Muslim comedian Negin Farsad to perform Saturday at Hancher in Iowa City

Muslim comedians and Iranian-Americans are mutually exclusive terms for some people. Negin Farsad is both.

The witty standup, who was born in New Haven, Conn., and raised in Southern California, also is a writer/director and the author of 'How to Make White People Laugh.”

'Muslims aren't looking for war,” Farsad said by phone from her New York apartment. 'We want peace as much as anyone. Muslims are also funny.”

While coming of age during the '90s, Farsad, 42, wasn't into American comedians.

'Like a lot of comics my age, I wasn't listening to George Carlin or Richard Pryor albums,” Farsad said. 'I fell in love with comedy while watching MTV's ‘The State.' I loved sketch comedy.”

Farsad's love of standup emanated from her mother and aunts.

'These very funny women would sit around and tell stories and they were hilarious,” she said. 'That had such an impact on me.”

When she performs Saturday (2/22) at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City, it's not just about the jokes. After performing she will sign copies of her book, 'How to Make White People Laugh.” Her documentary, 'The Muslims are Coming!” will be shown at 2 p.m. in Hancher's Strauss Hall, followed by a Q&A session.

Get Out!

' What: Comedian Negin Farsad

' Where: Hancher Auditorium, 141 E. Park Rd., Iowa City

' When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday (2/22)

' Tickets: $20 to $40 adults, $10 to $36 college students, $10 to $20 youths; Hancher Box Office, (319) 335-1160, 1- (800) HANCHER or hancher.uiowa.edu/2019-20/NeginFarsad

' Artist's website: neginfarsad.com/

' Related event: 'The Muslims are Coming!” Screening of a documentary by Negin Farsad and Dean Obeidallah following a stand-up tour of Muslim-American comedians; 2 p.m. Saturday (2/22), Hancher's Strauss Hall, followed by talkback by Farsad; free admission