The Eighth annual Bridgetown Comedy Festival is just around the corner. The festival has been touted as summer camp for comedians and is once again descending upon Portland with the fury of funny from May 7–10.
Bridgetown features a selection of almost 150 headlining, up-and-coming out-of-towners, and Portland’s finest comedians.
The lineup includes Jonathan Katz, Andy Kindler, Janeane Garafalo, Dana Gould, Michelle Buteau, Kyle Kinane, Beth Stelling, Arden Myrin, Kate Berlant, Steve Agee, Portland’s own prodigal son Ian Karmel, among many other noteworthy acts.
This year’s Bridgetown venues are concentrated in inner Southeast Portland: Doug Fir Lounge, Bossanova Ballroom, Revolution Hall, Norse Hall, Rotture, My Father’s Place, Bunk Bar and Boogie’s Burgers and Brew.
Starting from Thursday night, the shows don’t stop. With stacked lineups happening all over Southeast Portland, it can be overwhelming to decide which show to attend. Here’s a list of shows you really don’t want to miss:
Peace Out
Thursday, May 7, 10–11:30 p.m.
Bossanova Ballroom
Hosted by Laura House, an Austin-based comedian, writer and meditation teacher. “Peace Out” has a jam-packed lineup featuring Janeane Garofalo, Dana Gould, Neil Hamburger, Kira Soltanovich, Lizzy Cooperman, Matt Kirshen, Andy Wood, and Raj Sivaraman led through guided meditation by House.
New Negroes
Thursday, May 7, 9–10:30 p.m.
Doug Fir Lounge Kill Rock Stars Stage
and
Saturday, May 9, 9–10:30 p.m.
Rotture’s lower stage
Baron Vaughn returns this year to host the “New Negroes” show. Last year’s “New Negroes” shows were some of the most fun, raw, and entertaining nights of comedy at Bridgetown. You’ll have two chances to see this show with different line ups that are both worth seeing.
Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction
Friday, May 8, 11–11:59 p.m.
Bossanova Ballroom
This dirty and ridiculous Portland favorite features comedians creating dueling erotic fan fiction on the fly. Hosted by Bryan Cook, this show features Beth Stelling, Guy Branum, Patrick Keane, Ian Abramson, Bri Pruett, Caitlin Gill, T.J. Chambers and Paige Bowman. Stay late and get dirty, senpai.
Funny Over Everything
Saturday, May 9, 10–11:30 p.m.
Norse Hall’s Audible Stage
The original creators of Portland’s popular “Funny Over Everything” show are teaming back up to bring you a stellar lineup. Sean Jordan hosts Michelle Buteau, Kyle Kinane, Ian Karmel, Beth Stelling, Chad Daniels, Noah Gardenswartz and Shane Torres.
Heart of Darkness
Saturday, May 9, 11–11:59 p.m.
Rotture’s lower stage
“Heart of Darkness” is a psychedelic showcase created and hosted by New York comedian Greg Barris, who describes the show as a transformative act of immersive psychomagick. The Bridgetown installment is themed Sacred, Sacred, We Are One and will feature a person of noteworthy intelligence (also known as a Mind Warrior), live musicians, and comedians Brendon Small, Kate Berlant, Matt McCarthy and Caitlin Gill. Do yourself a favor and go to this show.
Keep Everywhere Weird
Sunday, May 10, 7:30–9 p.m.
My Father’s Place
This show features a mixture of comedians from Portland and beyond. Raj Sivaraman hosts a lineup that includes Chris Fairbanks, Laura House, Bri Pruett, Clare O’Kane, Jerron Horton, Noah Gardenswartz, Zak Toscani, Mac Blake and Veronica Heath. Don’t miss a chance to see a comedy show at My Father’s Place, because that seems weird enough on its own.
Birthday Bunk Bash
Sunday, May 10, 9-11 p.m.
Bunk Bar
Comedians have birthdays, too. Check out this Sunday night birthday show hosted by Sean Jordan, featuring Matt Braunger, Allen Strickland Williams, Matt Kirshen, Curtis Cook, Maggie Maye, Amy Miller, Jen Seaman, Shane Torres, and Dax Jordan. It runs long enough that you can hop over after getting weird at My Father’s Place.
Notable Podcasts
There are also live podcast tapings throughout the weekend. Wake up in the early afternoon and stumble over in your sunglasses and hoodie after staying out way too late at last night’s after party.
The K Ohle with Kurt Braunohler
Saturday, May 9, 2-5 p.m.
The K Ohle Bus
Braunohler is a ridiculous person and so is this Get Lost format podcast. He, along with Matt Braunger and Jonah Ray, is going to blindfold a bunch of people, put them on a bus, and make a three hour podcast out of it.
Probably Science Podcast
Sunday, May 10, 2–3:30 p.m.
Bossanova Ballroom
Hosted by Bridgetown producer Andy Wood and British charmer Matt Kirshen, This quasi-science show is sometimes informative and always entertaining. The Bridgetown installment features Sex at Dawn author Christopher Ryan.
The Dork Forest Podcast
Sunday, May 10, 3–4:30 p.m.
Doug Fir Lounge Kill Rock Stars Stage
Do you like all things dork-related? Gamers, readers, role-players, comic book fanatics, and all around dorks will love Jackie Kashian. This Armenian Wisconsinite is lovable, smart, and a total pro. Bridgetown’s Dork Forest will feature Karen Kilgariff, Guy Branum and Amber Preston.
Four-day passes for the festival are $99 and available at bridgetowncomedy.com.
