Fifth birthday celebration for the Comics' Choice Awards

For the last four years the Savanna CCAs has offered every professional comedian in the country the opportunity to vote for his favourite registered comedian in each of the award show's various categories - and for the winners to be announced and celebrated at the annual awards bash. It has also been a chance for the comedy-loving public to get in on the glitz and guffaws with media, celebrities and the SA comedy industry all in attendance.

Themed around a big 5th Birthday Bash, the Savanna CCAs is marking this milestone by throwing the funniest birthday party this year, with a few extras thrown in for the occasion.

Two new award categories

Biggest of these is the addition of two new permanent award categories to the existing six: 'The Flying Solo Comic' will be given for the best one-man show of the year; and with the abundance of extraordinary vernacular talent, 2015 sees the introduction of the 'Non-English Comic' for those who perform 80% non-English comedy.

As a special birthday present from the industry, this year the awards will honour the 'Best Friend of Comedy' - that person, brand or organisation that has really helped promote SA comedy. This category is open to comedians and non-comedians (including DJs, comedy clubs, promoters etc.) but will be voted for by the industry. Have you done your bit to support comedy? If so, get five registered comics to nominate you and you could win.

The original six categories are:

• The Savanna Newcomer Comic
  
• The Intermediate Comic (previously known as Breakthrough Act)
  
• The Comics' Pen Award
  
• The Comic Of The Year
  
• The Lifetime Achiever
  
• The Savanna Audience Choice Comic (the only category in which the public is able to vote)

Another change to this year's show is that everyone who attends the Savanna CCAs (both comedy industry and the public) is invited to an after party. The after-party is where the heels come off, the music gets loud and the dancing gets down and dirty.

Waldo - the statue awarded to the winning comedians - is getting a little nip and tuck too. It is his birthday after all.

The awards will again take the format of a hilarious variety show made up of sketches, stand-up, impressionists, celebrity performances, choreography and witty one-liners delivered by SA's top comedians. Key design changes will be introduced to amplify the 5th Birthday theme, and special technical elements are being developed to ensure that this year is the show's biggest and best yet. This year's dress code is 'colourful glam', so come dressed to impress.

The Savanna CCAs also celebrates the third year that Savanna has supported the awards show as title sponsor.

It all kicks off on Wednesday, 20 May, 2015, when voting opens for both comedians and the public. With seats for the best comedy event of the year being limited, the fun-loving public are urged to get their tickets soon. Tickets on sale at Computicket now.

Early-bird tickets are R250 for all seats until 1 July, thereafter all seats are R280. Ticket price includes access to the official Savanna Comics' Choice Awards after party.

Go to www.comicschoice.com to buy tickets, vote and for more information.