Ron Funches
Since leaving Portland for Los Angeles in 2012, itâs been impossible not to root for Ron Funches as he navigates his way through the world of show business. Armed with a huge smile and a warmth that could melt even the most jaded of audiences, Funches used his role as a cast member in Kroll Show, along with an array of @midnight and Conan appearances, to establish himself as a force on the national scale just as easily as he rose through the ranks here in town. Catch up with the hometown hero tonight when the "Merriment Marauder" Tour stops off at Revolution Hall. (Sat Aug 24, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $25-30)
Marc Maron
After a one-man show detailing life after divorce, and a stint on liberal morning talk-radio, Maron found success picking the brains of comics, actors, writers, and musicians on WTF, plumbing the depths of dysfunction, neurosis, self-loathing, and neediness; the wellspring from whence his sharp, ragged comedy geysers forth. Catch up with the comedian and actor tonight when the "Hey, Thereâs More" Tour hits Revolution Hall. (Fri-Sat Aug 9-10, 7:30 pm, Revolution Hall, $35-45)
Michelle Wolf
After selling out a pair of headlining shows at Revolution Hall last year, the hilarious and influential comedian who made a name for herself at the 2018 White House Correspondents Dinner and via her debut hour-long special Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady finds enough time to return to Portland and deliver a full slate of performances at Helium. (Aug 1-3, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $30-40)
Flaming Blouse Factory
Kickstand throws its wig into the ring with a new comedic drag night, hosted by Clare Apparently, with stand-up and sketch performances squeezing in oh-so-snugly next to some of Portland's finest burlesque artists. (Sat Aug 3, 9 pm, Kickstand Comedy Space, $10)
The I, Anonymous Show
Look, we have no delusions of grandeurâwe know that 90 percent of the reason you pick up the Mercury is to read I, Anonymous, in which anonymous readers share their deepest and funniest and grossest and sexiest seeeeecrets! (Okay, the sexiest ones are pretty rare, but still.) Thatâs why we also present one of the best live shows in Portlandâthe I, Anonymous Show, featuring the funniest people in town, who readâand judgeâthe best I, Anonymous entries! This time around, host Kate Murphy will be joined by the hilarious Philip Schallberger, Jordan Casner, and Alayna Becker! Get ready for a whole lot of laughs and a whole lot of seeeeecrets. (Wed Aug 7, 7:30 pm, Curious Comedy Theater, $10) ERIK HENRIKSEN
The Stumptown Improv Festival
The sixth installment of Portland's homegrown celebration improv comedy hits the Curious Comedy Theater, bringing you four full days of off-the-cuff hilarity from an array of out-of-towners and local heavy hitters. Gracing the stage this year are White Women (LA), Dark Side of the Room (ATL), Coko & Daphney (The North), Switchboard (LA), Fistful of Kicks (The North), The Amie and Kristen Show (PHI/PDX), The Future (PHI), redDoor (LA), along with Portland's own Pillow Talk, Kickstand, and Broad Selection. Admission to a single show will cost you $15, while a three-show pass goes for $40. Festival passes can be purchased for $100. Visit https://www.stumptownimprov.com for tickets and showtimes. (Thurs-Sun, Aug 8-11, Curious Comedy Theater, $15-120)
Fortune Feimster
Fortune Feimster's sharp, hilarious comedy has earned her specials on Netflix and Comedy Central, and you've also likely seen her on Drunk History and The Mindy Project, or been amazed by her horrifyingly accurate Sarah Huckabee Sanders impression on Chelsea Lately. Catch up with the comedian this weekend when she returns to Portland for a two-night stand at Helium. (Fri-Sat Aug 9-10, 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $25-28)
Everything is Terrible
Everything is Terrible has birthed a mutant conglomeration of brilliant, lo-fi ridiculousness that takes the nostalgic and the new and shakes them until the fizzy concoction explodes like a can of Jolt Cola. Catch up with the video and performance collective tonight when their West Coast tour swings through Revolution Hall. (Mon Aug 12, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $20-25, all ages)
Brendan Schaub
Helium hosts a weekend of shows with former UFC heavyweight Brendan "Big Brown" Schaub, co-host of The Fighter & The Kid podcast along with comedian Bryan Callen, and a fledgling stand-up in his own right. (Aug 15-17, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $25-50)
Revolution Comedy
Chris Johnson hosts the latest installment of Revolution Comedy at the Kickstand Comedy Space, with Portland comedians Kate Murphy, Calaix Alexander, Brandon Lyons, and Adam Pasi providing the laughs, and proceeds benefitting the Black United Fund of Oregon. (Thurs Aug 15, 7:30 pm, Kickstand Comedy Space, $10)
Minority Retort
As long as Minority Retort continues to produce one of the best stand-up showcases in the city, youâre going to keep reading about it here. This time, a one-night-only return to co-hosting from Neeraj Srinivasan includes sets from Meanroth Ny, Grace Sadie Cejas, Chris Mejia, and Anthony Robinson. Hosted by Jason Lamb and Julia Ramos. (Sat Aug 17, 8 pm, Siren Theater, $12-15)
Jubal Flagg
The comedian, radio host, and television personality known for co-hosting the nationally syndicated radio show âBrooke & Jubal in the Morning" returns to Portland to head up a weekend of shows at Helium. (Aug 22-24, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $17-33)
Talkin' Dirty with Shrista & AJ
Get ready for the funniest, sexiest show in town, Talkinâ Dirty with Shrista & AJ! Hosted by hilarious comedian Shrista Tyree and sex educator/performer Amory Jane, this show will feature gut-busting comedy paired with a live sex ed demo. Tonight's guests are comedian Dylan Carlino and Sex Educator Gretchen Leigh, who will be speaking on the Fine Art of Deep Throating! There will also be lots of conversation, games, and surprises galore! Donât miss this wild and funny evening filled with laughs and sex! (Thurs Aug 22, 8 pm, Siren Theater, $15) WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Napoleon Dynamite Live: A Conversation with Jon Heder
In conjunction with the film's 15th anniversary, the Aladdin Theater hosts a special screening of Napoleon Dynamite, followed by a lively demonstration of Rex Kwon Do by world-famous martial artist Rex and his life-partner, the beautiful Starla, forget about it, moderated discussion with star Jon Heder. GOSH! (Fri Aug 23, 7:30 pm, Aladdin Theater, $25 & Up)
The Black Version
The renowned improv show that got its start at the Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles hits Portland for a two-night stand at the Siren Theater. You give them a movie title, and in turn, they give you "The Black Version" of that movie on the spot. Featuring Cedric Yarbourough (Reno 911, Speechless), Jordan Black (Key & Peele, Southpark, Jimmy Kimmel), Nyima Funk (Key & Peele, Why? with Hannibal Burress), Gary Anthony Williams (Harold and Kumar go to White Castle, Malcolm in the Middle), and Danielle Gaither (Mad TV, The ReRun Show). Directed by Karen Muryama. (Fri-Sat Aug 23-24, 8 pm, Siren Theater, $18-25)
Caitlin Gill
Having turned heads at Bridgetown Comedy Festival, Pickathon, and on the Viceland show "Flophouse," Los Angeles-based comedian and writer Caitlin Gill brings her one-of-a-kind stand-up back to town for a headlining show at Helium. (Wed Aug 28, 8 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $15-23)
Sinbad
A full weekend of stand-up with the veteran comedian and actor who got his start on Star Search before becoming a household name for his starring roles in Houseguest, First Kid, and Jingle All the Way. (But not Shazaam. Because that's not a movie. So he was never in it. There's a whole story about it. Your memory likes to fuck with you. He'll probably talk about it in the show.) (Aug 30-Sept 1, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Sun 7 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $35)
Jak Knight, Zack Fox
Los Angeles-based comedian and writer Jak Knight is a past Bridgetown Comedy Festival performer who you may recognize from his appearances on Comedy Centralâs The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, @Midnight, and Adam Devineâs House Party. Tonight he returns to Portland to split a co-headline bill at Mississippi Studios with Atlanta-raised comedian, illustrator, MC, and frequent Awful Records collaborator, Zack Fox. (Fri Aug 30, 8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $20-25)
Stavros Halkias
Comin' straight outta CUM TOWN is Stavros Halkias, legend to AVClub.com commenters and learned man of wealth and taste, serving up two shows worth of quality comedy for Portland listeners. (Fri Aug 30, 7 pm & 10 pm, Bunk Bar, $20)
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
