All Jane Comedy Festival
All Jane is your chance to scope some of the freshest, coolest voices in comedy right now: women comedians. This formerly controversialânow just fucking awesomeâfest brings in outstanding talent from all over. And because they put their focus on women in comedy, they always bring a few acts through Portland that Iâve never been able to see before, like All Jane headliner and super successful comedy pioneer Rita Rudner (sheâs generally raking in money in Vegas), Washington, DCâs hilariously irreverent Brittany Carney, LA-based Two Dykes and a Mic duo Rachel Scanlon and McKenzie Goodwin, and so many more! Seriously, the line-up this year is bonkers. Read our preview of the All Jane festival, and visit alljanecomedy.org for tickets, showtimes, and locations. (Wed-Sun, Oct 2-6, Curious Comedy Theater) SUZETTE SMITH
The Portland Comedy Festival
Harvey's hosts a 5-day comedy festival, with 17 shows featuring stand-up, improv, and podcasts spread across the main room and the lounge, along with a Saturday afternoon industry panel and Q&A. Featuring Tom Rhodes, Bruce Vilanch, Esther Ku, John Melendez, Felicia Michaels, Dante, Rebekah Kochan, Mark Brazill, Crystal Powell, Jessica Wellington, Eric Shantz, Nick Guerra, and more. Visit the event website for a complete line-up and ticketing info. (Tues-Sat Oct 1-5, Harvey's Comedy Club)
Relentless Splendor: A Stand-up Benefit for Keep Portland Well
Nathan Brannon heads up a mental health-themed installment of Relentless Splendor, with proceeds going to benefit Trillium Family Servicesâ âKeep Portland Wellâ campaign and their efforts to destigmatize mental and behavioral health. Rising local comedian Tory Ward rounds out the bill, with a âsilent auctionâ curated by Open Mic Gary Busey (Carson Creecy IV), a prize wheel sponsored by Trillium Family Services, stand-up bingo, a âLast Yearâs Halloween Costumeâ contest, and $1 unicorn rides. Hosted by Riley McCarthy. (Tues Oct 1, 8:30 pm, Suki's Bar & Grill, $5)
The I, Anonymous Show
Ah, I, Anonymous: That beloved part of the Mercury where mysterious, unknown heroes, jerks, and freaks say whatever profound, horrible, freakish shit they want. And oh, do they ever. But hereâs a secret: Itâs even better in live form at The I, Anonymous Show, where some of Portlandâs funniest comics react and reflect on some of the Mercury's particularly excellent anonymous offerings! This time around, itâs a special show to go along with the All Jane Comedy Festivalâboasting a lineup of Nariko Ott, Dan Weber, and JoAnn Schinderle. (Wed Oct 2, 7:30 pm, Curious Comedy Theater, $10) ERIK HENRIKSEN
Broke Gravy & Friends: Hallow's Eve Season
The Turnout is back, and kicking off the scary season at Alberta Street Pub with a specially-themed show from Broke Gravy & Friends, including The Way Witch giving tarot card readings that spawn all sorts of inventive improv adventures. (Thurs Oct 3, 7 pm, Alberta Street Pub, $12-15, all ages)
Heather McDonald
The writer and panelist on the now deceased E! network talk show Chelsea Lately, author of the New York Times bestselling book Youâll Never Blue Ball in this Town Again, and host of the twice-weekly pop culture podcast, "Juicy Scoop," returns to Helium for a full-slate of stand-up shows, along with a live podcast taping. (Oct 3-5, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $20-56)
Tree Huggers Comedy
Fresh off their artists-in-residence stay at Crater Lake National Park, Brad Einstein and Kyle Niemer bring a night of nature-inspired comedy to the Siren Theatre stage. Laugh along with them as they blend visuals and humor while reflecting on their time in Oregonâs greatest (and only) National Park, and enjoy additional stand-up sets from an array of acts from Chicago and New York, along with some local favorites. (Sat Oct 5, 8 pm, Siren Theater, $12-15)
Savages: A Prestige Stand-Up Showcase
Portland comedy scene staples Adam Pasi, Amanda Arnold, and Nariko Ott head up this brand-new comedy showcase every first Saturday at the Kickstand space. The line-up is a secret, but you can always count on some top local and national talent to swing through. (Sat Oct 5, 9 pm, Kickstand Comedy Space, $10, all ages)
Rita Rudner
The Broadway dancer-turned-legendary, hall-of-fame-level comedian (Do comedians have a hall-of-fame? Wouldn't they just make fun of it all the time?) takes a break from her long-running residency in Las Vegas and heads north to headline the 2019 installment of the All Jane Comedy Festival. (Sun Oct 6, 7;30 pm, Aladdin Theater, $30-35)
Scribble Showdown
Scribble Showdown brings acclaimed YouTube animators Odds1Out, JaidenAnimations, Rubber Ninja, and Domics to the Revolution Hall stage to compete in a live, head-to-head improv animation Game Show, hosted by Arin Hanson (Egoraptor). (Wed Oct 9, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $50)
Dear Diary: Teen Scream!
An improv show dedicated to taking all those things you put in your diary during your tween years, and loosing them upon the stage in the most hilarrible ways. This month's installment is headed up by writer, editor, podcaster, and one-time-horror-auteur, Sylvia Rodemeyer , with improv from Natalie Haddad (Show Ridiculous), Katie Kester (Show Ridiculous), Roland Mechanik (Cut and Run), Brianna NĂșñez-Webb (Cut and Run), Emilie Sites (Papa? Improv Comedy) and host Anne Zander (JUICEBOX). (Thurs Oct 10, 7:30 pm, Kickstand Comedy Space, $7-10)
Solomon Georgio
Look, Iâm just going to say it: Iâm sick of listening to white-straight-guy comedians tell jokes about Tinder and beards. That truly doesnât interest me. You know who does? Solomon Georgio, whose comedy isnât just inventiveâitâs smart, gregarious, and consistently great. Need a preview? Check out his political quips ânâ barbs on Twitter; theyâre some of the best things in that godforsaken cesspool. (Fri Oct 11, 8 pm, Polaris Hall, $15-18) MEGAN BURBANK
A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Play!
First, Bad Reputations production took the sweaty madness of Road House and made it a stage show full of throat rips, knife-boots, and flowing hair. They they put vampires on roller-skates and gave The Lost Boys new life. And now? After making Poltergeist new again, they've decided to take the '80s biggest, silliest boogeyman, and translate him to the stage in the way only Bad Reputations can do it. A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Play! promises to be an evening of clever ridiculousness as sharp as the knives on Freddy's fingers, starring Lori Ferraro, Shelley McLendon, Erin Jean O'Regan, Ted Douglass, Paul Glazier, Janet Scanlon, Marshall Bradley, and the Mercury's Wm. Steven Humphrey. (Oct 11-26, Every Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Siren Theater, $15-25)
Comedy, Candidates, Cocktails
Multnomah County Democrats harness the power of local laughter to help raise funds for their electoral efforts, featuring stand-up sets from Alex Falcone, Mohanad Elshieky, Corina Lucas, and Katie NguyenBecky Braunstein, Adam Pasi, Nariko Ott, and Shain Brenden. Hosted by state senator Shemia Fagan. (Sat Oct 12, 8 pm, North Portland Eagles Lodge, $25-35)
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. For the October installment, hosts Jason Lamb and Julia Ramos will bring you sets from Shane Thomas, Cerissa Hall, Chris Mejia, Eddie Su, and Lance Edward. (Sun Oct 13, 8 pm, Siren Theater, $12-15)
Amy Miller
Did you miss the last time Portland's own Amy Miller triumphantly returned home? Lucky you, there's a one-night-only opportunity to rectify that at Helium! (Wed Oct 16, 8 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $15-23)
Matt Braunger
If you've missed out on catching LA-based comedian and Bridgetown Comedy Festival co-founder Matt Braunger during his annual winter holiday visits, Helium is here with your chance to catch a set of his lovable, self-deprecating jokes and unrivaled storytelling right in the middle of October. (Oct 17-19, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $20)
An Evening of Improv Comedy to Benefit Rahab's Sisters
Some of Portland's finest improvisers come together to create unique, irreverent comedy right on the spot in an effort to raise money for Rahab's Sisters. Presented by Bridge City Improv, Comedy Really Cares, and Portland Center Stage. (Mon Oct 21, 7 pm, Portland Center Stage, $15)
Comedy Bang! Bang! Live!
The reliably hilarious Comedy Bang! Bang! is one of the longest-running podcasts for good reason. It features the intensely funny Scott Aukerman and some of the best guest improvisers in the world. So try not to miss this rare live taping of the program, with special guests and character drop-ins who will assuredly bust your gut (with laughter). (Wed Oct 23, 7 pm & 10 pm, Revolution Hall, $35-45)
Brent Weinbach, DJ Dougpound
With his amazing facial contortions, deadpan delivery, and confusing audience participation, Brent Weinbach's comedy is wonderfully absurd, and a welcome change of pace from the usual "LOL Portland, am I right?" jokes. (Wed Oct 23, 8 pm, Polaris Hall, $20-25)
Nick Kroll
The comedian, actor, and writer known for his hilarious arsenal of characters in Kroll Show and Big Mouth, along with his portrayal of Gil Faizon alongside John Mulaney's George St. Geegland on The Oh, Hello Show, brings the "Middle-Aged Boy" Tour to the Newmark stage for a pair of Portland performances. (Thurs Oct 24, 7 pm & 9:30 pm, Newmark Theatre, $29)
Middleditch & Schwartz
Get ready for an evening of wild-yet-intimate improv comedy with Jean Ralphio from Parks and Recreation and Richard Hendricks from Silicon Valleyâexcept they wonât be playing those characters because that was TV and this is real life. IRL, Ben Schwartz and Thomas Middleditch are maybe even funnier than their fictional counterparts! These two mumbly, bumbly comic geniuses share a hilarious history of playing off one another via longform improv and tender full-body spooning. (Tues Oct 29, 7 pm, Newmark Theatre, $49.50) SUZETTE SMITH
