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Al's Den Comedy Night
A laste night weekend showcase of comics, mostly local stand-up comedians and Seattleites passing through. Sometimes the best part is watching Crystal Hotel guests awkwardly sidle by the stage, wearing only a swimsuit and towel, on their way to the pool behind this basement bar. Al's Den, 303 SW 12th Ave., 10:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays. Free. 21+.
The Brody Open Mic
Twice-weekly, Portland's most prolific improv venue opens its stage to everyone for 3-minute bits. Sign up online day of before 1 pm. Brody Theater, 16 NW Broadway, 224-2227. 8:30 pm Tuesday-Wednesday. Free.
Chris Fairbanks
The co-host of Almost Genius on truTV, Chris Fairbanks is a native Montanan who started driving people around in cars and filming it long before Michelle Obama slid into James Corden's passenger seat. His upcoming comedy film Still Punching the Clown comes out this year. Until then, he's freelance-illustrating educational textbooks and touring places like Portland. Hosted by Stacey Hallal. Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE Martin Luther King Blvd., 7:30 pm Friday, Aug 12. $20.
Comedy and Cocktails
Jason Traeger hosts a roundup of local comedians like Becky Braunstein and Wendy Weiss—Portland's best stripper comedian—at New Deal's monthly showcase. Cocktails start at 7, show at 8 pm. New Deal Distillery, 900 SE Salmon St., 503-234-2513. 7 pm Friday, Aug 12. Free. 21+.
Curious Comedy Open Mic
Sign up start at 7:15, and every comic gets a tight three minutes onstage in this weekly show hosted by Andie Main. Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 477-9477. 8 pm Sundays. Free.
Earthquake Hurricane
Some of WW's favorite funny Portlanders showcase famous and not-so-famous, local and not-so-local comedians. Hosted by Curtis Cook, Alex Falcone, Anthony Lopez and Bri Pruett inside a pretty epic bike shop. Velo Cult Bike Shop, 1969 NE 42nd Ave., 922-2012. 9 pm every Wednesday. Free, $5 suggested donation. 21+.
The Hard Times Presents: ACAB
All comics are bastards, but especially these people this month: David Mascorro, Wendy Weiss (is it just us, or is she suddenly everywhere?), Kenny Calisota, Dylan Jenkins and Nicky Moon. Bill Conway and the Hard Times host a showcase of dick jokes in a former Chinese language school. Kickstand Comedy Space, 315 NW Davis St., kickstandcomedy.org. 8:00 pm Wednesday, Aug. 10. $5 suggested donation.
Howard Kremer
"Dragon Boy Suede," aka the guy who once interviewed Zach Galifianakis for his weekly music podcast "Who Charted?," takes a break from the strip-club circuit and Comedy Bang! Bang! to headline Bunk. Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water Ave., bunksandwiches.com. 9:30 pm Friday, Aug. 12. $15. 21+.
Ian Karmel and Sean Jordan
They moved away, then came back, then went away and returned—now, after a small hiatus from Portland, they are popping in again. If you don't know them already, you're probably not from around here, are you? Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St., No. 110, 503-288-3895, revolutionhallpdx.com. 9:30 pm Friday, Aug. 12, $25, all ages. 7 pm Saturday, Aug. 13, $35, 21+.
It's Not Me, It's Me
Lady comedians JoAnn Schinderle and Barbara Holm are bringing back their speed-dating show. They tell jokes while you drink and attempt small talk with other singles vying for prizes like free condoms. Alberta Street Pub, 1036 NE Alberta St., 503-284-7665, albertastreetpub.com. 8 pm Friday, Aug. 12. Free. 21+.
Open Court
This weekly, long-form improv show combines performers from many Portland theaters and troupes. Newbies are welcome and teams are picked at random, then coached by an improv veteran before taking the stage. Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 477-9477. 7:30 pm Thursdays. $5.
Poké Jokes
Expect lures, incense, battery packs and gym badges. There will be jokes for entertainment in addition to laughing at people running into each other with their iPhones glued to their faces. Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th Ave., 503-841-6734, funhouselounge.com. 8 pm Sunday, Aug. 14. Free. 21+.
The Ranger Station Open Mic
Sign ups start at 8 pm for a weekly open mic night hosted by Victor Johnson, set in the whiskey-heavy bar WW once compared to "a Roosevelt-era public works cabin." The Ranger Station, 4260 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 894-8455. 8:30 pm Wednesday. Free. 21+.
Sunday School
Workshop students, veteran crews and groups that pre-register online perform long form improv every Sunday. Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 477-9477. 6 pm Sundays. $5 suggested donation
Supernova
Brody's students showcase their improv, sketch and standup skills—a different class each week. Brody Theater, 16 NW Broadway, 224-2227. 7:30 pm Thursdays. $5.
Throwing Shade
Ever wanted to learn about pop culture and politics, but not take it too seriously and mock it relentlessly? Bryan Safi and Erin Gibson are here to scratch that itch. Throwing Shade is a popular podcast from the Maximum Fun network that has been selected as a top 20 comedy podcast by <em>Rolling Stone</em>, and will arm you with everything you need to be super snarky about what's in the news, both real and celebrity. Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave., 503-288-3895. 8 and 10 pm Wednesday, Aug. 10. $20. 21+.
Thursday Night Throwdown
Curious' twice-monthly competition pits teams that apply in advance online against one another for a chance to compete in Friday Night Fights the next week. It's first come, first served, and every groups gets 17 minutes. Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 477-9477. 9:30 pm every second and fourth Thursday. Free.
Todd Glass
Author of The Todd Glass Situation, Todd Glass has done standup for more than 30 years and has all the credits to show for it: Evening at the Improv, Last Comic Standing, Preston and Steve. Recently, Glass might be best known for coming out on WTF with Marc Maron, or for hosting the off-the-wall podcast The Todd Glass Show. If you've seen Getting Doug With High, you know he loves weed, which should make performing five shows in three nights right above a dispensary pretty interesting. Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th Ave., 888-643-8669, portland.heliumcomedy.com. 8 pm Thursday, Aug. 11, 7:30 and 10 pm Friday-Saturday, Aug. 12-13. $15-$23. 21+.
Willamette Week