Friday-Saturday. Anyone who remembers the heyday of the HBO-sponsored U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, which ran from 1985-2008 at Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House and other venues, knows that the ski town’s current comedy incarnation has a tough time competing with the names who attended its predecessor. And that’s why the Aspen Laff Festival, which concludes its fourth installment on Feb. 22, is so appealing: it’s not trying to be anything but itself — which is a small but power-packed event with national headliners Tom Papa, Orny Adams, Monica Piper, Denver’s own Josh Blue, Andy Hendrickson, Betsy Salkind and more. Shows are at 6:15, 7:15 and 9 p.m. Feb. 21 and 6:30, 7:30 and 9:15 p.m. Feb. 22. $12-$25 per show; $44.50 Friday pass and $48.50 Saturday pass; full festival pass for $97. 320 E. Hyman Ave. in Aspen. 866-449-0464 or .
