SF Sketchfest Review: Fred Armisen: Comedy for Guitar Players but Everyone is Welcome at The Chapel, 1/26/2020

Photo by Tommy Lau Photography

Fred Armisen has come a long way since his days drumming for Trenchmouth. He’s been the bandleader for Late Night with Seth Meyers. He’s drummed for Devo. He had a sketch comedy series with Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein where he took every opportunity he could to show off his musical chops. He’s had success in multiple fake bands on his other show, Documentary Now!. Despite acclaim as an actor and comic, he always seemed most at home as a musician. It came as no surprise when I learned he was doing a stand up special called Stand Up For Drummers, in which he exclusively told drum related jokes. When SF Sketchfest announced that he was branching out to guitarists this year, I decided that it was necessary for my own survival that I attend one of these. Continue reading “SF Sketchfest Review: Fred Armisen: Comedy for Guitar Players but Everyone is Welcome at The Chapel, 1/26/2020”

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 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”

A Nerd’s Guide To SF Sketchfest 2020

First of all… WHOA! It’s weird to write “2020” on something. Even crazier is to think that this is the 19th SF Sketchfest! That means babies born in the year of the first Sketchfest are now able to go on their mission for The Latter-Day Saints. (Or vote. Definitely, please — everyone born in 2001 MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER TO VOTE AND DO IT!) I’ve been writing the Nerd’s Guide for eleven years now. Which means for the twentieth year of Sketchfest, you can read the eleven th anniversary of my Nerd’s Guide. I plan to go all out for that one. This year’s guide — I’m not gonna lie — I’m totally phoning it in. Which is fine, it’s like ten minutes of reading. Don’t worry, the good people of SF Sketchfest did NOT phone in the bookings this year. 

Tickets and a full schedule for everything can be found here

Thursday, January 9th Continue reading “A Nerd’s Guide To SF Sketchfest 2020”

Theater Review: PigPen Theatre Co. Presents Cute Family Friendly Show: The Tale of Despereaux at Berkeley Rep

Dorcas Leung is our mouse hero. Photo courtesy of Kevin Berne, 2019.

A cute little singing mouse that fancies itself a knight? Based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo, PigPen Theatre’s musical adaptation tells the tale of an ambitious mouse who rises the ranks to save the day. Like all heroes, Despereaux doesn’t let limitations (being a mouse, for one) keep him from his lofty dreams. A slightly offbeat fairy tale of sorts with a 2007 indie music vibe, this tale feels at home on the Berkeley stage as it would if redone by Wes Anderson. Continue reading “Theater Review: PigPen Theatre Co. Presents Cute Family Friendly Show: The Tale of Despereaux at Berkeley Rep”