Not joking: SF Sketchfest starts today. If you haven't made any plans, we're here to do you a solid. Here's a roundup of some excellent comedy, from tributes to standup to screenings. There's way, way more over at the 14th Annual SF Sketchfest site, this is just some of the big time stuff that looks great and isn't already sold out. The festival runs through February 8th, so dip in and out of the action whenever you need a laugh.
Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show, King of the Hill) transplants his weekly Brooklyn-based stand-up show to San Francisco's Cobb's Club. You'll catch Sean Donnelly, Ron Funches, Jonathan Katz, and Morgan Murphy on the lineup. $38
Friday, January 23rd, 8:00 p.m.
Cobb's Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave between Chestnut and Lombard Streets
This isn't your parents NPR quiz show... not to blaspheme Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. With Ophira Eisenberg and hilarious house musician Jonathan Coulton, this installment of Ask Me Another includes some really excellent panelists and is to be missed at your own risk. $35
Monday, January 26th, 8 p.m.
Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. between 17th and 18th Streets.
"But I'm A Cheerleader:" The Peaches Christ Experience with Natasha Lyonne
The marvelous Natasha Lyonne (most recently of Orange Is The New Black) joins Peaches Christ, who directed her in the horror comedy All About Evil, for a conversation about this campy 1999 send-up of gay conversion therapy. This movie was probably supposed to be enjoyed in the company of drag queens at the Castro Theatre. $25
Tuesday, January 27th, 7:30 p.m.
Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. between 17th and 18th Streets.
A fine, upstanding literary event in which naughty stories are told. With the Mission Position's wonderful Kate Willett, the Nerdist's sexuality podcaster Sex Nerd Sandra, and music by charming songstress Rachel Lark, it's sure to be a highlight. $24.50
Saturday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.
Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa St. between Hampshire St. and Potrero Ave.
A tip of the hat to the trio behind This Is Spinal Tap, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, and A Mighty Wind as hosted by local Mythbuster Adam Savage. These folks invented an incredible style and you probably already love them for it, so just go and applaud the whole time. $35.
Saturday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.
Nourse Theater, 275 Hayes Street between Franklin St. and Van Ness Ave.
Prolific and strange, "Weird Al" has interrogated "cool" in pop-music for decades with his on-point, off-the-rocker parodies. My prayer with this one is that he performs something with Garfunkel and Oates, the excellent LA-based musical comedy duo. $30
Friday February 6th 7 p.m.
Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. between 17th and 18th Streets
SF Sketchfest Tribute to Christopher Lloyd and 30th Anniversary screening of “Back to the Future”
From "Taxi" to "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" Christopher Lloyd is comedic magic in a bottle. What better way to watch his classic performance as Doc than with the man himself in the room, as interviewed by Scott Adsit (30 Rock). $25
Friday, February 6th, 9:30 p.m.
Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. between 17th and 18th Streets
SF Sketchfest Tribute to “VEEP” with the cast
Her majesty Julia Louis-Dreyfus and other Veep stars such as Tony Hale (Buster on Arrested Development will be in the house. This event was a last minute addition and tickets will likely be gone quick, so get on it Veep fans! $45.50
Saturday, February 7th, 7:30 p.m,
Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St. between 17th and 18th Streets
PRINCESS PLAYS PURPLE RAIN: Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum in an Evening of the Music of Prince
SNL great Maya Rudolph and LA singer-songwriter Gretchen Lieberum are become PRINCESS. Yes, this is the premier female Prince cover band, so party like it's 1999 with them. $40
Sunday, February 8th, 7:00 p.m.
Mezzanine, 444 Jessie St. off 6th Street.
