3rd Annual NW Black Comedy Festival
The NW Black Comedy Festival is back once again, settled into their home at Portland Black History landmark the Billy Webb Elks Lodge, and the 2019 lineup is a treasure trove of stand-up, storytelling, and podcasting talent, with guests including Curtis Cook, The Broken Glass podcast, Tone Hixx, Chaz Carter, Mark Caesar, Debbie Wooten Williams, the Blackonteurs, and more. Click here for a full list of performers and showtimes. (Feb 15-17, Fri & Sun 6 pm, Sat 7 pm, Billy Webb Elks Lodge, $15-250)
Hollywood Handbook
The popular Hollywood insider podcast headed up by comedian/writer duo Hayes Davenport and Sean Clements makes its way to the Alberta Rose Theatre for the Portland stop on the "Boys Gone Bad" Pacific Northwest Tour. (Fri Feb 1, 8 pm, Alberta Rose Theatre, $25-28)
The I, Anonymous Show
Portland Mercuryâs own âI, Anonymousâ column is a dumping ground for the weirdest and rants and confessions in town, and in the I, Anonymous Show, host Kate Murphy reads some of the most absurd and hysterical submissions. Murphy will be joined by panelists Corina Lucas, Mohanad Elshieky (both former Mercury âGeniuses of Comedyâ), and Dan Weber. (Wed Feb 6, 7:30 pm, Curious Comedy Theater $10) BLAIR STENVICK
Jenny Johnson
The Los Angeles-via-Houston comedian, writer, and former TV news producer known for her wildly popular Twitter account and her appearances on Drunk History brings her stand-up to the stage at Helium for a one-off Portland show. (Wed Feb 6, 8 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $15)
The Sklar Brothers
Randy and Jason Sklar have been doing this comedy thing for decades now, getting their start on MTV before MTV became a suckhole of vapidity, and transitioning to a variety of film and TV roles, most recently including roles on TruTV's Those Who Can't and leading the iTunes charts with their podcast Sklarbro Country. (Feb 7-9, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $17-34)
The Squirts' Post-Groundhog Day Dairy Drive Extrava-Bonanza
The Squirts are not playing when it comes to throwing a goddamn show. Extrava-Bonanza's don't just appear out of thin air. You've gotta put in time and effort to secure local talent like Liberace (as played by David Saffert) Plastic Weather (as played by themselves) and improv all-stars including Katie Nguyen, Leon Anderson, Jed Arkley, Janet Scanlon, and Beau Brusseau. Reap the mighty rewards the Squirts have secured, why don't you? (Thurs Feb 7, 7:30 pm, Eagles Lodge, $12-20)
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Vital Life presents a night of comedy designed to bring laughter to seniors and families living with Alzheimerâs, featuring stand-up by comedians Betsy Kauffman, Joanie Quinn, and Alex Falcone. (Fri Feb 8, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $18-28)
The Aces: State Fair
Itâs the middle of winter so please put some laughter on your faces with the latest from legendary sketch comedy duo the Aces. Shelley McLendon and Michael Fetters slip into so many different characters (swingers in peacock chairs, distracted show dogs in slow motionâthe list is ever-evolving) that itâs impossible to know what to expect. For State Fair weâve been promised 4H, barfy rides, and âa chance to see the worldâs largest buffalo.â (Fri-Sat 8 pm, Siren Theater, $14-24, through Feb 23) SUZETTE SMITH
Russell Peters
The internationally-beloved stand-up returns to Portland with his latest blockbuster world tour, "Deported," featuring all new material and of course, his unscripted stuff when he gets into it with the audience. (Fri Feb 8, 8 pm, Keller Auditorium, $50-100)
Guys We F#@$!D
The Sorry About Last Night comedy duo of Corinne Fisher and Krystyna Hutchinson bring their anti-slut-shaming podcast to Revolution Hall as part of the 2019 Listen Up Podcast Festival. (Thurs Feb 14, 7 pm, Revolution Hall, $25)
Taylor Tomlinson
The Los Angeles-based comedian and co-host of the "Self-Helpless" podcast brings her easy-going wit and self-deprecating charm to the Helium stage for a full weekend of shows, including a pair of special Valentine's Day performances. (Thurs-Sat Feb 14-16, 7:30 & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $22-33)
Maz Jobrani
Iran-born comedian and actor Maz Jobrani made a name for himself on the "Axis of Evil" comedy tour. Tonight he returns to the Aladdin Theater stage for the Portland stop on "The Still Touring Tour." (Fri Feb 15, 8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $40-100)
The Skivvies: 2 Heart 2 Handle
For lovers of comedy, and music, and music that has comedy in it so you can sing and laugh at the same time: The Skivvies! Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina are coming to Portland for three nights, and each night brings another special guest to join in the frivolity, including Megan Amram, Merideth Kaye Clark, and Trystan Angel Reese. (Feb 16-18, Sat 10 pm, Sun-Mon 8 pm, Ellyn Bye Studio at the Armory, $35)
Doughboys
UCB alumni Mike Mitchell (The Birthday Boys) and Nick Wiger (Comedy Bang Bang) bring their popular chain restaurant review podcast to the Revolution Hall stage as part of the 2019 Listen Up Podcast Festival. (Sat Feb 16, 7 pm, Revolution Hall, $25)
Las Culturistas
Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang bring their acclaimed weekly podcast through Mississippi Studios, giving 30 comedians the chance to shout any pop culture grievances they might have in the form of a one-minute rant. (Tues Feb 19, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $20-25)
Haters Roast: The Shady Tour
Stars from RuPaul's Drag Race hit the Revolution Hall stage for a night of cutting zingers and quips aimed at politics, love, social media, and even one another. Featuring performances by Willam, Latrice Royale, Vanjie, Monet X Change, and Jinkx Monsoon. Hosted by Ginger Minj. (Tues Feb 19, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $35-150)
Gabe Dinger
Portland-hailing/Los Angeles-based comedian Gabe Dinger returns to his hometown for a one-off show at his old Helium stomping grounds. Always-excellent locals Katie Nguyen and Adam Pasi round out the bill. (Wed Feb 20, 8 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $10)
Rory Scovel
Rory Scovel's 2017 Netflix special Tries Stand-Up for the First Time established the South Carolina-hailing comedian as one of the funniest comedians working today. If you haven't seen it, look it up, and then buy tickets to this show. Or maybe just buy the tickets now because it's probably going to sell out. (Wed Feb 20, 7:30 pm, Mississippi Studios, $22-25)
Minority Retort
Hell yes, itâs Minority Retort, the cityâs premiere comedy night showcasing comedians of color. This monthâs headliner is Marcella Arguello, whose recent credits include @Midnight, Comedy Knockout and our own Bridgetown Comedy Festival. Minority Retort is hosted by Jason Lamb, Julia Ramos and Neeraj Srinivasan. Pedro Andrade, Adam Pasi, and Lydia Popovich will support. (Thurs Feb 21, 8 pm, Siren Theater, $15) SUZETTE SMITH
Joel McHale
The comedian and actor best known for hosting The Soup and portraying Jeff Winger on the beloved sitcom Community brings his stand-up through town for a run of shows at Helium. (Feb 22-23, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $27-40)
Shane Torres
When former Portlander Shane Torres takes a break from his quasi-glamorous life in New York to come back to town for a comedy set, you should absolutely go. Heâs a goofy, tragicomic, self-effacing performer and one of the few comedians Iâve seen who can make me laugh about the depressing concept of emotional debt. (Thurs Feb 28, 8 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $17-32) MEGAN BURBANK
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
