Performing Arts❯Comedy

Meet the Tokyo Kanpai Boys, Japan's funniest stand-up comedians bringing brand-new material and a wildly entertaining look at life & comedy through Japanese eyes.

Featuring Kansei Yasuda, Daniel Wilson, Shota Saimu and Daisuke Muramoto.

Whether they're explaining Japanese dating culture, exposing everyday misunderstandings between East and West, or simply proving that awkwardness is universal in every language, Tokyo Kanpai Boys delivers a show that's packed with laughs.

Don’t miss this unforgettable night of international comedy that bridges cultures through laughter. Cheers ("Kanpai!") to that. 🍻

Featuring:

Kansei Yasuda

Originally from Tokyo and now based in Toronto, Kansei is one of the fastest-rising international comics working today. A Golden Ticket winner on Kill Tony, he has toured throughout North America and Asia, earning acclaim for his energetic storytelling, sharp cultural observations, and brilliantly unpredictable style.

Daniel Wilson

A Japanese-American comedian based in Tokyo, Daniel has built a massive global following through his viral "Let Me Teach You Some Japanese" videos, earning over200,000 Instagram followers and 5.5 million TikTok likes. Trained at Japan's prestigious Watanabe Comedy School, he combines Japanese and American comedy traditions into a style that's both insightful and endlessly relatable.

Shota Saimu

Known for his deceptively quiet stage presence and devastating punchlines, Shota has become a favorite among audiences in both Japan and the United States. Performing in both English and Japanese, his dry delivery, understated confidence, and viral online clips have made him one of Japan's most exciting emerging comedic voices.

Daisuke Muramoto

One of Japan's most recognizable comedians, Muramoto first rose to fame as half of the legendary manzai duo Woman Rush Hour, appearing on hundreds of television programs before reinventing himself as one of Japan's boldest stand-up voices. His acclaimed documentary I Am a Comedian chronicles his journey from mainstream celebrity to internationally touring performer whose fearless comedy tackles politics, culture, and identity.

Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.

Portland Art Museum invites the community to join a Free First Thursday event, offering free admission to the museum for all, plus a Live Wire event as part of the Literary Arts Portland Book Festival. Visitors can take in the afternoon gallery pop-ups, the evening show, or both!

4:30 – 6 p.m. — Free, pre-show, pop-up performances will take place throughout the Museum’s galleries. Performers are poet and rapper Dessa, bestselling children’s author Mac Barnett, Pulitzer Prize Finalist Ed Park, and Portland comedian Mx. Dahlia Belle.

Free First Thursday tickets can be reserved online one week in advance and are also available at the door.

7 p.m. — Enjoy a fully seated, ticketed Live Wire taping hosted by Luke Burbank with announcer Elena Passarello, featuring a blend of interviews, comedy, and music performed live for the audience, then edited into an episode for broadcast to over 200 public radio stations nationwide. Performers are poet and rapper Dessa, bestselling children’s author Mac Barnett, Pulitzer Prize Finalist Ed Park, and Portland comedian Mx. Dahlia Belle. Doors will open at 6:30pm.

GA Tickets are $15. Preferred Seating is $40. Discounts available to Portland Book Festival passholders.

Dessa is a singer, rapper, and writer who fell in love with language as a toddler—and just never got over it. Now, she works in fields that traffic in words: she’s recorded rap bangers as part of the fiercely independent Doomtree collective, released a live album with the Grammy-winning Minnesota Orchestra; contributed to The New York Times and National Geographic Traveler; delivered a TED Talk on the intersection of romance and neuroscience that’s notched more than 4 million views; hosted 2 seasons of behavioral science podcast Deeply Human (BBC/American Public Media); and published a memoir recounting most of the above called My Own Devices (Penguin Random House).

Mac Barnett, the 2025–2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, is a New York Times bestselling author of stories for children. Mac’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book Awards, three E. B. White Read Aloud Awards and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, as well as several international prizes. He lives in Oakland, California. His latest book, illustrated by X. Fang, is Tom Nancy: The Sheep Who Swapped Brains with a Boy. From two of the most exciting picture book makers today comes a hilarious trickster tale and Freaky Friday switcheroo story: a sneaky, cheeky sheep named Tom Nancy has a brain swap proposal for an innocent farm boy named Felix that will change both of their lives forever. Laugh-out-loud, subversive, and totally unexpected.

Ed Park is the author of the novels Personal Days and Same Bed Different Dreams. He is a founding editor of The Believer, and has worked in newspapers, book publishing, and academia. His writing appears in The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books, Harper’s Magazine, The Atlantic, and elsewhere. Profound, wily, and beautifully wrought, his new book Three Tenses: A Transmission from the Nineties is a meeting of memory and myth, confession and obfuscation, coalescing to offer a singular picture of creativity in action.

The princess of Portland comedy, best known for her breakout performance on the popular Netflix special Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda, Mx. Dahlia Belle has been compared to a Swiss Army knife—different tools to extract sharpness, softness, vulnerability, hope, and wicked wit. She’s been declared one of “11 Trans Comedians… Funnier Than Dave Chappelle” by Out Magazine, repeatedly featured on NPR, and has written for Cosmopolitan Magazine, The Guardian, The Stranger, and Portland Mercury. Her live performances have included NW Black Comedy Festival, Upper Left Comedy Festival, SF Sketchfest, and an awkward conversation with John Waters and Piers Morgan. In the upcoming live taping of her comedy special Affirmed at Polaris Hall on November 22nd, Mx. Dahlia Belle delivers 60 new minutes of stand-up to celebrate and affirm being human in the modern world through a combination of the wholesome and mundane, anecdotes about house cats, liscivious foibles of the LGBT community, and an unapologetic account of her personal journey with gender-affirming care, all delivered with her trademark free form wit.

Free First Thursdays at the Museum and PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater aligns with the revitalization of the long-standing Portland art galleries’ tradition of opening their doors for openings, receptions, and events on the first Thursday of each month. In recent months art and culture organizations have joined to bring back this popular activity, including the Pacific Northwest College of Art and the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education in the North Park Blocks.

Generous support provided by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.

It took Cam all of 3 weeks to drop out of college at FAMU to pursue comedy full time at the age of 19. Cam recently appeared on Season 16 of ‘America’s Got Talent’ receiving a “Yes” from all 4 celebrity judges, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Sophia Vergara, and Howie Mandel. In 2019, Cam Bertrand became the youngest comic to win the 'Florida's Funniest' competition, beating out over 300 comics, previous winners include Daniel Tosh, Bert Kreischer, Preacher Lawson and JB Ball. In that same year, Cam also became the youngest comedian to record his own half hour comedy special with DryBar comedy, his special 'Sophisticated Ignorance' which has garnered over 140 million total views since its release. Cam has built up a social media following of nearly 1 Million Followers on TikTok, 176k on Instagram, 270k on Facebook, and 47k on Youtube. He has also worked with some of the biggest names in comedy today including: Joe Rogan, Andrew Schulz, Matt Rife, Bert Kreischer, Pete Davidson, Hannibal Buress, Michael Che, Josh Blue, and Mike Epps. Couple's Package includes: - 2 premium seats - $90 food & beverage credit ($45 per person)- Gratuity - Ticket Protection Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.

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Celebrate Samhain and the Day of the Dead with a transformative, grounding evening hosted by Celine Redfield of Two Wings Balanced Healing. Aligned with the deeply intuitive water energy of Scorpio season, this sacred gathering combines community connection with deep personal restoration.

• The Experience: The evening begins with an ancestral invocation and a warm botanical tea ceremony—guests are welcome to bring a memento, photo, or candle to place on a collective altar. You will then ease into a guided hypnotic meditation before relaxing into a restorative, one-hour water-element sound bath.
• The Instruments: Healing frequencies are created using a carefully curated selection of "watery" and crystalline instruments. You will experience crystal singing bowls for all seven chakras, a cosmic light chalice, ocean drums, rain sticks, aqua Koshi chimes, crystal pyramids, tongue drums, and pangi seed shakers.
• Who It’s For: This event is for anyone looking to honor their ancestors, connect deeply with their intuition, or find a peaceful space for internal reflection and fresh personal transformation.
• The Benefits: Attendees will experience deep, receptive relaxation, reduced stress, emotional release, and a renewed sense of internal safety and security.

From humble beginnings 50 years ago busking on the streets of Philadelphia, to acclaimed sold–out runs on Broadway and renown as the longest-running and one of the most-beloved resident headline acts in Las Vegas history, magic’s legendary duo — Penn Jillette and Teller — continue to defy labels (and at times physics and good taste), by redefining the genre of magic and inventing their own very distinct niche in comedy.

The current hit series Penn & Teller: Fool Us! for The CW Network, on which up-and-comers and magic veterans try to fool Penn & Teller for a chance to star in the pair’s hit Las Vegas stage show, was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award and has been renewed for an unprecedented 12th season. The show is the longest continual American magic television series in history, introducing the art to new fans and cultivating new generations of innovators within the craft.

Twice named “Magicians of the Year” by the Academy of Magical Arts, the equivalent of the Oscars in magic, they were named the 2024 Masters Fellowship recipients, the highest honor the Academy bestows. The pair live in Las Vegas, where they are engaged in their community, acting as honorary chairmen for AFAN (Aid for AIDS Nevada), raising and donating nearly $2 million and serving as grand marshals for AFAN’s annual Las Vegas AIDS Walk for the past 23 years. Through their involvement with Opportunity Village, which assists in employment placement and lifestyle betterment for those living with intellectual disabilities, they have raised over $1 million. The annual blood drive, Penn & Teller’s 13 Bloody Days of Christmas, has resulted in over 85,000 donors since its inception. In 2023, they took part in the USO’s annual Christmas tour, entertaining thousands of servicemen and servicewomen in bases across Europe.

In 2025, the pair celebrated 50 years as innovators in combining smart, edgy comedy with their unique magical style.

From humble beginnings 50 years ago busking on the streets of Philadelphia, to acclaimed sold–out runs on Broadway and renown as the longest-running and one of the most-beloved resident headline acts in Las Vegas history, magic’s legendary duo — Penn Jillette and Teller — continue to defy labels (and at times physics and good taste), by redefining the genre of magic and inventing their own very distinct niche in comedy.

Their Off-Broadway debut in 1985 electrified New York with a stage show the likes of which had never been seen. Combining magic, comedy, and social commentary in a theatrical event the New York Times said was a “A witheringly funny…Brazen assault on the temple of magic,” the show moved to Broadway in 1987, the first of three eponymously titled Broadway runs. Their efforts in New York have been awarded an Obie and a Lucille Lortel Award. Their most recent return to Broadway, hailed as “Deliciously Demented” by USA Today, was the highest-grossing non-musical for the entirety of its run, even out-grossing Hamilton for one week.

Performing nearly 300 live shows every year from the stages of America’s greatest performing arts venues as well as the Sydney Opera House and London’s Apollo Theatre, their record-breaking Las Vegas show at The Rio Hotel & Casino has an amazing 10 wins, including 2025, as “Las Vegas Magicians of the Year” and was called “The single best show in Vegas,” by the Los Angeles Times.

The current hit series Penn & Teller: Fool Us! for The CW Network, on which up-and-comers and magic veterans try to fool Penn & Teller for a chance to star in the pair’s hit Las Vegas stage show, was nominated for a Critic’s Choice Award and has been renewed for an unprecedented 12th season. The show is the longest continual American magic television series in history, introducing the art to new fans and cultivating new generations of innovators within the craft.

Hundreds of outrageous appearances on everything from Fallon to Friends, The Simpsons to Colbert, Modern Family to Big Bang Theory, Dancing With The Stars to The Masked Singer, plus their own specials for NBC, ABC, PBS and Comedy Central have garnered them an Emmy, a Writers Guild Award, and their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The controversial Showtime series, Penn & Teller: BS! was nominated for 13 Emmys and was the longest-running series in the history of the network. The show highlighted the pair’s ardent skepticism by tackling the fakes and frauds behind such topics as alien abduction, psychics, and bottled water.

In recent years they have become acclaimed documentarians with the BAFTA-nominated Sony Pictures Classic release, Tim’s Vermeer, which follows Texas-based inventor Tim Jenison on his quest to discover the methods used by Dutch Master painter Johannes Vermeer. Their other films, the critically-lauded feature The Aristocrats and the Showtime short The Gambler’s Ballad, were met with wide praise.

The Olivier-nominated Magic Goes Wrong, written and created in collaboration with Mischief Theatre (creators of the Tony-nominated The Play That Goes Wrong), played at London’s West End Vaudeville Theatre, setting a box office pre-sale record. The Daily Mail hailed it as a “Spellbinding romp,” while The Sun theater critic raved, “I’ll be laughing into next week.” In 2024, they had two shows running Off-Broadway as creators and producers: the Magic Goes Wrong spin-off The Mind Mangler, which returned to London’s West End in
March, and the technology/magic/thriller Stalker.

As individuals, they are just as prolific. Teller directed versions of Macbeth and The Tempest which toured to raves from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, co-wrote and directed the Off-Broadway thriller Play Dead and has written two books. Penn has written five books, including the New York Times Best Sellers “God No!” and “Presto”. For his role in this year’s critically acclaimed Oscar-nominated film, Marty Supreme, he was nominated for an Actor Award (formerly the SAG Awards), alongside co-stars Timothee Chalamet and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Twice named “Magicians of the Year” by the Academy of Magical Arts, the equivalent of the Oscars in magic, they were named the 2024 Masters Fellowship recipients, the highest honor the Academy bestows. The pair live in Las Vegas where they are engaged in their community, acting as honorary chairmen for AFAN (Aid for AIDS Nevada), raising and donating nearly $2 million and serving as grand marshals for AFAN’s annual Las Vegas AIDS Walk for the past 23 years. Through their involvement with Opportunity Village, which assists in employment placement and lifestyle betterment for those living with intellectual disabilities, they have raised over $1 million. The annual blood drive, Penn & Teller’s 13 Bloody Days of Christmas, has resulted in over 85,000 donors since its inception. In 2023, they took part in the USO’s annual Christmas tour, entertaining thousands of servicemen and servicewomen in bases across Europe.

In 2025, the pair celebrated 50 years as innovators in combining smart, edgy comedy with their unique magical style.

What do you get when Don Lemon, award-winning journalist, and DL Hughley, one of the original Kings of Comedy, and highly recognized stand-up comedians come together for a night of conversation?

Expect the unexpected from these two brilliant minds doing their public service while taking you on a journey exploring topics spanning everything from social issues, race, pop-culture and current events. Nothing is off limits!

Join for Nora Ephron’s endlessly charming You’ve Got Mail, the cozy, bookish romantic comedy that makes the dial-up internet age feel magical. Grab a bingo card curated by Violet Hex and play along as Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox fall in love one anonymous email at a time.

Book superstore magnate Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) and independent book shop owner Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) fall in love in the anonymity of the Internet—both blissfully unaware that he’s trying to put her out of business.

1998. Directed by Nora Ephron. Runtime: 1hr 59min. Rated PG.

Jason’s performed all over the world including for the troops in Europe, South America, & Afghanistan. His standup special: BISCUITS and GRAVITY can be watched right now on YouTube.

He’s been featured in Red Dead Redemption 2, Orange is the New Black, HBO, Comedy Central, At Home with Amy Sedaris, Hulu’s Wu Tang Clan Series, and 30 Rock.

- 2 premium seats
- $90 food & beverage credit ($45 per person)
- Gratuity
- Ticket Protection

Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.

Live Wire joins forces with the Portland Art Museum for an afternoon of roving performances ahead of an evening recording of the program. The event coincides with PAM's monthly Free First Thursday and the Portland Book Festival's expanded programming. Performers will include poet and rapper Dessa, bestselling children’s author Mac Barnett, Pulitzer Prize Finalist Ed Park, and Portland comedian Mx. Dahlia Belle.

Free pop-up performances will take place throughout the Museum’s galleries, giving visitors a chance to catch live performances and storytelling while moving through the PAM spaces. Completely free through PAM’s Free First Thursday general admission. Also, enjoy a fully seated, ticketed Live Wire taping hosted by Luke Burbank with announcer Elena Passarello, featuring a blend of interviews, comedy, and music performed live for the audience, then edited into an episode for broadcast to over 200 public radio stations nationwide.

Visitors can take in the afternoon gallery pop-ups, the evening show, or both.

Yvette Segan is a comedian, actor, writer, and producer. She performs standup all over the globe, most notably at New York Comedy Festival and Top Secret in London. She has featured across the US at Cobb’s Comedy Club in San Francisco, The Hollywood Improv in Los Angeles, Helium Comedy Club in Philadelphia, and headlined Don’t Tell in Washington, DC. In NYC she performs at clubs and indie shows across the boroughs. Her work has been featured by Buzzfeed, Betches, New Yorkers, and Barstool. She has a BA in Drama from Vassar College and Certificate in Classical Acting from the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

- 2 premium seats
- $90 food & beverage credit ($45 per person)
- Gratuity
- Ticket Protection

Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.

Part comedy special, part concert, and full of surprises. Bernice Ye, dubbed “The Jackie Chan of Comedy” by The Stranger, brings Wuhan Clan Ain’t Nuthin’ ta Duck Wit to Portland’s Kickstand Comedy for one night only. Wu-Tang energy meets immigrant storytelling in a live show blending stand-up, original comedy rap, martial arts, audience interaction, and cinematic multimedia. It’s about identity, ambition, and building your own clan when the world doesn’t hand you one.

Born in Wuhan, China, Ye came to the U.S. with $1,000 and a computer science degree from Peking University. She built a career at Microsoft and Hulu, then walked away from tech for the comedy stage. Now an internationally touring comedian, comedy rapper, and taekwondo black belt, she turns that unlikely journey into an evening of laughter, music, and reinvention. It was the most unhinged sequence of decisions she’s ever made. It’s working. With 400K+ followers and more than 100 million views online, Ye has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The Stranger, and Seattle Gay News. Her credits include the New York Comedy Festival, Bergamot Comedy Festival, and Best of the Fest honors at Burbank Comedy Festival, Laugh After Dark, and Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Festival.

Following previous appearances at The Siren Theater, Ye returns to Portland with the road-tested show that launched a 13-city national tour. Whether you’ve followed her online or are discovering her for the first time, you’re invited into the Wuhan Clan. Come for the comedy. Leave with a clan—and songs stuck in your head.

Leapin’ Louie: The Upside Down Ocean. Leapin’ Louie’s new show: An ocean animal circus spectacular. It’s science, but you laugh so hard. Gastropod Cousteau (aka Leapin’ Louie Lichtenstein ) is a nudibranch detective trying to figure out what happened to the missing kelp forests. Whales, sea otters, decorator crabs, giant squid and a peacock mantis shrimp help Gastro solve the mystery. And the story is told with circus and comedy. Featuring giant lasso, glow juggling, a 6 foot unicycle, enormous puppets and a slide-show of amazing ocean animals. You know him from White Album Xmas or the Rose Festival. Leapin’ Louie has performed his solo shows in 35 nations around the world, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brazil, the UK and a few dozen European tours. He has toured opening for country stars Brooks and Dunn and the rock legend Primus. He makes adults laugh with family-friendly material, and he gets audiences very excited.

Portland premiere of a new, independent film!

Fran (Geena Pietromonaco), a quirky, Christmas-obsessed designer is scrambling to move out of the Seattle apartment she shares with her ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend before they get engaged on New Year’s Eve. Will (Zach Gilford), a jaded celebrity chef who has lost his love for cooking and the holidays, needs to salvage his reputation after a brutal breakup with his business partner.

Determined to succeed, Fran enlists her besties to pull off the perfect Christmas culinary pop-up and help Will remember why he loved cooking in the first place. And despite her vow to never date another chef, sparks begin to fly.

• Director: Molly Muse
• Country: United States
• Year: 2026
• Runtime: 93 minutes

The Understudies, Portland’s hottest new musical improv group, is debuting their one-hour fully improvised musical, The Understudies: A Fully Improvised Musical. It’s curtain time, but the musical’s principal cast has all mysteriously fallen ill! Can the Understudies fill in and perform a show they’ve never even heard of, much less practiced? Come enjoy a fully improvised musical comedy filled with drama, epic songs, joy, dance, and a heaping helping of laughs.

21Ten Theatre is a cozy 40-seat black box theater in Southeast Portland, providing an up close and personal experience with some of Portland's most talented performance artists.

The Understudies are Sean Arlo (Dropped Notes, Curious Comedy), Whitney Kemper (Mouth Stuff, Kickstand Comedy, Curious Comedy), Lydia Manning (Slydia, Bike Play, Kickstand Comedy), Heather Riggs (Mouth Stuff, Kickstand Comedy), Megan Monroe (Kickstand Comedy, Curious Comedy), Wren Reynolds (Kickstand Comedy), Brantley Bacon (pianist extraordinaire, No Soap Radio, Los Mal Hablados), and Bloom Davis (Kickstand Comedy).

Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian

ALL SALES ARE FINAL. PLEASE, DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ORDER BEFORE PURCHASING. NO REFUNDS.

2026 Cinnamon Bear Cruise Dates:
Saturday, 11/28
Sunday, 11/29
Saturday, 12/5
Sunday, 12/6
Saturday, 12/12
Sunday, 12/13
Saturday, 12/19
Sunday, 12/20
Monday, 12/21
Tuesday, 12/22
Wednesday, 12/23
Thursday, 12/24
Saturday, 12/26
Sunday, 12/27

Boarding: 9:00 am
Cruising: 9:30 am – 11:30 am

• 2-hour cruise on the Willamette River
• Plated hot breakfast (eggs, potatoes, bacon, fruit and pastries) for adults & youth, excludes infants
• Hot cocoa, orange juice, coffee and hot tea
• Souvenir photo with Cinnamon Bear for every child 12 and younger
• Signature Cinnamon Bear treat for youth
• Character storytelling, autograph sessions and magic show
• Reserved table
• Service gratuity

Boarding Location:
Salmon Springs Dock
1010 SW Naito Pkwy, Portland, OR 97204

Return Details: Returns to original departure point.

Tickets start at $72 for adults or $52 for children 12 and younger. Cinnamon Bear has been a holiday tradition for generations and you’re invited to make this season one your child will remember forever.

Reservations available at portlandspirit.com/cinnamonbear or by calling 503-224-3900.

Meet the Tokyo Kanpai Boys, Japan's funniest stand-up comedians, bringing brand-new material and a wildly entertaining look at life and comedy through Japanese eyes. Whether they're explaining Japanese dating culture, exposing everyday misunderstandings between East and West, or simply proving that awkwardness is universal across languages, Tokyo Kanpai Boys delivers a show packed with laughs.

Featuring Kansei Yasuda, Daniel Wilson, Shota Saimu and Daisuke Muramoto.

Don’t miss this unforgettable night of international comedy that bridges cultures through laughter. Cheers ("Kanpai") to that.

The one-man band without a plan, Mattress started in 2006. To quote a sassy pal (with initials IB): “You are wildly unpopular for that amount of time.” Amen. Who cares? Art for art’s sake. For the first time ever–Mattress is putting together a full band for this show. 5 guitars? 8 keyboards? 12 drummers? Yodelers and a glass harmonica? Probably.

Mattress has made some friends over 20 years and put together this stellar bill (more of a mini-fest), bringing together acts he met 20 years ago and 2 years ago. Check this out:

Black Shelton (solo), a one-man band powerhouse of wit, sleaze and electro boogie. Songs "I'm Back in the Doghouse Again" and “White Lover” will warp your mind.

Dragging an Ox Thru Water fingerpicking melody noise glitch heart string puller.

THRONES Joe Preston is coming out of semi-retirement to do this show. Hopefully this will get some elder goths and heshers out of their LazyBoys and into the show.

Joe Von Appen, the monologue performance semi-comedy satirist who has toured with Mattress for close to 10,000 miles. He will host the show; his dry wit will confuse and entertain most in attendance.

Special guest TBA, probably famous, very name-droppable.

Who is in the Mattress band? Members of Modest Mouse, The Fur Coats, Dommengang, Room, WIBG, Black Shelton and others.

True West Presents Kathy Griffin: New face, New tour Fri, November 6th, 2026 Doors: 6PM / Show: 7PM Aladdin Theater

Portland Japanese Garden’s Tea Ceremony Workshop offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditional practice of Chanoyu, or the Way of Tea. Experience the art of tranquility, mindfulness, and omotenashi, whole-hearted hospitality.

It is not an exaggeration to say that through tea, one can understand much of Japanese culture. Tea’s influence can be found in many of the nation’s most beloved artforms, including arranging flowers, calligraphy, incense, ceramics and lacquerware. Japanese gardens are also deeply intertwined with tea ceremony. The four principles of tea, wa (harmony), kei (respect), sei (purity), and jaku (tranquility), are explored by the gardeners of Portland Japanese Garden in their work every day.

Guided by skilled instructor Jan Waldmann, Sosui, the focus of this workshop is to learn to be a guest in the tea ceremony, an important aspect to this historic tradition. Participants will learn the proper etiquette for attending a tea ceremony, including how to receive and consume sweets and matcha, and most importantly, the reasons behind each of the steps. Additionally, you will gain insight into what it entails to be a host— understanding the occasion and seasonality, attention to aesthetics, careful preparation, and the thoughtful gestures made toward the guests.

Participants will first attend a presentation of tea ceremony in our Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner alongside visitors to the Garden before they are taken into their exclusive workshop in the Yanai Classroom.

Participants will first attend a presentation of tea ceremony in our Cathy Rudd Cultural Corner alongside visitors to the Garden (2:00-2:30pm) before they are taken into their exclusive workshop in the Yanai Family Classroom (2:45-4:15pm).

No previous experience is needed. Students will sit in a chair at a table, not kneeling on a tatami mat.

Urasenke Konnichian of Kyoto is one of the major establishments within Japan that has preserved the tradition of Chado or the Way of Tea.  From the first Urasenke generation, Sen no Rikyu (1522-91) to the current headmaster Zabosai Genmoku Soshitsu XVI (b.1956 -), the Sen family lineage has devoted great effort to fostering the philosophy of Tea through the simple words of Wa – Harmony, Kei -Repect, Sei – Purity & Jaku – Tranquility. Over the years Urasenke has established connections in over 21 cities worldwide.

Live Wire teams up with the Portland Art Museum during First Thursday and the Portland Book Festival. From 4:30 to 6 p.m., complimentary pop-up performances roam the museum galleries, no ticket needed. At 7 p.m., host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello lead a seated, ticketed taping with poet and rapper Dessa, children’s author Mac Barnett, Pulitzer Prize finalist Ed Park, and Portland comedian Mx. Dahlia Belle. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.. Portland Book Festival passholders get 10% off.

Date: November 29, 2026 from 2:00 PM

Pricing: $25 – $35

Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. He is a favorite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he has enjoyed 14 years of sell-out success.

Louis explores the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. From square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes, tornados and trampolines to people inside bubbles, the Amazing Bubble Man conjures shrieks of laughter and gasps of amazement from all ages.

Most shows will also feature multi-instrumentalist Jet Black Pearl accompanying Louis with bubbly music to double your pleasure.

https://amazingbubbleman.com/

“Greatest Bubble Show on Earth.” – San Francisco Chronicle

“It’s a fantastic show. Louis Pearl playfully forms bubbles beyond imagination and engages the audience with his easygoing nonverbal slapstick.”

“Louis Pearl – aka The Amazing Bubble Man – truly deserves his title. Most of the show is accompanied by gasps and awes…and that’s just the adults. Kids can be heard giggling with excitement.”

“This show captivated its young audience, and the adults loved it as well. Highly recommended.” –British Theater Guide.

“The show is one giant, joyous caper” —The Wee Review

“Better Than Cirque du Soleil” – Corbin Doughy, 11 audience member. The eight-year-old seated beside this reviewer summed it up neatly during the show, proclaiming after one nifty maneuver, ‘he sure is the amazing bubble man.’

PAM gallery pop-ups: 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Doors for Live Wire seated show: 6:30 p.m.
Live Show: 7:00 p.m.

Live Wire Radio, the Portland-based public radio variety show, joins forces with the Portland Art Museum for an afternoon of roving performances ahead of an evening recording of the program. The event coincides with PAM’s monthly Free First Thursday and the Portland Book Festival’s expanded programming.

In the afternoon, free pop-up performances will take place throughout the Museum’s galleries giving visitors a chance to catch short live performances and storytelling while moving through the PAM spaces. Performers will include genre-blending rapper and writer Dessa, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and children’s author Mac Barnett, National Book Award Finalist Ed Park, and Portland comedian Mx. Dahlia Belle among others.

The evening will feature a fully seated, ticketed Live Wire taping hosted by Luke Burbank with announcer Elena Passarello, featuring a blend of interviews, comedy, and music performed live for the audience, then edited into an episode for broadcast to over 200 public radio stations nationwide.

Visitors can take in the afternoon gallery pop-ups, the evening show, or both!

Note: Admission is free to the afternoon gallery pop-ups as part of general admission on Free First Thursday at Portland Art Museum. Tickets available on the museum website.

Ticket Prices:
$40 Preferred Seats
$36 Bookfest Pass Holder Discount – Preferred Seats (10% off)
$15 General Admission Seats
$13.50 Bookfest Pass Holder Discount – General Admission (10% off)

Onigiri Action is an annual event by the Japanese Culture Club. Students make onigiri (rice balls), enjoy tea, and send a photo that helps provide five school meals to children in need worldwide. Everyone is welcome! Located in the Student Union (Bldg. 10). Gresham Campus Map

With over half a billion online views, privileged west London’s leading freestyle rapper comes to the USA & Canada for the first time! An entire show of lightning-fast improvised raps and explosively funny rhymes all based on audience suggestions. You'll leave astounded at the speed of his brain, the spontaneity of his punchlines, and the stability of his upbringing. Jaw-dropping, hilarious, utterly unbelievable.

Hello everyone! MC Hammersmith here! It's been months of waiting, and I'm *still* awaiting final work visa approval from your glorious USCIS! I have an interview at the US Embassy on the week of October 12th, where - all being well - I am assured they *should*grant me final visa approval then and there to enter your great nation! HOWEVER! Anything could happen, and while tickets to this show are obviously refundable in the event my visa doesn't arrive in time, if you book hotels/travel to come to this show, PLEASE make sure it is refundable also! I would hate for any of my noble American followers to be left out of pocket by any final administrative curveballs. Okay thanks love you and see you in the States probably; can't wait to eat Chipotle til I'm sick!

- 2 premium seats
- $90 food & beverage credit ($45 per person)
- Gratuity
- Ticket Protection

Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.

Cult favorites Hopes ‘n’ Prayers returns to Kickstand Comedy with an explosive late-night comedy show that will blow you into a million pieces. Throw out your SSRIs and mainline the dopamine that is Party for the End of the World. Join another favorite indie team for a night of improv comedy, party games, chaotic characters, end-days camaraderie, and whatever the hell else they feel like.

***content warning: guns, violence, sex, language, giant boobs, abstinence, drug use, war (what is it good for), suicide, patricide, matricide, fratricide, misandry, shit and piss, vomit, semen, sexy anthropomorphic animals, depression, addiction, alcohol use, hot carl, two girls one cup, slime, squirt, blood, menstruation, tooth decay, incontinence, impotence, desecration of national monuments, vehicular manslaughter, paranoia, diseases of despair, astrology, anti vaxxing, over vaxxing, neurodivergence, recycling, that thing of when a person on a lime scooter flies off and is mortally wounded, skateboard, huffing, puffing, poppers, whoppers, antiauthoritarianism, flashing lights, being way up on high, petty theft, acab, rippin beers, big tech, artificial insomnia, ménage á trois, peace, love, unity, respect, drunk driving, arson, being in a cemetery after it closes, cannibalism, disney adults, going no contact, uncles and nephews being in a band, bus of life, late stage capitalism, columbine, male loneliness epidemic, 23&me, polyamory, the 2008 financial crisis, microplastics, plastic surgery, running from the law, breaking stuff, little to no respect for furniture, splash zone, osteoporosis, scoliosis, paranormal encounters, blood, sweat, tears, hemorrhoids, neck, back, pussy and crack issues, bill paxton, bizarre allergies, mass extinctions, war on christmas, using the computer, organ theft, broken hearts, huge boats, bodily harm, necrophilia, sexually transmitted infections, buying in bulk, heliocentrism, conspiracies, witches who buy things on amazon.com, pussy hats, hillary clinton jail time, 9/11, buying airline tickets for a discount on 9/11, factory farming, evolution, long content warnings, toxic positivity, party rocking, not being sorry for party rocking, unappealing textures, atheism, misotheism, loving god with no proof, homosexuality, and homophobia.***

Hopes ‘n’ Prayers is Diana Kolsky (The Chris Gethard Show), Lauren Sinner (Night Cheese), and Blade Weedman (Fuckos).

Fred Armisen is a comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He is the co-writer and co-star of IFC’s Emmy-nominated series Portlandia. He is in the hit Netflix series Wednesday as Uncle Fester. He stars in HBO’s Los Espookys, which he co-wrote and executive produced. He can also be heard in the hit animated Super Mario Bros movie. Armisen stars in, writes, and produces IFC’s hit show Documentary Now. He has also appeared in HBO’s Our Flag Means Death, Judd Apatow’s The Bubble, andAmazon’s series Forever. He voices characters in Big Mouth and The Mitchells vs. The Machines. He is currently starring in the Broadway play All In. Armisen is an 11-season veteran of Saturday Night Live. From 2014-2024, Armisen was band leader of the 8G Band on Late Night With Seth Meyers.

Anthony Hudson reads from his new collection of performance works Lamp Black: Plays and Other Grievances at Portland Art Museum in the American Art gallery (Level 2, Room 211), paired with Moses Soyer, Girl with a Cigarette.

Followed by book signing at The Shop at PAM.

A major collection of performance works by artist and agitator Anthony Hudson.

Lamp Back: Plays and Other Grievances collects nearly a decade of work by Anthony Hudson, a queer Indigenous artist and agitator also known as Portland, Oregon’s premier drag clown, Carla Rossi. Whether fumbling with a lamp in a satirical takedown of land acknowledgments or confronting the history of redface in pop culture, Hudson alternates between Rossi’s cackling “ghost of white privilege” and more earnest, vulnerable confessionals as himself—all with a deep commitment to bitter humor and brutal honesty. In these performance works, a mixed-race Native boy plays a pilgrim in his kindergarten Thanksgiving pageant. A young artist recounts the racism in their favorite musical and the larger American theater system. A drag queen storytime goes disastrously wrong and calls for an exorcism with a plunger. Kate Bredeson’s unflinching introduction speaks to Hudson’s work through a cultural and historical lens and illuminates the importance of his project to filet the American Empire.

Ahren Belisle has skyrocketed onto some of the biggest stages in comedy—despite only performing stand-up for a few short years. He won over millions as a Top 10 Finalist on America’s Got Talent and made an unforgettable debut on the wildly popular podcast Kill Tony, where he’s become a regular fixture. A former software engineer and mental health advocate, Ahren was born in Northern Ontario with cerebral palsy and is nonverbal, delivering his punchlines through his phone. His innate charm and quick wit have earned him a unique place in comedy—where the comedian who doesn’t speak is allowed to say anything. Ahren has built a devoted following of over a million fans across social media, using his platform to blend bold comedy with messages of positivity, inclusion, and resilience.

- 2 premium seats
- $90 food & beverage credit ($45 per person)
- Gratuity
- Ticket Protection

Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.

Special live introduction and post-screening Q&A with the writer, director, and producers Josh Androsky, Nate Fisher, and Amber A’Lee Frost!

Chapo Trap House presents: CHUNKS – an anthology film of six unique comedy shorts threaded together with our host Ruby, a faded Hollywood starlet (Ruby McCollister, Search Party, Rap World) and taking inspiration from the glamorous by-gone era of late nite public access weirdness.

With live action shorts featuring originals from friends of the podcast, like Pod About List (Adam Friedland Show, Rap World), Sandy Honig (Adult Swim’s Three Busy Debras), Will Senett (A Closer Look, Eephus), and two animated segments from Episode 1 & Jim Soper (The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie) and Nick Mullen (CumTown) & Saul Crinier.

• Director: Various
• Country: United States
• Year: 2026
• Runtime: 120 minutes

Marsha Blovotnik is angry. So angry. The whole world is fakakte, but for this Leftie Jewish Lesbian, it’s her sister Janice who really burns her tuchus. Janice invites herself over for Shabbos dinner and then shows up three minutes early. Who does that?!? Just before her sister arrives, a mysterious ancestor gives Marsha a pot of magical chicken soup with the power to cure the world of its woes — if only Marsha can cool down enough to share a bowl of soup with her sister.

A buoyant, crackling comedy about how to live in a dumpster fire.

Fred Armisen is a comedian, writer, producer, and musician. He is the co-writer and co-star of IFC’s Emmy-nominated series Portlandia. He is in the hit Netflix series Wednesday as Uncle Fester. He stars in HBO’s Los Espookys, which he co-wrote and executive-produced. He can also be heard in the hit animated movie Super Mario Bros. Armisen stars in, writes, and produces IFC’s hit show Documentary Now. He has also appeared in HBO’s Our Flag Means Death, Judd Apatow’s The Bubble, and Amazon’s series Forever. He voices characters in Big Mouth and The Mitchells vs. The Machines. He is currently starring in the Broadway play All In. Armisen is an 11-season veteran of Saturday Night Live. From 2014-2024, Armisen was the band leader of the 8G Band on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Get ready for a night of music, comedy and incredible a cappella music as Vocalocity brings We’re Halfway There. Vocalocity takes some of the biggest songs from the ’60s to today and completely reimagines them using only the human voice. From Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson to Coldplay and more, their fun show is packed with songs you know and love, Vocalocity’s signature harmonies and plenty of unexpected moments along the way.

This isn’t your traditional a cappella concert. Vocalocity combines powerful vocals, beatboxing, comedy and six distinct personalities into a fast-moving show designed to keep you entertained from beginning to end.

Come laugh, sing along and experience your favorite songs in a whole new way.

Participants will begin with self-reflective prompts before embarking on a slow, guided walk, where they will be invited to observe and capture with a camera (or cell phone) how the late autumn garden mirrors the landscapes of transformation, grief and transition.

The seasonal landscape itself becomes a teacher: the architectural presence of conifers standing among bare deciduous trees, the rich layers of fallen leaves returning to the soil, beavers preparing for winter, eagles tending their nests, seed pods, mosses, textures, changing light, and the quiet beauty that emerges when life appears stripped down to its essence.

Through mindful photographs, participants will gather visual "fragments" before coming together in a circle for creative reflection, gentle conversation, and complementary herbal teas. The intention is to cultivate presence, symbolism, and a compassionate way of witnessing both nature and ourselves.

Bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate layers, drinking water, optional snack, camera or cell phone. If using a cell phone camera, be sure that the sound is off.

About the Guest Facilitator

Clara-Julia Peru is an artist, poet and nature advocate. She is a grief informed art and nature guide with an abundance of specialized training in grief support and expression. Learn more about Clara-Julia’s work here.

Sliding Scale Equity Pricing

In an effort to create an inviting and inclusive community for all we have sliding scale equity pricing based on personal financial experience and financial privilege.

Join us for Perfect Person Live! A flawless call-in advice show in which Miles Bonsignore answers your calls, solves your problems, and helps you achieve perfection.

- 2 premium seats
- $90 food & beverage credit ($45 per person)
- Gratuity
- Ticket Protection

Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.

The Portland Princess Ball returns bigger, more enchanting, and more unforgettable than ever! Explore three magical ballrooms and meet nine beloved princesses as they bring their stories to life through special interactions, live performances, photos, and dancing.

Meet the royal team. These queens and princesses are kind, sweet, and gentle, with hearts full of love for children. They embody grace and warmth, ensuring every moment is magical. Many of the performers are professional dancers, actors, and singers, bringing their talents and charisma to life with every wave of the wand. Of course, they’re always true to character, making each experience unforgettable.

The princess roster:

• Ice Queen
• Ice Princess
• Cinderella
• The Island Princess
• Little Mermaid
• Beauty
• The Arabian Princess
• Snow White
• The Frog Princess

* Princess appearances are subject to change in case of illness, emergency, or circumstances beyond control.

Event Highlights:

• Nine enchanting princesses
• Famous princess songs performed live on stage
• Special princess interactions, photos, and dancing
• Three uniquely themed ballrooms
• Tea sandwiches, royal desserts, and princess tea
• Freshly scooped ice cream
• Two photo booths
• Two bouncy castles
• Glitter tattoos
• Princess crafts

One of the crowning achievements of the German expressionist movement, Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau’s THE LAST LAUGH stars Emil Jannings stars as an aging doorman whose happiness crumbles when he is relieved of the duties and uniform which had for years been the foundation of his happiness and pride. Through Jannings’s colossal performance, THE LAST LAUGH becomes more than the plight of a single doorman, but a mournful dramatization of the frustration and anguish of the universal working class.

Limited number of discount passes to see all the films in the Weimar Germany: Queer Visions series while supplies last.

• Director: F.W. Murnau
• Year: 1924
• Country: Germany
• Runtime: 90 minutes

Self-help Singh is the alter ego of international comedian Masood Boomgaard. Self-help Singh, described as a comedic alternative life coach and de-motivational speaker, first appeared to Boomgaard in a vision after he fell and hit his head while rushing to the bathroom in an attempt to outrun the gastric consequences of bad lamb vindaloo. Boomgaard has since been sharing the "common sense wisdom" and de-motivational teachings of Self-help Singh to millions of people on the internet. The Self-help Singh live show is a hilarious yet thought-provoking juxtaposition of stand-up comedy, parody and motivational speaking. During his decade-long full-time professional comedy career Boomgaard has performed in New York, London, Dubai and during the lockdown, in his father's garage. He lives in South Africa with his cat...for now.

- 2 premium seats
- $90 food & beverage credit ($45 per person)
- Gratuity
- Ticket Protection

Management reserves the right to prevent customers from entering the facility who they deem disruptive or dangerous to other patrons.

British breakthrough Brett Goldstein has swiftly cemented his status as a formidable creative force, both on and off screen. Goldstein most recently starred opposite Jennifer Lopez in Netflix’s irreverent romantic comedy “Office Romance,” which he also co-wrote and produced alongside Joe Kelly. The film immediately soared to the No. 1 spot globally, drawing an astonishing 20.9 million views in its opening weekend.

He also continues to push creative boundaries as co-creator and executive producer of the cathartic comedy “Shrinking,” alongside Jason Segel and Bill Lawrence. The Emmy-nominated Apple TV series is currently in production on its fourth season. In addition to his behind-the-scenes work, Goldstein’s pivotal guest performance has drawn widespread critical acclaim. His contributions to the series have earned him a BAFTA TV Craft Award nomination for ‘Writer: Comedy,’ a SAG Award nomination for ‘Outstanding Ensemble,’ and a 2024 WGA nomination for ‘New Series.’

Goldstein first broke through as writer, executive producer, and star of the Apple TV phenomenon “Ted Lasso,” set to return for its fourth season in August. His brash yet lovable performance as Roy Kent previously earned him two consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for ‘Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy’ – the first back-to-back win in the category in nearly 15 years. He also received a Critics' Choice Award, Golden Globe nomination, and shared in the SAG Award for ‘Outstanding Ensemble,’ along with the WGA Awards for ‘Best Comedy Series’ and ‘Best New Series.’

With over half a billion online views, privileged West London’s leading freestyle rapper comes to the USA and Canada for the first time. An entire show of lightning-fast improvised raps and explosively funny rhymes, all based on audience suggestions. You'll leave astounded at the speed of his brain, the spontaneity of his punchlines, and the stability of his upbringing. Jaw-dropping, hilarious, utterly unbelievable.

Lidong marks the beginning of winter on the traditional Chinese solar calendar. Before the cold settles in, give yourself one slow morning: warming teas brewed gongfu style, the garden turning gold outside the window, and 80 minutes that belong entirely to you.

Hosted in a private, hand-built teahouse in SE Portland, this small-group gathering (16 guests maximum) is led by Fengxia, a landscape architect who designed and built the teahouse and its Japanese-style garden herself. You will taste several seasonal teas, learn the basics of gongfu brewing, and leave with a quieter mind.

Advance booking required.