It's Gonna Be Okay

If you like Barbara Holm's Monday night showcase It's Gonna Be Okay, you'll super like the Bridgetown version, featuring Laurie Kilmartin, Rhea Butcher, and Guy Branum. And while there are plenty of feel-bad stand-ups out there, Aparna Nancherla, also on the bill, is the kind of comedian whose existence can make you feel so. much. better about the world, with smart humor that manages to transform the sad little Möbius strip of relentless thought that's all too familiar to overthinkers into a goofy, beautiful place.
w/Emma Willmann, Dan Telfer, Ella Gale; Portland Mercury Stage at Bossanova Ballroom, 722 E Burnside, Thurs June 2, 8 pm, $15


New Negroes

Every time I see a set from LA stand-up Baron Vaughn, he brings something completely new to it (this might have something to do with the fact that he's a classically trained actor as well as a comedian). You can't really go wrong with any of Vaughn's appearances, but this showcase, which he hosts and which highlights a strong lineup of African American stand-ups anchored by Portland's own Nathan Brannon, seems especially essential.
w/David Gborie, Tone Bell, Solomon Georgio, Yusef Roach, Mia Jackson, Richard Douglas Jones, Quincy Jones; Kill Rock Stars Stage at Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, Fri June 3, 9 pm, $20


Baked

Go to Baked unprepared, and you might think you walked into the wrong show. You didn't! It's just that Baked hosts Steve Agee and Brendon Small happen to be musicians as well as brilliant comedians. Their showcase follows suit, and it's a great opportunity to be amazed by stand-ups who can also play guitar solos backed by a bunch of pros.
Kill Rock Stars Stage at Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, Thurs June 2, 11 pm, $25 (w/Aparna Nancherla, James Urbaniak, John Roderick, Alice Wetterlund, Walter Ino, Peter Griffin) & Doug Fir, Fri June 3, 7 pm, $25 (w/Sara Schaefer, Jonah Ray, Julian McCullough, Eliza Skinner, Walter Ino, Peter Griffin)


Yo, Is This Racist?

Given that a human Cheeto who regularly confuses hate speech with foreign policy wants to be president of these United States, we should all be listening to Andrew Ti's podcast, Yo, Is This Racist? It's hilarious, educational, and sometimes just embarrassing—"What do dreadlocks really mean?" is not a question any adult person should be asking. If you have better questions, you can ask them at this live recording.
w/Rhea Butcher, Sam Jay, Curtis Cook; Kill Rock Stars Stage at Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, Sun June 5, 5 pm, $10


This is a mere sampling of the delights headed our way! For even more Bridgetown, follow our coverage throughout the festival at portlandmercury.com.

And check out a full listing of shows on our Bridgetown calendar!