Shoppers of live laughs are heading back to Philly: Variety Pack Vol. 3 returns July 9–13 at The Drake with five days of alt comedy, experimental theatre and community-minded events , from a polyamorous dating show to a practical fundraising workshop, perfect for anyone craving real-time, phone-free fun.

Essential Takeaways

  • When and where: Variety Pack Vol. 3 runs July 9–13 at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St., Philadelphia , five nights of ticketed shows and workshops.
  • What to expect: A mix of alt comedy, theatre-adjacent performances and interactive pieces, including a live polyamory dating show and a fundraising workshop.
  • Vibe: Intimate, experimental and communal , shows are designed to be live, messy and laughter-forward, with a theatre-meets-comedy energy.
  • Practical: Some events expand to the Drake’s larger proscenium for one-off shows; organisers encourage leaving phones behind for a true live experience.
  • Accessible take: You don’t need to be queer or poly to enjoy the festival; it’s built to be welcoming and curious.

Why Variety Pack feels like the antidote to doomscrolling

The festival’s co-producer Chaz T. Martin says the whole point is the thrill of a live encounter , the kind of shared breathing room your phone can’t compete with. That feeling of immediate surprise and shared laughter is front and centre, and it shows in programming that blends theatre’s risk-taking with stand-up’s punchlines. Expect the atmosphere to feel a little raw and a little warm, like a secret club night that’s also a performance lab. If you’ve been feeling “brain sick” from feeds and algorithms, this is pitched as a gentle detox.

How the festival grew out of local theatre and found its own beat

Variety Pack began as an idea to give alt comedy space in Philly after venues like Good Good Comedy Theatre shut down during the pandemic. Martin first pitched it while working with InterAct Theatre Company, and though the festival outgrew that fit, InterAct allowed them to keep producing it independently. R. Eric Thomas later signed on as co-producer to help expand the lineup, and the festival has now become a recurring, artist-driven fixture , small-scale, experimental and proudly Philly.

Standout shows: polyamory on stage and fundraising that actually helps artists

Two festival highlights show the range. “poly poly oxen free” is a live polyamory dating show produced by Rose Oser, mixing partner pitches and playful challenges with a sincere aim to normalise poly relationships. It’s goofy, sweet and intentionally low-stakes , a reminder that performance can be both entertaining and humanising. On the other end, Maura Kirk’s “You’re Fundraising Wrong” workshop is a practical session aimed at artists who need to learn the nuts and bolts of raising money, not just hope for luck. That duality , frivolity and useful skill-building , is the festival’s charm.

Who it’s for and how to pick what to see

Variety Pack is clearly queer-forward but not exclusionary; organisers say you don’t have to be queer or poly to enjoy the shows. If you like improv-adjacent experiments, pick performances in the black-box theatre for intimate surprises. If you want a more produced night, look for the “Variety Pack Presents” one-off shows in the proscenium. For workshops, arrive ready to take notes and ask questions , these sessions are practical and meant to be applied.

Tickets, logistics and festival etiquette

Shows are ticketed individually, and you can find details on The Drake’s events page. Seating is intimate, so arrive early if you want the best view, and expect a community-minded crowd who’ll appreciate phone-free engagement. If you’re bringing friends, check age recommendations for specific shows , some pieces may be more adult in theme. Finally, consider sliding into a fundraising workshop; even a small boost in skills can make a major difference for a local artist.

It's a small change that can make a summer of live art feel more present and a lot funnier.

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