9th Annual Boston Comedy Arts Festival

There’s no business like funny business. Working comedians of all stripes will convene at ImprovBoston this month when it hosts the ninth annual Boston Comedy Arts Festival, a showcase of sketch, improv and stand-up comedy drawing acts from Boston to Germany. The five-day fest in Cambridge will feature performances by headlining talent like award-winning sketch group the Defiant Thomas Brothers (pictured) plus workshops, industry panel discussions and a diverse lineup of family-friendly (and decidedly not family-friendly) shows by more than 300 comics and comedy groups. Tickle your funny bone at ImprovBoston on Sept. 6-10. / Alexandra Cavallo