Laff-Aholics Comedy Benefit for Recovery is:

An annual event in Indianapolis that features nationally headlining comedians. All profits from the show go to local facilities that provide transitional housing and access to treatment for recovering addicts and alcoholics.

We created Laff-aholics with two main purposes in mind:

  1. Raise money for people in recovery that are most vulnerable financially
  2. Provide a sober event that encourages laughter, fun and social connectivity for the recovery community — especially for those who are new to this lifestyle, currently in treatment, or fresh out of rehab.


Marti MacGibbon founded Laff-Aholics, with the help of amazing and positive Indy people who believe in both recovery and laughter. Marti’s years of experience as a professional standup comic taught her the healing and transformational power of laughter, both in her own life and those of others. As a recovering addict and addiction treatment specialist, Marti has witnessed the power of humor and laughter in recovery. Laff-Aholics is inspired by Yukaholics, a annual fundraiser in Los Angeles that has been dedicated to laughter and recovery for over 25 years.

The venue for Laff-Aholics is the Toby Theater in the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA), 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis 46208. Founded in 1883, the IMA is among the 10 largest and oldest museums in the U.S. and offers significant holdings of African, American, Asian, European and contemporary art. The IMA sits on 100 acres of breathtakingly preserved land, and the museum has built meditation paths for visitors to enjoy.

Laff-Aholics 2017

From right to left: Paul Jacek, Mary Kennedy, Marti MacGibbon, and Jeffrey Lewis

Laff-Aholics 2016

Marti MacGibbon and Headliner Norm Stulz, Laff-Aholics 2016

Marti MacGibbon and Headliner Karen Rontowski, backstage at Laff-Aholics 2016

Laff-Aholics 2016 blew the roof off, with a sold-out show and non-stop laughter! Deepest gratitude to our sponsor, Community Health Network in Indianapolis, for donating $1,000. The hilarious Norm Stulz of Detroit, and the brilliant Karen Rontowski of Los Angeles headlined the show. Marti MacGibbon hosted the event. 2016 beneficiaries were Progress House and Seeds of Hope, non-profits in Indianapolis that provide transitional housing and access to addiction treatment and mental health care for people in recovery. Laff-Aholics 2016 raised over $7,000. One hundred percent of the profits from Laff-Aholics go to our beneficiaries. Recovery Rocks!

Laff-Aholics 2015

From Left to Right Marti MacGibbon and Dave Landau

Laff-Aholics 2015 blew us all away with celebration of recovery, fun, and laughter. The 5th annual event featured the hilarious Dave Landau of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, and Doug Starks, a hot Las Vegas headliner who tours internationally. Emcee Marti MacGibbon rocked the house, and local funny man Jeffrey Lewis did a seven minute guest set. Each year, Laff-Aholics gives one hundred percent of its profits to the beneficiaries. This year’s show raised $5775 in ticket revenues on Oct. 10th, then a private family foundation matched that sum, making Laff-Aholics 2015 the best show yet, with a grand total of $11,450 for our two beneficiaries, Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) and Foundation for Court Promoted Recovery.

Laff-Aholics 2014

From Left to Right Rich Aronovitch, Marti MacGibbon, and Ritch Shydner

Laff-Aholics 2014 featured amazing headliners Rich Aronovitch, (HBO, Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing) and legendary standup comic Ritch Shydner, (HBO Special, Letterman, Tonight Show). The show was kickass, and we raised enough money for our beneficiary, Pathway to Recovery, to buy a 15-seat passenger van to transport clients to and from events, meetings, and more.

Laff-Aholics 2013

We don’t have a photo because everybody was so busy with laughter and recovery that we actually forgot about our phones! 2013 Laff-Aholics sold out the day before the show! We don’t have a photo because everybody was so busy with laughter and recovery that we actually forgot about our phones! The event featured hilarious comedians Dr. Bill Miller (Showtime and Chicago headliner) and Kevin McPeek (The Bob and Tom Show, Writer for Will and Grace and Everybody Loves Raymond, national headliner), Marti MacGibbon emceed, local comic Marty Goens did a a guest set, and they all rocked the house! Beneficiaries were The Talbot House and Lucille Raines Residence, Inc.

Laff-Aholics 2012:

From Left to Right Marti MacGibbon, Doug Starks, Karen Rontowski, and Jeffrey Lewis

Laff-aholics 2011 knocked it out of the park, bringing us Alonzo Bodden, winner of Last Comic Standing and star of the Showtime Special, “Who’s Paying Attention,” and Ritch Shydner — of HBO, Showtime, Tonight Show and Letterman. Marti kicked off the show and hosted. 2011 beneficiaries were Dove House, Talbot House and Rich Recovery Services.

Laff-Aholics 2011:

From Left to Right, Ritch Shydner, Marti MacGibbon, and Alonzo Bodden

Laff-aholics 2012 totally kicked butt, with Karen Rontowski, hilarious comedienne who crushed on Late Night with David Letterman, and Doug Starks, a killer Las Vegas talent with an over-the-top show that headlines the Strip. Marti kicked it off with her usual high-energy, no holds barred style, then introduced Indy’s own Jeffrey Lewis, who did a five minute guest set. Our beneficiaries were Beacon House, Place of Power, and New Life J.R. Jessee Sober Living.