A self-described "new and motivated comedian" named Mikey Kampmann, or "Notorious M.I.K.," recently sent us a delightful and helpful tip about the comedy open mic nights around town, where any up-and-comers and would-be comics can give it a go and get heckled. Mikey says, "The comedy scene [in Portland] is great. Essentially, it's like going to a bar to drink except there are local comics providing free entertainment. And sadly, I don't think many people know that these nights are happening." Well, Notorious, this is for you. And thanks for providing the info, so we didn't even have to look it up:
Weekly open mics
Mondays - Boiler Room, 9 pm
Tuesdays - Suki's Bar, 9 pm
Bi-weekly
1st and 3rd Wednesdays - Roots Brewery, 9 pm
2nd and 4th Sundays - Curious Comedy Theater, 9 pm
In other comedy news, Curious Comedy has just announced its fall season, and it looks pretty promising. Check some highlights, culled from the press release, after the jump!
THE HURLY-BURLY SPECTACULAR
Opens: Friday & Saturday, September 25 & 26 at 8:00pm
Continues: Fridays & Saturdays, October 2 & 3, 9 & 10,16 & 17, 23 & 24
$12 door, $10 in advance
Curious Comedy Theater continues to dare Portland to laugh with their third sketch comedy revue. The Hurly-Burly Spectacular pays tribute to the 1930s with a hilarious Vaudeville-inspired sketch comedy show that will amaze you, delight you and make you laugh. Hard.
UNCALLED FOR PRODUCTIONS
October 1 & 2, 10:00pm, $12 door, $10 advance
Uncalled For is a six-member improv and sketch comedy troupe who have been performing together for over nine years. Uncalled For offers a unique blend of hyperkinetic and intelligent improvisation as well as strikingly original scripted material. They are the producers and hosts of the Montreal Fringe Festival talk show The 13th Hour and the creators of Blastback Babyzap, co-winner of the 2008 ‘Just For Laughs Best Comedy Award’.
Uncalled For’s scripted creation THUNDERSPANK! won the ‘Best Text Award’ at the 2007 Montreal International Fringe Festival. Their work is bold, inventive, and hilarious. Their one-of-a-kind writing style is vastly different from most sketch comedy. There is no reliance on vulgarity, shock tactics or pop-culture clichés; this is inspired and smart comedy.
FAMOUS MYSTERIOUS ACTORS SHOW
First Wednesday of Every Month, $10.00
Continues: October 7, November 4, December 2, January 6, February 3
Portland’s #1 multi-media talk show event is exploding showbiz all over it’s new home, Curious Comedy Theater. The Famous Mysterious Actor show came back on September 2nd with a standing room only crowd and a kick-ass show. Sure to be a monthly ritual not to be missed.
JONNO KATZ’s CACTUS - The Seduction
October 16 & 17, 10:00pm, $12 door, $10 advance
Australian writer, performer and comedian, Jonno Katz presents this award-winning and internationally acclaimed solo piece - a physical and imaginatively absurd search for love in the desert.
“Take my word for it, CACTUS is a must-see. Jonno Katz is brilliant.” -The Times-Colonist
“stunningly virtuosic performance, which combines intense emotionalism, wacky humour, deft miming and impressive physicality.” -Monday Mag
2004, 2007 Winner Vancouver “Georgia Straight Pick of the Fringe”
2004 Winner Toronto “Pick of the Fringe”
2007 “Best Director” award Melbourne Short and Sweet Festival
2009 “Best Actor” award Angry Film Festival
2009 “Outstanding Solo Performance” Ottawa Fringe
2009 “Best of Fest” Winnipeg Fringe
2009 “Best male performer” Victoria Fringe
SOLD OUT across Canada & Australia
ANDREW CONNER’S CYCLOSA CONFUSA
Friday, October 23rd, 10:00pm, $12 door, $10 advance
Andrew Connor (one-half of acclaimed sketch duo, The Cody Rivers Show) debuts his brand new spectacle-laden solo physical comedy, a turbulent mélange of peculiar fictions and tiny acrobatics.
Go here for Curious' full schedule, and prepare yourself for a most certain barrel of laughs.
