The second annual Coast Comedy Festival begins April 25 in three coastal cities and will include 10 shows on four nights in five venues, culminating with one headliner on the Sawdust Theatre stage Sunday, April 28.
Soul of Wit Productions, founded by Ty Boice of Salem, is organizing the comedy series with shows in Newport, North Bend, Bandon, Gold Beach and Coquille.
Boice grew up in Curry County. He said the Comedy Festival is “drawing national headliners, seen and heard on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” “Bob and Tom Radio,” “Comedy Central,” “Stand UP Records,” “Don’t Tell Comedy” and the recent winner of the Seattle International comedy competition.
“It is a privilege to return home to a place I love and return with laughter,” he added. “We could not be more excited to pair these hand-picked venues with some of the funniest comics in the country. These comics are truly a match made in heaven because of their love and appreciation for small town life and coastal communities.”
Comedian Sam Miller of Olympia Wash will headline a show in Bandon on Thursday, April 25, and will be in North Bend on Friday night, Bandon again on Saturday night and Sunday night in Coquille. Doors open at 7 p.m. for all shows, said April Birkholz of Soul of Wit. The Bandon Show will be at the Sprague Theatre, 1202 11th St. SW. In North Bend, the festival will be at the Back Alley Pub, 1225 Virginia Ave., and in Coquille at the Sawdust Theatre, 120 N. Adams St. Tickets for all shows are $12 online at www.sowfunny.com plus fees, $15 at the door.
Headliner Sam Miller is “one of the West Coast’s fastest-rising comedians,” she said. He has been a guest on “The Bob and Tom Show” heard by 2.5 million radio listeners everyday. He was the runner-up in the 2021 Seattle International Comedy Competition and won the Comedy on Trial Competition in 2017. He’s also performed with the Addicts Comedy Tour and at NA and AA conventions all over the Northwest. For three consecutive years, Miller won awards in “The Best of Olympia” issue of the Weekly Volcano. He also is on the bill in North Bend on Friday night.
Miller is 6 foot 6, weighs 360 pounds, been married for 11 years, has two children and has been clean and sober 14 years.
“Sam likes to make jokes about what it’s like to be a sober parent,” Birkholz said. “He also likes to make jokes about what jail’s like in Yakima.”
Miller’s first album and special, “Round Trip,” was recorded and filmed under the tutelage of Grammy-winning producer Dan Schlissel of Stand Up! Records, with which Miller signed a three-album deal.
Headlining the Thursday night show in Gold Beach at The Landing North, 94321 Wedderburn Loop, is Carl Lee, who has toured the nation with great comics, such as Ron White, Mo’Nique, Bill Bellamy and John Pinette.
“Carl has performed at the North Carolina Comedy Festival and Redwood Comedy Festival, and was featured on “The Bob and Tom Show” and NBC’s “Last Comic Festival,” Birkholz said. “You can also hear Carl on Heckleproof Podcast via your favorite streaming services.”
Lee also will headline the show in Coquille on Friday night and return to Gold Beach on Saturday.
Headlining the laughter Thursday night in Newport at Primal Tones, 2925 SE Ferry Slip Road, is Brent Lowery, a Portland comedian who regularly performs throughout the Northwest. His online content has been viewed by millions,” Birkholtz said. He has opened for Kyle Kinane, regularly hosts the “Don’t Tell Comedy” shows in Portland and recently was named MVP of the 2023 City v. City Smackdown.”
Lowrey won the 2023 Seattle International Comedy Competition, where he was described as “a powerhouse joke teller who doesn’t break a sweat.” He helps run Don’t Tell Comedy shows in Portland, and founded LaughsPDX — the go-to website for all things Portland comedy. His online content has been viewed by millions,” Birkholtz said.
He also will headline the show Friday night in Gold Beach and Saturday night in Coquille.
Here’s the complete schedule for the Coast Comedy Festival:
Thursday, April 25, Sam Miller in Bandon; Carl Lee in Gold Beach and Brent Lowery in Newport.
Friday, April 26, Sam Miller in North Bend, Carl Lee in Coquille and Brent Lowery in Gold Beach.
Saturday, April 27, Sam Miller in Bandon, Carl lee in Gold Beach and Brent Lowery in Coquille.
Sunday, April 27, Sam Miller in Coquille.
WHO: Soul of Wit Productions presents Headline Comedians Sam Miller of Olympia, Wash., Carl Lee, a Northwest funnyman, and Brent Lowery of Portland.
WHAT: Coast Comedy Festival
WHEN:
Thursday, April 25, Sam Miller in Bandon; Carl Lee in Gold Beach and Brent Lowery in Newport.
Friday, April 26, Sam Miller in North Bend, Carl Lee in Coquille and Brent Lowery in Gold Beach.
Saturday, April 27, Sam Miller in Bandon, Carl lee in Gold Beach and Brent Lowery in Coquille.
Sunday, April 27, Sam Miller in Coquille.
WHERE: The Back Alley Pub in North Bend, the Sprague Theatre in Bandon, the Sawdust Theatre in Coquille, The Landing North in Gold Beach and Primal Tones in Newport.
WHY? To bring laughter to all who attend.
HOW MUCH? Tickets are $12 online at www.sowfunny.com plus fees, $15 at the door.
Most Popular
Comments / 0