of comedy content for voice assistants, produces and curates a Global Podcast Network, and operates Comedy Central Radio on SiriusXM (Channel 95). In addition, Comedy Central’s category-leading branded gaming and licensing contribute to one of the most successful home entertainment divisions in the industry. For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Comedy Central’s press site at press.cc.com and follow us on Twitter at @ComedyCentralPR for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
About Mental Health First Aid
The 8-hour course teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives participants the skills to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. The National Council for Behavioral Health introduced Mental Health First Aid USA and to date more than 1.7 million Americans have been trained. For more information, please go to www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.
About MPTF
MPTF (Motion Picture & Television Fund) supports the entertainment community in living and aging well, with dignity and purpose, and in helping each other in times of need. What began nearly 100 years ago as the Motion Picture Relief Fund has, today, flourished into MPTF, a comprehensive social service organization. MPTF serves thousands in the entertainment community each year with financial assistance, social services, and retirement living.
About Superfly
Superfly is on a mission to shape how the world plays and connects through shared experience. Founded in 1996, Superfly’s expertise is bringing people together at the intersection of culture and commerce through iconic live experiences like Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Outside Lands, Clusterfest, and Grandoozy as well as for some of the most recognized brands in the world. Superfly’s creative and strategic offering helps brands like Citi, Intel and Google establish and raise their profile and navigate the cultural marketing landscape through programming, design, digital, social and experiential platforms. Superfly is headquartered in New York, with offices in Chicago and San Francisco. Learn more at http://superf.ly/, and follow on Twitter @Superfly, Facebook www.facebook.com/superfly and Instagram @superflypresents.
About Another Planet Entertainment:
Established in 2003, Another Planet Entertainment (APE) has produced and promoted thousands of events with artists as diverse as Radiohead, Neil Young, Chance the Rapper, Daft Punk, Adele, The Weeknd, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Lorde, Metallica, twenty one pilots, Bruce Springsteen, Mumford & Sons, Paul McCartney and Kanye West. Named the Top Independent Promoter (U.S.) by Billboard Magazine in 2015 and 2016 and Top Independent Promoter (Worldwide) in 2017 & 2018, APE is the exclusive promoter for the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, the Fox Theater in Oakland, the historic Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, The Independent in San Francisco, Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys and operates a private events division, Another Planet Event Group and an artist management division. APE also produces three major annual festivals – Outside Lands (since 2008) and Treasure Island Music Festival (since 2007) in San Francisco, as well as Life Is Beautiful (since 2013) in Downtown Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.APEConcerts.com.
Contacts:
for Comedy Central:
Aileen Budow
212.767.3952
aileen.budow@cc.com
for Mental Health First Aid:
Jamie Mondics
202-748-8782
jamiem@thenationalcouncil.org