The New York Comedy Festival just unleashed this year’s initial lineup and in addition to the usual big names (Judd Apatow, Billy Crystal, Norm McDonald, Patton Oswalt) who will be performing and doing Q&As, there’s a fun newcomer. Nathan Fielder, pride of Canada and instigator of the infamous “Dumb Starbucks” stunt, will be previewing an episode of his show Nathan For You.

Nathan’s Q&A at NYU Skirball Center doesn’t take place till November 11 (the festival runs from November 10 to 15, with tickets going on sale August 17), but here’s something to look forward to in the meantime: Fielder recently announced that the third season of his hidden-can show — in which he pitches himself as a marketing guru to real-life businesses and “helps” them by convincing them to, say, serve poo-flavored fro yo — hits Comedy Central (which helps put on the festival) October 15.

Among other things we’re looking forward to this year are Bill Maher at Madison Square Garden (expect him to have a thing or two to say about his archnemesis Donald Trump) and the always entertaining Sarah Silverman (and friends!) at BAM. East Village fixture John Leguizamo is also making an appearance at 92nd Street Y.

Here’s an overview of the initial schedule, with additions coming this fall.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

A CONVERSATION WITH PATTON OSWALT – 7:30PM – 92ND STREET Y

MARGARET CHO – THERE’S NO I IN TEAM BUT THERE’S A CHO IN PSYCHO – 8PM – TOWN HALL

 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12

NATHAN FIELDER – NATHAN FOR YOU – SNEAK PEAK AND Q & A – 7:30PM – NYU SKIRBALL CENTER

NORM MACDONALD – 7:30 PM – CAROLINES ON BROADWAY (PERFORMING THROUGH SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15)

A CONVERSATION WITH BILLY CRYSTAL AND DAVID STEINBERG – 8PM – TOWN HALL

KATHY GRIFFIN:  LIKE A BOSS – 8PM – CARNEGIE HALL

GABRIEL IGLESIAS PRESENTS: COMEDIANS OF STAND UP REVOLUTION – 8PM – BEACON THEATRE

KUMAIL NANJIANI – 10:00PM – NYU SKIRBALL CENTER 

 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

SARAH SILVERMAN AND FRIENDS – 8PM – BAM

ILIZA SHLESINGER – 8PM – NYU SKIRBALL CENTER

JOHN LEGUIZAMO IN CONVERSATION – 8PM – 92ND STREET Y

  

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

JUDD APATOW AND FRIENDS — 7PM – CARNEGIE HALL

TREVOR NOAH – 7PM – TOWN HALL

AN EVENING WITH BILL MAHER – 8PM – THE THEATRE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

BILL BURR: DOES ANYBODY REMEMBER LAUGHTER? — 8PM — MADISON SQUARE GARDEN