Hawthorne

It's Trans Awareness Month, and we have an all-star cast of trans performers and a very special guest as bachelor: River Butcher (@rivbutcher)!

River Butcher is a Los Angeles-based standup comic, actor, and writer. His first half-hour special “A Different Kind of Dude” debuted on Comedy Central’s Youtube channel and was called “a masterclass in culture war commentary” by Esquire.com. River recently wrote on the FX pilot “Belated,” previously wrote for “A League of Their Own,” and created/starred in/wrote the critically acclaimed and GLAAD award-nominated tv show “Take My Wife.” You may have also seen him as non-binary standup comic Lindsay Brady on “Good Trouble” and Adam Conover’s sibling on “Adam Ruins Everything” or queer dinner guest Denim in the hit movie “Friendsgiving.” He has done standup all over the country, the globe, and the screen, including Ellen, Conan, Comedy Central, and HBO. River was named one of Vanity Fair’s “Ten Comics to Watch” at comedy’s prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal in 2017, just 6 years after doing his first stand up open mic. His first hour special “Someone’s Boyfriend” made it’s debut to lots of likes on Youtube in 2023. He is currently touring the country telling jokes about being trans.

Featuring Mx. Dahlia Belle (@mx.dahliabelle), Riley McCarthy (@rileycandunk) & Seattle's JoJo Blacco (@jojoblacco) as heart throbs competing for River's love, this Heart Throb will be a night to remember! Hosted by Mack Lee & Randy!

Poster by @coldmoonimageanddesign

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.

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.)