What better way to start off 2014 than by — you guessed it — laughing your ass off? With SF Sketchfest on the horizon, think of these performances as an amuse bouche to prepare you for the funny that is about to bomard the city.
Godfrey
You've seen him on 30 Rock, Louie, and you may have caught his stand-up special Black By Accident...and like all the greats, he goes by one name.
When: Various times, January 2-4
Where: Cobb's Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave.
Andy Haynes
He's been on Conan and Fallon and now he's going to record his live CD...in our city!
When: Various times, January 2-4
Where: Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St.
Point Break Live!
It's back! See the live stage production of Keanu Reeves's finest cinematic work. There are only two chances left to see this transcendental surf/cop experience. VAIO CON DIOS!
When: Various times, January 3-4
Where: DNA lounge, 375 11th St.
Hand to Mouth: Movies!
Trevor Hill and his band of fine comedians wax poetic about movies at this monthly, topic-based comedy show. In other words, they are going to sit around and make fun of their favorite movies.
When: 10 p.m. Friday, January 3
Where: The Dark Room, 2263 Mission St.
Sea of Reeds
In Josh Kornbluth's new comedy we see a 52-year-old atheist get bar mitzvahed and discover the relation of the oboe with the Book of Exodus. Consider yourself intrigued.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, January 3
Where: Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California St.
JHP Showcase
Want to know who the hot, up and coming comedians are? Then let local Justin Harrison show you the funny.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday, January 7
Where: Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St.
Bawdy Storytelling's "Paraphilia: Lust Outside the Norm"
Inspired by Jesse Bering's book Perv: The Sexual Deviant in All of Us, the people at Bawdy Storytelling take things to another level by having friends and strangers talk about fetishes. Sounds kinky.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, January 8
Where: Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa St.
Tom Rhodes
Tom has been doing comedy for over 25 years, but found his voice while in San Francisco. He then called the city "The Jeruselum of Comedy." So I guess that kind of makes him a prophet...or a savior? Either way, he's come back to share his scripture.
When: Various times, January 8-11
Where: Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St.
Janeane Garofalo & Greg Behrendt
She is an iconic female comedic figure of Generation X and he co-wrote He's Just Not That Into You. When they share a stage, magic happens.
When: Various times, January 10-11
Where: Cobb's Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave.
Flirting with Laughter: A Hilarious Comedy Event for Singles
If you're single and love to laugh, then perhaps you can do it with other single people whilst drinking alcohol. You'll laugh yourself silly and then possibly go home with someone. That's a good thing.
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, January 11
Where: Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, 530 Jackson St.
A Prairie Home Companion
With his trademark monolgue, Garrison Keillor brings all the eclectic joy of the popular radio program to San Francisco.
When: 2: 45 p.m. Saturday, January 11
Where: Nourse Theater, 201-299 Hayes St.
Scientist Turned Comedian Tim Lee
A comedian that was a scientist? That's crazy! It's also true. Tim Lee blends his Ph.D with stand-up...and does it well.
When: Various times, January 13-14
Where: Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St.
Paul Mecurio
He was a writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart — and won an Emmy for it. He also received a Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting for his work on The Daily Show. Oh yeah, he's also performed his stand-up on almost every single late night talk show known to man. This man deserves an award for all his awards.
When: Various times, January 15-18
Where: Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St.
