SF Sketchfest returns this weekend for a 22nd citywide celebration of mirth. With icons like Laraine Newman, Bill Murray, the casts of "Futurama" and "Bob's Burgers," as well as Kathryn Hahn at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater, there are plenty of popular events to go around at multiple venues in San Francisco. Here are a few of the queer performers and queer-focused programs worth checking out.
Joel Kim Booster
The writer/star of "Fire Island" and featured actor in Maya Rudolph's Apple TV series, "Loot" returns to SketchFest with an all-new stand-up set, "Rude Little Pig." Given its title, one might expect the show's material to hew closely to the queer, sex positive, stereotype-exploding repertoire of Kim's 2022 debut Netflix special, "Psychosexual."
But while fans of Kim's earlier stand-up will certainly find some laugh-out-loud raunch here, the show is said to be more tightly constructed and self-reflective. It's built around Kim's relationships with "the two most important men in my life" his adoptive father and his boyfriend (now fiancé) of four years, both of whom are white.
Booster will also host a live taping of his podcast "Bad Dates," showcasing awful memories from local legend Peaches Christ (whose talk with Tim Curry is sold out); cutie-pie comic Dave Mizzoni, and Spike Einbinder, trans sibling of queer "Hacks" star Hannah Einbinder (Their mom is original Not Ready for Prime Time Player, Laraine Newman, also a performer at this year's Sketchfest).
"Rude Little Pig," Jan. 24, 7:30pm, $40 (Sold out, limited tickets may be available at the door). Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell St.
"Bad Dates," Jan 25, 4pm, $43.25-$67.10. Cobbs Comedy Club. 915 Columbus Ave.
¿Donde Esta Mi Comedy?
The funniest Latin-American comedians from all over el mundo to bring you a live comedy experience that will be full of chanclas, chiles, chistes, besos, y amor. Queer poet and host Baruch Porras Hernandez created the showcase back in 2016. His guests are Graciella Hamilton, Steve Hernandez, Molina Molina, Ashley Monique, and Sergio Novoa.
¿Donde Esta Mi Comedy? Jan., 16, 7pm, $35, The Lost Church, 988 Columbus St.
Straightio Lab
Funny queer brainiacs George Civeris and Sam Taggart use the platform of their popular podcast, StraightioLab, to apply the quick wit of stand-up comedy to funny, but surprisingly thought-provoking examinations of "straight culture." They'll record a new episode live at Cobb's.
Straightio Lab. Jan. 17, 9:45PM. $30.75-$54.80.
Trans-It Girls
Billing themselves as the Trans-It Girls and curating impressive line-ups of fellow trans and ally comedians, Nori Reed and Hayden Johnson have been selling out shows in New York and Los Angeles.
Reed, now based in Los Angeles, got her start on the Oakland comedy scene about 10 years ago, beginning with sets at queer showcases but quickly getting bookings for general audience gigs. She's performed on Showtime, HBO Max, and at Comedy Central's Clusterfest in San Francisco, where she was the invited opening act for headliner Amy Poehler. Reed will also present one of Sketchfest's "Fake Ted Talks" at a later event.
Johnson gained major attention last year with an hour-long solo set called "Twink Death," cleverly conceived as a funeral ceremony for her former self.
Among the other performers at the Sketchfest edition of Trans-It Girls is Sabrina Wu, the non-binary, Brooklyn based performer best known for their hilarious turn as Deadeye in the 2024 film "Joyride." One of this year's Sketchfest Dozen, Wu will also perform a full half-hour set of her own during the festival.
Trans-It Girls. Feb. 1, 9:30pm, $34.86. Gateway Theatre, 215 Jackson St.
Fake Ted Talks. Jan. 31, 7:30pm and 9:45pm, $54.80-$67.10. Cobbs Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave.
Brendan Scannell
Impish ginger Scannell is best known for playing genderqueer Heather Duke in the short-lived 2018 television reboot of "Heathers" and the more successful two-season Netflix S&M comedy "Bonding." Scannell's stand-up sets are delivered with twinkle-eyed cunning, as he consciously juxtaposes his boyish manner with the dirtiest of jokes.
Brendan Scannell: Neighbor Boy. Jan. 25, 3pm, $37, Lost Church, 988 Columbus Ave.
For the complete Sketchfest calendar, visit www.sfsketchfest.com
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