Performing Arts❯Comedy❯Improv

Behind The Scene with The Christopher Brown QuartetSun, Nov 01++ PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS EVENT IS FOCUSED ON EDUCATION - PLEASE READ DESCRIPTION ++In an effort to create meaningful culture building moments within a Jazz context for teenage musicians (as well as band instructors), drummer/bandleader Christopher Brown will host an ongoing series entitled “Behind the Scene” with his quartet. And what will separate this event from any other like it is that it’ll combine the Jam session, concert, and clinic experience into a collection of transformative moments for all involved.On the 1st Sunday of each month Christopher teams up with Montavilla Jazz to provide our city with an invaluable Jazz workshop that’s designed to adequately prepare young musicians for the most competitive musical environments in the world (namely NYC). So for the cost of a trip to Starbucks, this event provides:• 30 min concert by Christopher’s quartet.• One hour Q & A with the quartet.• 30 min food, beverage, and mingling break.• One hour of interactive music mentoring with members of Christopher’s quartet.• Access to the quartet’s extended network.**THERE IS NO FOOD OR DRINK SERVED AT THIS EVENT (outside food and drinks are permitted)** 01:00 PM SHOW

Kevin Selfe’s Blues Jam is a high-energy Sunday afternoon session kicking off at 5 PM, led by acclaimed guitarist and vocalist Kevin Selfe. Featuring a rotating lineup of top Portland musicians, the jam delivers spontaneous collaborations, extended grooves, and plenty of room for musical surprises.

Band members: Kevin Selfe (guitar, harmonica, vocals), Jimi Bott (drums), Allen Markel (bass), and friends.

Doors open at 4 PM for dinner & drinks
Music kicks off at 5 PM

Here’s the quick rundown so everyone has a blast:

• No reservations needed — first come, first served. Grab a good spot early!
• There’s a $6 cover
• 21+ show

Sessions are led by Marina Dodgson (fiddle) and Maurice Condie (guitar). These are open access sessions, so there’s no need to book in advance, you’re welcome to just turn up and join in! We believe great things happen when we play tunes together! People connect with each other and make friends, and we keep our music traditions alive by sharing tunes and passing them on. What’s more, playing tunes can make you feel happy, and if you do it often enough, you’ll notice that you are getting better at playing your instrument too! It turns out that you don’t even have to be in the same place…great things still happen when we play music together, online from the comfort of your own home. Phoenix Folk Ltd exists to promote participation and performance in folk and acoustic music, song and dance across the North East of England. We aim to be a friendly face of folk music, to help keep alive the great traditions of folk music and to encourage talent and personal musical development.

Enjoy an open jazz jam session for all ages and levels. An opportunity for younger musicians to play with seasoned pros and learn from experience.

Max Tucker is leading the Student Jazz Jam at Artichoke Music. Max, along with the afternoon's house band, will warm up the stage with a short set, and the jam will follow. The backline includes a keyboard and a drum set. Max Tucker is a drummer, producer and educator living in Portland, Oregon. He relocated to Portland in 2018, moving from NYC, where he studied jazz at the New School and studied with master drummer Michael Carvin. He is currently teaching drums and playing actively in the fertile Portland music scene.

Trails End Boys feat Jason (JT) Thomas, Marty Henninger, Jim Solberg, Drew Baird

Cited by The Portland Mercury as "One of the funniest (and most educational) comedy shows in town": Comedy, queer history, and dangerously delightful shenanigans collide at Be Gay Do Crime.

July features a Know Your Rights presentation by community activist Frances Portillo, with scenarios acted out in sections by the featured BIPOC improv troupe Brown Sugar.

**This presentation is specifically geared towards allies wanting to know more about how to support their immigrant and BIPOC neighbors and community members.**

Also featuring the talents of local comedians and performers, including:

• Stand-up comedy from Lindy Tongol (Host of qu eer, BIPOC show House Party)
• Improv from Brown Sugar
• Stand-up from Julia Corral (host of Comedy in the Park, House Party, and Bruja-ja)

July's show will be hosted by Jane Dillinger and Jenna Britann.

Tickets are GAYAF — give as you’re able, friend. Ticket sales will go towards compensating the hosts and performers. All additional tips collected during the show will support a different local community non-profit organization each month.

(Please note, this show is about history and adult themes, and adult content is often included, including themes of violence, racial discrimination, homophobia, sexual violence, sexual content, drug use, mature language, etc. There are also "dishonorable guests" whose comedy or artistic material could include similar themes. Recommended for ages 14+ and parental discretion for those under age 18.)

A trio will play the first set. There will be a sign-up sheet with 10 tunes picked out, as well as openings for songs of choice and originals. Not just a jazz jam. Any genre, style and flavors welcome. Please be respectful and wear a mask when not drinking, eating or playing a horn. There will be a PA set with 2 mics, Keys with an amp, a guitar amp, a bass with an amp, Drums, and 2 DI boxes. Bring your sticks, instrument, instrument cable, or anything less than the keys and drums.

Sunday Open Jam – Music, Games & Good Vibes! JAM WITH US! Every Sunday from 8 PM - Midnight, the stage is yours! Whether you're a seasoned musician or just love to vibe, grab an instrument and join the magic. Beyond the Music – Challenge your friends to a game of ping pong, dive into some fun games, and soak in the best Sunday night energy in town! 21+ with valid ID – Come for the music, stay for the vibes! No cover, just good people, great tunes, and an unforgettable night. See you there! *************************************************************************************************************** Questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page!

18 years of tradition, Froggy's Blues Jam—also known as the Church of Eternal Suds—continues to be Oregon's longest-running blues jam. Always check with venue t

X-Prov is a fully improvised, never-before-seen episode of the X-Files where you choose the case and your favorite FBI agents solve a brand new mystery. Is the truth really out there?

Remember the X-Files? What if you got to see one more episode, never before seen and never to be seen again?

In X-Prov, the audience decides which X-File agents Mulder and Scully will investigate. This completely improvised homage to America’s favorite conspiracy-laden ‘90s procedural will feature shadowy government organizations, small-town secrets, and at least one unexplainable creature.

Featuring Tessa Waring (as seen in Group Shower) as Scully, Mo Merrill (as seen waiting for the bus on Glisan) as Mulder, and a supporting cast of Kickstand favorites.

So ask yourself: Do you want to believe?

Each month, embark on a journey where you showcase your talents. Whether you are a singer/songwriter, a poet, or a solo instrumentalist, here's your opportunity to shine on the stage. Feel free to start a jam as well. The stage is yours.

Get ready to take the stage, cheer on local creatives, and soak up an unforgettable evening of art, music, poetry, and community. The space into a vibrant hub of expression with a monthly Open Mic Night—and you’re invited. Whether you’re an experienced performer or just itching to share something new, the mic is yours. Singers, songwriters, poets, instrumentalists, comedians, storytellers, and more—everyone is welcome to sign up for a chance to shine. Sign-ups begin at 6:00 p.m., and the show kicks off around 6:30 p.m. with short (~10 min) performance slots.

Hosted by Joshua Bennett. All ages, all abilities welcome—bring friends, family, and neighbors.

Whether you’re strumming your guitar, reciting your latest poem, sharing a story, or simply enjoying the show from the crowd, this night is about connection, performance, and inspiration.

Uilleann piper Preston Howard Wilde leads an Irish piping session - it’s a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon, all ages, 2-4 pm. Mar 16 - pre-empted by St. Patrick‘s Day Celebration. Irish piping tunes can be heard on Mar 17 (Mon) from 11 am to 1 pm.

Bobby Vega

Tomorrow's Verse | Portland, Oregon

Some of the best nights of music never make the posters.

They're the nights where someone texts a friend, "You should get down here."

Some nights are about who's on the bill.

These aren't.

That's what Bobby Vega is bringing to Tomorrow's Verse

Bobby will be there. That's all we're telling you.

Who else shows up? You'll have to find out the old-fashioned way—by being there.

These aren't showcase gigs or carefully packaged performances. They're community hangs. They're the kind of nights where incredible players call tunes, trade ideas, take chances, and remind everyone why live music still matters. Some names you'll recognize immediately. Others you'll discover for the first time. Every one of them belongs in the room.

No announcements. No lineup drops. No chasing likes.

The only way to find out who's sitting in is to walk through the door.

Portland has always had these pockets where the scene comes alive—not because somebody marketed it, but because people knew it was worth showing up for. Third Thursdays are built in that tradition.

Bring your friends. Grab a drink. Meet some new people.

This is a sliding scale event $5-$20. Kindly pay what you can afford in the tip jar. We also take venmo.

To help preserve the spirit of these gatherings, we ask that there be no audio or video recording and no photography during the performances.

When the time is right, we'll share thoughtfully curated moments from these evenings ourselves.

Thank you for being present and helping make these nights special.

No covers, no originals. All congregants welcome. Music made in the Jam Gods' image 🎶

Every Tuesday, something pretty special happens at Tomorrow's Verse Taproom. Musicians pull up a chair, listeners grab a pint, and for a couple of hours the room turns into the kind of community space that's getting harder and harder to find. No stage, no spotlight, no barriers—just people sharing songs, stories, and a love of live music.

Whether you play, listen, or just enjoy being around good people, Bluegrass and Brews is a place to connect. Discover your new favorite musician, catch up with neighbors, and support a group of local pickers who keep traditional music alive, one tune at a time.

Pull up a chair. Order a pint. Stay awhile. The music's better when the room (or courtyard) is full.

Join us at Migration Brewing for swing jazz and dancing.

****PLEASE NOTE**** This month’s jazz jam is on the 3rd Sunday of the month to avoid overlapping with Tracktown Throwdown happening in Eugene the second weekend of the month.

There is no cover for this event, but please purchase food and drink to show appreciation to the venue for hosting us.

No partner needed! All ages welcome!

The jazz jam is open to everyone and highlights swing-era jazz. If you're a musician and you'd like to participate, bring your instrument! We hire a house band and bring a piano, a small sound setup, and fake books.

For more information, click here.

Search and Destroy (S.A.D. for short) is a multimedia variety show happening on the last friday of every month featuring artists and local leaders sharing their craft and talking about what matters most to them. Through storytelling, live conversations, audience interaction, and heavy doses of honesty and humor, S.A.D. seeks to give hope and to be an entertaining and informative space for all to have fun, let loose, and be reminded that we as a people have the agency and ability to initiate change by working together as one.

S.A.D. was partly inspired by late-night television talk shows and variety hours and follows a similar format: an eye-catching opening number, a charming Emcee willing to play the fool, and a shared evening of dance, music, film, comedy, and conversations/interviews, all loosely tied to a theme of the night. The show ends with a dance party where the audience is invited to join the party on stage.
One of the main goals of each S.A.D. show is to dissolve the separation between artist and audience by directly engaging, conversing, and interacting with the audience, inviting them to participate in their seats as well as on the stage.
 Every show features dance movement, improvisation, visual imagery and soundscapes, conversations and spoken word, and various bits that play with the blurring of boundaries between the scripted and unscripted, all through an honest and humorous lens and the intention to entertain, educate, and inspire. Each episode of S.A.D. showcases different artists and acts than the previous one, guaranteeing that every iteration is unique and can only be experienced once.
S.A.D. is a show for everybody and every body, regardless of their identity, background, age, and anything else used to describe oneself.

*Revenue generated from each show is split evenly amongst the contributing artists

J Names is one of the area’s longest running improv teams. A prominent comedy supergroup of local comedy veterans whose first names (most!) start with the letter “J”. This is high-quality improvisation you won’t want to miss. Featuring: Jay Flewelling, Jed Arkley, Justin Himes, Jenn Hunter, Jon Bolden, SJ Santa Cruz, Katie Behrens, Craig McCarthy.

All ages welcome, though assume PG13 content.
$15 online / $20 at door

Led by Joe Offer, new Zoom link posted every week, just before doors open: https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=168014&messages=37.

Join us the 1st Wednesday of every month. Bring an acoustic instrument, hand percussion, or your voice & come jam along.

More info on our Lessons & More page.

Pre-registration not required, but we’d love to know ahead of time if you’re planning to come & what you’re planning to play.

Sign up here.

Rock out at our Open Musician's Jam! Join us for our jam sessions, where music meets fun and friends meet rock 'n roll! It's gonna be a blast, and here's what's in store: Gear Galore: Pianos, electric/acoustic guitars, tube amps, bass (4 or 5 string), drum set, ukulele – we've got 'em ready for you! Plus, extra mics for singers and whatever else you want to bring. Covers welcome: Bring your band, or team up with fellow jammers. We often get lots of blues, rock, pop, funk, and a load of awesome covers from all decades, but especially 90's. Let's make some noise!Game On: We've got Ping Pong tables and arcade machines for friendly competition. No Limits: Bring your musical mojo, and let's get wild! Whether you're a pro or just here for the good times, it's all about the music and the good vibes. Admission: FREE, 'cause we're all about the music! Bring your instruments, your voice, and your A-game. Let's jam like there's no tomorrow! We'll see you there, ready to turn up the volume! This venue is 21+ *************************************************************************************************************** Questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page!

The session begins at 8PM every Tuesday with an hour of jazz from a rotating house band led by Portland based band leader and trumpet player, Pablo Rivarola. The last two hours of the session will be a curated jazz jam featuring some of Portland’s best young jazz musicians.

Join us every Tuesday night at your favorite mid-century lounge for some of Portland’s best jazz. No cover charge and happy hour prices all night long!

McMenamins and the White Eagle proudly present a weekly Monday night Blues Jam hosted by Portland Bluesmen, Chad Rupp and the Sugar Roots! Please Join us for our weekly blues jam session at The Sugar Roots Blues Jam every Monday in this legendary Portland venue!

Pivot Studio at The Village Ballroom square dance & open old time jam, $15 single ticket/ $30 family ticket, all ages, single dancers and first-timers welcome and encouraged! Nov 13 (Fri): 6-7 pm - old time jam in the lounge 7-9 pm - square dance with Caroline Oakley calling & Old Time High More dances to come - Jan 22 (Fri): Feb 19 (Fri): Mar 12 (Fri): Thanks to Bubbaville for co-producing this event with Pivot PDX.

open source string improvisation

Hosted by bassist Andrew Jones, Pacific Lumber & Wire is a gathering of local string players working with open source structured improvisation/conceptual composition. The intention is to create a zero risk environment to explore sound and community cooperation, with a healthy dose of play and catharsis achieved. Prompts, graphic notation, games, process pieces- any and all ideas are entertained, adapted and integrated as they’re offered and molded by the group.

Join the Change Through Play Improv studio for an evening of improvisation. The showcases feature students from every level of classes, improvisers from around Portland, and the Founder and staff improvising as well. The showcases are fun and different!. Come see students demonstrating what they’ve been learning. Learn the difference between what beginning improvisers explore versus intermediate and advanced improvisers.

These showcases are VERY supportive and nurturing, and they're designed to let the students publicly show what they've been working on in class, so bring the spirit of support with you.

Come see sets from the Foundations, Intermediate and Advanced Workshop teams. Also featuring a Harold from the special guests: Mouth Stuff.

The evening will close out with a set from 3hree with Eric and Aden Nepom and the Founder, David Koff.

After the performance of Do You Feel Anger? ends (approx. 9:00 pm), P.I.E. (PSU Impro Ensemble) will take over the stage for an hour of "unscripted" (that is, improvised) post-show fun! You don’t need to attend Do You Feel Anger? to enjoy this high-spirited performance. It’s available to everyone for free!

Learn more about the School of Music & Theater.

P.I.E. graphic created by PSU student collaboration: Leslye Gonzalez Juarez, Alex Herd, and Danger Swatosh.

About a month ago, we lost our beloved fellow musician Jere Hudson. Jere was a true light in every gathering, and he will be sorely missed. We are planning a jam in his honor, where we will play some of his favorite tunes. Cajun, old-time, bluegrass, folk, Irish: anything goes. All are welcome. Also please note that we need to buy any alcohol at the venue.

Rock out at the Open Musician's Jam. Join these jam sessions, where music meets fun and friends meet rock 'n roll. It's gonna be a blast. Bring your instruments, your voice, and your A-game.

• Gear Galore: Pianos, electric/acoustic guitars, tube amps, bass (4 or 5 string), drum set, ukulele, ready for you. Plus, extra mics for singers and whatever else you want to bring.
• Covers welcome: Bring your band, or team up with fellow jammers. There are often lots of blues, rock, pop, and funk, plus a load of awesome covers from all decades, especially the '90s. This is a jam of any genre, tends to be rock/soul/bluesy pop/fusion/jazzy funk, but whatever you play, that's what it'll be.
• Game On: Ping Pong tables and arcade machines for friendly competition.
• No Limits: Bring your musical mojo, and get wild. Whether you're a pro or just here for the good times, it's all about the music and the good vibes.

This venue is 21+

Portland Country Dance Community (PCDC) sponsors a contra slow jam on the 1st and 3rd Mondays from 7-9 PM in the community room at McMenamins Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211. The events are free and open to all acoustic musicians, whether you play by dots or by ear. The contra jam plays tunes from the Portland Collection and the waltz books edited by Bill Matthiesen. If you don’t have the books, we’re happy to share. Come make music with us!! Questions: Email Kathy Story, PCDC President at board-chair(*at*)portlandcountrydance.org

Join us every 4th Sunday at 2:30 PM for an afternoon of Brazilian music, community, and improvisation at Tomorrow’s Verse Taproom. Hosted by acclaimed musicians Sean Watson and Tim Connell, Roda de Choro is an invitational jam celebrating the rich tradition of Choro — the lively, virtuosic acoustic music that helped shape Brazilian jazz and samba.

Expect an intimate circle of musicians trading melodies, rhythms, and solos in a welcoming, communal setting. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Brazilian music or just curious to experience something new, this is the perfect Sunday hang: incredible players, great beer, and the joyful spirit of live music shared together.

Tomorrow's Verse Taproom

4605 NE Fremont Street, Portland OR

2:30 PM • Every 4th Sunday

Welcome to Kalama on a String! This group is dedicated to keeping our community connected through the love of live bluegrass and acoustic jams in Kalama, WA. Whether you’re a musician or a fan, stay updated on local gatherings, share event details, and celebrate the music that brings us together! Mountain Timber Market will have tables and chairs set up on the east side, lower level, for community seating.

Musicians will need to bring their own chair to set up and be sure not to block any retailers’ entrances or walkways. Cars may pull up on the curb in the south parking lot for loading and unloading only. Please move your vehicle once finished to keep the area clear.

Please be mindful of the retail merchants, as we will be guests in the Market.

Bring your favorite tunes, and we are looking forward to seeing y’all.

Join us every Thursday from 7–10 PM at The Hostel Cafe for our weekly Old Time Jam, a welcoming gathering for musicians who love traditional Appalachian tunes, fiddle music, and acoustic string-band sessions. All skill levels are invited to play, listen, and connect with our lively local folk music community.

Beginning this fall, Lulu hosts live jazz every Wednesday from 8–11pm.

The night opens with a house set from 8–9pm, featuring:

Dario Lapoma on piano

Patrick Golichnik on bass

Alan Jones on drums

Pablo on trumpet

From 9–11pm, the session opens to guest musicians from across Portland — no two Wednesdays will be alike.

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).

Sessions are led by Marina Dodgson (fiddle) and Maurice Condie (guitar). These are open access sessions, so there’s no need to book in advance, you’re welcome to just turn up and join in! We believe great things happen when we play tunes together! People connect with each other and make friends, and we keep our music traditions alive by sharing tunes and passing them on. What’s more, playing tunes can make you feel happy, and if you do it often enough, you’ll notice that you are getting better at playing your instrument too! It turns out that you don’t even have to be in the same place…great things still happen when we play music together, online from the comfort of your own home. Phoenix Folk Ltd exists to promote participation and performance in folk and acoustic music, song and dance across the North East of England. We aim to be a friendly face of folk music, to help keep alive the great traditions of folk music and to encourage talent and personal musical development. Everyone is muted, which means that you hear your own instrument, completing a trio with our fiddle and guitar. You can play the tune, or try some harmony!

Seattle Song Circle continues its tradition of a virtual circle, now marking the sixth online year. Held every Sunday. For more info, go to: https://www.seafolklore.org/about-sfs/seattle-song-circle/.

Join an open, welcoming night of live music. Musicians of all levels and styles are invited — this is a fun-loving, respectful space for anyone who wants to play, sing, or just listen. No cover charge. There is a full backline and a gorgeous stage with professional lights and sound, ready for solo acts, small groups, and unusual arrangements alike — if you can dream it up, The Barrel Room can probably make it work.

Sign-ups start at 5 p.m.; performances start at 5:30.

No cover charge — just good vibes, great music, and an amazing crowd to cheer you on. Grab your friends, sip on your favorite drinks, and enjoy a night of unforgettable performances.

Get ready to shine.

21+ with valid ID