In this next edition of alternative ways to spend your National Day, a band of merrymakers are coming to town for a special Aug 9 jamboree. The Middle Eastern Comedy Jam is a two-hour show of jokes, gags and heartwarming stories, featuring a region-curated lineup of some of the most talented Middle Eastern comedians. For one night only, they’ll take over the Shine Auditorium along Beach Road to try and break your funny bone.

The lineup may be lean, but comprises multi-hyphenates with beefy resumes. Egyptian-American actor, comedian, producer and director Ahmed Ahmed leads the pack as the night’s host, backed by his experience in cult hits like Don’t Mess With The Zohan and TBS comedy Sullivan & Son. Then there’s actress-host Crystal Marie (Jane The Virgin, Real Husbands of Hollywood) from Iraq; Afghanistan actor-comedian-writer Feraz Ozel (2 Broke Girls, The Doctors); Lebanese-American stand-up comedian Sammy Obeid (America’s Got Talent, Conan); and stand-up comedian Omid Singh from Iran—who, surprise surprise, played a terrorist in Argo.

If it seems like an awkwardly specific show, dial back your apprehension. Brought in by LOL Events Singapore, the Middle Eastern Comedy Jam has only one intention: To shatter stereotypes about the Middle East and its people, and show the world that like everyone else, Middle Easterners just love to laugh. After all, barriers (physical or mental) mean nothing when it comes to sharing in the warmth of a stupidly good gag.

Middle Eastern Comedy Jam happens Aug 9 at Shine Auditorium, 100 Beach Road. Tickets are available from $98 here.