Local comedian Nadanja Bailey is off to Atlanta to take part in the comedy arts festival Laffapalooza.

The comedian, who last year won the Fashion Rock Comedy Competition, in Orlando, Florida, says he heard about the festival, which starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday, through another comedian.

The Laffapalooza festival includes workshops, seminars and writing mentoring in addition to a variety of comedic performances.

?The way it works is that it is open to all comics,? said Mr. Bailey.

Laffapalooza, which is in its ninth year this year, is hosted by actor Jamie Foxx and a number of well known comedians are expected to participate.

?You send in your demo and pay a little fee,? said Mr. Bailey. ?If accepted to perform you get your fee back in full once you arrive at the venue.

?If not selected to perform you will lose your fee, but you will be able to attend and network with other comedians.

?Once selected you will appear on BET?s Comedy Central and hopefully keep on the up and up.?

Mr. Bailey told he also took part in the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition, which was held in Oakland, California this year.

?I made it to the semi-finals with a standing ovation,? he said.

He added excitedly: ?Now I?m ready to go off to Atlanta, to do what I do, at Jamie Foxx?s Laffapalooza, at the Four Seasons Hotel, in downtown Atlanta.?

He hopes he is seeing the beginning of a career trend. ?I?m happy and blessed because every time I send my demo overseas I always get accepted to go and perform,? he said.

?I haven?t reached where I want to be thus far, but I know that it is coming and I?ll be ready for that golden opportunity and make the best of it.?