Skip to main contentYou have exactly one week to prepare your liver for Bridgetown Comedy Festival. Every year in May, armies of well-liquored fans and aspiring comedians overrun Southeast Portland for four days (or nights, rather) of open mics, headlining shows like the 20th anniversary of Dr. Katz, and the really funny shit that happens on drunken walks from the Doug Fir to Revolution Hall.
Expect live coverage from a crew of WW writers of various comedic backgrounds and B.A.C levels. For now, we recommend a strict couch-to-fest regimen of cheap beer, YouTube and podcasts to prepare.
The Locals
Some of WW's past Funniest 5 Comedians Sean Jordan, Curtis Cook, Amy Miller, Bri Pruett, Nathan Brannon and Shane Torres, plus others like Portlandia feminist Whitney Streed, occasional Seattleite Zak Toscani, New Deal co-hosts Brandy Feit and Jason Traeger, six-time Bridgetowner Veronica Heath, Portland Funniest Person finalist Anthony Lopez, Funny Humans vs. the Wheel producer David Mascorro, Lez Stand Up's Caitlin Weyerhaeuser...and more.
The Big Names
Jonathan Katz is the main act, introduced by Wet Hot American Summer actress Janeane Garofalo, The Simpsons writer Dana Gould, The Daily Show favorite Jessica Williams and Portlander Ian Karmel, who got too big for us and moved to L.A. to write Everything as F*ck.
The Venues
The Doug Fir Lounge is home base again. After lofty promises to complete construction in time for the Fest, Sandy Hut bowed out April 25 and Southeast Grand Avenue's divey deli My Father's Place stepped in. Rotture, upstairs and down, Revolution Hall, Bossanova Ballroom, New Deal Distillery and the Norse Hall will have big stages. And newcomer Boogie's Burgers and Brew wrangled up a wooden platform by the food carts in back.
"We set it up so crowds can float all over Southeast," said Bridgetown spokeswoman Maura Brown. "Famous people and fans mixed, you know, snapping Instagrams."
What we're looking forward to
The K Ohle Show, in which Kurt Braunohler literally captivates his audience. He's blindfolding attendees and loading them onto a bus for a three-hour show at some magical, undisclosed location. Good walking shoes and a flask are recommended.
GO: Bridgetown Comedy Festival is at various Southeast venues May 7-10. Passes at bridgetowncomedy.com. $99 standard pass, $125 deluxe.
WWeek 2015