Standup comic and actress Amy Schumer will perform two shows tonight at the Northwest Arena at 7 and 9:30.

Several other events are planned for today, including a Conversation with Barry Dougherty and Tom Cotter following a dialogue featuring Josh Mills, son of Edie Adams, and Lucinda Winters, daughter of Jonathan Winters. Both events are taking place in the Lucy Desi Tropicana Room.

In the Willow Bay Theater at 5 p.m. there will be a Conversation with Fran Drescher, Moderated by Kelly Carlin, NCC board members and daughter of the late George Carlin.

At 6 p.m., Dan Aykroyd sill hold a motorcycle dedication during block party preceding Amy Schumer’s 7 p.m. show, outside of the National Comedy Center.

There will also be a late night comedy show featuring up and coming standups inside the Tropicana Room.

More events are also set to take place on Saturday, highlighted by an Evening with Lily Tomlin at the Reg Lenna.

For more information, visit NationalComedyCenter.org.

Local and state officials were on hand for the grand opening of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018. Pictured from left to right: George Borrello, Chautauqua County Executive; Howard Zemsky, Empire State Development Director; NY Sen. Catherine Young; NCC board chairman Tom Benson; NCC executive director Journey Gunderson; Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi; NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo; and NY Assemblyman Andrew Goodell. (Image courtesy of NY State Governor’s Office)

JAMESTOWN – The National Comedy Center is open for business.

The state of the art, $50 million facility opened its doors to the public for the first time on Wednesday, immediately after a ribbon cutting ceremony was held featuring Gov. Andrew Cuomo along with other local and state officials as well as representatives of the NCC.

Prior to cutting the ribbon, Gov. Cuomo explained the history behind the NCC and why it’s located in Jamestown.

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the National Comedy Center grand opening. (Image courtesy of NY Governor’s Office)

“In the 1980s the [Arts Council for Chautauqua County] went to Lucille Ball and said, ‘you know we’d like to do a Lucille Ball Comedy Center in Jamestown.’ And she said, ‘look, I think you should think bigger, and not just about Lucille Ball. It should be a national center for the art of comedy. Because that’s what comedy is, and it should celebrate the art, and it should be about not just one person, Lucille Ball, it should be about a national center for the art,'” explained the governor.

And that started a long, long journey. The governor also explained how the NCC will serve as a catalyst for tourism in Jamestown and the Chautauqua Region, helping to inject much needed tourism revenue into the local economy.

• WATCH: Gov. Cuomo Announces Grand Opening of National Comedy Center

“Tourism has been a phenomenal industry and a phenomenal growth industry. Over 240 million visitors, the state hit a new record in terms of tourism. It’s up 20 percent in the amount of income that we’re generating. It’s now an over $100 billion industry in the state of New York. So it really is big business. It’s over $550 million now for the Chautauqua-Allegany area alone. And I think this is going to take those numbers and bring them to a new level. And it’s not just the comedy center. It’s the combination, it’s the synergy within new hotels that have been done, with river walk, with the Jamestown Downtown Redevelopment Initiative.”

Joining the governor was Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, who acknowledged that the successful opening of the NCC is rooted in hard work and dedication of the project’s many stakeholders who refused to take “no” for an answer.

Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi at the National Comedy Center grand opening. (Image courtesy of NY Governor’s Office)

“A friend of mine once told me there are a thousands reasons why a deal doesn’t happen, and one reason why it does. And that’s because somebody or a group of somebodies as taken care of all the thousand things that can go wrong, address them, and then make the project move forward and go right. That’s the story not only of the National Comedy Center over the past 33 years, but also what’s been happening in Jamestown.”

The NCC is supported by over $14 million in resources from the state, including $4.4 million awarded through a competitive, community-driven process with the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council; an additional $5 million through the Buffalo Billion II initiative; $5 million via New Markets Tax Credit Program; and other state sources. It is expected to attract more than 114,000 visitors each year and give a $23 million boost to the local economy annually, while also sparking further economic development and helping to improve the economic environment in the region.

The NCC is anticipated to support over 200 jobs and generate $6.5 million in wages annually across Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Erie counties.

As part of its grand opening, the NCC is presenting a week-long celebration of comedy performances and dialogues to commemorate the grand opening, which coincides with the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, featuring more than 50 events including appearances by comedy greats such as Amy Schumer, Lewis Black, Lily Tomlin, Fran Drescher, and original Saturday Night Live cast members Dan Aykroyd and Laraine Newman.

A group enjoy their visit to the National Comedy Center during its first day of being open to the public on Aug. 1, 2018. (Image courtesy of NY Governor’s Office)

Highlighting Thursday’s activities are the sold out “Comedy and the First Amendment” panel discussion at the Robert H. Jackson Center focusing comedy legend Lenny Bruce and featuring Bruce’s daughter Kitty Bruce, noted first amendment attorney Paul Cambria and Lewis Black.

Also Thursday night at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts is the Saturday Night Live Originators: Hazy Recollections program featuring original SNL cast members Dan Aykroyd and Loraine Newman.

And there’s also late night Comedy at the Tropicana Room inside the Lucy-Desi Center.

For more information on the Comedy Festival and National Comedy Center, visit ComedyCenter.org.

The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY

JAMESTOWN – After years of planning and construction, Wednesday, Aug. 1 is the day the National Comedy Center will open its doors to the public for the first time.

The multi-million dollar effort is opening in conjunction with the 2018 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, which will feature a variety of events and activities beginning today and continuing over the next five days throughout the city.

NCC Executive Director Journey Gunderson recently told WRFA the opening is the culmination of countless hours of work and dedication from numerous stakeholders, starting with her staff at the NCC and the Lucy-Desi Center.

“They are a ‘blood, sweat, and tears’ type of staff. They give everything they have and there is no 9 to 5ers in the bunch. They work hard to get it done,” Gunderson said. “The board of directors has worked liked staff, rolling up their sleeves during the eight years of my tenure. Same thing for Tom Benson, the chairman. This isn’t just professional, it’s personal for him getting this done. Certainly we also want to acknowledge the support of the state, support of the federal government, the county and Andrew Nixon from the County Visitors Bureau, the chamber of commerce, and everyone else. We’ve had wonderful support.”

Highlighting this week’s activities are appearances by Amy Schumer, Lily Tomlin, Dan Aykroyd, Laraine Newman, Lewis Black, Lucie Arnaz, Fran Drescher, Alan Zweibel, W. Kamau Bell, Tom Cotter, and much more.

In addition, the NCC is offering timed-entry admission to the new attraction so that no visit during grand opening week is too crowded. First admissions to the National Comedy Center will begin daily at 9am today, and last admissions will take place at 5pm.

Highlighting Wednesday’s events is the opening of the NCC, along with a Stand-Up Showcase at the Reg Lenna featuring Lewis Black, W. Kamau Bell, Tom Cotter, Judy Gold, Hari Kondabolu, Kerri Louise and more.

In partnership with Chautauqua Institution, the National Comedy Center is also presenting a conversation with Lewis Black at the Hall of Philosophy today at 3:30pm.

Some events have sold out, but tickets do remain for others. To purchase tickets, call 484-2222 or go online to NationalComedyCenter.org.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

JAMESTOWN – The National Comedy Center opens this Wednesday, Aug. 1 and all the last minute details are falling into place.

As part of the NCC opening, several special guests are expected to make their way to Jamestown this week, starting Monday with an appearance by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who will announce nearly $89 million in funding has been secured in the Senate Interior Appropriations bill for the Department of Interior’s Historic Preservation Fund. The funding supports historic preservation and economic development projects around the state, including the NCC, which is using Jamestown’s Gateway Train Station as one of its buildings. The train station renovation relied on a variety of funding sources, including the one being highlighted Monday by Gillibrand.

Meanwhile, NCC Executive Director Journey Gunderson recently told WRFA the NCC staff has been in “sprint mode” for the past several weeks, working to make sure everything is ready to go once the facility opens on the first day of the 2018 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival.

This year’s comedy festival will feature appearances and performances by Lilly Tomlin, Amy Schumer, Dan Aykroyd, Lewis Black, and many, many more.

Some of those shows are sold out, while tickets remain for many others, including those that specifically focus on the legacy and comedy of Lucille Ball.

To learn more about the NCC and the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival events, visit ComedyCenter.org.

The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY

Early Tuesday night the National Comedy Center announced via a media release that it would celebrate its grand opening on Aug. 1 with appearances by Amy Schumer, Lily Tomlin, and Saturday Night Live original season alumni including Dan Aykroyd. The opening will coincide with this year’s comedy festival, which runs from Aug. 1 – 5 in Jamestown.

The opening celebration will feature more than 50 events and 40 artists that include the innovators, creators, and legends of comedy.

Emmy Award-Winning Comedian Amy Schumer will perform Friday, August 3 at the Northwest Arena.

Lily Tomlin performs on the stage at Reg Lenna Center for the Arts on Saturday, August 4.

On Thursday, August 2, Saturday Night Live cast members Dan Aykroyd, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris, along with original writer, Alan Zweibel, will be at the Reg Lenna to share stories and laughs in a conversation about the show’s early years.

Tickets for all events will go on pre-sale to Members on April 27 and on sale to the public May 4 and will be available for purchase at NationalComedyCenter.org.

Featuring more than 50 immersive and interactive exhibits, the 37,000 square foot National Comedy Center will tell the story of comedy from its origins through the present.

Officials say it is the first non-profit cultural institution and national-scale attraction dedicated to the art of comedy.