Happy Hole-adays!
Dan Savage brings his smash hit advice podcast back to Portland for another holiday Hole-aday spectacular, with a live Q&A, and segments including Santa's Pain-Deer, A Gay in a Manger, and special musical and comedy guests.
Dec 21, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $35
Desi Comedy Fest: Portland Edition
The annual San Francisco comedy event hits the road for a nationwide tour, and the Portland stop includes stand-up sets from some of the comedy scene's best Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan performers, including Neeraj Srinivasan, Mohanad Elshieky, Samson Koletkar, Richard Sarvate, Mona Shaikh, and more.
Dec 1, 9:30 pm, Curious Comedy Theater, $25
Joe Mande
Comedian and writer Joe Mande made a name for himself trolling celebrities and corporations on Twitter, but now that he’s denounced the platform, you’ll need to seek out his sharp tongue and relatable wit through other channels. His Netflix debut, Joe Mande’s Award-Winning Comedy Special, is a great place to start, as is his work on the brilliant NBC fantasy sitcom The Good Place, but why not get acquainted in person this weekend when he swings through Helium for a full slate of shows. CHIPP TERWILLIGER
Dec 1-2, 7:30 pm, 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $22-33
Nacho Gold
If it seems weird for a Christmas season to roll around and there isn't quality sketch comedy playing at the Miracle, you're not the only one who feels that way. So do the minds behind local legends The 3rd Floor, which is why the group's alumni have reformed into a new nacho-flavored troupe, with a program full of all-new sketches.
Dec 1-16, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Miracle Theatre, $17-20
Comedy Prom
The time has come for a king and queen of Portland's comedy community to be crowned by a (mean, vindictive, hilarious) jury of its peers, as Elizabeth Teets hosts this game show intended to pit stand-ups against one another in an effort to reveal their vanities and vulnerabilities. Contestants include Kate Murphy, Becky Braunstein, Chris Ettrick, Jason Traeger, Amanda Lynn Deal, and Manuel Hall.
Dec 5, 8 pm, Kelly's Olympian, $10
LAFFgasm: A Feminist Killjoy Production
An evening of jokes from the graduating class of Fuckyeah Fierce Feminist Comedy school, with performances from Sonia Ruiz, Kayla Tabb, Alajandra Ruiz, Erin Dougherty, Samhita Reddy, and many more.
Dec 7, 7:30 pm, Siren Theater, $10
Chris Hardwick
The man who hosts the world. He's leveraged a podcasting empire with Nerdist Industries and transformed it into a career hosting shows like The Talking Dead, Talking Bad, Talking Saul and his own dearly departed panel discussion show, @Midnight. He's also a really fucking good bowler. Like, really good.
Dec 7-9, Thurs 7:15 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $35
The Siren Theater's BRAND NEW Best Christmas Ever
Somebody has to say it: Holiday spectaculars are reliably unspectacular. But not when they star the gut-busting geniuses at the Siren Theater. That’s right! Charming goofballs Jed Arkley, Janet Scanlon, and my boss, Wm. Steven Humphrey (to name just a few!) are back with an all-new sketch comedy holiday treat. Turn off Netflix’s Yule Log and get out there! MEGAN BURBANK
Dec 8, 8 pm, Siren Theater, $10-18
Fake Radio Presents: It's a Wonderful Life
Legendary Canadian actor and comedian Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall) and the Los Angeles-based Fake Radio troupe stage a live-radio-show style production of the beloved holiday classic. Portland's own The Libertine Belles provide some musical accompaniment.
Dec 11-12, 7:30 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $15-25
Hari Kondabolu
Hari Kondabolu's sociopolitical stand-up will make you smarter, THROUGH LAUGHTER. The former immigrant-rights activist delivers whip-smart jokes with a light touch. From his latest Kill Rock Stars release, Mainstream American Comic, to his feminist dick jokes, he's not afraid to call people on their shit. Comedy could use like 4,000 more Hari Kondabolus—let's encourage this! MEGAN BURBANK
Dec 13, 7 pm, 9:30 pm, Aladdin Theater, $20-25
Andy Kindler
An evening of stand-up with a veteran comedian who was responsible for some of Bridgetown 2017's biggest laughs. Based in Los Angeles and raised in New York, Andy Kindler is a quintessential comedian's comedian, known for openly airing his grievances within the world of entertainment. You might also recognize from his recurring role on Everybody Loves Raymond, his numerous Late Show with David Letterman appearances, and from his voice work on Dr. Katz, Home Movies, and Bob's Burgers.
Dec 13, 7:30 pm, Mississippi Studios, $13-15
Sheetlejuice
Ru Paul’s Drag Race season six winner Bianca Del Rio and writer/director Peaches Christ present their drag stage show parody of Beetlejuice live at the Aladdin Theater.
Dec 14, 7 pm, Aladdin Theater, $40-120
The Geek Girls Holiday Show
Singer/songwriter/comedian/wonderful person Lucia Fasano hosts this all-night sleigh ride of entertainment that includes poetry, jokes, music, and games from Fasano, Sophya Vidal, the PDX Broadsides, and Pitch, Please!'s Carolyn Main.
Dec 16, 7 pm, Books With Pictures, $5-8
Ian Karmel
Look. If you’ve lived in Portland for any length of time (or have read his column in the back of this very paper), you already know that hometown-boy-made-good Ian Karmel is one funny mothereffer. What you may not know is that he’s also very thoughtful, incredibly SMART, and—even though he lives in LA now—loves Portland more than life itself. So don’t miss this rare, all-new set from Ian. WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Dec 22, 9 pm, Revolution Hall, $22
Matt Braunger
LA-based comedian and Bridgetown Comedy Festival co-founder Matt Braunger cut his teeth in the Chicago stand-up scene with the likes of T.J. Miller and Kyle Kinane, but he’s still a Portlander at heart. This week the affable comedian returns to his hometown to spend holidays with his family, and afterwards he'll head to Helium to treat audiences to a full weekend of his lovable, self-deprecating jokes and unrivaled storytelling. CHIPP TERWILLIGER
Dec 29-31, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm , 10 pm; Sun 8 pm, 10:30 pm; Helium Comedy Club, $23-64
Don't forget to check out our Things to Do Calendar for even more things to do!
