The Portland Sketch Comedy Festival
For the second straight year, the Siren Theater transforms into a sketch comedy mecca for three days, with performances from hilarious sketch acts from all over the country, as well as homegrown sketch genius right here in Portland. Each show is $12, but you can nab yourself an all show pass and get access to every last sketch for $85.
Jul 12-14, click here for a complete list of performers and showtimes


Christopher Titus
Not many comedians own the stage the way Christopher Titus does. He doesn't so much do stand-up as he does pace-and-prowl-and-leap-and-whisper-and-shout-and-stand-up, which results in provocative, piercing sets that leave a laceration or two between laughs.
Jul 1, 7pm & 9:15 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $25

The I, Anonymous Show
It’s time for another gut-busting edition of the craziest, most jaw-dropping comedy show in town, the I, Anonymous Show! Host Caitlin Weierhauser (voted Portland’s Funniest Person 2017) reads aloud some of the funniest, weirdest, and wildest I, Anonymous submissions from the popular Mercury column and blog, while a panel of laff-tastic comics provide plenty of witty commentary! This special Tuesday edition of the show will feature Katie Behrens, Jason Rouse, and Mercury Genius of Comedy Mohanad Elshieky which means you are practically guaranteed to have more laughs than you’ll know what to do with! WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Jul 3, 7:30 pm, Curious Comedy Theater, $10

Jamie Lee
Jamie Lee is best known for appearances on Girl Code, @Midnight, Chelsea Lately, and HBO's Crashing, but her stand-up is as good a place as any to be wowed by not just her punchlines but her presence.
Jul 5-7; Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm; Helium Comedy Club, $17-32

Lez Stand Up: Summer Love
You know that feeling you get when you come home, ditch your binding patriarchal garments for a loosely draped caftan, take a long sip from a goblet flowing with the tears of anti-abortion politicians, and decide over coven group text which powerful man to topple next, all while you watch Samantha Bee and slide into the 20 pillows you keep on your bed at all times? That’s what Lez Stand Up shows are like. Bless. MEGAN BURBANK
Jul 7, 8 pm, Siren Theater, $12-15

Steve Martin & Martin Short
After selling out the Schnitzer in 2016, the Martins are bringing their "An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life” tour back to Portland for an encore performance at the picturesque Edgefield Amphitheater. Steve Martin's bluegrass band the Steep Canyon Rangers and pianist/keyboardist Jeff Babko are along for the ride, so expect some musical moments to accompany all the laughs.
Jul 8, 6:30 pm, Edgefield, $89-225

Jay Larson
A weekend of stand-up with Massachusetts-raised, Los Angeles-based comedian Jay Larson. You might recognize Larson as a past Bridgetown Comedy Festival performer, from his podcast, The CrabFeast, or from his appearances on Conan, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and This American Life, where he won over Ira Glass with his crowd-pleasing "Wrong Number" story.
Jul 12-14; Thurs 8 pm; Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm; Helium Comedy Club, $16-24

Bill Burr
There's been a succession of comedians over the decades who have made their bones on taking the microphone and being a hilarious contrarian. The latest iconoclast to pick up that mantle is Boston's Bill Burr, who kills crowds whenever he plays, whether they want to be killed or not.
Jul 14, 7pm & 10 pm, Keller Auditorium, $45

Control Yourself: Reunion Edition
Last year, JoAnn Schinderle turned the lights out on Control Yourself, the brilliant stand-up showcase she hosted for years at the Alberta Street Pub. But for one night only, as a special summer gift to Portland comedy lovers, she's bringing it back at the Clinton Street Theater, with stand-up sets from Steph Tolev, Milan Patel, Simon Gibson, Shain Brendan, and Shrista Tyree.
Jul 15, 8 pm, Clinton Street Theater, $15

The Fruit Forward Comedy Show
A feminist stand-up showcase featuring sets from Sonia Ruiz, Erin Dougherty, Nat Jacobs, Sarah Barnard, Shannon Sales, Mel Heywood, and maybe a special guest (or two).
Jul 17, 7 pm, Crush

Portland's Funniest Person: Championship Round
Past winners of this contest have pretty much all promptly packed their shit, moved to Los Angeles or New York, and gotten steady work making people laugh a lot on a national stage. Tonight's final round will provide you with an excellent chance to see who from our comedy community is about to make that leap for themselves.
Jul 18, 8pm, Helium Comedy Club, $20

Arj Barker
Comedian and actor Arj Barker, best known as the bandana-clad Dave from Flight of the Concords, swings through Helium for a one-off Portland show before jetting off to Australia for an extensive tour.
Jul 22, 7:30 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $20

Bobby Lee
One of the many comedians who got their start thanks to the late Mitzi Shore's Comedy Store, Lee went on to a long run on MADtv, and appearances in Premium Blend and Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. He also once told a story about shitting his pants on Marc Maron's podcast that was pretty illuminating.
Jul 26-28; Thurs 8 pm; Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm; Helium Comedy Club, $21-26