Category: SF Sketchfest

SF Sketchfest Review: BriTANick and Friends at the Gateway Theater, 1/23/2020

Years ago, one of my closest friends introduced me to BriTANick’s videos. I was instantly hooked. I’ve always loved sketch comedy, but BriTANick was the first sketch comedy group of my generation that seems to truly understand and master absurdity in their work. So when I learned that Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher were bringing BriTANick back to SF Sketchfest, I lost my goddamn mind—I had to go to this show. I wasn’t in town during their previous Sketchfest appearances and was over the moon to finally see them performing live. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: BriTANick and Friends at the Gateway Theater, 1/23/2020”

SF Sketchfest Review: Women Crush Wednesdays at The Swedish American Hall, 1/11/2020

Every month Marcella Arguello curates a lineup of fierce women to showcase their jokes at The Improv in LA. What originally started as an open mic night at the Comedy Store, Women Crush Wednesdays has grown into a clear-cut way to find your new favorite comedian. Although this event normally takes place in LA, she’s teamed up with Sketchfest to deliver the vibes to the Bay Area. Marcella hosted the night at The Swedish American Hall and her lineup included the following; Jes Tom, Francesca Fiorentini, Kate Willet, Shalewa Sharpe, and Lydia Popovich. Needless to say, I’m proud that my first Sketchfest event was a Women Crush Wednesdays. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Women Crush Wednesdays at The Swedish American Hall, 1/11/2020”

SF Sketchfest Review: Tribute to Molly Shannon, in conversation with Bruce McCulloch + 20th Anniversary Screening of “Superstar,” Alamo Drafthouse at The New Mission, 1/13/2020

All photos by Dan Dion

When presented with the opportunity to write about SF Sketchfests’ Superstar screening, I thought about watching the movie once before to refresh myself. I ultimately didn’t and went in remembering how much joy the film brought me and that I still do the “armpit move” today. This also happened to be my first time at the Alamo Drafthouse in San Francisco and can honestly say I’m a fan. Not only are you able to watch some of your favorite films, but you can do so with the option of ordering from a pretty nice food and drink menu. I really appreciated the wide range of food and drinks and being greeted by a waiter ready to take your order. I especially appreciated that they took the time to explain the process for a first timer like myself. They offered everything from traditional movie theater snacks to avocado toast and mixed drinks, all without leaving your seat. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Tribute to Molly Shannon, in conversation with Bruce McCulloch + 20th Anniversary Screening of “Superstar,” Alamo Drafthouse at The New Mission, 1/13/2020″

SF Sketchfest Review: Donde Esta Mi Comedy? at Cafe du Nord, 1/17/2020

I know that one of the big draws for SF Sketchfest is having big names perform throughout the festival, but I’m always pumped to see local acts getting to cut their teeth across town. That’s what really makes SF Sketchfest for me: ensuring that genuine San Francisco and Bay Area voices are heard. This year, I got my fix at Donde Esta Mi Comedy?, a stand-up show featuring Latino comedians from all over the state. Truthfully, I’ve been meaning to catch this show for a while; this is the second year Donde Esta Mi Comedy? has been part of SF Sketchfest. They also play shows around the Bay throughout the year.

Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Donde Esta Mi Comedy? at Cafe du Nord, 1/17/2020”

SF Sketchfest Review: Jamie Loftus: Boss Whom Is Girl, Pianofight, 1/22/2020

SF Sketchfest is full of wonderful things that you might miss under the glow of the celebrity heavy headliner shows. Jamie Loftus’ Boss Whom Is Girl is one of those shows that I almost missed. On a whim, I watched a trailer for the show. Then I went down a YouTube rabbit hole, watching stand up clips of Loftus for the next hour. So, I think this means I wanted to go to this show. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Jamie Loftus: Boss Whom Is Girl, Pianofight, 1/22/2020”

SF Sketchfest Interview: Jodie Sweetin & Celia Behar of Never Thought I’d Say This

Everyone in the universe knows who Jodie Sweetin is. She was Stephanie Tanner on Full House, one of those cultural touchstones that somehow hit everyone of a certain age in the universe. In her twenties she moved on to host Much Music’s Dance Off, Pants Off. Now she does a slew of creative things, including creating a podcast about parenting called Never Thought I’d Say This with her best friend Celia Behar. As a new parent myself, I take great joy in listening to this podcast.

We had the opportunity to talk with Sweetin and Behar ahead of their appearance at Cobb’s this Thursday as part of SF Sketchfest. (Tix are available here) We talked about parenting, the podcast, and even learned a bit about how Macy Gray handles delays in the studio. Yeah, it got a little weird…

Spinning Platters: Thank you for taking a little bit of time out on your Saturday morning to talk to me. You folks are in San Francisco right now. Is that correct? Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Interview: Jodie Sweetin & Celia Behar of Never Thought I’d Say This“

SF Sketchfest Review: Tribute to Tony Shalhoub in Conversation with Kevin Pollak + 20th Anniversary Screening of “Galaxy Quest” at the Castro Theater, 1/11/2020

All photos by Jakub Mosur.

I remember seeing Galaxy Quest in theaters with my folks. We were more of a Star Wars family than a Star Trek family, but despite Galaxy Quest’s clear parallel to the Star Trek universe and fandom, we latched on. It became an instant family favorite. We ended up buying the VHS when it came out — which we still have, and which I just replaced as a Christmas gift for my dad this past Christmas with a DVD (We are a low-tech family.) Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Tribute to Tony Shalhoub in Conversation with Kevin Pollak + 20th Anniversary Screening of “Galaxy Quest” at the Castro Theater, 1/11/2020″

SF Sketchfest Review: Maria Bamford & Nori Reed at The Castro Theater, 1/9/2020

All Photos by Pat Mazzera

I’ve known the name “Maria Bamford” for years. I know her face well, and would definitely be able to pick her out in a crowd. I have very close friends that are fans. If somebody asked me if I liked her, the answer would probably be yes. However, I have never actually seen or heard her do stand up before. Not on TV, not on record.I actually didn’t know anything about her stand up style before I headed out to this show. Why did I decide to go to this? I’m not really sure. It just felt like I needed to be there. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Maria Bamford & Nori Reed at The Castro Theater, 1/9/2020”

Spinning Platters Interview: Erinn Hayes of Medical Police

Erinn Hayes was the star of the Adult Swim series Childrens Hospital, and is also the star of it’s upcoming offshoot series, Medical Police. She is coming to town for two SF Sketchfest appearances, first on Thursday, January 9th for a Medical Police panel and preview at Marines’ Memorial Theater, and then Friday, January 10th for an appearance as part of Porchlight at Swedish American Hall. Spinning Platters had the opportunity to have a chat with Hayes ahead of her visit. We discussed living in the Bay Area, our weird rivalry with LA, her time as a doctor on TV, and, most importantly, her work on Bill & Ted Face The Music, the upcoming Bill & Ted sequel. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Interview: Erinn Hayes of Medical Police“

Sketchfest Review: Bring The Rock with Greg Behrendt & Electrik Snöfläke at Swedish American Hall,

Bring The Rock is the thing I look forward to the most at every Sketchfest. It’s the perfect synthesis of the three things I enjoy the most: rock n roll, stand-up comedy, and autobiographical storytelling. I love this show so much that I have, in fact, written my story for the off-chance that I ever actually get invited to do this show. (Greg, I am a fan. I am trained in public speaking, and although I’m not a great singer or guitarist, I am passionate about both.) Last year, Bring The Rock didn’t end up happening at Sketchfest, and I was very, very sad. I was very happy to see it return this year. Continue reading “Sketchfest Review: Bring The Rock with Greg Behrendt & Electrik Snöfläke at Swedish American Hall,”