To understand Skankfest, you have to understand its history. This festival has built its reputation on moments of pure, unscripted chaos that could never happen at a “normal” comedy event. As we gear up for Skankfest New Orleans (Nov 14-16), here’s a look back at some of the wildest moments that define the festival’s spirit.
- The Naked Roast Battle: Perhaps the most infamous event. Comedians (and sometimes fans) competing in a roast battle… completely naked. It was a hilarious, bizarre, and unforgettable spectacle.
- The EllisMania Fights: When radio host Jason Ellis brought his “EllisMania” brand of amateur fighting to the fest, comics and fans actually stepped into the ring to settle (or start) beefs.
- Luis J. Gomez vs. a Heckler: A heckler got aggressive, and festival co-founder Luis J. Gomez wound up in a real-life wrestling match with him in the crowd. It perfectly captured the line-blurring energy of the event.
- Big Jay Oakerson’s Crowd Work: This is a category all its own. Big Jay’s ability to “manage” a drunk, rowdy 2 AM crowd and turn it into comedy gold is a yearly highlight.
- The “Bonfire” Podcast Meltdowns: The live recordings of “The Bonfire” with Big Jay Oakerson and Dan Soder (or Robert Kelly) are always unhinged, but the Skankfest editions are legendary.
- The Secret “C*m Dumpster” Set: An impromptu, ultra-late-night set that happened in a loading dock area, affectionately nicknamed by the comics. It became one of the most talked-about shows of the weekend.
- The Surprise Dave Chappelle Drop-In: The rumor went through the crowd like electricity, and then he was just… there. Chappelle doing an unannounced, full set for a rabid Skankfest audience was a moment that solidified the festival’s “anything can happen” reputation.
What to Expect in NOLA?
With the “Voodoo, Mardi Gras, & Vampires” theme at Mardi Gras World, expect all of this and more. We’re predicting voodoo-themed roast battles, a parade through the float den, and a vampire-themed late-night show that will push the boundaries of comedy.
