Upcoming Comedy Events
If laughter really is the best medicine, April Fools Day is a perfect time for everyone to get a checkup. In recognition of this annual celebration of pranks and jokes, here are some humorous options in the area.
Joe Klocek and His April Fool’s in San Francisco
April 1
Joe Klocek headlines a night of standup at San Francisco’s famous Punchline Comedy Club in the Embarcadero. A portion of ticket sales benefit Comedy Gives Back, a safety net for the comedy community. punchlinecomedyclub.com.
Aziz Ansari at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre
April 3
Aziz Ansari broke through as a fantastic standup comedian before getting high profile roles on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, Netflix’s Master of None and Fox’s Bob’s Burgers. He’ll bring his Hypothetical Tour to Oakland’s spectacular Paramount Theatre on April 3. paramountoakland.org.
Quinn Dale
April 4 and 5
Tommy T’s Comedy Club in Pleasanton, open weekends and some weeknights: This longtime East Bay comedy club features national headliners every Friday and Saturday night. Quinn Dale headlines April 4 and 5, with shows at 7:30pm and 9:45pm each night. Dale sold out shows in the cozy club last year—audiences were howling at his politically incorrect material. tommyts.com.
Magician Rafael Benatar
April 4 and 5
Magician Rafael Benatar at the California Magic Club in Martinez, April 4 and 5: This magic show and dinner theater celebrates its 21st anniversary on April 4 and 5, with performances by “Maestro of Magic” Rafael Benatar. Guests enjoy a multicourse dinner, a stage show, and up-close magic tricks at this longtime venue in downtown Martinez—the magic shop opened in 1980 and the restaurant in 2004. The venue is open most Friday and Saturday evenings and books amazing magic acts from around the country. calmagic.com.
Rick Rodriguez
April 4 and 5
Empress Uncensored Comedy Show, April 10: Vallejo’s Empress Theatre hosts a night of standup comedy featuring headliner Rick Rodriguez, who has opened for Carlos Mencia and now considers the Empress to be his home club. A lineup of comedians from BlackbookComedy.com fill out the bill. empresstheatre.org.
Mark Normand
April 11
Mark Normand in Napa, April 11: Comedian Mark Normand is one of the hottest standup acts in the country these days, and the New Orleans native is bringing his “Ya Don’t Say” tour to Napa’s charming Uptown Theatre on a Friday night. Expect the “We Might Be Drunk” podcaster to delight the audience with his unique observations and crowd work. uptowntheatrenapa.com.
Kathleen Madigan
April 18 and 19
Standup vet Kathleen Madigan brings more than three decades of punchlines to the Uptown Theatre for a two-night stand. The hilarious comic’s “Day Drinking” tour seems like a perfect pairing for the elegant Wine Country venue. uptowntheatrenapa.com.
Benicia High School’s B.I.T.E. in Benicia
May 23
Benicia Improvisational Theatre Ensemble (B.I.T.E.) is an impressive improvisational ensemble that formed in 2001 and is made up of 24 actors from Benicia High School. The group meets twice per week to shape its improv skills, and performs open-to-the-public shows at the high school’s Hayley Horn Auditorium.
The ensemble’s final performance of the school year is scheduled for May 23
and will also include performances from alumni members from the group. The program is suitable for adults, as it “straddles a PG-13 line,” and tickets are $8 for students and $11 for grownups. Tickets benefit the program as well as a scholarship fund for college-bound improvisers focused on public speaking and business. tabbs.org.
