Miami|Local Event
Art of Laughter/Comedy Vybez Festival Featuring Esau McGraw, Joe Clair, & Ashima Franklin
The Largest Black Standup Comedy Festival of The Summer is Coming To Miami Beach Featuring Esau McGraw, Joe Clair, & Ashima Franklin With A Portion of Ticket Sales Going to Local Miami Teacher’s Union
Presented By The Miami Takeover in Collaboration With The City of Miami Beach Tourism and Culture Department and The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA)
MIAMI BEACH— The Miami Takeover will kick off its four-day urban entertainment beach festival at the iconic Miami Beach Bandshell on Friday, July 24th, 2026 (4 p.m. to 10 p.m.) with The Art of Laughter/Comedy Vybez with the nation’s funniest Black standup comedians including Esau McGraw, Joe Clair, Tony Woods, Ronnie Jordan, Ashima Franklin, Eddie Bryant, Lawrence Killabrew, Antoine Scott, Maria Sanchez and Howie Bell.
General admission tickets are available for $55.20 on Eventbrite, but first responders and teachers can use promo code “FirstResponders” can get 50 percent off at checkout and pay just $22.60. “We want everyone to come out and enjoy a night of belly-aching comedy, live R&B musical performances, community and connection. This festival is dedicated to first responders and teachers with a portion of ticket sales being donated to the United Teachers of Dade (UTD),” said Wylie Kynard, co-founder and partner at The Miami Takeover, LLC.
When doors open at 4 p.m., Dee Jay Casper will provide the sounds with live musical performances performed by Washington D.C. 's Top 5 Band, Antfar Music, Grammy-nominated Quinn & The Jukebox Band. In addition, an incredible Toni Braxton tribute performance will be provided by R&B singer Latasha Bla’q. This is the first opening event of six total events happening during this year's Miami Takeover festival.
Featured Comedians:
Esau McGraw - McGraw has performed standup comedy across the country and has several specials featured on HBO, NBC, Comedy Central and TBS. Also featured in Idlewild, a musical crime film led by OutKast rappers and actors, Andre 3000 (Andre’ Benjamin), Big Boi and actor Terrance Howard.
Joe Clair - American standup comedian, radio personality and actor from the DMV area who was an original host of BET’s iconic Rap City, who has gone on to have breakout performances on HBO Def Comedy Jam, Martin Lawrence’s 1st Amendment Standup Comedy Series on Starz and more.
Tony Woods - American comedy writer and stand-up comedian known for being a mentor to Dave Chappelle and is an original member of Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam and Bad Boys of Comedy.
Ronnie Jordan - From HBO Bad Boys of Comedy to Kevin Hart’s LOL Special, Ronnie has performing at some of the nation’s most famous comedy clubs.
Ashima Franklin - Known as the southern belle of comedy from Alabama, Ashima is a bold comedian, actor, and writer who uses her real life experience as a mom and woman. She has appeared on Showtime, HBO, the OWN Network and Netflix’s newest trending “Super funny Comedy with Nate Jackson” crowd work special.
Eddie Bryant - Comedian from Washington D.C. who’s been featured on BET, Magic Johnson's Aspire, TVOne, and Starz television network and toured with Charlie Wilson, Macy Gray, and Charlie Murphy to name a few.
Lawrence Killabrew - Standup comedian, actor, producer and host of Plastic Cup Boyz with two comedy albums, “Comedy Hustle” and “Comedy Hustle Live 2” under his belt. Antoine Scott - Comedian and actor who has shared stages and screens with some of the best comedians including D.L. Hughley, Monique, Kevin Hart, Earthquake, Tony Rock, Bill Bellamy, Tracy Morgan and more.
Maria Sanchez - Breakout comedian from Baltimore known for delivering compelling and hilarious stories.
Howie Bell - Veteran stand up comedian who has several HBO specials and Def Comedy Jam features under his belt.
Rodney Royal is bringing his explosive solo art exhibit to Miami Beach with all art sales proceeds supporting the One R.O.Y.A.L. Effect Foundation, which empowers youth through arts education in the South Miami area. Tickets are available on Eventbrite and www.comedyvybezfestival.com. Must be 21 years of age to purchase tickets or enter the venue.
ABOUT THE MIAMI TAKEOVER
The Miami Takeover (MTO) is a Washington, D.C.based event production company now in its 18th year, MTO’s signature cultural summer festival returns to Miami Beach July 24–27, 2026. Visit www.themiamitakeover.com for event tickets. Follow The Miami Takeover on Instagram, Tik-Tok, and Facebook for the latest updates.