For most of his life, comedian James “Murr” Murray came to Williamsburg with his family for fun, especially at Busch Gardens. This week Murray, star of the popular TV show “Impractical Jokers,” will be in Williamsburg to be funny.
He’s one headliner of the annual Ampersand International Arts Festival, which runs Monday through Sunday. The festival has more than 50 acts and includes film screenings, workshops on filmmaking, author talks and concerts, with several events featuring William & Mary alumni. Highlights include The Lone Bellow, an Indie-folk group, including W&M 2007 grad Kanene Donehey Pipkin. Rev. Run, the former member of the iconic hip-hop group Run DMC, will host a conversation on Saturday.
What started 18 years ago as a three-day event of international films now hosts a litany of programming, much of which is free. Events will take place around the city and on W&M’s campus.
Murray will cap Wednesday’s programs with “A Night of Laughs with James “Murr” Murray." He’ll tell jokes, share stories and have a question-and-answer period with the audience. During a phone interview, he explained that even though his show is in its 12th season, he can still get away with pranking strangers.
“We don’t look famous,” he said. “I look like a pharmacist.”
Last year, the festival drew 3,000 visitors and has become a homecoming for alumni working in arts and entertainment, a place to reconnect, network and showcase recent work.
Murr will be signing copies of his latest book, ”You Better Watch Out,” a serial killer thriller. He’ll also talk about his recent movie, based on his best-selling 2023 novel “Don’t Move,” which features Rob Riggle from “The Hangover” and rapper T-Pain.
Murray’s family is from Virginia, and he spent summers in Williamsburg. Relatives will also be at the show.
“It’s like a second home,” he said of the city. “I’ve spent more time in Williamsburg than in my own house.”
The Ampersand International Arts Festival in Williamsburg runs from March 17 to March 25. Tickets are available at ampersandfestival.com.
