Monday nights at the Boiler Room have always kicked the shit out of Suki's anyway, it'll be good to see that place off the comedy circuit.

Comedy Is OK, it an AMAZING Comedy Showcase.

Suiki's is kind of grim. Curious Comedy Club has a great mic every other Sunday at 9pm -- on MLK just south of Killingsworth. Comedy is OK rocks, too.

Hi, I'm Dax Jordan. When I'm not on the road performing standup, I run the show at Suki's. Thanks for highlighting a fun open mic that people seem to either love or hate. That's how I like it. Better that than apathy. Just to clarify, we average 30-35 comics per night, about double your estimate. That's why the Helium mic will help us out. Theirs will start at 8 and only allow for 20 spots, allowing the earlier comics to head over to Suki's for another set. The mic at Helium will be more 'showcase', as I can assure you, no one wants to bomb at the hot club. The true birthplace of new material will still be the bars, Boiler, Tabor, Sukis.
Thanks for the great story!

Just so that I'm clear....are you really comparing an open mic at a bar to a professional Comedy Club? Open Mic's are not comedy clubs, nor do most comics want them to be. One of the reasons that so many love the Sukis open mic is because it's a great mic for a new comic to get over their fear of bombing. Also, way to slam a loved dive bar for not being a comedy club. In your defense, it doesn't sound like you know the difference. I am very excited about the opening of Helium, but I also love the open mic's. Lastly, there's nothing wrong with having a boner for alt comedy...I do, too. However, your hugely one-sided article about your likes and dislikes informed me of only that.

Maria Bamford performed a long set when she, Todd Barry and Jon Benjamin came to the Aladdin awhile back. She was the best, most focused of the three, by far.

Ironically, both Comedy is OK and Dax Jordan (the guy who runs Suki's) are appearing at the new Helium Comedy Club. Dax is the feature act this openinig weekend, and Comedy Is OK will be held at Helium next Wednesday Aug. 4th.

Andrew you did it again, another great read, and not because you kindly mentioned me. It so nice to see comedy in Portland go to main stream media. Comedy has been Portland's dirty little secret but not any more.

LB

Seriously, Lonnie? He is ripping a BAR to shreds for not being a COMEDY CLUB...And This article is supposed to be about Helium, right? He BARELY talks about the new club. This whole article is about what he likes personally, and his opinions that he writing as fact. You're smarter than that, Lon. P.S., We still have a date at Suki's tomorrow, right?

Also, I hear what you're saying about shining a light on Portland Comedy...but does he have to be such an pompous asshole while attempting to do so? I liked the WW article about Helium a lot better....because it's ABOUT Helium.

Also, M & A - Comedy is OK is awesome...we. get. it.

Better than the article (though it was a solid article) was the Mercury's willingness to make it the cover story. The Mercury also did a lot of good coverage of the Bridgetown Comedy Festival, another key piece of the maturation of Portland's comedy scene.

I checked out opening night at Helium last night. Dax did a solid set, Auggie Smith was on his game, and the venue (layout, design and location) shows a lot of promise. Looking forward to seeing the scene here grow.

And still hoping to catch Suki's on open mic night...

Great article, and clearly written by a true diehard comedy fan. I have already heard good things about Helium from my fellow comics. My name's Ed Morris. I just started doing time at the mics again after a long absence.

Fellow comic Josh Lay and myself now run another new venue, THE RILLY BIG SHEW, at the Blue Monk on 3340 SE Belmont. The general bills will be five or six well-known local comics. The next one is Friday, August 27th.

We are booked out for three more and signing up comics rapidly. Serious inquiries from comics to: dante3000@gmail.com . There will be an Amateur Night soon...

Great article. I have already heard good things about Helium from my fellow comics. My name's Ed Morris. I just started doing time at the mics again after a long absence.

Fellow comic Josh Lay and myself now run another new venue, THE RILLY BIG SHEW, at the Blue Monk on 3340 SE Belmont. The general bills will be five or six well-known local comics. The next one is Friday, August 27th. Doors at nine, 5 comics $5. 21 with ID.

We are booked out for three more and signing up comics rapidly. Serious inquiries from comics to: dante3000@gmail.com . There will be an Amateur Night soon...

Just to clarify - I was being playful with my Comedy is OK comment, it is a great show, and I do recommend checking it and any other comedy showcase out.

Good story!What the best comedians offer, however, is something more than just their written material. I am focus on you. http://www.watcheslux.com.