08.15.2023

Today’s Forecast

104º | Sunny, near record-high heat | 4% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:11 a.m. | Sunset 8:18 p.m.

Portland’s comedy scene is no joke

Where to find laugh-out-loud comedy in Portland

Hundreds of people sit on blankets at a grassy park on a sunny day.

Kickstand Comedy’s summer-long Comedy in the Park series draws thousands of people to Laurelhurst Park every week. | Photo by @ricecrack3rs

Do you hear that? It’s laughter erupting from audiences witnessing the talented comics of Portland’s comedy scene. Whether you want to get up on stage and share your jokes or sit back and enjoy a full belly laugh, we’ve got you covered with a guide to local comedy.

Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Magnifying underserved voices and enriching lives through the art of comedy are the pillars of this theater’s mission. It was a co-host of the 2023 NW Black Comedy Festival and offers several classes each week, including free drop-in workshops.

Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE Ninth Ave.
One of the biggest forces in the Portland comedy scene, Helium brings stand-up comics hailing from near and far — including nationally known talent — to an intimate theater space offering drinks and food every week.

Kickstand Comedy, 1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Creating a “thriving, diverse, equitable and representational comedy scene” is this nonprofit’s mission. Community members can follow local comedians as they hone their craft at Kickstand’s theater, or at bars, hotels, cafes, and other spaces. Don’t miss Comedy in the Park, a free weekly stand-up series that runs all summer at Laurelhurst Park.

Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th Ave.
This carnival-themed “modern cabaret of sorts” offers a variety of entertainment, including recurring stand-up comedy events like Laughing Stock Open Mic (every Thursday at 10 p.m.) and comedic productions that incorporate audience participation.

The Siren Theater, 3913 N. Mississippi Ave.
Praised as “a game changer for Portland comedy” by the Portland Mercury, The Siren Theater recently moved across the river from its former home in Old Town where it continues to offer professional comedy classes, workshops, shows, and the annual Portland Sketch Comedy Festival.

Pro tip: To stay in the know about all things comedy, give @laughspdx a follow on Instagram.

2 shows you won't want to miss

Events

Tuesday, Aug. 15

Clackamas County Fair | Tuesday, Aug. 15-Saturday, Aug. 19 | 10 a.m.-11 p.m. | Clackamas County Event Center, 694 NE Fourth Ave., Canby | $5-$40 | Carnival rides, games, live entertainment, 4H animals, exhibits, elephant ears, and more await you at this quintessential summertime shindig.

Wednesday, Aug. 16

SUMMER/SETS | Wednesday, Aug. 16, Wednesday, Aug. 23 | 7-10 p.m. | The Society Hotel, 203 NW Third Ave., Portland | Free | Hang out on the rooftop of this downtown hotel for an evening of music, pop-ups, and deals on food and drinks.

Thursday, Aug. 17

“Avenue PDX” | Thursday, Aug. 17-Saturday, Sept. 2 | 7-9 p.m. | Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th Ave., Portland | $16-$90 | This R-rated production puts a local spin on “Avenue Q” and tells the story of Jack, an optimistic college grad finding his way in Portland, with puppets and people — and songs that change each night.
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” | Thursday, Aug. 17-Sunday, Aug. 20 | Times vary | Deb Fennell Auditorium, 9000 SW Durham Rd., Tigard | $20-$60 | This 2013 Broadway adaptation of the 1957 musical will sweep you away with classic songs like “In My Own Little Corner” and new characters to keep the tale alive well past the stroke of midnight.

Friday, Aug. 18

Portland Fashion Week | Friday, Aug. 18-Sunday, Aug. 20 | 8:30 p.m. | Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville, 25035 SW Parkway Ave., Wilsonville | $20-$350 | Experience a runway show where sustainability is celebrated by designers hailing from near and far.

Saturday, Aug. 19

The Clue Ride | Saturday, Aug. 19 | 2 p.m. | Peninsula Park, 700 N. Rosa Parks Way, Portland | Free | Be the detective and find all of the clues to solve the crime (or relax and enjoy endless wisecracks and bike puns) at this second annual Pedalpalooza ride with prizes for best “Clue” costumes.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Closed

A turf field in Northeast Portland’s Grant Park is now closed to athletics use. Portland Parks and Recreation said the 10-year-old “Grant Bowl” failed an inspection by an outside contractor and permits will no longer be issued for organized sports, including practices and games for nearby Grant High School. (OPB)

Outdoors

A recreational use health advisory issued earlier this month along the Willamette River has been expanded from Ross Island Lagoon to Riverplace Marina. Officials said an ongoing cyanobacteria bloom has visibly spread. People are advised against swimming or using power boats; fishing and kayaking are still considered safe.

Coming Soon

The Ritz-Carlton Portland has announced several senior leaders for the downtown Block 216 building due to open sometime in the fall. Among the new hires are Marie Browne, who will serve as general manager, and Pedro Almeida, who will fill the role of executive chef at PNW-inspired restaurant Bellpine. (Portland Business Journal)

Biz

Hoffman Construction will move its headquarters out of the Fox Tower when its lease expires in 2025. With more than 1,200 employees, the 100-year-old company is the largest of its kind based in Oregon. Hoffman is currently expanding its Northeast Portland facility, but it’s unclear where its new headquarters will be. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Travel

Weekend getaway destinations like Bend and Sisters are just a bus ride away thanks to a partnership between Pacific Crest Bus Lines and Megabus. The new routes — some of which are offered daily from Union Station and Portland International Airport — are expected to particularly benefit backpackers and thru-hikers. Book a trip here. (Portland Monthly)

Real Estate

A 19,444-sqft Lake Oswego residence owned by former Dave’s Killer Bread CEO Shobi Dahl is for sale. The mansion sits on nearly three acres and boasts imitation old-growth trees, nine bedrooms, a whiskey library, a ballroom, and design themes that fluctuate between gilded Versailles opulence and dreamy Lake Como villa.

Wellness

If you struggle with anxiety, depression, or PTSD, you’re not alone. These mental health challenges may be common, but they don’t have to define you. The clinicians at the Portland Counseling and Anxiety Specialists can help you live a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life. Learn more here.*

Drink

You know you’re an adult when you can successfully pair wine and food. But if you haven’t gotten there yet (or don’t even understand tasting notes), then Valo’s Wine Club is here to help. Here’s a cheat sheet of three of the winery’s most popular pairings from past Wine Club events. Cheers.*

Events

Shedding light on Oregon’s Black history

Oregon Black Pioneers will host a fundraising event this September to celebrate 30 years

LCLP Partners_Juneteeth at Carson Lands_6.18.22.jpeg

Letitia Carson Legacy Project partners at the 2022 Juneteenth Public Archaeological Dig. | Photo via Oregon Black Pioneers

Oregon’s only statewide African American historical society turns 30 next month and is hosting its first fundraising event since 2019 to celebrate.

Founded in 1993, Oregon Black Pioneers works to illuminate the history of Black Oregonians through exhibits and various programs. The nonprofit organization preserves and publicly presents historical photographs, oral histories on instrumental figures, a digital collection of newspapers published by Black Portlanders between 1944 and 1974, interactive maps of important sites, free inclusive lesson plans for teachers, and much more.

The anniversary fundraiser takes place Sunday, Sept. 17, at The Redd on Salmon Street.

Oregon City Mayor Denyse McGriff is the keynote speaker. Tickets are $125 and include meals and live music.

“Every donation helps us move one step closer to achieving our vision of becoming the preeminent resource for the study of Oregon’s African American history and culture,” said Executive Director Zachary Stocks.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

Heat is not my cup of tea — it leaves me feeling sluggish and unmotivated. But what kind of an impact does heat have on our anti-social tendencies? A group of researchers wanted to answer that exact question, so they asked volunteers to play a computer game called “The Joy of Destruction” in a hot room. Here are the results.

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