11/5: Open Up and Say Ha!

Don Mitri is one of the godfathers of Cleveland’s ensemble-comedy scene. For the inaugural Cleveland Comedy Festival last year, he organized a showcase of area improv and sketch-comedy talent. He’s doing it again with a program called Open Up and Say Ha! at 8 tonight at the Powerhouse Pub (2000 Sycamore St.). “The goal is to showcase just how much talent there is in this town,” says Mitri. Aficionados of the form will already be familiar with the 15-year-old Something Dada, Cleveland’s most durable comedy troupe, which performs every weekend at its home in the Tower Press Building. The bill also features a new group called the Laughter League (which Mitri calls “Cleveland’s newest sketch-comedy gem”) and long-form comedy ensemble the Giant Eagles. “They’re Cleveland improvisers who perform in Chicago,” says Mitri. “They trained here and with Second City in Chicago and got together as a group in Chicago. They are really high energy, very physical onstage.” Tickets are $10. It’s part of the five-day festival, which takes place from November 4-8 at several venues around town, including the Halle Building, the Hermit Club and Wilbert’s. Go to clecomedyfestival.com for more information. — Anastasia Pantsios